New rotors at 25k - anyone else have this problem

[98Disco]

My mother-in-law has a 2003 Freelander with just under 25000 miles. She took it in for service and the guy is telling her that is pretty standard wear. I've never heard anything so crazy. I would think 40k is the minimum for rotors for on road by a little old lady from Florida. Anyone else experience this?

 

[koby]

Welcome to Rover ownership.

Despite the size, these are heavy-ass vehicles.

Braking and speed habits will go a long way to dictating how long the pads and rotors last.

I speak from personal experience with my Disco, but I'm sure the same principles apply to the Freelander.

 

[DonC]

98 Disco,
That is about right. I was on my 2nd set of brake pads on my 02 Freelander when I traded it in at 51K miles. You can save major $$ by doing the job yourself. Nathan has the pads and rotors and the job is very straight forward.

 

[syoung]

Figure 15-25K miles per set of pads, changing rotors every second set. DBA rotors tend to last longer.
Pads aren't that expensive and it's a 45 minute job to swap 'em. Small price to pay for a small SUV that can stop faster than an Audi TT Quattro or Mustang GT (among others) in 60-0 tests.

 

[98Disco]

OK just checking - I can understand the pads but I expected at least 40k out of rotors. I get that on my Disco and I drive it like a maniac. Stops better than a TT - I'll have to test that - except my wife only has the FWD model.

 

[syoung]

It beat the Quattro... the FWD TT is probably a better stopper from less weight. The FL also beat the C4 vette in 60-0.

 

[Kyle]

I hear the strategy is to flop them on the side. Then they stop real fast...

 

[Rocky]

I must be the one to drive like an old lady. Got 90 k out of my front rotors....

 

[syoung]

I took my rotors off at 20K and they still are within spec- but I put DBA's on instead.

Kyle- the door handles are very good brakes...

 

[Kyle]

I would imagine that when its sliding backwards on its roof,if you popped the sun roof up it would be some killer brakes...

 

[syoung]

actually, the twin sunroof Discos are better at that.

 

[Beretta1526]

My mother-in-law has a 2003 Freelander with just under 25000 miles. She took it in for service and the guy is telling her that is pretty standard wear. I've never heard anything so crazy. I would think 40k is the minimum for rotors for on road by a little old lady from Florida. Anyone else experience this?

I think I got about 24k out of my front pads, but it was a surprise when the pads went down to the rivets and trashed the rotors (I think the Garden State Parkway killed my pads, actually). Pads all around and front rotors was only about $385-ish, so it wasn't terrible. BUT if it hadn't happened, I wouldn't have turned it in for an 04 Disco IIa.

I can also vouch for the outrageous stopping power in the Hippo though, not to mention the great handling.

 

[MontrealRR90]

just got mine done also 23,000 kilometers rotors finished! had a inspection 20,000 done at the dealer and the brakes were fine!!! 230$ for an oil change and a few little ajustments supposevely had to change everything about 300$ done iy myself no problem wait till i go to the dealer !!

 

[Krawler]

i went through a set of brake pads in 6 months it was pretty sad. They weren't the super pricy LR pads but they weren't the cheapest out there either.

 

[kjg48359]

Yep, Blame BMW

The problem with Freelander is that the rotors and pads follow the German traditions of very thin, hardened rotors (for better heat dissipation), but they do wear out quicker.

All designed under BMW's stewardship of LR (which by-the-way: that's where the 2.5 v6 comes from also which explains why the seals don't stand up to being dunked too often).

 

[syoung]

I thought Midland Powertrain designed that for the MG, then L.R. picked it up for the FL and the US market which demands more cylinders and petrol.
The most stupid part about the 2.5 is the variable intake- they NEVER work. Problem is that it doesn't always trip the MIL so you get lousy performance and fuel economy and the dealer ignores and denies it. The rear main seal plague seems to have tapered off... almost never hear about them anymore.

 

[jsonova99]

My mother-in-law has a 2003 Freelander with just under 25000 miles. She took it in for service and the guy is telling her that is pretty standard wear. I've never heard anything so crazy. I would think 40k is the minimum for rotors for on road by a little old lady from Florida. Anyone else experience this?

Different truck, but the rotors on my DII only lasted 30K with nothing but road use.

 

[XtremeMarine]

Last fall, my mother brought her 02 freelander s in for it's 30k service, and the rotors were right at the wear limit for specs, she drives like a bat out of hell, but never brakes real hard or tows loads. I would believe that you are just one of the average where it comes to your mother in law's fl.