Rear brakes need replacing.

[Rob Burns]

The handbrake on the rear has to be put back with a computer before the pistons can be pushed back. This means that only certain places will be able to replace the pads on your car, not just any idiot with tools. Penny pinching with brakes seems a little silly though. I know the people who ride in my car are worth a lot more than a couple of hundred dollars. Same thing goes for tyres (actually more important as they're the only part of the car that touches the road.

[brad]

The handbrake on the rear has to be put back with a computer before the pistons can be pushed back. This means that only certain places will be able to replace the pads on your car, not just any idiot with tools. Penny pinching with brakes seems a little silly though. I know the people who ride in my car are worth a lot more than a couple of hundred dollars. Same thing goes for tyres (actually more important as they're the only part of the car that touches the road.

Can you explain the handbrake thing a bit more or give me a link? I wasn't aware of this (never paid attention to Passat brakes previously).

I'm not sure why you'd classify saving ~$400 on brakes & probably getting a better final result as "penny pinching".

Generally OEM brakes are a compromise as the pad compound and disc material is formulated as a "one size fits all". By working with a brake specialist you can often tailor a pad & rotor combination that better suits your needs and saves several hundred dollars as well. It's not a case of spending less money & getting an inferior to OEM result. In fact I generally find that OEM brake equipment to be grossly overpriced & inferior in performance.

[RF 4MOTION]

Its not the dollars that concern me, I thought I may be getting ripped another one as the kms and time are so short. It seems others have had this problem too. The service guy explained the same way, softer pads and rotors that provide better stopping power (and mega brake dust). To do the job including new brake oil and flushing the system is approx $1200. Up until now I thought the servicing costs were quite reasonable.

[barrenjoey owl]

Its not the dollars that concern me, I thought I may be getting ripped another one as the kms and time are so short. It seems others have had this problem too. The service guy explained the same way, softer pads and rotors that provide better stopping power (and mega brake dust). To do the job including new brake oil and flushing the system is approx $1200. Up until now I thought the servicing costs were quite reasonable.

Just be greatful that you don't have a Renault, Clio 18ks new brakes required, Senic 22ks new brakes required.

dealer said that euro brakes are very soft.

[Umai Naa!!]

Speaking as a service technician in a VW dealer, yes, Passats do tend to wear the rears early. Anywhere between 45-60,000klms is normal. Depending on rotor thickness, if they're low they should be replaced, and do tend to wear as much as the pads. This is also normal. Don't bother with a brake fluid flush, unless it hasn't been done in the last two years. On top of this, the VW diagnostic computer IS required to retract and reset the pistons in the calipers. I have no idea what what a pair of calipers are worth, but I doubt they'd be cheap, given that they incorporate the electronic handbrake, so don't attempt to push them back in with any other method, as even pressing the button to release them, doesn't retract them all the way.

[RF 4MOTION]

I thought I would update you guys on my rear brake situation. Booked it in to be done with another VW dealer, got a call a few hours later to say I dont need replaced, that was done last service, then got a call later in the day to say I dont need the rotors replaced, they had lost 2mm and still had 5mm to go before needing to be replaced... bad news was they couldnt get the pads off (having trouble with the electronic program that seperates them?). Kept loaner overnight, picked it up next afternoon for a total bill of just under $400. It pays to get second opinions.

[Mountainman]

Just be greatful that you don't have a Renault, Clio 18ks new brakes required, Senic 22ks new brakes required.

dealer said that euro brakes are very soft.

+1 there. My mates Peugeot 306 XSi required new front pads and discs after 12,000km of quiet driving. Cost $700 each time until he woke up and went aftermarket. Must be a French thing.