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Brake Pads
updated: Jul 02, 2012, 4:50 PM

By Edhat Subscriber

I am in need front brake pad & new rotors for my 2004 Volvo V70 wagon. Can you please suggest some affordable places? I know about DiMauros, but he's strictly Hondas, Nissans, and Toyotas from what I could gather after doing an EdHat search.

Comments in order of when they were received | (reverse order)

COMMENT 293523	2012-07-02 05:03 PM
Big Brand Tire in Goleta off of fairview has always been very fair to me. I've never felt like I was getting ripped off by them and they've always done a great job.
COMMENT 293525	2012-07-02 05:04 PM
What's affordable? Can you give a range you are looking for?
COMMENT 293531	2012-07-02 05:18 PM
Look up the Mechanics Files on the Car Talk web site.
COMMENT 293536	2012-07-02 05:28 PM
Call the guys over at Top Shop on Patterson. If they can't help you they'll refer you to a decent/honest shop that can. One of the owners,Pat is their Volvo specialist. Willie(also an owner) and or Lou will take your call--they work the front office.
COMMENT 293554	2012-07-02 06:03 PM
only use oem parts for volvos. you could be sorry if you dont.
COMMENT 293555	2012-07-02 06:03 PM
Dave at Dave Scholl Automotive. He has been working on my Volvos for 12 years. I've found him to be very fair, thorough and honest.
REXOFSB	2012-07-02 06:10 PM
Tim at Swedemasters and his crew are the best Volvo mechanics in town. Nothing about Volvo repairs ANYWHERE is cheap, however.
COMMENT 293561P	2012-07-02 06:15 PM
I like Top Shop, too. They're very nice and have kept my cars on the road at a fair price.
COMMENT 293564	2012-07-02 06:24 PM
Dave Scholl is THE BEST.
ZIPPER101	2012-07-02 06:25 PM
I second the vote for Sweedemasters, but as the other poster noted, Volvo repairs are not cheap. Best to go with people who know what they're doing and use high quality parts, though.
COMMENT 293568	2012-07-02 06:38 PM
Looking online at an ehow web page it looks like V70 pad replacement does not involve anything that is especially Volvo specific. In other words, just because it's a Volvo, doesn't sound like it needs to cost more than other cars. Raise the front of the car, remove wheels and two caliper bolts, remove pads and rotors, compress caliper piston, put in new rotor and pads, remount wheels. I personally like Figueroa Brake and Repair on Figueroa and De La Vina, but I think any good brake shop will work.
COMMENT 293575	2012-07-02 06:57 PM
I also vote for Swedemaster's. You might also try Ian's on outer State; they've done the brakes several times on my 1991 Volvo. Ditto "volvo repairs are not cheap".
BULLSEYEB	2012-07-02 08:47 PM
Ian's Tire and Brakes on UpperState/Hollister. I've taken my cars to him since 1984 when I moved into town! He's honest, kind and will treat you with respect. I have referred many people to him without hesitation!
COMMENT 293621	2012-07-03 06:16 AM
Woolevers in Goleta.
COMMENT 293622	2012-07-03 06:25 AM
It's an incredibly easy job--do it yourself. Unless, of course, you like paying high school kids $500/hr to do the job.
COMMENT 293624	2012-07-03 06:30 AM
Superior on Milpas Fairview Motors Brakes & Alignment on (you guessed it) S. Fairview
COMMENT 293641	2012-07-03 07:37 AM
Fairview Motors, excellent mechanics and the owner is very honest.
COMMENT 293649	2012-07-03 08:19 AM
Hughes Volvo has been honest, thorough and no more expensive than any of the other 'volvo' mechanics i have consulted. They only use real volvo parts so no mistakes. Dave Scholl went immediately into overkill for our budget on an older volvo, never went back. Tried Oswald from years ago. Back to the dealer and still satisfied.
COMMENT 293661	2012-07-03 08:50 AM
Dave Scholl - ethical, knowledgeable & a nice guy too! (He works only on Volvos.)
COMMENT 293665	2012-07-03 08:59 AM
Superior brake on Milpas at Canon Perdido. 962-1417. I had a leak in my back axle and needed new brakes, pumps, seals and bearings. I received quotes from several of the majors. Superior beat them all and provided fantastic service with all the money staying local. They even advised me that my front brakes still had life, while the other places wanted to replace them.
COMMENT 293681	2012-07-03 09:26 AM
Dave Scholl Automotive - Fair, honest, great mechanic and good prices - volvos only 899 2601
COMMENT 293683	2012-07-03 09:31 AM
Dave Scholl IS Mr Volvo.....I agree he is honest and his prices are reasonable.
COMMENT 293691	2012-07-03 09:47 AM
Where is Jon Lipman when you need him?
COMMENT 293693	2012-07-03 09:49 AM
I vote for Superior Brake & Alignment too. They have done great work for me on my old Volvo in the past.
REXOFSB	2012-07-03 10:02 AM
@691: He's probably still out spending all the $$$ he got from me for what turned out to be a completely unnecessary, hideously expensive motor mount job he did on my second Volvo 10 or 15 years ago.
COMMENT 293755	2012-07-03 11:36 AM
Not SWEEDEMASTERS Tim me be all smiles but they are way overpriced--. I would agree with Scholl honest and fair prices.
COMMENT 293859	2012-07-03 03:42 PM
C&S automotive. Only guys in town I'd trust with my car.
COMMENT 293867P	2012-07-03 04:09 PM
Ken Symer Automotive on 421 N. Nopal. He is extremely reasonable, honest, for example. has kept my 1980 Niss Sentra in immaculate condition.
COMMENT 293875	2012-07-03 04:21 PM
Tim at Swedemasters is honest and he and his staff do excellent work. Try them and decide for yourself.
COMMENT 293886	2012-07-03 04:55 PM
Dave Scholl, Oswald's or Mastercraft Motors. Nobody else really does a good job on volvos or understands them, in my experience. Also, big brand tires is to be avoided at all costs. They really overprice their items and don't have mechanics with knowledge of foreign cars.

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