Porsche Brake Replacement Cost: How Much Should You Pay? (in 2023)

If it’s your first time dealing with a Porsche brake replacement job, you are probably in disbelief in how much your dealership wants to charge you. In this article, we’ll help you understand why dealerships charge so much and how you can save over $1,000 on your brake job.

Quick Answer

To replace the front and rear brakes, expect to pay between $2,500 to $3,500 at a Porsche dealership or around $1,800 to $3,000 at an independent Porsche mechanic. However, if you are somewhat handy, you can replace your brakes yourself for less than $1,000.

Why does replacing the brakes on a Porsche cost so much?

Compared to an ordinary car, replacing the brakes on your Porsche is so much more expensive due to exorbitant price Porsche dealerships charge for parts and labor. Firstly, Porsche dealerships are required to used genuine Porsche parts (aka original equipment / OE parts). These parts are usually highly marked up versions of parts made by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) like Bosch and Brembo. Secondly, Porsche dealerships charge anywhere from $180 to $250 an hour for labor whereas a Toyota dealership may only charge $120 an hour.

Let’s take a close look at how much you can expect to pay for replacing the front and rear brakes on a 2014 Porsche 911 Carrera S. You can expect a similar price breakdown for other Porsche models as well.

How to save money on a Porsche brake replacement?

As we mentioned above, replacing the brakes on your Porsche is expensive due to parts and labor. While Porsche parts and labor are very expensive, replacing the brakes on a Porsche is no more difficult than replacing the brakes on an ordinary car. Let’s explore how you can save money by either doing-it-yourself (DIY) or visiting an independent mechanic.

Do-It-Yourself

DIY is a great way to save up to $2,000 replacing your brakes because you can avoid overpriced “genuine” Porsche parts. While you might be concerned about using non-genuine parts, most genuine Porsche parts are actually rebranded parts made by other manufacturers. For example, many genuine Porsche brake pads are made by Textar, which you can purchase a set for around $100 vs. around $260 for “genuine” Porsche pads.

Let’s see how much you can save by doing-it-yourself and using OE-equivalent parts.

Independent Porsche Mechanic

Alternatively, if you are not comfortable replacing the brakes on your Porsche yourself, hiring an independent Porsche mechanic is still a great way to save money. Firstly, an independent Porsche mechanic, typically charges around $120 to $150 per labor hour, so you’ll save at least $200 on labor. Secondly, an independent Porsche mechanic is often willing to use OE-equivalent parts, which will save you a significant amount of money.

While going to an independent mechanic will save you money, you can still expect to pay around $1,800 to $3,000 to replace your brakes. This is because independent mechanics mark up the price of parts to make money. To avoid this surcharge, we recommend calling around to find a reputable independent mechanic that allows customers to supply their own parts. This will allow you get the best deal on parts and only have to cover 4 to 5 hours of labor.

Conclusion

In summary, replacing the brakes on a Porsche is indeed very expensive. While we agree Porsches are special cars, replacing the brakes is no more difficult than on an ordinary car. To save yourself $1,000 or more, skip the Porsche dealership and either do-it-yourself or visit an independent Porsche mechanic.

Here at eCarGuides, our goal is to help car owners make the best decisions possible when it comes to maintaining their vehicles. Find a highly-rated Porsche mechanic near you and detailed DIY guides for your Porsche.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do I need to replace my brakes?

The brake pads on a Porsche can last around 30,000 to 40,000 miles under normal driving conditions. Since all modern Porsches use brake pad sensors, you can easily tell when it is time to replace your brakes because a brake warning light will appear in the instrument cluster. Alternatively, you can use a brake pad measuring tool to determine when the brake pads are nearing the end of their life.

Do I need to replace the brake pads and rotors at the same time?

Many Porsche dealerships will insist on replacing the brake pads and rotors at the same time. While we are often skeptical of dealership service centers, we generally agree. Typically on a Porsche, by the time the brake pads need to be replaced, your car has eaten through a significant amount of brake rotor material.

To inspect your brake rotor, run your fingernail across the edge of the brake rotor. If there is a lip your fingernail catches on, it’s a good idea to replace your brake rotor. And even if there isn’t a lip on the edge of the rotor, by replacing the brake pads and rotors at the same time, you’ll reduce the risks of brake squeal and vibration.

My brakes are squealing or vibrating. Do I need to replace my brakes?

Not necessarily. Brakes can squeal or vibration for numerous reasons. Before running out and spending a ton of money replacing your brakes, check out this video below for helpful diagnostic tips and potential fixes.