Front brakes: How long will they last?

[Ian F]

I just did the 140K mile service on my car and rotated the tires as well. As a matter of regular inspection, I check the brakes as well. And to my continued amazement, the fronts still have plenty of life left - 50% at least. And the rotors look fine.

I know these cars seem to have a bit of a rear-bias to them (engage the rears slightly before the fronts - verified some by the fact I had to replace the rears earlier this year), but could I actually get 200K out of the OE front brakes?

 

[tditom]

I think 200K miles is very possible. I recently performed my first replacement on the fronts in my Golf at 192K miles. The pad and rotor measurements indicated that they could have gone further.

 

[jettawreck]

Especially if you drive conservatively and coast a lot for great mileage!!

 

[Ian F]

Especially if you drive conservatively and coast a lot for great mileage!!

Well, I don't know about driving conservatively... my brakes seem to last a long time... but boy to I go through tires...

 

[Canadian_Grizzly]

Ian the inside pad tends to wear faster than the outside. Ensure that you look at both sides. Mine lasted almost 200,000 miles.

 

[737tdi]

I've got to say I have been quite impressed by the brake system on my car! 113,000 miles, no problem front or back. 95% highway driving though.

737tdi

 

[Ian F]

Ian the inside pad tends to wear faster than the outside. Ensure that you look at both sides. Mine lasted almost 200,000 miles.

Yes, I did notice that. Especially on the rears... I remember going, "what the hell is squealing.. the outer pad is fine..." then... "ah..." and even then, the noise actually turned out to be part of the backing plate de-laminating and rubbing the rotor, rather than the pad material being worn away.

But the inner front pads still look good. Slightly thinner than the outer pads, but not bad.

 

[K5ING]

I still have my original front brake pads on my car....at 329,000 miles!!

Yes, they still stop the car.