I know this reply is a bit late, but I figured I would add my two cents. The way the S40 was designed is that the Pads and the Rotors are of a softer compound so that the car stops quicker (that explains the unbelievable stopping power). Because of this, your rotor's and brake pads get worn out quicker. It is suggested that everytime you need a brake job that you replace both the rotors and the pads for the sheer fact that if you replace just the pads, the second set will wear faster because of the way the rotors have been used and warped. Volvo has updated their OEM parts now so that the Rotors and Brake pads are a bit longer lasting, but if you want longer life out of your brake pads and rotors definitely go aftermarket. For brake pads I strongly recommend Mintex. They have done very well for me. As for rotors I use the power slot rotors. I have had very good luck with them. Zimmerman also makes a good rotor.
--
2000 S40 -- 80,000+ miles

go to voloparts.com great place and cheap inprice. Here are the costs for the rotors


Rotor, Front S40 2000 64.87 30818027
Rotor, Rear S40 2000 59.52 30872940


Bret

David,
That is an outrage! Actually it's about typical, but if you can't DYI you could save a few bucks by getting the parts and taking them to an independent.
FCPgroton.com has Zimmerman rotors and mintex pads for the best price out there. 30.00 for front pads and 72.00 for both rotors. It's no more than a 150.00 labor job I don't care where you are, so it's more like 250.00-300.00.
These are better than OEM and will last much longer with less dust. Don't forget the antisqueel grease.

...have to reply again as my first reply got lost in La La land....anywho, I have aprox. 69k on my original rotors front&rear which just goes to show that if you drive like an old fart some things last longer! On the other hand, with 67k...I had to replace both front wheel bearing! Go figure!!! Despite a few problem....I love my S40!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Bill

..........Have the original rotors front/rear with 69,730 miles which just goes to show how driving styles affect rotor life. I drive like an old man because ....I'm practically an old fart. On the flip side in the first 50k my Check engine light came on a zillion times...although I believe its fixed for awhile now......I also had to replace both front wheel bearings two months ago, which I thought was too early! But despite a few problems, I love the car!!! Bill

I find this all very interesting.
When we bought the V40 for my wife to use as a daily driver, the tech rep said that we should change all four of the rotors with the first pad change. It really sounded to me like (ahem) 'hooey'. I seem to have been very wrong.
At just over 30,000 miles, the rear pads seem to have very little life left while the fronts look to be about half used up. However, all of the rotors are scored rather badly. I will NOT take the car to Volvo for the replacement, as I'm sure I can do all four for half as much as they'd charge to do two.
I recently changed the rotors on my Subaru SVX with aftermarket zinc plated rotors, which have cut down on the dust quite drastically. I can't find economical replacements for the Volvo though.
Has anyone considered organizing a 'group buy' with a supplier so that we can get the price down? Does anyone know of a good aftermarket supplier? Hopefully, if there are others who will get in on it, we might get a good buy.
--
Steve

Hi David SF:

I would recommend trying "Popular Mechanix" located on 252 14th street (off of S. Van Ness I believe). Their # is 415-621-0376, the owners name is Andrew. They are a Volvo Independent Shop and I have found them to be reliable and reasonable--they aren't open on weekends however. Give them a try; dealers are always more expensive and in this City saving a few bucks can go a long way.

Tripsis 93 850 GLT 92,0000k SFCA

Can you say "bend over"? If you have any mechanical ability at all or have done brake work in the past, you should be able to handle the job. The front brakes on my S40 were the easiest of any car I have worked on in the last 25 years. I got the rotors and pads at Tirerack.com, both ends were less than $300, and it only took about 3 hours to do all 4. I'm sure living where you do added greatly to the cost.
Doc