So the car tells me I need new rear pads. I've got the service manual ordered, but I guess will be a little while longer. Where's the best place to get the parts? Do you have to replace the wear sensor every time?

I've changed breaks, pads, rotors, etc on a lot of cars over the years, but this will be my first work on a Bimmer.

Any advice, sources, threads, etc will be greatly appreciated guys.

Acute or Trinity for parts. Good service and prices.

You can get the pads + rotors + sensor(s) from michael: https://5series.net/forums/user/19991-acuteperformance/ His contact information is located in his signiture

A DIY can be located here: https://5series.net/forums/topic/830...-the-calipers/ you couls also utilize the search fuction as there is a wealth of knowledge wihthin this forum

PS welcome to the forums.

Yep that pretty much says it all, don't be intimidated by the fact that it's a BMW - it's still a car and the pad swap (if you've ever done it before) is pretty straight forward. Nothing you can't do in about 20 mins in your garage. Good luck :thumbsup:

+1 for Acute and Hawk HPS pads, they're great!!!!! :hyper:

Thanks guys. Redneck, if you need more info let me know.

Michael
Acute Performance

Thank you all so much! I joined several BMW forums after my wife picked up the 530 that was just out of warranty, trying to learn as much as I could to maintain it, and this forum rocks!

I'm nearly in the same boat, waiting for the light to turn on.

I have a friend that?s a master technician at BMW, he has told me the sensors will start to wear after around 1/4 of the pad is used. The IDrive system then monitors the wear which gives you the read out inside the car.

He says the sensors will almost definitely fall apart when you pull them out so you will need them for sure.

Cheers

The DIY section has several sections on brakes. Also the BavAuto Spring 2008 newletter has a nice DIY section with photos for changing pads and rotors.

It's sounds like you've done this before, however, make sure you have the right tools before you start. In particular, you'll need a 7 mm allen wrench/bit to remove the caliper guide bolts and an 18mm socket head (and probably a breaker bar) to remove the caliper mounts if you plan on replacing the rotors. Also I'd recommend always replacing the rotor hold down bolt as it is prone to corrosion, and always replace the brake wear sensor when replacing the pads. Finally, you'll need anti-seize compound and probably a rubber mallot to loosen the wheels and rotors.

Contact Michael@AcutePerformance for the Hawk Performance brake pads. I just had them installed this past Saturday, 4 days ago, and the braking performance exceeds the OEM's and do not cause any squeaking (since mine were properly bedded as well).

He also provides the OEM BMW sensors with the pads themselves.

Thanks Melvin. The sensors are only included with the front pads so you'd have to buy a front and rear combo. $175 shipped.

Michael
Acute Performance