DanL

Good catch. It looks like you need to order an o-ring as well since apparently it doesn't come with one. The part number is 12 14 1 748 398. The crankshaft sensor and camshaft sensor use the same o-ring (17x3mm). Just to be safe you could also order a new Torx bolt (M6x16-AL), part number 13 62 7 530 413. Both parts are only $1 each.

Razor1973

Thanks a whole lot. I will order all of the above and take them to my mechanic once I also decide on a pair of rear brake pads and buy them. Any advise for those?

Persian_535i

I bought my crankshaft sensor on ebay and replaced it myself was under $70 wasn't too hard to replace.

Persian_535i

Oh and I used the old o-ring was still in good condition.

Errowen

Turner Motorsports has a really useful discussion of brake pad options and decision guide at BMW brake pad buying guide

They also have an outstanding overview of the *benefits* of rotors that have been drilled or slotted -- boy, was I misinformed! Buying Guide:Brake Rotors

Errowen

Razor1973

First of all, Happy New Year! Second, my apologies, as the end of 2012 was quite taxing on my time, which is why I couldn't take care of this until now. It also means I've been driving on limp mode for a week now. Not pretty.

Thanks a lot for all your assistance and also the break guide. I was able to make an informed decision. Here's what I am doing and it would be great if I could get some feedback on it, since I plan to purchase either tonight or tomorrow.

Crankshaft Position Sensor:
Cheapest new one I found was this one on eBay, for $88.39 shipped.

O-Ring and Torx Bolt:
My local dealership has them for less than $2.00 each. I am about to leave work and go buy them on my way home.

Break Pads:
I decided to go with the PBR Axis Metal Master. Remember I am replacing rear only (bad idea?). The cheapest I found was here for $67.55 for the rear set shipped after applying coupon code SOUTHRNFRESH.

Break Pad Wear Sensors (x2):
This one ($20.36 shipped for both) and this one ($25.67 shippped) were very cheap compared to the rest. The first one worries me a little, but the second one I know is a very reputable tuner. The rest of the sites sold each of these for around $20.
EDIT: I just learned our cars only take 1 of these sensors in the front (driver's side) and 1 in the rear (passenger's side), so this would be $14.93 on the first of the sites above, unless I decide to get all 4 pads. Would that be a much better idea? My front pads are close to new, but I don't know what type they are, since I bought the car used with them 9 months ago.

I am then planning on taking all of this to my mechanic and asking him to install them.

What do you think?

And thanks again!

Razor1973

Hmmm... Come to think about it... Are my break pads really that bad? My rear brakes have been squealing pretty loud for months and my mechanic just eyeballed the pads and told me the front ones were pretty good, but the rear were pretty worn. I just happened to take photos and they both look decent to me. What do you think?

Please do mind my prior reply just above this one, since my main concern isn't the breaks right now.

Razor1973

UPDATE:

I just purchased:

• Crankshaft Position Sensor from eBay listing above. ($88.39 shipped)
• O-Ring and Torx Bolt from my local dealership Parts Department. ($2.86 together)
• Axxis/PBR XBG (previously Metal Master) Break Pads from Import Replacement Parts. I decided to go with both sets, not just the rears. ($142 shipped)
• Both front and rear Breake Pad Wear Sensors from RockAuto. ($21.17 shipped)
• TOTAL = $255 + whatever my mechanic will charge me, unless I decide to attempt either replacing the pads and/or replacing the sensor myself. I think I did quite well.

I should get everything sometime next week.

pjinca

Congrats, I would definitely replace the pads myself. Heck, I would do it all myself, but that's just me. Remember that the pads will need proper bed-in, regardless of who install them. I typically go to and industrial area not far from my house, on a quiet empty street do 10-12 runs going from 10mph to 60mph to 10 mph again without stopping completely, until you can smell the new brakes. This will ensure you have built enough heat to burn off any coating that many pads come with and you have properly bedded the brakes in.

Razor1973

I had no idea. I will do just that. Thank you. And yes, my best friend and I will replace the pads. He claims he's done it in the past, only he's never had to deal with wear sensors. I've seen a couple of DIY videos on YouTube and it seems easy enough.