BIMMER GIRL

Sorry for this typical "Girl" question but how long do you actually have from the time your brake light turns on till you really need to change the brakes?

NguyenAzn

i would say 500miles but replace them as soon as possible !

pcy

depends on the type of driving (long distance highway driving with little braking, or local driving with lots of braking for stop signs and traffic lights). You don't want the rotors to be damaged; if you are planning to replace the rotors as well, then it doesn't matter.

epilithic

+1, also depends on how long you want to deal with hearing the sqealing sound coming from your worn brake pads.

525iEnjoy

The "idiot light" is to get you in for an inspection to see if any replacing of pads, rotors or fluid is needed. BMW will replace even though you have some miles left on them cause they want you to feel optimum braking always...There is a great shop in Downey off 605 and Imperial/Woodruff. Bahn Motorworks.

dm46

Go and get it sorted asap, don't just leave it until it is too late, like so many drivers do.

healthservices

If you are the type that shops for things (like most of us) Start shopping. You do have time.

BIMMER GIRL

Thank you so much. I mainly do local driving. So I guess I need to change them quickly. Sometimes I think I should have been a race car driver or done professional drifting...

The reason I was waiting is because I contemplating on changing them myself as I just found a friend who has the proper tools. But then I got a quote for only $300 from a local BMW shop here in town. If the rotors needed to be replaced he would charge me about $500 or so. That doesn't seem too bad?

I wouldn't quite call it an "idiot light" I think it is a nice reminder. It's easy to get busy and forget. Same goes with oil changes. OMG, I had a friend come visit me and she was having problems with her car. I looked it over for her briefly before she went to work and the silly girl had no oil. NOT ONE DROP! I don't know how her car survived.

donpb

if you notice a change in braking power, worry. otherwise don't.

when that light comes on, you probably still have a few hundred miles of wear or so left. if you start hearing noises though, it's probably time to git er done.

i have changed many a brakes and rotors on bmw's and it's really not that hard. we have an indy store here in san diego that has good prices on oem brakes and rotors. i'd never get them from the stealer.

healthservices

That is a pretty good price if they are using good parts.

And too good of a price if they are using the same manufacture of parts that the factory uses.

Wait was that was $500 total or $500 additional for the rotors?