Hello,

When I check iDrive Maintenance in my car, it says Rear Brake change within 700 miles (when I bought the car it was around 1500 miles). I have the following confusions,

1. I only have around 48K miles on the car. The front pads seem fine (no warning), and my experience is that usually front ones go way before the rear ones (unless they were replaced recently), and rear ones usually last 80-90K (I had a 3 series before). Am I interpretting it wrong?

2. I realize that the warning/ sensor system in this car is different from my E46. How accurate is it? I am hoping to get parts and do it in few months myself (once the weather is nice).

3. Do I still need to change the sensor?

4. I loved ceramic pads that I put in my E46, any recommendation on pads?

5. Any recommendation on Rotors? Do I need to change them, or get them cut?

Will really appreciate your help.
Thanks.

 

The sensors are usually accurate but the best way is to just visually inspect them. You don't have to replace the sensor if the pads haven't worn down to the sensor but it doesn't cost that much and it is recommended that you change the sensor each time you change pads. Your front brakes probably have been replaced, I have a 550 and The idrive only gives me 40K on each pad change and it has always been pretty accurate for me, front and back.

 

Thank you...
Any suggestion on Pad type, and if should change or cut rotors?
Take care.

 

To be honest I am not that particular, as long as the brakes will stop the car safely. I just knew I wanted ceramic brakes and anything but oem. I couldn't stand the brake dust, keeping the wheels clean was a daily endeavor. BMW also recommends you change the rotors each time you change the pads. I did not change my rotors because they were good and measured fine. I also just went to ebay and ordered some ceramic pads and sensor ($45) from a brake company and I changed my brakes myself. Haven't had any problems at all. I can't remember the company I bought the brakes from. I guess its just personal preference, if you have the money to do it then go for it. BMW quoted me $1300 to change the rear brakes and rotors, I wasn't down for that.

 

The sensors are very accurate and yes, they need to be replaced once they've made contact to the rotor. Fortunately they're inexpensive (I bought a front and rear set on Ebay for $25 shipped and they fit and worked perfectly). As for what pads/rotors to buy, that question has been asked a bazillion times on this and every other BMW forum -- search is your friend.

 

Don't resurface the rotors. If they're not warped or grooved, most people run them again with fresh pads, then replace the rotors the next time the pads wear down. I went with the Akebono ceramics. Quiet, low dusting, and great pedal feel.

 

Thanks guys.. appreciate your help...

One more question though, the front pads say 50K miles.. I think the miles were reset when I got the car. I guess, it does not matter, once the sensor touches the rotors, then I will get the real miles via iDrive... right?

I will be buying the parts in few weeks, and will hope the brakes run fine till I get the change/ weather to replace them .

Thanks.

 

As far as I can tell from my car, there is a failsafe that once the wear reaches,the warning drops to 5000 miles to pad change. What happened on my car was- 17,000 miles to brake change dropped suddenly to 5,000 miles whilst driving. The pads where changed approx 45k ago but the rotors werent. I think this meant that the effective distance with the wear I have now meant that the sudden drop occurred. The rotors are pretty sh**ged now! 1st time I changed pads and roters, although rotors where only just below the ok limit- by changing both at the same time, it seems to last longer, that time I got 109k miles out of the set! All parts all times were genuine BMW so it looks like changing pads and rotors gives longer life, but this needs to be offset against the greater cost due to the rotors.

 

Thanks... Pretty informative... and it makes sense as well.
I guess I will see what price I have to pay for rotors, if not huge, I may go for both at the same time (I think it will also give a better brake feeling ).

 

BTW, anyone tried these products from ebay (e.g. Rear Kit Powersport Drilled Slotted Brake Rotors Ceramic Pads | eBay)...
Any thoughts???
Thanks.