sebash

this is the great lie that the dealership tries to sell everyone. when i bought my car they tried to tell me that i should buy the extended warranty bumper to bumper package because rotors and pads were replaced together for about $2,000. They went as far as to tell me it was a single unit (pads/rotors). I laughed at the guy.

gwf545

BMW rotors are supposedly made of softer steel than most other manufacturer's and therefore wear faster. The idea is that they provide better braking performance, but must be replaced when pads are replaced. This is the story my dealer gave me when I first had the brake pads replaced on my e39 and questioned the high cost. It was the last time my dealer did a brake job for me. Since then I have performed all e39 and e60 brake jobs myself and I have replaced the original rotors with non-BMW rotors that last for 2-3 sets of pads. If the braking ability is diminished, I can't tell. The Bentley service manual provides all the details you need to do the job right and is a great investment.

sy1616

Dealer did mine 2mm early when I brought it in at 49,xxx miles and did rotors too. Rears where fine. Cost me $0

SmithsonGA

My dealer replaced my 550i front pads/rotors as a set at 49.5k miles. Now at 70k, I need new. Dealer quoted both rotors and pads again for $828.

Breakdown:
$144 pads
$414 2 rotors
$26 Sensor
$202 labor (1.5 hrs)
$40 tax
$828 total

I have a hard time believing rotors are gone after 20k miles with OEM pads. someone in another thread mentioned that BMW rotors typically last 1.5 the pads...so dealer replaces them. Again, skeptical.

What is everyone's experience when they DIY? Did you measure the rotors or did you replacement them every 2 sets of pads? I could try to find someone that has a micrometer and remove the front wheel to check rotor thickness.

I already replaced my rear pads last summer. Very easy and love the low dust. I used Axxis Deluxe Advanced

Another related question, where does everyone jack up their e60? I have a large floor jack that I use but the jack point for the e60 is a plastic square meant to fit the OEM spare tire jack. My floor jack cuts into that when I did the rears. Does someone sell an insert or something?

rctmthouse

jack adapter or just insert block of wood into the plastic slot to support it. I think ESStuning sells those jack adapter. Check out the transmission fluid change in the DIY section. Near the end, Rizbel posted pics and link to the adapter. But if you're in a rush, just cut some 2x4 to size and it fits perfectly.

SmithsonGA

Perfect, thx.

healthservices

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmithsonGA'timestamp='1313004290' post='1371415

My dealer replaced my 550i front pads/rotors as a set at 49.5kmiles. Now at 70k, I need new. Dealer quoted both rotorsand pads again for $828.

Breakdown:
$144 pads
$414 2 rotors
$26 Sensor
$202 labor (1.5 hrs)
$40 tax
$828 total

As mentioned before it is a convenience to get everything done at the dealer. Someone has to pay for that free loaner car you used. Your time, your money, if you willing to spend your time shopping and do it yourself, of course you will get it done for cheaper. For my 545i I was able to get 4 cross drilled rotors, pads, and sensors for $300. You can get factory stuff here for a great price

http://www.bimmerspecialist.com/

or

http://www.autohausaz.com/

I shop there for many of my parts



Your pads disappeared in 20k miles? What is so hard to believe? The pads wore, why wouldn?t the rotors wear? Yes your rotors are most likely above minimum specs. Yes you can slap some pads on.Yes there are some people who have little to no rotor wear, but you will have to see for yourself or trust someone else to know for sure.

Would everyone do it? No.

Did I? No

Will I do it on my next sets of pads? Most likely since I did not have the factory pads on this last time.





If you are mechanically inclined it is easy. Although missing a couple important steps it will give you an idea as what to do.

http://youtu.be/MsBM_kEFE-A






I use something similar to this?










I've been a dealer tech and shop foreman for over 15 years, I see a lot. This is what I see as being typical with German cars. If you notice BMWs typically do not warp rotors, this is because they have soft rotors.






The factory min spec is written on the rotor. You can also get an idea how much rotor wear there is by looking at the rotor where the pads do not touch and compare that to the area where they do.


Most parts houses have mikes to measure the thinnest part of your rotor, at least they used to before I bought my own.




Were you brakes replaced under the maintenance program? As in no charge? Don't you think BMW would skimp out on a rotor replacement if they thought it was not necessary?

SmithsonGA

Healthservices

Thanks for the informative reply.

Your comment on rotor wear: Yes, the pads wore in 20k miles. I expect them to be the sacrificial piece of the brake system. Not the rotors. At least not every pad change. Yes, they replaced them at the last pad change, thus I doubt I need to replace them again 20k miles later.

thanks for the links.

jim7

.................................


I am new to the post and is it possible to get a great price on Rotors and Brakes for 2009 550i and can tell me who to contact .

Thanks
jb@jamesbuckle.com
949.246.7996
Jim7