The dealer told me I need new pads and rotors soon however my iDrive reports another 3100 miles to go. Is there a brake pad wear indicator light which will come on when it's really time? Thanks!

 

The Condition Based Service Indicator (iDrive) computes your driving and other inputs. However, there is a wear sensor in 2 of the 4 brake pads. IF your dealer SA examined your brakes and determined they are at the wear limit (mine actually reports the thickness of pads in mm) you should heed the advice. If you are not covered by the maintenance warranty find a qualified independent and use quality OEM parts for the service.

 

Remember that 3000 miles is not a lot in the life of a set of pads.
There is a sensor that will alarm if the pads go very, very low, and this will put your iDrive notification to 0 miles and count backwards.
Get the discs (rotors) measured properly before changing them - it is not compulsory to replace discs at evey pad change. Check for scoring as well as thickness.

Mike

 

Light will go on when the sensor's circuit gets broken. This happens because the sensor is encased in plastic, but when it starts touching the rotor - as a result of pads being too thin - the circuit gets broken (or the other way around - becomes complete - not sure actually) and the iDrive alerts you saying "replace brake pads". However, your best way to know how much actual wear your pads have left in them is to go to a trusted indie and ask him to take a quick look at your brakes.

 

you guys know how to reset the brake light indicator if its on already? After you replace the pad and new sensors how do you reset the mileage again?

 

I thought that when the new sensors are in, it resets automatically. Or did you mean the estimated wear indicator in the service menu?

 

On the service menu, thats what i need to reset.

 

I was gonna stop by either a dealer or an indie with the tool to do it - since I need to turn on the MP3 function and reprogram the AE's anyway. But I think there should be a DIY on this - have you tried searching?

 

do you need to buy new sensors when you change pads?

 

New rotors, pads and sensors.