Sam the BMW man

So my maintenance warranty was up at the end of December and at that time I had about 7k left for the front brakes according to the i-drive. I have driven maybe 2k since then and now the i-drive says I have 1,500 miles before I need to change the front brakes. So here is my question to you fellow 5 series owners. Would you spend more than likely around $600 for pads and rotors and get it down at the dealership? Or would you buy the pads and rotors from a place like Bavarian Auto for much cheaper same quality and have someone on the side put them on? The issue with the latter is resetting the i-drive. I also want to add I will have to drive 45 min to my closest BMW dealership since I hate the dealership thats around my house. Your input is appreciated thanks!

nikko64

Dont let the idrive reset be the only reason. its very simple. in fact there is a previous post on how to do that...key in iginitiion, door closed and hold down odometer reset button for few seconds then go from there

Alpine White Girl

buy them from someone else and get them put on. very easy thing to get put on. dealership will kill your wallet

rik zeppelin

+1

What she said!

DRANGED

I wouldn't let resetting the iDrive stop you from saving some $$$ and having your brakes done by a shop other than BMW. The iDrive is easily reset...directions below.

I would buy Axxis Deluxe Low Dusting brake pads and R1concepts rotors from TRINITY AUTOSPORT. Contact member Nerweezy http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showuser=7650 , acting owner of TRINITY AUTOSPORT, and he will set you up with everything you need. TRINITY AUTOSPORT is one of the best, if not THE best, vendors on E60.net

Direction to reset Brakes, Oil, Microfilter, etc...

"Firstly with the ignition switched on, set the odometer trip meter back to zero by pushing it once. Then switch the ignition back off again. (I found this step was critical, otherwise I couldn't get to the "Service" menu).

Now you are ready to go through the reset steps as follows:

1. Switch the ignition on (so that the battery, Oil and Parking brake lights are displayed) and the key is ready to start the engine - but don't actually start the car.

2. Press the odometer reset button for between 5 and 10 seconds until a yellow triangle with an exclamation mark in the centre appears in the top window between the clocks (where the outside temperature / time or date normally appears) - this is the "Service" icon.

3. Release the odometer button briefly and press again straight away which brings up a picture of the Brake Fluid symbol (same as the one that the i-drive shows when you look at the Service menu).

4. If you want to reset the Brake Fluid interval for another 2 years then keep holding the odometer button until the word "RESET?" appears at the bottom of the lower window.

5. Release the button briefly and push it in again and hold for about 5 - 10 seconds until the new date appears in the bottom window. You can then switch the ignition off and the new Brake Fluid date will appear in the service menu on the i-drive screen next time you switch on.

6. If you want to reset the Oil, Microfilter or Brake Pad indicators then you will need to follow the same sequence as steps 1 and 2 above, but when you get to step 3 and the brake Fluid icon appears, just release the button and press again and the next service item will appear.

7. You can continue releasing and pressing the button until the required service item icon appears for the one you want to reset. As soon as it does then hold in the button in until the word "RESET?" appears again as in step 4 above. Once the word "RESET?" has appeared, you need to release the button briefly and hold it in again for about 5 - 10 seconds until it is replaced by the new service interval figure (as per step 5 above).

Hints & Tips
Before actually resetting anything, go through steps 1, 2 and 6 above until you are familiar (and sure) what you want to reset. Practice this a few times and note down in what order the icons appear after the initial "Service" icon appears.

If you do happen to hold the button down too long against an item you don't want to reset and the "RESET?" appears, just leave the button alone for 10 seconds or so and it will not let you reset the item. (Alternatively just switch the ignition off and start again).

Sometimes if you have not released and pressed the button again quickly enough, when you hold it down again the German technical writing will appear after about 15 - 20 seconds instead of the Service item icon you were expecting. (If this happens just switch off the ignition and start again).

Once you are sure what item you want to reset and are confident of the sequence, then give it a go. If you do hesitate between releasing and pressing the button at any time, you will have to go back to the beginning and start again as "he who hesitates is lost"."

Sam the BMW man

Thanks!