Front brakes new rotors or not?

[gwinder]

So the X5 got the airbag recall which was replaced today and during the process they informed me my front brakes need replacing which they do...but do I need to replace the rotors too? Typically if I can feel a ridge on the outside I replace them but in this case there is no ridge. Mileage is 70,000...I have had the car since 50,000/2 years.

Thanks

Gary

[crystalworks]

You'll get varying answers here.

Personally, I almost always do all 4 rotors and pads whenever I purchase a used BMW. Then I don't worry about them again. For example, my wife's 2010 x35d we picked up had the fronts done... but the rears are down to something like 3mm. I'm going to do them all (+ fluid flush) and call the brakes done for the period of ownership we have it. Now, this is easy for me to say because I do my own work and it would only set me back about $300 all-in. I'm sure your dealership will charge you at least $500-$600 just to do the fronts.

So, your decision is going to be based on your situation. If you want to just do the pads... you should be okay. On a BMW, I've never done pads without doing rotors so I don't have any personal experience with this. On my GT mustang it was fine though.

[blakamin]

Originally Posted by crystalworks

Y If you want to just do the pads... you should be okay. On a BMW, I've never done pads without doing rotors so I don't have any personal experience with this.

Agreed, you should be fine. If the rotors are above minimum thickness, all good.
BMW stealership would try and sell you some if they weren't, for sure.

In my experience, pads last nearly as long as rotors! Maybe because I do the same thing

[LVR]

Hi

I would take it to a brake specialist for a quick check.....

I just bought an older E53 in Adelaide South Australia and promptly drove it back to Perth Western Australia (about a 28 hour trip).

Came over a slight hump after some rain to find hundreds of kangaroos on the road (come out to drink the water) and after 6 emergency stops over about 10km my brakes were shot...

Off to my usual brake place and sure enough, the seller had put new pads on undersized discs....

First money spent on it with slotted rotors etc all round....

[ChiefRider]

As others have indicated, you need to know if they are above the spec for min. thickness.

FWIW, I only use EBC rotors on my cars. They are made (or at least claim to be) in the US or the UK. While good quality probably can be had from other rotors, they all seem to come from China now, and I've seen many of these to be crap. Just my opinion.

[Fifty150hs]

Check the rotor thickness. If it is in spec and not close to being out of spec then keeping the rotors is ok. Or, so they say. I've tried it both ways. Find changing both pads and rotors to be preferable.