Brake replacement recomm?

[The Cleaner]

Originally Posted by X5 Meister

I've yet to see and OBJECTIVE testing showing that dustless pads made out of ceramic, or kevlar, or whatever the hell are better than the stock OE BMW pads but produce less dust. Brake pads are a complicated animal.

TUV approval is the closest we will ever have.

Stock TUV approved pads are the only way to ensure you ABS and traction control systems work as designed. End of story. There are plenty of pads that work well, some maybe even better than stock, but they are not designed with ABS and traction control systems for your X5 or (insert what you drive) in mind.

I am not badmouthing any ones choice for pads, but I am telling you that I have yet to see an aftermarket pad manufacturers without TUV approval that can tell you the ABS and traction control systems that are build around your brakes will work as designed with their product. Buy OEM pads and that assurance is established already.

[X5 Meister]

[Puddlejumper]

Ceramics probably wear the rotors less. I know my rotor housings on my 13b-rew looked brand new on teardown when using ceramic apex seals instead of steel.

[x5pdx]

Originally Posted by mthexuma

Is it front pads and rotors or all around pads and rotors? My dealer quoted me $1600 for all around pads and rotors. Needless to say I did it myself for $400 in parts.

I am getting it checked out at indy tomorrow. My best guess is that it's the fronts b/c I only have 38k miles on my car. It's an 04 4.4i sport, but it's already out of warranty. I will let you guys know what's up tomorrow night.

Thanks to everyone. Very helpful info from all posts.

[mthexuma]

Originally Posted by x5pdx

I am getting it checked out at indy tomorrow. My best guess is that it's the fronts b/c I only have 38k miles on my car. It's an 04 4.4i sport, but it's already out of warranty. I will let you guys know what's up tomorrow night.

Thanks to everyone. Very helpful info from all posts.

Make sure they put new rotors on. The rotors on the x5 wear very quickly and just because the rotors may be the allowable thickness or able to be resurfaced does not mean they will last as long as the new brake pads.

[carlgo]

Originally Posted by X Foomph

Just be aware that if you turn up with your own parts and if that's if your mechanic will install them, be aware that you probably won't get any sort of warranty on the finished job. That's a biggy for mine. Maybe take a look at what Seabass just did: Successful Brake DIY! Thanks!

I agree with Meister, it's a bit like taking your steak and veggies into a restaurant and asking them to cook it up for you. Highly unlikely but if you got food poisoning who you gonna blame ??

Good luck either way.

You might get something in your food that will make you wish for food poisoning...

Thanks for DIY link. I just have to get non-dusting pads. Otherwise, the brakes are really good and I have no desire to install new rotors.

[StanF18]

Originally Posted by mthexuma

Make sure they put new rotors on. The rotors on the x5 wear very quickly and just because the rotors may be the allowable thickness or able to be resurfaced does not mean they will last as long as the new brake pads.

OK, we DISagree. Rotors are rotors, and pads are pads. The guy just got quoted for $600 just for pads and sensors, and he's looking for a cheaper alternative. And now you're saying he should also get new rotors, which will bring the job easily over $1,000. Unless the dealer/INDY specifically says the rotors need replacing, I don't see why he should spend all that extra moolah. Sure, it would be nice to get everything NEW every time you bring your X in: new pads, new rotors, new rims, new tires. But you can't justify that expense if the rotors are still within factory specs, which they should be at 37K miles.

[mthexuma]

Originally Posted by StanF18

OK, we DISagree. Rotors are rotors, and pads are pads. The guy just got quoted for $600 just for pads and sensors, and he's looking for a cheaper alternative. And now you're saying he should also get new rotors, which will bring the job easily over $1,000. Unless the dealer/INDY specifically says the rotors need replacing, I don't see why he should spend all that extra moolah. Sure, it would be nice to get everything NEW every time you bring your X in: new pads, new rotors, new rims, new tires. But you can't justify that expense if the rotors are still within factory specs, which they should be at 37K miles.

I agree to disagree. To each his own.

[X5 Meister]

The only way to tell if they are within factory specs is to measure their thickness and runout. Period. Everything else is guesswork. Change them when needed, not just because, and certainly don't use them if they are below spec or out of true.

Originally Posted by StanF18

OK, we DISagree. Rotors are rotors, and pads are pads. The guy just got quoted for $600 just for pads and sensors, and he's looking for a cheaper alternative. And now you're saying he should also get new rotors, which will bring the job easily over $1,000. Unless the dealer/INDY specifically says the rotors need replacing, I don't see why he should spend all that extra moolah. Sure, it would be nice to get everything NEW every time you bring your X in: new pads, new rotors, new rims, new tires. But you can't justify that expense if the rotors are still within factory specs, which they should be at 37K miles.

[generx]

I agree with X5 Meister, 37K miles is no indication of whether or not the rotors will be within spec since we all drive differently and subject our vehicles to different conditions.

I have no problem with resurfacing rotors but in my experience BMW rotors are already thin to begin with and can be out of spec or borderline after resurfacing. The cost of new ones (or good OEM replacements) are not outrageous and IMO it's just easier to do the job right the first time than having to deal with rotor issues later.