How often do you replace your brake linings?

[whereisjim]

I did my 45k check-up around week before my warranty expires. Two days after warranty expires, 'Check brake lining' light came on.
Took back to the dealer and complained. They told me that they replaced both front and rear.

Now two years and 3 months later (drove around 25k), the light came back on.
Tried 'Open driver side door, leave key to '2' position and wait' trick but won't turn off.

Before I hit it back to the dealer, just like to ask folks that if this sounds right or not?

If I bring it to different garage, can they tell if the brake pad were replaced back in two years ago?

How often do you guys replace your break linings?

TIA.

[JCL]

25k miles is pretty typical for front brakes. Rears usually go a little longer. It depends a lot on your driving, so different posters will have different results. I replaced my front brakes at 38,000 km, which is around 25k miles.

[x5pdx]

Replaced fronts at 40k. Rears just replaced last month at 60k.

It's probably your front b/c they get 2/3 of braking done.

Dealership will cost your $500+. Indy shop should run you about $400-450.

If you are mechanically inclined. There's a DIY in the forum that will save you money.

[X5 Meister]

Around 25,000 for fronts as well. You can do it yourself but you'll need some tools and at the very least jack stands for safety. Do not work on your car when it is supported only by the vehicle jack.

[c4racer]

normally I just replace them when they wear out

[m5james]

Originally Posted by c4racer

normally I just replace them when they wear out

Good answer. It sounds like the OP is looking to replace them prematurely for the sake or replacing them...just like oil changes, I wait for the OBC to tell me when it's needed.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by m5james

Good answer. It sounds like the OP is looking to replace them prematurely for the sake or replacing them...

It sounds to me like the OP doesn't believe the dealer actually changed them 2 years ago, and wants to take it back for free, two years after the warranty expired.

[c4racer]

Originally Posted by JCL

It sounds to me like the OP doesn't believe the dealer actually changed them 2 years ago, and wants to take it back for free, two years after the warranty expired.

In most cases you will need to change brakes every few years - of course depends on driving patterns and mileage and so on, but it still seems highly unlikely that the dealer didn't replace them 2 years ago...

[motordavid]

I got 45k miles out of the front pair, and 60+ out of the rear, fwiw.
Everyone's driving situ is different.

[dkl]

Originally Posted by motordavid

I got 45k miles out of the front pair, and 60+ out of the rear, fwiw.
Everyone's driving situ is different.

That's one of the upside of having a manual trans