Questions you thought were too dumb to ask E53 edition

[Balkanac]

Thanks for that, it answered my question

[THE VEIN]

Is changing the brakes on our cars a big deal? I mean is this something that I need to go to a bmw mechanic to change or any mechanic should be able to

[ProfessorX5]

My next dumb question.. how do I get the side mirror open to check the switches?

[tmv]

Originally Posted by THE VEIN

Is changing the brakes on our cars a big deal? I mean is this something that I need to go to a bmw mechanic to change or any mechanic should be able to

Any mechanic will do. Same concept as other cars, except for the brake lining sensors.

Originally Posted by ProfessorX5

My next dumb question.. how do I get the side mirror open to check the switches?

Pull the back cover off. It held in-place by plastic tabs.

[TerminatorX5]

Originally Posted by ProfessorX5

My next dumb question.. how do I get the side mirror open to check the switches?

use three old plastic credit cards.

insert them into the inner seam between the outer shell and the inner ring, right below the edge of the mirror glass.

slide them, one card at a time into the seam - they will disengage the 3 tabs that hold the back part of cover to the front part of cover

once tabs are disengaged, the plastic pieces just separate from each other.

[ProfessorX5]

Nice! Thanks a ton.

[THE VEIN]

Originally Posted by tmv

Any mechanic will do. Same concept as other cars, except for the brake lining sensors.

What's the problem with the sensors?

[bcredliner]

There is no problem with brake lining sensors. Be sure to replace them along with the pads. The rotors should be replaced as well.

[THE VEIN]

tmv said any mechanic can change the brakes except the brake sensor

[TerminatorX5]

Originally Posted by THE VEIN

tmv said any mechanic can change the brakes except the brake sensor

i changed the brake pads and the rotors myself, with ZERO previous experience working on the cars. first i did the E53, then i did my E39... piece of cake...

things go back same way they go out, including the sensors... sensors plug into the plug (duh!!), and go into the pad - proper sensor will have correct length of wire to be routed ...

i would say, on the scale of 0 to 10, the job is about 2 or 3...

if you pay somebody, i would say, about $50 to a private mechanic, or no more than $100 to a shop, with your parts...

choose the rotors/pads (online more choices), get the sensor, get the job done...