my CPO X5 needs new brake pads only 5mo/4000 miles after purchase

[BoilerUp]

Hey everyone, I picked up a new to me 2012 X5 this past summer. The car had 38000 miles on it and was a CPO. I'm at about 42000 miles (the vast majority of the miles I've put on it have been highway) and just got a low brake pad thickness warning light the other day.

My understanding is that a CPO'd car would have things like pads, tires, etc. replaced if they were that low. Should I expect the dealer I bought it from to pay for the new pads, or did I just get unlucky with the brake pad wear?

Thanks for any help!

[Ozer]

It may have been good enough to pass the CPO inspection at the time but its worth a try to go see them and say what the heck! But dont pay dealer prices to get them replaced if they dont do it for free. There are other pad options that are better as far as dust and same stopping grip. Do a search on brake pads on here, you will see.

[Pierce330]

CPO inspections are subjective and therefore, your brakes may have been overlooked when they should have been replaced.

[ard]

Originally Posted by Ozer

It may have been good enough to pass the CPO inspection at the time but its worth a try to go see them and say what the heck! But dont pay dealer prices to get them replaced if they dont do it for free. There are other pad options that are better as far as dust and same stopping grip. Do a search on brake pads on here, you will see.

OP- same comments here as BF....

If the brakes were at 50% at 38k miles, and he is now at 42k miles- and the sensor has tripped, THAT IS VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE.

You would be saying in 4k miles he has used 30-40% of the pad life!

CPO inspections on pads and tires are NOT subjective- OP got screwed by a cheating or lazy dealer.

OP, what did the CPO checklist show on it????

[Pierce330]

Originally Posted by ard

OP- same comments here as BF....

If the brakes were at 50% at 38k miles, and he is now at 42k miles- and the sensor has tripped, THAT IS VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE.

You would be saying in 4k miles he has used 30-40% of the pad life!

CPO inspections on pads and tires are NOT subjective- OP got screwed by a cheating or lazy dealer.

OP, what did the CPO checklist show on it????

@Ard, I knew that there was a CPO guideline regarding brake pads and rotors, however, I just assumed that most techs are like you say, "lazy", therefore, subjective. Therefore, you are correct.

[RickM5X3]

Originally Posted by ard

OP, what did the CPO checklist show on it????

This is the key piece of paper that I would request if you don't have it already. I had the same issue on our 2008 4.8i CPO and the dealer made good. Checklist reflected 50% and light came on shortly after purchase.

They like to send CPOs out with bad batteries as well. Luckily when I went to test drive our 4.8i it did not start or take a charge and a tech was summonsed to change out the battery pre purchase.

[Crash513]

CPO Inspections may indeed be subjective. But for things like brake linings (min 5 mm of friction material) and tire tread depth (min 3 mm from top of wear bar) BMW NA is very strict about what they will allow. Unless your dealers certification tech didn't check the linings properly, or misrepresented that (they and the Service Manager are required to sign the CPO form) it's possible they just wore out.

I'd politely ask the Service Manager at your dealer to check the paperwork and see if they think there may be a problem. They may be willing to give you a concession on the pads as a goodwill gesture, especially if your a regular customer.

If you do have to pay out of pocket, nothing wrong with shopping around for better aftermarket pads and rotors. I just had my fronts done at 55k miles by my dealer and it was not cheap. Good luck.

[Crash513]

CPO Inspections may indeed be subjective. But for things like brake linings (min 5 mm of friction material) and tire tread depth (min 3 mm from top of wear bar) BMW NA is very strict about what they will allow. Unless your dealers certification tech didn't check the linings properly, or misrepresented that (they and the Service Manager are required to sign the CPO form) it's possible they just wore out.

I'd politely ask the Service Manager at your dealer to check the paperwork and see if they think there may be a problem. They may be willing to give you a concession on the pads as a goodwill gesture, especially if your a regular customer.

If you do have to pay out of pocket, nothing wrong with shopping around for better aftermarket pads and rotors. I just had my fronts done at 55k miles by my dealer and it was not cheap. Good luck.

[SeanC]

It's possible that it's just the sensor that tripped for whatever reason. Happened to me on my F30 328i. Have them check it and reset the counter if that's the problem.

[bawareca]

If someone replaced the pads and the sensor, but didnt reset the maintenance counter, the warning will come when the maintenance is due. I did this to myself last time :-(((