Brakes Question
 

My red brake light just came on a couple days ago with a "check brake linings" message, and now the dealership is saying that I need to replace both rear brake pads and rotors.

Does this make sense? I thought the red brake light was supposed to be a warning that pads are getting thin, not that they are completely out and taking out the rotors as well. Is the dealer trying to rip me off?

No, most of the time on bmws, the rotors are changed at the same time as the pads. This is safer and also looks better, easier to bead the new pads in. Good luck, check out a indy mechanic would prob be cheaper. Buy the parts from a discount bmw dealer such as bloomfield, morristown etc.

The sensor is so close to the metal backing of the pad, that if it sets off the warning light, you are down to nothing on your pads. Your dealer is right about the pads.....rotors though, usually reusable, unless they are damaged in metal-to-metal breaking. And you would have heard the noise if they are.

consult owners manual for proper operation of vehicle. thanks

ask them what the minimum tolerance is and what the actual measurement of the rotor thickness is...

then DIY!

When your sensor goes off, you need new pads asap. Most people typically replace rotors when pads are worn due to the fact that BMW rotors are somewhat thin to begin with to save on weight.

people are sheep. ask for the specs...

People are cheap. Change the rotors...

Seriously, even if they are still in spec now, I doubt they would be in spec for the duration of the new pads life. To each his own though.

some people just use their resources more efficiently than others. it is up to you to change the rotors or not, but we can expect that if they op is asking that they have concerns about cost (otherwise just do it).

assuming if they were in spec now and that they will not be later is just fear mongering. all we can do is provide rational and factual information to the op and let them make their own decisions.

if you have that much cash to burn, then why not change the rotors/pads with the oil? if we are assuming that BMW specs mean little to nothing and cost is not a factor, then that makes perfect sense from a cost doesn't matter point of view.

then again, if you really wanted to spread fear, you could tell the op to buy a new car every couple of years. that would match the cost doesn't matter argument perfectly since it is the most expensive thing to do!

then again, you would be in E70 forum and not the E53 one. clearly cost matters to you, so match your advice with your actions...

i considered leasing a new E70 for £500 a month . i decided to buy a used E53
with 44,000 miles with bmw warranty . in two years of owning it has given lots of hassle and cost a lot of money to keep the warranty going and pay for things not covered by the warranty. counting depreciation i would have been better off taking the new car on lease .