Another pads and rotors thread
 

Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Ive read the previous posts (about 50 of them) and I am going back and forth on replacing my rotors with my brake job.

Ive got 35,800 on my 2006 X5 4.4i. I drive hard, but nothing crazy. I just got the "check brake linings" message and looked at the front pads and they are low. Rotors look ok, with next to no lip. I haven't measured the thickness and compared to whats stamped on the rotors. I assume, because of the mileage, this is the first replacement of the pads.

My plan, for now, is to replace the pads only, with OEM (actual BMW parts) and try and get another 25-30k miles. Like to get to around 60k miles before doing rotors.

My question is: has anyone ever done this (pads only) and had issues?

I havent had problem...A lot of people will have their own opinion to which if you are changing the pads...might as well do rotors, and as what type of rotors...(drilled or slotted or Both)...its everybodies opinion....but since you only have 35k on your X........and if there is no lip on your rotors..you can go ahead and just change the Pads Alone AND make sure you get the Pad Sensors too while your there...

in my opinion...i might as well change rotors too to drilled slotted...IMHO.......

I do pads only all the time (often called "pad slapping") as long as the rotors are in good shape. I've never had an issue.

You ideally should get to sets of pads to one set of rotors.

:iagree: I can't remember the last time I did Rotors all though
I suspect that I may need to this time around.

You mean two sets of pads to one set of rotors? Thats kinda what I am trying to do.

Its settled. I'm doing pads only. thanks for the help

You can get away with it. If they are noisy afterwards, even after bedding them in, you may have to go back in and change them. I have done brake jobs where that happened, not with my own recent BMWs though. I generally replace rotors on my BMWs because I don't like doing jobs twice. I fully understand that I am throwing away some useful rotor life, but it just isn't a place I want to save money personally. And I will only use OE rotors, having tried others.

Dang Joe, sorry. That's correct, "2" sets of pads.

Why not just measure them instead of guessing. Rotor's will have a minimum thickness stamped onto them somewhere. Measure them and make a decision from there. Rotor life can vary based on pad compound.