A gap between brake pad and rotor?
 

Just install new brake pads for all four wheels, :thumbup:
Thanks to the following posts:
http://www.xoutpost.com/articles/x5/...e-job-diy.html
Instructions for bedding in your brakes
E53 X5 Brake Fluid Bleed/Flush DIY

Still have a question:
I found that there was no gap between the pads and the rotors. Even no one stepped on the brake pedal, the brake hydraulics pump still kept pushing the pads against the rotor. Is this a design for all BMW cars? It seemed like it would cause unnecessary friction to the system. Or did I do anything wrong?

But if you look at a Toyota video, you can find that there were two springs to separate two brake pads
(at 1:56, How to change the front brake pads on a toyota camry - YouTube )

Honestly, I don't feel anything wrong with my car after replacing all pads, still 22.5mpg highway, 17mpg local. Very satisfy with my car, but just curious. :popcorn:

There shouldnt be a gap. Otherwise thats just kinda dangerous.
When you step on pedal there will be much longer pedal travel before it starts doing any braking.

100% normal

The thing is there is no springs or any simliar equipment to separate the pads from the rotors. If u looks at the brake do u see a gap visually?

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There is no visual gap. The pads are pushed back by the rotor, which has a very small amount of runout by design. If you spin the rotor a few times it should be relatively free to spin. If it isn't, that more than likely indicates a problem in the hydraulics.

On the Toyota video, those are anti rattle clips, not return springs. BMW has one as well, just not oriented the same, but serving the same purpose.

Thanks :-) That made sense.

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