Brake Pad Questions
 

I noticed my rears are rather thin though the sensor hasn't tripped yet.

Questions:
1) If my sensor hasn't tripped, do I need to get new sensors? I can't see why, but just wanted to be sure.
2) Does anyone know who the OE is for the brake pads? I don't mind dusty pads, but would much rather not pay double for BMW to place a logo on the back of the pad. I'm guessing they're semi-metallic based upon their high initial bite and dust production.

Thanks!

After some reading tonight, it appears Jurid makes the OEM e70 pads. Part#34216768471 for my 50i.

Yes, you need a new sensor. The newer version of sensors uses a 'dual stage' wear contact, to give been precision in end of life prediction. So even before the second "replace me" wear contact is hit, the sensor will already have been worn/tripped.

Ive heard some of the aftermarket ones do NOT work right. Just buy the BMW part- you save maybe $10-12

If it shows >1000 miles left, you can get away with old sensor. With new pads it will just continue showing the same remaining life until new pads wear off. Actually over time it will even slightly increase the balance by few hundred miles.

Interesting. So if the first stage is not tripped/worn on inspection then I'm probably safe without swapping, but if wear seen I should replace.

ARD: Yes I agree for electronics to always stay OEM. FWIW on the pads the Jurid look to be the same piece and about $60/set vs $120/set (just rears) in cost.

This is aftermarket, but I think I can see the multiple stages. I'll inspect the sensor to see if it shows wear.
http://g01.s.alicdn.com/kf/HTB1HwCRJ...-sensor-OE.jpg

Not mine, but helpful and found online.

http://www.xoutpost.com/attachments/...pad-sensor.jpg

"get away with"- sure. But the pad life will be inaccurate, admittedly if you care about crap like that. (I dont, wife does).;)

Also, to OP- oddly, for the dumb sensor you would think aftermarket is fine...but the few reports Ive seen indicate that some dont have the proper resistance value. In actual fact I did OE on the front and Aftermarket (oem?) on the rear, and it worked. But then I began reading about new sensors that would not properly 'reset' ....

I guess the question is if the pad wear is based solely upon this multi-stage wear sensor (which appears to just trip once each wire is broken), or if the odometer plays in somehow to the brake wear.

Once any stage of the sensor is tripped, you must replace it to get an accurate reading again.

You reset the service reminder via the instrument cluster, and with a new wear sensor it will go back up to the default/calculated value (in my case I think it was 34 or 36k miles for the rears).

If you haven't tripped a stage, then I don't see why a service reset on the brakes wouldn't bring it back to full mileage estimate. That said, you'd be tossing the pads with about 40% of their remaining life if the first stage hasn't tripped.

I used aftermarket sensors - seemed to work fine. If the sensors have continuity in them, they won't work (the car will see it as a tripped sensor). I got front and rear aftermarket sensors for less than half the cost of one OEM sensor, so I figured why not give them a shot. One side worked, so I'm already ahead there. :cool:

Dont get aftermarket, i got my rears as a kit with ceramic pads and they squeak when cold. I will be replacing them with OEM pads this spring when i do my front brakes.