Front Brake Job
 

The dealer quoted me about Cdn$650 to replace the front pads, rotors & sensors on my 08 X5 3.0Si with 36000Km today, the SA said that BMW recommends replacing the rotors with pads every time. Any suggestions?

36,000kms is a little too soon. just do pads. i think it's $200ish.

It seems about $100 high. The E53 is advertised at $474 CDN for front pads, rotors, and sensor at my dealer in Vancouver, and $553 CDN for the E60. They don't have a special on for the E70.

I did rotors at that mileage, and I would do them again (ex mechanic here, I did them myself at home). They aren't worn out at this mileage, but it helps avoid noise problems afterwards. My dealer is advertising pads only for the E60 at $261. They don't recommend it, but they will likely do it if you insist. If the brakes are noisy afterwards, fixing it is likely to be on your dime.

Aren't these covered under the maintence program or do they not have it in Canada ?

It is covered under my wallet. The SA said the rotors are likely be warped and vibration may occur afterward.

That seems like a good price for rotors, pads and labor from a BMW dealer.... perhaps we are more used to abuse down south... :)

Is your brake pad warning illuminated?

If your rotors measure OK (ie less than 50% of the allowable wear) you can skip rotors. Otherwise you run the risk of wearing the rotors past the wear limit before the pads wear out (and the sensor is tripped). Since I basically monitor pad and rotors independently, I'll change each when they are needed....

Rotors don't warp usually...you get deposition of pad material into the metal of the rotor creating variations in friction around the rotor...this can feel like a warp.

But the SA is putting you on notice that any issues will be your fault..

A

The light is not on yet but the mileage shows only 650 Km to replace the front pads on the i drive, should I wait till the brake pads warning light comes on?

For this price I would change everything. If your rotors go in 10.000 kms then you will need new pads too and spend the equal amount.

just curious, i had a E53 and it had over 100,000 kms before it got totaled. i bought it when it had 78,000 kms. it was a off-lease car and as far as i know it never had rotors changed. drove just fine. no noise issues.