"It was $1,400 at my indy shop for all 4 pads/rotors on the '01 and the 4.8 20"s wheels have more expensive brakes I would bet. "

That's a lot of money for a brake job. You can get pads,rotors and sensors for less than $500 (Pelican Parts). Any good mechanic could do the work in an hour but most would charge 2 hrs of labor. At $100/ hr for an Indy, $700 for a brake job is reasonable. $1,400, is excessive.

+
20"s wheels have the same brakes as any X5 ....

I called an Indy here this morning--it's $1,200 + tax. And, sure, any good ole' mechanic who doesn't work on BMWs could do it for cheap but I'm not having some Firestone mechanic, etc screwing something up.

4.8 has higher cost pads and rotors than the 3.0.

I never paid attention to it, but you got me thinking and I checked it out.
I don't think your statement is true.

Rear pads, x5, 3.0l
07-10 $152.78 $122.22 http://www.trademotion.com/_img/add-to-cart.gif http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/_img/help.gif
Rear pads, x5, 4.8l
07-10 $131.24 $104.99

DescriptionYearMSRP PriceCore PriceYour Price
Rotor, x5, 3.0l
07-10 $171.25 $137.00 http://www.trademotion.com/_img/add-to-cart.gif http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/_img/help.gif
Rotor, x5, 4.8l
07-10 $171.30 $137.04

Rotor, x5, 3.0l, w/o diesel
07-10 $164.68 $131.74 http://www.trademotion.com/_img/add-to-cart.gif http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/_img/help.gif
Rotor, x5, 4.8l
07-10 $181.14 $144.91 http://www.trademotion.com/_img/add-to-cart.gif http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/_img/help.gif


Front Pads cost the same for 3.0 and 4.8i.
The source is : getBMWparts.com

There is a size difference between 3.0 and 4.8 brakes--that's why they break out the model/price difference:

http://www.partsgeek.com/catalog/2008/bmw/x5/brake/brake_rotor.html

I'm not talking about size. I'm talking about price - and the price is actually cheaper for pads and a bit more for rotors for 4.8i according to www.getBMWparts.com website, which is I think Tisher BMW dealership parts department. I always buy original rotors from BMW only and avoid any aftermarket rotors. Pads - another story. You can buy whatever is cheaper and try it IMO.

I agree, I wouldn't go to Firestone.

For informatinal purposes:
My local dealer charges $160/hr for labor.
Indpendent BMW specialists in my area charge ~$100/hr.
2 hours of labor is more than enough time to do a brake job.

Parts are parts, pick your poison.

Perhaps labors rates are much higher in your area......

FWIW, I've never changed the brakes on an E70 but I would bet that the design is exactly the same as other BMW's. I've changed pads and rotors on an E36, E46, E39 and E60, its very easy to do and difficult to screw up.

I am indeed talking about price. 95% of X5 owners aren't going to go through the trouble of buying their parts from various online retailers, have them shipped then go to their Indy and drop them off to have them do the rest. They just go in to the Indy or dealer. I have verified with my Indy the 4.8 is higher than the 3.0.

Actually, whenever a part needs to be replaced, they just get a new car......