Brakes - How low can you go?

[choppedliver]

The front brakes have taken an age to wear down from my original post on this. Right now I have 1900km left. Is that too low and should I place an emergency call to bmwroxm5 to get them done ASAP?

Thanks

Byron

[Dackelone]

The search function is your friend...

Quote:
Originally Posted by Xyloft
So the brake counters in the dash are actual wear sensors and not just mileage counters? when I checked my counters at 52,000 it said 16,000 more for the fronts and 20,000 more miles for the rears.

Originally Posted by DriveHard

CORRECT.. there is an algorythm that is used to calculate the expected minimum thickness..


BTW < 3mm is BMW's minimum specification that would trigger the light and require pad replacement.. they do it at 3mm so that people dont panic and are told that there is still time and make an appt. as opposed to making a rush on the service dept.

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showt...ad+wear&page=2

[choppedliver]

Sorry I missed that thread in my search.

What I find confusing is that the service guy told me I had 1mm left on the front disks ~7000kms ago at which time the brakes said they had 4000km or so left and I keep wondering if they are below spec now. I understand the sensor is in the pad and not the disk so the disk could be low with some pad remaining. Mind you the brakes still work!

Byron

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by choppedliver

Sorry I missed that thread in my search.

What I find confusing is that the service guy told me I had 1mm left on the front disks ~7000kms ago at which time the brakes said they had 4000km or so left and I keep wondering if they are below spec now. I understand the sensor is in the pad and not the disk so the disk could be low with some pad remaining. Mind you the brakes still work!

Byron

I believe DriveHard's <3mm's is including the steel backing plate(of the pads) - when you are measuring the brake pads.

It is a safe bet that your car now need front pads (and probably brake rotors) and one pad sensor. Normally the rear pads wear(out) at just about same time as the fronts. For the rears I think you can get by with just pads and one pad sensor.


Dackel

[choppedliver]

My rears seem ok according to iDrive, but I'll get the fronts sorted ASAP.

Thanks

Byron

[sbce90]

dude just change them. they need to be changed regardless.

[BBK]

I did 90,000 kms on my front pads... Approx 20,000 more than when the car said they needed replacing.

[yawn]

Originally Posted by BBK

I did 90,000 kms on my front pads... Approx 20,000 more than when the car said they needed replacing.

Living on the edge hehe... Then again, might as well use the last millimeter of break pad - save money

[BBK]

Yeah I didn't see the need, plus I just never got around to organising it. If it aint broke...

[RadiuM]

When my brake warning light went red because the sensor had been eaten up. I looked at them and they had a ton of meat left. I drove it another 7000km (including a track day) and when I replaced them they still had 3-4mm on them left.

the indicator is just an indicator

[BBK]

The indicator is really the 'time to give money to BMW ' indicator

[choppedliver]

So it sounds like I don't need to panic! Mind you the squeal from the sensors is driving me insane!

B

[RaihaX]

Originally Posted by choppedliver

So it sounds like I don't need to panic! Mind you the squeal from the sensors is driving me insane!

B

join the club

[_Ryan_]

I ignore it. I had a sensor go when I was at ~50% pads. I only learnt this after fitting a front BBK to replace it.(cheaper than parts through local BMW stealership)

[Taymaishu]

44000 on mine before changing. Up to 79k now and will need pads and rotors soon!