How often do you replace brakes? and How much it cost?

[WP1]

How often do you replace brakes? and How much it cost?

The OEM front brakes were replaced at 39K (Dec.2013) miles and now I have 52K and they beginning to squeak and the noise is increasing (only 13K miles and almost 2 years and a half on them). On April 2015, the brake fluid change was done. Looking at the breaks pads/rotors they look fine to me. Looked in the idrive and it says service is do in 12,000.

Front breaks were replaced, but the on the rear only the pads. Got them replaced under the original maintenance, but now it is on me.


Going to the dealer on Friday and I would appreciate your help.

Thanks,
WP

[chris82]

I would do some really hard stops from highway speeds. Could be a deposit or something on the pad or rotor?

[WP1]

Ok so, my front brakes have 7mm and my rear 9mm. They are still good.
Sucks that the noise does not stop.

Its there a break cleaner for our cars?


Thanks,

PS. For anyone looking for cost, it will be $2,200 for all breaks.

[E82MSport]

Originally Posted by WP1

Ok so, my front brakes have 7mm and my rear 9mm. They are still good.
Sucks that the noise does not stop.

Its there a break cleaner for our cars?


Thanks,

PS. For anyone looking for cost, it will be $2,200 for all breaks.

As Chris mentioned, go rebed the brakes and see if that helps, it could be deposits.

Also, the price you were quoted is very high. You can have the rotors and pads replaced with premium non-BMW parts for a lot less.

I use Centric high carbon rotors (Stop Tech blanks i.e no slotting or drilling) for track and daily with great results. I swap between dedicated track pads and street pads and have no issues.

[The Wind Breezes]

You can get genuine front rotors for $130 apiece and pads are similar. Rears are less. Fluid costs under $100 even if you have to buy your own motive bleeder. $2200 is laughable.

[jkoral]

65K miles on my original brakes with plenty of pad life left. And I'm pretty hard on the brakes, I'm shocked at how long they've lasted.

They are a bit noisy. I've had good success with the little red bottle of CRC Disc Brake Quiet (http://www.amazon.com/CRC-Disc-Brake.../dp/B000CINV88). I was going to try it when I change pads/rotors.

[John_01]

Its fairly common for the BMW stock pads to sqeal now and then. Same with many other cars as well. It generally does not indicate any problem unless the pads are completely worn to the final couple of mm (which will be LOUD). I've heard it can depend on the way the pad wears.

[PA135i]

Originally Posted by jkoral

65K miles on my original brakes with plenty of pad life left. And I'm pretty hard on the brakes, I'm shocked at how long they've lasted.

They are a bit noisy. I've had good success with the little red bottle of CRC Disc Brake Quiet (http://www.amazon.com/CRC-Disc-Brake.../dp/B000CINV88). I was going to try it when I change pads/rotors.

That's hard believe that you went 65K on a set of brakes. It seems impossible, unless you really take it easy on them.
This is third BMW and the longest I went on a set was 38K.

[WP1]

Good information. Thanks and hope this helps others as well.

What is the measurement on brand new pads? 12mm?

If so, that means I have used 5 mm on the front pads in 2 1/2 years

[NorthernDancer]

$2200 for all brakes is ridiculous. You have to talk to other BMW owners and find a good BMW indy repair shop. Sometimes squeaky brakes can be quieted down by re-bedding (10-12 stops from 70mph to 20mph [never stop] getting more aggressive as you go). Otherwise, they have to come out, get cleaned and lubed. Disc Brake Quiet works well-the trick here to leave it on to dry as long as possible (2 hours minimum, 24 hours best).
Consider joining BMWCCA to access other owners and their vast technical knowledge.

[MuNkY6913]

I say buy your own rotors and pads and get a case of beer and a couple buddies and start turning the 6 bolts needed to be taken off to do it. exaggeration of course. I just bought all 4 corners rotors and pads and sensors for $440 shipped. installed myself with jack stands. painted blue and drilled and slotted. going to do a review on here in a little bit because I haven't seen anyone use this company yet.

[MZWIE]

Replacing brake pads and rotors is probably one of the easiest DIY's to do. As far as to how often to replace. I did mine at 70k and there was plenty of pad left.

Just take the wheel off and look at them. Should be self explanatory how much pad is left. I don't do an until about a 1/4" or less is left.

[fboutlaw]

If your brakes are squealing it could be from a few things:
1. Poorly bedded rotor - Try rebedding sequence
2. gravel trapped in the caliper. This happens at autox's all the time. Drive backwards and jam on the brakes to try to dislodge.
3. If those don't work, you can either have your rotors shaved down and re-bed or replace them completely.

Good luck

[jkoral]

Originally Posted by PA135i

That's hard believe that you went 65K on a set of brakes. It seems impossible, unless you really take it easy on them.
This is third BMW and the longest I went on a set was 38K.

65K and counting. I haven't changed them yet (front or rear).

I just put the summer tires on and checked pad thickness (didn't measure rotors) and looked like plenty of life left.

I am the opposite of easy on brakes, something my wife bitches about all the time. I can't explain it.

I bought the car with 4K miles on it and have all service records. The only thing I could think is they are not OE pads and there was no record of service. The original owner had all work done at the dealer, so I would be surprised if this were the case.

This is my 4th BMW and also the longest I've ever gone on original brakes.

[PA135i]

They cannot be OE pads. Typically, "long life" brake pads extend pad life at the expense of braking power. I'd bet if you replaced them with OE pads your braking ability would improve.

[Wolfie1]

I just got my 1er about 3 weeks ago. My breaks are at about 30% and I went on a canyon run today and they seemed awful... My peddle seems squishy though so maybe they need to be bled?

Idk what it was but they just did not seem like the BMW breaks that I am use too

[asbrr]

Originally Posted by Wolfie1

I just got my 1er about 3 weeks ago. My breaks are at about 30% and I went on a canyon run today and they seemed awful... My peddle seems squishy though so maybe they need to be bled?

Idk what it was but they just did not seem like the BMW breaks that I am use too

That doesn't sound right at all....probably a combination of old fluid/air in the system and shitty pad composition......depending on the mileage of your car and previous use, if it was heavily used/tracked a caliper rebuild kit may also be in order (new pressure and dust seals).

[geeyore]

Originally Posted by WP1

PS. For anyone looking for cost, it will be $2,200 for all breaks.

Don't take it to a dealer. Even all new rotors (Zimmermans are one of two BMW OE suppliers) + pads (street pads) + install should be ~$800 or less parts, and no it does not take 10 labor hours to do that work. Ridiculous, ripoff. That's even if you in fact need new rotors x4.

By the way, on my 135 the front pads wear unevenly and so what appears to be adequate pad thickness from the top of the caliper is definitely not adequate on the bottom. That's with a lot of track use, but it sounds like the age of your pads might be relevant.

[Wolfie1]

Originally Posted by asbrr

That doesn't sound right at all....probably a combination of old fluid/air in the system and shitty pad composition......depending on the mileage of your car and previous use, if it was heavily used/tracked a caliper rebuild kit may also be in order (new pressure and dust seals).

Yea I have a work order that showed the fluids being changed when the dealer bought the car. Bad job and left air in the system?


Hmm yeah I might want to do a rebuild kit when I change pads

Edit: Mileage is at 44k and I do not know if PO tracked it.

[asbrr]

Originally Posted by Wolfie1

Yea I have a work order that showed the fluids being changed when the dealer bought the car. Bad job and left air in the system?


Hmm yeah I might want to do a rebuild kit when I change pads

Edit: Mileage is at 44k and I do not know if PO tracked it.

Yea it's not a bad idea given the propensity for failure of the seals if heavily tracked (especially with race compound pads which make much more heat). If it's all stock and never tracked it's probably not an issue given the mileage, and is more likely just air.....

[KNS]

How often depends on how you drive it. I have 205,000 miles on my E46 and I am now getting ready to replace the original rear brakes - yes, that's right (I'm the original owner). I drive mostly highway but use them aggressively only when necessary. I did the fronts around 115,000 miles if I recall.

Note: I did replace the BMW pads right after I purchased the car new with low dust pads and they've been in there ever since.

[asbrr]

Originally Posted by KNS

How often depends on how you drive it. I have 205,000 miles on my E46 and I am now getting ready to replace the original rear brakes - yes, that's right (I'm the original owner). I drive mostly highway but use them aggressively only when necessary. I did the fronts around 115,000 miles if I recall.

Note: I did replace the BMW pads right after I purchased the car new with low dust pads and they've been in there ever since.

Wow, now that's impressive. But just goes to show service life is greatly affected by driving patterns and style.....