Need brakes 128i

[AF-Chief]

2008 with 67000 miles ready for front brakes, local dealer est for rotors & pads $600.00, local shop that does excellent work will do the job for $300.00. How much is it worth to have the dealer shop do the job and have BMW service records?

Thanks Ray

[gjm120]

I wouldn't think the records are worth the $300 difference. What could matter is if the local shop uses cheap rotors and pads. BMW OE brakes are good so if your shop uses OE or equivalent, I be hard pressed to spend the extra.

Also, it's a pretty easy diy on a 128i if you have the inclination and place to do it.

[02Pilot]

Quality of the components matters. FWIW, Zimmerman is about the only rotor supplier that manufactures in Germany. Pad quality and braking qualities vary widely. Know what you're getting before you agree to anything.

And yes, brakes are really simple to DIY if you're that sort.

[AF-Chief]

Thanks for the replies, I am new to BMW ownership and love the car. The local shop on the estimate listed platinum brake pads and gold high carbon brake rotors and wearever front brake wear senors, with a labor rate of $65.00 per hour with the job taking one hour. Is the parts listed really high quality as expected to be used on a BMW? Thanks again.

Ray

[gjm120]

High quality OEM rotors are around $100-110 for the pair, pads about $55 so he is probably making a little money on the parts. Not saying that is a negative, especially at a $65/hr rate (that is very low). I can order better pads and rotors for the price I mentioned above.

Here's an approach you may want to try - ask if he would upgrade to Zimmerman rotors and a better pad for a little more money. Pads choices are a wine sniffing thing. I have Akebono on my car and like them. Some will not like them.

[02Pilot]

Sounds like totally generic jobber parts that the shop buys to keep prices low. I would not put them on my car, but then I prefer my brakes to stop me consistently and in the least distance possible. My choice would be Zimmerman rotors; Pagid, Jurid, or Textar (all BMW OEM); and Bowa sensors (again, OEM). If you want to stay with that shop, ask for a quote with those parts. FWIW, they're ~$450 retail for everything you'd need.

I haven't seen a shop charge $65/hr in 20 years, but I suppose there's a lot of regional variance.

[gjm120]

$450 retail for front ? Where are you shopping?

[gjm120]

OP - ask your shop if you can provide the parts and offer to pay him a flat $100 or an extra hour of labor time. Just tell him you want to stay as close to OE as possible without overspending.

There are plenty of choices for parts. For example ECS tuning has a brake kit for under $200. It includes Zimmerman rotors, Akebono pads and wear sensors. Other vendors price about the same.

If you research and decide you don't want Akebono pads, just order the pads you want + rotors + wear sensor. Some don't like Akebono because the initial bite is less than OE. If you want the bite, get Jurid. They were the original pads on my 2013 128i.

[02Pilot]

Originally Posted by gjm120

$450 retail for front ? Where are you shopping?

Sorry, that's for both axles. I didn't catch that it was fronts only.

[NorthernDancer]

Yes as others are saying here, you want better quality parts. BMW OE rotors, Zimmerman, Pagid (recommended by Turner Motorsport) and I'm about to install Meyle.
Pads, again BMW OE, Akebono, Pagid, Jurid, Textar, Cool Carbon and a few others too.
If necessary have your garage order from Bav Auto, Turner, FCP Euro, Pelican Parts, even Autohausaz.

And consider asking someone who knows brakes well and ask him/her to help you do your first brake job yourself (DIY). Lots of good videos out there.
Not a good idea for you to order parts and ask garage to install.

[rowsdower]

I'll contradict what others have posted here a little bit. I do not think you need to buy expensive German parts. You need good quality, yes, and you should know the brand they're installing (not just "platinum level").

I've got Centric blanks and StopTech Street Performance pads on my car. I track my car and have yet to have any issues. If you buy Centrics, get the "premium" kind that have the painted rotor hat. The unpainted ones will rust within a week. I usually buy brake parts from RockAuto as they seem to have the best prices on the internet.

On my old GTI, I ran EBC Yellowstuff and had no complaints.

[gjm120]

Originally Posted by rowsdower

I'll contradict what others have posted here a little bit. I do not think you need to buy expensive German parts. You need good quality, yes, and you should know the brand they're installing (not just "platinum level").

I've got Centric blanks and StopTech Street Performance pads on my car. I track my car and have yet to have any issues. If you buy Centrics, get the "premium" kind that have the painted rotor hat. The unpainted ones will rust within a week. I usually buy brake parts from RockAuto as they seem to have the best prices on the internet.

On my old GTI, I ran EBC Yellowstuff and had no complaints.

I wouldn't argue one bit. I have slotted StopTech's up front and am pleased with them. My only point is since all higher quality brake parts are within a close price range, take the lesser risk

[Tuxedo]

I want to +1 the Zimmerman zinc coated rotor Akebono pads combo, getting after market or the ECS kit I recommend sub out the cheap sensors for oem BMW brand sensors.

[AF-Chief]

Thanks for all the advice, we are going to let the local shop do the work and we will specify what parts are used. Years ago DIY would have been an option, my age of 82 just getting in and out of the car is an effort, however, with the top down driving down the highway I feel young again.

Thanks Ray

[gjm120]

Originally Posted by AF-Chief

Thanks for all the advice, we are going to let the local shop do the work and we will specify what parts are used. Years ago DIY would have been an option, my age of 82 just getting in and out of the car is an effort, however, with the top down driving down the highway I feel young again.

Thanks Ray

Great. Let us know how it turns out.