Replacing Pads and Rotors Together

Strombo · 01-15-2015, 10:58 AM

Question:

Have an e91 07 328xi with ~65k miles on the clock. Shop said the rear pads have about 10% left and I need to replace them soon AND replace rotors.

I searched around a bit and gathered that BMW does suggest replacing pads and rotors together. but I took a peek at my rotors on the rear and they look exceptionally clean and smooth.

I'm assuming I would be just fine replacing just the pads and sensors assuming the rotors are within thickness spec - but would like some other perspectives on it. 65k doesn't seem like many miles to require a rotor replacement in my opinion...

Thoughts?

mbanks21 · 01-15-2015, 11:44 AM

Honestly for what rotors cost I'd just replace them now and not have to pay for labor again next year when you replace them anyway. I think I paid $500 for front and rear Zimmerman rotors, Akebono pads, and sensors.

The HACK · 01-15-2015, 12:05 PM

Clean rotors != fresh rotors.

Only way to tell for sure, is to take a micrometer to the rotor and measure it's thickness. It's usually stamped on the rotor hat what the minimum thickness is.

Strombo · 01-15-2015, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The HACK

Clean rotors != fresh rotors.

Only way to tell for sure, is to take a micrometer to the rotor and measure it's thickness. It's usually stamped on the rotor hat what the minimum thickness is.

Definitely hear you there - as why I stated if they are within thickness spec to just replace pads. I just don't feel that I should have to plan for the future to do a pad and rotor overhaul every 60k miles, seems excessive.

TC Kline Racing · 01-15-2015, 12:09 PM

I would probably lean towards new rotors as well. You will also have pad deposits on the current rotor that may not 'mesh' well with the new pads. If it's in the budget, and you're close to min. spec, I would replace them.

Denny347 · 01-15-2015, 05:29 PM

If you can do it yourself $200 for rotors and pads. Cheap enough to do both.

Socket · 01-17-2015, 11:01 PM

do you need to replace brake sensors, when doing pads and rotors??

lemonpark · 01-17-2015, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Socket

do you need to replace brake sensors, when doing pads and rotors??

yep, to get rid of the "replace brake pads" message you get when you start the car. I forgot to get it when ordering my brake stuff, so i still get a message hahaha

Socket · 01-17-2015, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lemonpark

yep, to get rid of the "replace brake pads" message you get when you start the car. I forgot to get it when ordering my brake stuff, so i still get a message hahaha

Thanks Lemon, didn't think to order sensors with the new rotors

You coming down to Albert Park?? I'm heading down there soon

mlifxs · 01-18-2015, 07:08 PM

My BMW dealership told me both:
1) replace rotors with pads even for the first pad change.
2) don't replace rotors with pads on the first pad change.

They told me 1) when they were trying to sell me the maintenance extension to 100k miles, I think to justify the cost of the maintenance contract.

They told me 2) a year later, after I passed on the maintenance. This was for the rear pads at around 74k miles and there were no issues. Still running the same rotors at 136k. I assume they measured the rotors before going ahead with it and they replace oe pad with oe pad.

For my fronts, I changed compounds (DIY) around 102k and did eventually have some issues after about 10k more miles. New rotors corrected the problems.

So maybe you can stretch the life of the rotors beyond one pad change if they're still in spec and your staying with the same compound (?)

01-15-2015, 10:58 AM	#1
Strombo New Member 2 Rep 27 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW 328xi Touring Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Midwest iTrader: (0)	Replacing Pads and Rotors Together Question: Have an e91 07 328xi with ~65k miles on the clock. Shop said the rear pads have about 10% left and I need to replace them soon AND replace rotors. I searched around a bit and gathered that BMW does suggest replacing pads and rotors together. but I took a peek at my rotors on the rear and they look exceptionally clean and smooth. I'm assuming I would be just fine replacing just the pads and sensors assuming the rotors are within thickness spec - but would like some other perspectives on it. 65k doesn't seem like many miles to require a rotor replacement in my opinion... Thoughts? Last edited by Strombo; 01-15-2015 at 11:08 AM..
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

01-15-2015, 11:44 AM	#2
mbanks21 Colonel 1268 Rep 2,957 Posts Drives: 2015 335i MSport Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: High Bridge, NJ iTrader: (8)	Honestly for what rotors cost I'd just replace them now and not have to pay for labor again next year when you replace them anyway. I think I paid $500 for front and rear Zimmerman rotors, Akebono pads, and sensors.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-15-2015, 12:05 PM	#3
The HACK Midlife Crises Racing Silent but Deadly Class 1821 Rep 5,337 Posts Drives: 2006 MZ4C, 2021 Tesla Model 3 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Welcome to Jamaica have a nice day iTrader: (1)	Clean rotors != fresh rotors. Only way to tell for sure, is to take a micrometer to the rotor and measure it's thickness. It's usually stamped on the rotor hat what the minimum thickness is. __________________ Sitting on a beat-up office chair in front of a 5 year old computer in a basement floor, sipping on stale coffee watching a bunch of meaningless numbers scrolling aimlessly on a dimly lit 19” monitor.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-15-2015, 12:09 PM	#5
TC Kline Racing 45 Rep 345 Posts Drives: Many BMW's & Porsche's Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Columbus, OH & Santa Barbara, CA iTrader: (0)	I would probably lean towards new rotors as well. You will also have pad deposits on the current rotor that may not 'mesh' well with the new pads. If it's in the budget, and you're close to min. spec, I would replace them. Last edited by TC Kline Racing; 01-16-2015 at 09:31 AM..
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-15-2015, 05:29 PM	#6
Denny347 Major 347 Rep 1,076 Posts Drives: 2008 M3 E90 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Indianapolis, IN iTrader: (0)	If you can do it yourself $200 for rotors and pads. Cheap enough to do both.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-17-2015, 11:01 PM	#7
Socket Lieutenant General 4542 Rep 11,903 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Australia iTrader: (4) Garage List 2008 BMW E92 [0.00]	do you need to replace brake sensors, when doing pads and rotors??
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-18-2015, 07:08 PM	#10
mlifxs Diamond Geezer 212 Rep 2,385 Posts Drives: Jet Black 2007 328i Saloon Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Florida iTrader: (6) Garage List 2016 VW Golf Sportw ... [10.00]	My BMW dealership told me both: 1) replace rotors with pads even for the first pad change. 2) don't replace rotors with pads on the first pad change. They told me 1) when they were trying to sell me the maintenance extension to 100k miles, I think to justify the cost of the maintenance contract. They told me 2) a year later, after I passed on the maintenance. This was for the rear pads at around 74k miles and there were no issues. Still running the same rotors at 136k. I assume they measured the rotors before going ahead with it and they replace oe pad with oe pad. For my fronts, I changed compounds (DIY) around 102k and did eventually have some issues after about 10k more miles. New rotors corrected the problems. So maybe you can stretch the life of the rotors beyond one pad change if they're still in spec and your staying with the same compound (?)
	Appreciate 0 Quote