[wp326]

So, included in this free maintenance program is the brake pads, or brake replacement, Has anyone got it done, and how many miles? Do the computer lights have to light up before the dealer will do it?

[ward]

I had the fronts on my Z4 replaced at 24,000 miles

about 4-5 trackdays (100 miles on track each time) were in there though


a normally driven car won't need brakes within the 50,000 miles of free service included with the car

[wp326]

I want to get at least one Free replacement done before the maintenance program ends. Based on your info. i need to stomp on my brakes really often.

[///Matt]

WTF are you talking about, a car won't need brakes in 50,000 miles?!?!?

That's REALLY false.

I replace a LOT of brakes. A LOT. A car that gets TRAILERED won't need brakes in 50k.

If you drive normally, a set of pads should go around 30k, maximum. The dealer will replace your brakes when the light comes on, or if you complain about them and certain criteria (like the pads being thinner than 3mm) are met.


Me, I don't drive normally. I'm on my third set of front brakes and second set of rears. I have 30k on the car. I drive hard, and I drive in stop and go traffic 2 hours every day.

[ward]

slushboxes will use more brakes than a properly driven manual car, and lots of people hammer their brakes unecesarily (nice spelling huh?)


my 325 has 40,000 miles, and the OBC tells me the brakes both still have over 20,000 miles left. my car is a highway burner mostly, and a manual

[///Matt]

Personally, ward, I'd MUCH rather burn out my brakes than a clutch. It's a much easier and cheaper replacement.


And of course, if you driving on a straight freeway, with no traffic, and never braking, your brakes will last damn near forever.

[e90driver]

My car has about 35k. My fronts kept squealing when I stopped so they just replaced the pads. They claimed they were not worn out yet, but replaced them because of the noise. The rears are due for replacement in 3900 miles and counting...

[ward]

the more I think about it I may just be a freak with my brakes

I'm apparently easy on them (outside of track use of course)
but I've never had a clutch go bad either, and I've put many miles on multiple BMW's

[stressdoc]

I have never replaced brakes at less than 60k miles on any of my cars. Of course, I live where about the only thing that you have to brake for are box turtles.
Never replaced a clutch at less than 130k.
I am definitely a glider and a green light planner though. I despise bozos in their fat-ass SUVs that fly past you and slam on their brakes at a red light. How much grey matter does it take to recognize that zooming up to a red light is not going to get you where you are going any quicker?

[rolling18]

Originally Posted by ///Matt

WTF are you talking about, a car won't need brakes in 50,000 miles?!?!?

That's REALLY false.

I replace a LOT of brakes. A LOT. A car that gets TRAILERED won't need brakes in 50k.

If you drive normally, a set of pads should go around 30k, maximum. The dealer will replace your brakes when the light comes on, or if you complain about them and certain criteria (like the pads being thinner than 3mm) are met.


Me, I don't drive normally. I'm on my third set of front brakes and second set of rears. I have 30k on the car. I drive hard, and I drive in stop and go traffic 2 hours every day.

WOW i gues i wont be buying a used car from you!! hehe

[E90330iS]

21K miles here so I should be able to expect new brake pads soon!

[E90Fleet]

The average time to replacement according to BMW for the E90 is

Front pads = 40,000Km = 24,855 miles
Rear pads= 50,000Km = 31,069 miles

Thats the figures the CBS uses

The pads also have a 2 stage sensor in them, so they will accurately tell you when they are close to replacement and when replacement is due

[txusa03]

Originally Posted by E90Fleet

The average time to replacement according to BMW for the E90 is

Front pads = 40,000Km = 24,855 miles
Rear pads= 50,000Km = 31,069 miles

Thats the figures the CBS uses

The pads also have a 2 stage sensor in them, so they will accurately tell you when they are close to replacement and when replacement is due

my car is at 37K+ miles and I dont see much difference in wear?

I looked at the disc and there is slightly small edge forming on the outside of the idsc.

[DFW_M]

Average is the key word in Fleet's numbers...
There are people that use brakes when not needed (on HWY for no reason, uphill...). To Matt's point -- if you drive in the city and hard, then you will burn them fast. I think I will not need the replacement until at least 50k miles, which, the amount I drive will be in 10 years

Another cool thing about the Bimmer is that if you let off the gas pedal (in traffic) the car slows down nicely, and there is no need to use brakes all the time...

[txusa03]

Originally Posted by dr325i

Average is the key word in Fleet's numbers...
There are people that use brakes when not needed (on HWY for no reason, uphill...). To Matt's point -- if you drive in the city and hard, then you will burn them fast. I think I will not need the replacement until at least 50k miles, which, the amount I drive will be in 10 years

Another cool thing about the Bimmer is that if you let off the gas pedal (in traffic) the car slows down nicely, and there is no need to use brakes all the time...

Yes, that is with the manual. I noticed this in 1-3 gear, it slow down pretty quickly. Let off the gas pedal and just look at RPM drop fast (at the begining) and the car will continue to roll (in gear 1-3) and not stall. I learned about this here at e90post.

[ejazbmw]

i abuse my brakes....there free who cares....

[FrankoQ]

Originally Posted by ejazbmw

i abuse my brakes....there free who cares....

Guess I should start doing that too.

[trick50]

When I am do for new brakes from BMW...do you guys think they would have a problem with me bringing my own pads for them to install?

I really want to get different pads like the AXIS ones or something that is going to kick off alot less dust.

I know it is a long shot that a BMW dealer would install a non OEM part but it really would be in there best interest. They can bill BMW NA for the pads and pocket the money.

[natedogg]

lol the dealer already changed my brake pads at 11,000 miles. lol the computer said they needed to be changed. im like wow i dont do this all day.

[bartman32]

Only problem is I don't always want to wait till the sensor is going off when I'm at the track. How can I get them to do it a little early if needed.

[DFW_M]

Originally Posted by ejazbmw

i abuse my brakes....there free who cares....

they are free while the warranty lasts...
Your habits will remain after that -- when they are not free any more...

[bmw0perat0r]

Originally Posted by trick50

When I am do for new brakes from BMW...do you guys think they would have a problem with me bringing my own pads for them to install?

I really want to get different pads like the AXIS ones or something that is going to kick off alot less dust.

I know it is a long shot that a BMW dealer would install a non OEM part but it really would be in there best interest. They can bill BMW NA for the pads and pocket the money.

I had some aftermarket pads, rotors, stainless lines and fluid put in by my dealer (old e36 m3). I just said - I have the parts, what is the labor?...day later, done. No mods for the E90 ...and i don't drive like a maniac...obc says 35k till new pads needed. I've put 1000miles on the car so far.