[rogerxp]

The light came on today to say my brake pads need changing. My MOT was done on 24th March where they claimed I had 4mm left on the rear pads. Is there such a thing as a legal limit?? Seems 4mm has vanished pretty quickly. The computer says I've got 4,300 miles to go before they need changing so is the warning light a bit premature???

I'll get them checked out properly but just wonder if you'd had an overly sensitve warning light too??

I'm about to get some new non-RFT tyres fitted as I know someone who runs an ATS Euromaster place locally so might get them to replace the brakes whilst they have it. Do you insist on going to the Dealer for things like brake pads?? I just extended my warranty this week but can't this decision effecting it - how would they know.

My car will be like the bionic car soon with it's new gearbox, flywheel, clutch and now tyres & brakes (and a possible remap!!).

[PeteJ]

I believe the warning is generated not by detecting wear, more based on driving style and number of miles done since last change.

Best getting it checked out though!

[xenon]

You need the dealer to reset the pad wear warning, unfortunately

[rogerxp]

Just been to a local tyre fitter (not the one I'll use though) to check where I'm up to. The rear tyres have a little life left but probably worth changing now and the rear brake pads are very low so need doing.

Good input Ian about the warning light, hadn't thought about that. I've just spoken to the fitter I'll use (but not my contact) who says when they change the brakes they also put a new sensor on which, after a couple of minutes, the car's computer resets the light. Does that sound right??? Also, I asked if they'd use BMW brakes, which they will, just to show willing with the warranty conditions as I've just extended it.

[xenon]

No it isn't right on the e9x Roger. It is exactly right on the e46 where the sensor wears through to contact and earth on the disc - renewing the sensor turns out the light after driving for a while or leaving the ignition on (engine off) for about 5 minutes.

The E9x is different and can only be reset by the dealer or an autologic tester.

[rogerxp]

Mmm, I'll wait until next week and speak to my contact and ask him specifically about the light and autologic tester. Wish the Dealer had mentioned it, they had my car last week to replace the gearbox, etc, they could've done them then.

Am I being a little short-minded (warranty wise) in not using a Dealer for the brakes just to save a few quid??? Should I really be a good boy and take it back to the Dealer to sort out (then get the tyres changed)???

[xenon]

You might find the dealer cheaper than you think just to do a brake pad change - it only takes a few minutes.

[rogerxp]

Just called them £270 for pads only doesn't seem that reasonable to me. The tyre place quoted about £100 for the pad but I appreciate those won't be BMW parts.

Does £270 sound OK though??

Just hope the discs don't also need doing (at nearly 48k miles!?!?!?) but I know there must be potential...

[xenon]

£270!!!!!!!!! Robbing gits.

Do not pay that, it's ridiculous. Get it done at the tyre place but ask them to confirm the warning will be reset, without going in to details. It will then be their problem to reset it even if they have to take it to a dealer themselves to have it done.

[Mr.N]

Just to add my recent brake pad experiences......

Ive had a horrible squeak from one of / both of the back wheels when pulling away from lights etc upto a speed of about 20mph. A few people have had a similar experience I think. The sound disappears above that speed and also when pressing the brake pedal.

I booked it into my friendly local dealer 2 weeks ago. A day after I booked it in the service thing "bonged" to tell me that both front and rear pads needed changing. Thought it was weird - car has only done 11k miles.

Anyway, took it in on Tuesday this week. Service department told me that they thought a sensor had gone as the computer was saying that my brake pad change was 390,000 miles overdue (!?)

When I picked it up at the end of the day the guy asked me if I worked on a building site. Strange question as my car is pretty much immaculate. He said that there was "heavy duty crap" in the brakes and that was causing the squeak - nothing wrong with the sensor. They had cleaned the brakes (done me a favour!) and reset the service indicator.

So I drive away a happy chappy. Until about a mile into my journey when I pull away from a set of lights........squeak.......squeak....squeak squeak squeak.

Bstard.

It's going back in in 2 weeks.

[rogerxp]

I think because they called it a 'rear brake service' they think they can get away with massively over inflating the price. I'll speak to my man next week to get clarification on the warning light and a price on using BMW brakes too and will report back...

Which dealer are you using Mr.N??? I presume David Holmes??? Mine tends to go to Blue Bell in Wilmslow as that's where I work (Wilmslow not the Dealer!!!).

[Mr.N]

Yes mate, David Holmes - I bought it there.

I've had some good service, some bad service.

Is Blue Bell anygood?

[rogerxp]

Difficult to say really. They've always looked after me pretty well. Just changed my flywheel, gearbox & clutch under warranty so am a happy bunny regarding that. I don't think they are the most competitive price wise (think my last oil change was just over £200 & now the rear brakes at £270) but then again they probably don't need to be given their location and wealth of most customers!!!

I fell out with David Holmes big time about 6 months ago, well with one of the used sales chaps, as he lead me on a merry dance. Dickhead!!! I know others who have bought new from David Holmes and seem pretty happy.

[Mr.N]

Originally Posted by rogerxp

they probably don't need to be given their location and wealth of most customers!!!

Very true!

I guess I'll have to reserve judgement on David Holmes until they sort out my squeak!

I didnt even ask how much pads would have cost me there either so I cant give you any info pal.

[rogerxp]

Just called David Holmes (sure I should be working or something!!!) and they came in at £264 (pads & new sensors).

[willhollin]

You could try Speedreligion?

[Mr.N]

That aint too bad. Bluebell wanted 270 for JUST pads??

Originally Posted by rogerxp

(sure I should be working or something!!!)

Feck it, it's FRIDAY!

[330cdsport]

Can you not replace the pads yourself and then reset the sevice light using some DIY on-board computer trickery? It may be a DIY guide on here somewhere.

I bought original back pads for my car and have them stored waiting for changing - by me - in the near future.
Think I paid about £40 from ajsautoparts.9388 (Ebay user)

[dxb335d]

Had last two sets of pads changed at indy with no tissue.

[greatbm]

Originally Posted by 330cdsport

Can you not replace the pads yourself and then reset the sevice light using some DIY on-board computer trickery. It may be a DIY guide on here somewhere.

I bought original back pads for my car and have them stored waiting for changing - by me - in the near future.
Think I paid about £40 from ajsautoparts.9388 (Ebay user)

The E9x range has a two stage brake pad warning. One is mileage based and counts down to replacement (advisory). The second is a sensor in the brake pad and wears to touch the disc (usually 3mm left). If the advisory mileage warning is ignored you will get a permanent brake warning when the sensor wears which cant be reset without replacing the sensor. If the pads are changed when recommended the pads can be replaced and the computer reset from the maintenance menu (no need to change sensor). Sometimes the wear sensor can give a warning even when the car says plenty mileage left. The reset has been covered if you do a search.

[rogerxp]

Will, thanks for the suggestion (see, you can be sensible sometimes ), and I've spoken to the infamous Ant at SpeedReligion. Must admit I hadn't realised they were so close to me.

Ant seems a top bloke and quickly got me a figure. £73 for a pair of brake pads and £60 to fit (1hr). He also said he could do a little better once I'd mentioned E90post. Can't argue with that.

Forgot to mention the sensors but I'm sure he'll be sorting them out as a matter of course.

He's now going to get me a figure on a set of Falkens from his mobile fitter contact so might get it all done sometime next week (I can see a client visit in Warrington coming up!!).

[willhollin]

Originally Posted by rogerxp

Will, thanks for the suggestion (see, you can be sensible sometimes ), and I've spoken to the infamous Ant at SpeedReligion. Must admit I hadn't realised they were so close to me.

Ant seems a top bloke and quickly got me a figure. £73 for a pair of brake pads and £60 to fit (1hr). He also said he could do a little better once I'd mentioned E90post. Can't argue with that.

Forgot to mention the sensors but I'm sure he'll be sorting them out as a matter of course.

He's now going to get me a figure on a set of Falkens from his mobile fitter contact so might get it all done sometime next week (I can see a client visit in Warrington coming up!!).

When it comes to fellow 330d owners I am very serious.