When to Replace Brakes

wuufer001 · 02-17-2009, 10:31 AM

alright guys, i'm a little embarassed to ask this question. But when do we know our brakes needs to be replaced besides taking it to a service?
i mean will the driver (me) feel any difference besides the really bad squealing, and assume by that time the rotors are also messed up. thats what happened to my firends Z4, he didn't take it in for a while and they had to end up changing the rotors too, SA saying it was F#%ked up. occasionally i get the squeals but after a nice car wash then it's gone, so i didn't think much. last time i took my car in for service SA told me i had around 10,000 more miles to go but don't know if with my driving habits the pads won't last as long.

so back to original question, when do i know its time for new brake pads/rotors? how i will feel it?

thanks in advance

defconracing · 02-17-2009, 10:48 AM

My SA replaced the pads with like 4K miles left and gave me new rotors just because.

I would trust the dealer to a certain extent, free stuff>not.

Mine squealed when I was going slow, that's how I knew it was time.

wuufer001 · 02-26-2009, 04:09 PM

no one?

1N54E92 · 02-26-2009, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wuufer001

alright guys, i'm a little embarassed to ask this question. But when do we know our brakes needs to be replaced besides taking it to a service?
i mean will the driver (me) feel any difference besides the really bad squealing, and assume by that time the rotors are also messed up. thats what happened to my firends Z4, he didn't take it in for a while and they had to end up changing the rotors too, SA saying it was F#%ked up. occasionally i get the squeals but after a nice car wash then it's gone, so i didn't think much. last time i took my car in for service SA told me i had around 10,000 more miles to go but don't know if with my driving habits the pads won't last as long.

so back to original question, when do i know its time for new brake pads/rotors? how i will feel it?

thanks in advance

You can't really feel it. By the time you can feel and hear the brakes, it's usually too late.The rotors are usually f**ked up by then. You can ask the SA to let you know the next time the car is in for service.
I had less than 6000 miles when my brakes started to squeal. The dealer cleaned it but the noise came back 1000 miles later so it is going back in for service tomorrow. I do believe the brakes usually last 30 to 40k miles, this is just normal driving.

SoCalTech · 02-27-2009, 12:02 AM

Your car tells you how long until you need to have the brakes replaced. You can look it up in the service menu.

spacedogg · 02-27-2009, 01:29 AM

If you don't trust the brake sensor...then you need to take off the wheel and inspect the thickness of the pads.

OEM is about 11mm thick when new I believe. When you have about 3mm left...they need to be replaced.

02-17-2009, 10:31 AM	#1
wuufer001 Colonel 375 Rep 2,348 Posts Drives: 2006 E90 M/T Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: DFW, TX//Taiwan//South Africa iTrader: (5) Garage List 2006 325i [9.34]	When to Replace Brakes alright guys, i'm a little embarassed to ask this question. But when do we know our brakes needs to be replaced besides taking it to a service? i mean will the driver (me) feel any difference besides the really bad squealing, and assume by that time the rotors are also messed up. thats what happened to my firends Z4, he didn't take it in for a while and they had to end up changing the rotors too, SA saying it was F#%ked up. occasionally i get the squeals but after a nice car wash then it's gone, so i didn't think much. last time i took my car in for service SA told me i had around 10,000 more miles to go but don't know if with my driving habits the pads won't last as long. so back to original question, when do i know its time for new brake pads/rotors? how i will feel it? thanks in advance __________________
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02-17-2009, 10:48 AM	#2
defconracing Private First Class 3 Rep 136 Posts Drives: 2008 335I Cabrio, Space Grey Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: San Diego iTrader: (3)	My SA replaced the pads with like 4K miles left and gave me new rotors just because. I would trust the dealer to a certain extent, free stuff>not. Mine squealed when I was going slow, that's how I knew it was time. __________________
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02-26-2009, 04:09 PM	#3
wuufer001 Colonel 375 Rep 2,348 Posts Drives: 2006 E90 M/T Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: DFW, TX//Taiwan//South Africa iTrader: (5) Garage List 2006 325i [9.34]	no one? __________________
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02-27-2009, 12:02 AM	#5
SoCalTech Captain 24 Rep 648 Posts Drives: Not a BMW yet... Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Redondo Beach, Ca iTrader: (0)	Your car tells you how long until you need to have the brakes replaced. You can look it up in the service menu.
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02-27-2009, 01:29 AM	#6
spacedogg Colonel 194 Rep 2,816 Posts Drives: Debadged Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Vancouver, BC iTrader: (0)	If you don't trust the brake sensor...then you need to take off the wheel and inspect the thickness of the pads. OEM is about 11mm thick when new I believe. When you have about 3mm left...they need to be replaced.
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