Thrifty Brake Job - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

BimmerOne · 11-10-2010, 05:59 PM

My car tells my it needs service, BMW stealership says it needs front pads and sensor. Parts and labor will run me almost $500. I ordered the pads and sensor online for under $100 (http://www.rmeuropean.com/Part-Numbe..._657B4470.aspx) and have a great mechanic who specializes in high end cars who will do the install for $80.

I am saving hundreds here... is there anything wrong with this?

And yes, I will bed the brakes in after the install...

JayKay335i · 11-10-2010, 06:02 PM

Wasn't aware Thrifty now specializes in high end cars....

Chriztofor · 11-10-2010, 06:04 PM

For the hell of it, I would change the rear brakes too especially if the Indy will only charge you another $80 in labor.

IancoleTX · 11-10-2010, 06:05 PM

If your guy is an experienced BMW or european car mechanic, then no. There is no material difference in the quality of the work done by dealerships and indy shops, except for the price of the work.

BimmerOne · 11-10-2010, 06:07 PM

Supposedly I have another 60k left in the rear brakes. Would you still say I should do them while it's on the hoist....?

Chriztofor · 11-10-2010, 06:07 PM

^ Really? If so, then no.

Chriztofor · 11-10-2010, 06:11 PM

Winter is coming, when was the antifreeze last changed? Since you found yourself a good Indy ask him about that too. Also, ask him what other maintenance items he would recommend should be performed.

BimmerOne · 11-10-2010, 06:15 PM

I have no idea about the antifreeze. Should I do this to be safe? How much might this cost?

J02 335i · 11-10-2010, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BimmerOne

I have no idea about the antifreeze. Should I do this to be safe? How much might this cost?

Your car will tell you when the coolant needs changing. Just like the brakes.

TheRox · 11-10-2010, 06:20 PM

Honestly I looked at the complexity of changing the brakes...you could do it yourself -- its not that hard

I don't see an independent having trouble with it. The only thing I don't get is -- do our sensors have to be replaced...or just reconnected to the caliper?

BimmerOne · 11-10-2010, 06:24 PM

Sensors have to be replaced - (there is only one on the left wheel). I ordered it with the pads for $15.

Hypothetically, I could do this myself. However, I may be good at taking things apart - not so much putting them back together. I have a strong feeling the the car will end up on a jack with no wheel, and I will have no idea how to get it back together.

E92-Lighting · 11-10-2010, 06:30 PM

nothing wrong with indy shops

BimmerOne · 11-10-2010, 06:33 PM

I was less concerned about the Indy mechanic and more concerned with the quality of 'non-bmw' OEM parts. With the amount I'm saving, it almost felt too good to be true.

A knowledgable friend informed me that I will need one more part. Brake pad clip...something along those lines - which I can get at the dealer for pennies..

Chriztofor · 11-11-2010, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J02 335i

Your car will tell you when the coolant needs changing. Just like the brakes.

No it won't, I think you are mixing up one of the symbols. I believe it must be changed every 5 years. I prefer to change every 2 years. Coolant is cheap. Water pump is expensive. (Coolant not only protects against freezing it also lubricates the water pump.)

Chriztofor · 11-11-2010, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BimmerOne

I was less concerned about the Indy mechanic and more concerned with the quality of 'non-bmw' OEM parts. With the amount I'm saving, it almost felt too good to be true.

A knowledgable friend informed me that I will need one more part. Brake pad clip...something along those lines - which I can get at the dealer for pennies..

I have been using autozone parts or internet parts (rmeuropean.com) since 2000 (I purchased a new 2000 323i BMW and kept it for about 10 years and 184,000 miles. Still on the road). The only problem I had is with aftermarket brake sensors. I will only use OEM for those.

11-10-2010, 05:59 PM	#1
BimmerOne Private Drives: 2006 BMW 325xi - SGM Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Toronto Posts: 86 iTrader: (0)	Thrifty Brake Job My car tells my it needs service, BMW stealership says it needs front pads and sensor. Parts and labor will run me almost $500. I ordered the pads and sensor online for under $100 (http://www.rmeuropean.com/Part-Numbe..._657B4470.aspx) and have a great mechanic who specializes in high end cars who will do the install for $80. I am saving hundreds here... is there anything wrong with this? And yes, I will bed the brakes in after the install...
	Tweet

11-10-2010, 06:04 PM	#3
Chriztofor Colonel Drives: '06 325i Auto Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Chicago Burbs Posts: 2,434 iTrader: (1)	For the hell of it, I would change the rear brakes too especially if the Indy will only charge you another $80 in labor. __________________ For most BMW problems start off by scanning your car with the BT Tool or Peake Research Tool. They contain the actual BMW codes as opposed to a generic OBII scanner. Pays for itself on the 1st scan. http://www.bavariantechnic.com/ OR http://www.peakeresearch.com/ (less expensive, but does not reset battery info)

11-10-2010, 06:05 PM	#4
IancoleTX Dillo boxers Drives: BMW Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: USA Posts: 2,868 iTrader: (12)	If your guy is an experienced BMW or european car mechanic, then no. There is no material difference in the quality of the work done by dealerships and indy shops, except for the price of the work. __________________ 2011 135i 6MT - Alpine White / Savannah Beige

11-10-2010, 06:07 PM	#6
Chriztofor Colonel Drives: '06 325i Auto Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Chicago Burbs Posts: 2,434 iTrader: (1)	^ Really? If so, then no. __________________ For most BMW problems start off by scanning your car with the BT Tool or Peake Research Tool. They contain the actual BMW codes as opposed to a generic OBII scanner. Pays for itself on the 1st scan. http://www.bavariantechnic.com/ OR http://www.peakeresearch.com/ (less expensive, but does not reset battery info)

11-10-2010, 06:11 PM	#7
Chriztofor Colonel Drives: '06 325i Auto Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Chicago Burbs Posts: 2,434 iTrader: (1)	Winter is coming, when was the antifreeze last changed? Since you found yourself a good Indy ask him about that too. Also, ask him what other maintenance items he would recommend should be performed. __________________ For most BMW problems start off by scanning your car with the BT Tool or Peake Research Tool. They contain the actual BMW codes as opposed to a generic OBII scanner. Pays for itself on the 1st scan. http://www.bavariantechnic.com/ OR http://www.peakeresearch.com/ (less expensive, but does not reset battery info)

11-10-2010, 06:02 PM	#2
JayKay335i Banned Drives: ///M323 DCT Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: North Dakota; its best DUHHHHHH Posts: 5,049 iTrader: (1)	Wasn't aware Thrifty now specializes in high end cars....

11-10-2010, 06:15 PM	#8
BimmerOne Private Drives: 2006 BMW 325xi - SGM Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Toronto Posts: 86 iTrader: (0)	I have no idea about the antifreeze. Should I do this to be safe? How much might this cost?

11-10-2010, 06:20 PM	#10
TheRox Colonel Drives: 6mt Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Here and there Posts: 2,313 iTrader: (2)	Honestly I looked at the complexity of changing the brakes...you could do it yourself -- its not that hard I don't see an independent having trouble with it. The only thing I don't get is -- do our sensors have to be replaced...or just reconnected to the caliper?

11-10-2010, 06:24 PM	#11
BimmerOne Private Drives: 2006 BMW 325xi - SGM Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Toronto Posts: 86 iTrader: (0)	Sensors have to be replaced - (there is only one on the left wheel). I ordered it with the pads for $15. Hypothetically, I could do this myself. However, I may be good at taking things apart - not so much putting them back together. I have a strong feeling the the car will end up on a jack with no wheel, and I will have no idea how to get it back together.

11-10-2010, 06:30 PM	#12
E92-Lighting BimmerPost Supporting Vendor Drives: 2012 E92 LCI AW Msport + PPK1 Join Date: May 2008 Location: Walnut 909 CA Posts: 20,990 iTrader: (288)	nothing wrong with indy shops __________________ BMW ANGEL EYES ALL MODELS MTEC H8 V4'S/CITY VISION/DTEC/WEISSLICHT/LUX H8 WHITE BMW EXTERIOR ITEMS + BMW PAINTED TRUNK SPOILERS/SPLITTERS MTEC HALOGEN BULBS \|\| MTEC PHILIPS D1S/D2S/D3S/D4S HOT BMW LED INTERIOR KITS E9X/E60/F10 "e90post5" for 5% off info@e92-lighting.com AIM:electronicwoot PAYPAL:electronicwoot@gmail.com

11-10-2010, 06:33 PM	#13
BimmerOne Private Drives: 2006 BMW 325xi - SGM Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Toronto Posts: 86 iTrader: (0)	I was less concerned about the Indy mechanic and more concerned with the quality of 'non-bmw' OEM parts. With the amount I'm saving, it almost felt too good to be true. A knowledgable friend informed me that I will need one more part. Brake pad clip...something along those lines - which I can get at the dealer for pennies..

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