I've already got a couple of personal messages about this. Thank you.
I'm also simultaneously seeking someone with a similar car that we can tinker around with in the long-term. I'm thinking some maintenance, etc. Like a small club. Do we have a very many active ones around here that people actually meet at a garage and tinker?
I'm going to need front brakes soon (pads are fine though. Can I just change rotors? I don't think that's recommended), so eventually I'll tackle that one.
On my old '06 330xi, I did the rear brakes (rotors only I think) just before I sold the car, that worked out well.
peace