Brakes

[Montizzle]

well ive sat on my ass too long and now the problem has finally reared its ugly head. My front brakes had a little metal to metal contact this afternoon, i can see the result of it forming on my rotors. i get paid friday and plan to replace them then. in the meantime, am i going to be doing any hardcore damage to my rotors between now and then? ive been downshifting alot more than normal to save what little is left of the pads. appreciate the input as always

[///M Power]

You might want to order new pads off your credit now so that they will ship and hopeuflly be here as soon as possible.

[94BMW325i]

maybe you could get your rotors re-grinded, not too sure if that helps, my BMW was the first car I got where I had to do any brake work: recently got new pads, brake fluid, and rotors, but everything was shot so I HAD to replace it all.

[Cruzin 323is]

from what i hear.. bmw rotors, arnt able to be cut, or "re-grinded" as u call it...
when rotors need replacing, the pads have to go with it.. and vis-aversa...

[///M Power]

What? Rotors dont need ot be replaced each time you reaplce pads. You gusy mean resurfacing and no you cant do it according to my old mechanic.

[BMW Kraft]

He didn't mean replace the rotors every time you replace the pads, he means replace the pads every time you get the rotars replaced.

So you can't resurface the rotars on a BMW???
lying f*cking mecahnics!

[Cruzin 323is]

yes! when the rotors are warped/cracked/damaged, then u need to replace pads too..

and yes, your mech is dicking you around

[Montizzle]

thx guys. yeah i checked the rotors and those are all good not warped or nething because im experiencing no shaking or shimmying when i come to a stop. the prob is pads which is an easy fix i will be doing tomorrow.

[Ljk619]

Yes, the rotors can be resurfaced/cut/"reground.."(never heard that one before), however in actuality the oem bmw rotors are a softer material than most of you think meaning the pads and rotors wear out at the exact same pace. If you do your own brake jobs and done other cars as well you'd notice your rotors compared to other manufacturer rotors have a big lip on them, which is caused by what i just said before. Most german car companies do this, where the pad and rotor wear out at the same time, and thus have to be replaced EVERY time you do a proper brake job according to manufacturer recommendations. Also if you plan on replacing just the pads without replacing or resurfacing the rotors at the least, it's not a good idea. The reason we resurface rotors is because you want a new mating surface with the new pads, and yada yada yada bottom line, not good for the pads and in some cases it makes noise.

So to answer your question, sure you can resurface the rotor, will it be under specs? i'm pretty sure it will be. Does it matter? sort of, the thinner the rotor the more likely it will become warped. Are you willing to spend the extra few bucks and do it properly? up to you

[BMW Kraft]

Originally Posted by Ljk619

Also if you plan on replacing just the pads without replacing or resurfacing the rotors at the least, it's not a good idea. The reason we resurface rotors is because you want a new mating surface with the new pads, and yada yada yada bottom line, not good for the pads and in some cases it makes noise.

wow.... that explains everything
ghead

[Larry Horne]

I've always been told that BMW does not recommend resurfacing their rotors and therefore does not publish a minimum material remaining specification for machine shops to follow when maching.

I've replaced mine twice due to warpage over the years and to be honest (IMHO) with Bavian Autosports selling smooth (no drilled/slotted) for $45 each why bother.

A good machine shop will charge you $15 each to resurface and you have to drop off and wait so you are better off to replace them.

Both brake rotors and brake drums have become more of a consumable part today then past years, and replacing them adds 5 minutes to the brake job.

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