Change Brake Pads

[2001BMW325xi]

Okay so with the E46 d i have to be rest assured that until the brake sensor lights come on the console that my pads and and all are okay? Or do i have to have it cheked out once in a while? I dunno if its the ABS or the way BMW brakes are made but lately i have had a strange feeling of the brake like rubbing on the rotor feeling......dunno if its juts me.The brakes work just fine......but i when i called up a local dealership to have them checked out she told me that until the sensors came on it doesnt mean that brakes are a problem....? Is that true? How reliable are the sensors? My carfax shows that the car was service for brakes at 30,000 miles........i am at 43k right now.....am i due for a service???? HELP ADIVCE.....amd goin on a long road trip soon.

[Streetlightleur]

I have recently had a brake job (Front & Rear - Rotors, Pads & Sensors) for my 2000 328 (49K miles). My suspicion was raised after the wife reported a bad noise coming from the front when she drove the car. That turned out to be the inner wheel well rubbing on the tire, but I checked the pads at the same time. I noticed that they were low on both front and rear. However, I did not have any pad warning lights. I decided to put it on my list of "to-do's" for next month. Sure enough the following day! the brake pad sensor light came on. - Hence the brake job. In my experience the brake pad sensor lights are quite reliable, but they only check pad thickness, any other brake problem you should get checked. Must tire places will do a free inspection and give you thier opinion on what needs doing. - Hope this helps.