I have a 2000 328i and I just started hearing a "grinding" noise when I brake that sounds like it is coming from the front. I just had my brake pads and rotors replaced exactly one year ago and 15,000 miles ago. Last time they were replaced the sensor light came on, but there is no light this time.
Can anyone tell me how long brakes are supposed to last? 15,000 miles doesn't seem very long, and the estimate I was given to replace the pads and rotors is $535 in Seattle.
A friend says I should be able to get away with just replaceing the pads myself and not to bother with the rotors, but he drives a Honda, so I thought I would ask someone more familiar with my 3-series. How can I tell if the rotors need replaced too? The local BMW Dealer says that the rotors must be replaced everytime new pads are needed- is this true?
I am new to the forum, so be gentle on me please.
:help
Originally posted by ginasirus@Jan 25 2005, 11:28 AM I have a 2000 328i and I just started hearing a "grinding" noise when I brake that sounds like it is coming from the front. I just had my brake pads and rotors replaced exactly one year ago and 15,000 miles ago. Last time they were replaced the sensor light came on, but there is no light this time.
Can anyone tell me how long brakes are supposed to last? 15,000 miles doesn't seem very long, and the estimate I was given to replace the pads and rotors is $535 in Seattle.
A friend says I should be able to get away with just replaceing the pads myself and not to bother with the rotors, but he drives a Honda, so I thought I would ask someone more familiar with my 3-series. How can I tell if the rotors need replaced too? The local BMW Dealer says that the rotors must be replaced everytime new pads are needed- is this true?
I am new to the forum, so be gentle on me please.
:help
welcome to the forums. i have an 1987 325 and just replaced my front breaks at about 20,000 miles. i guess it depends on how hard u drive your car. anyway as far as what the stealership said about replacing the rotors every time u need pads is a BOLD FACE LIE. How long has the grinding been going on for? if it has been a while then u probably did damage the rotors and will need new ones, or just get them resurfaced. but u don't need new rotors everytime u change your break pads. when i changed the break pads my self it only cost me $22. Also try not to go to the dealership. see if you can find a mechanic that works on bmw's, it could save u some money.
welcome to the forums. i have an 1987 325 and just replaced my front breaks at about 20,000 miles. i guess it depends on how hard u drive your car. anyway as far as what the stealership said about replacing the rotors every time u need pads is a BOLD FACE LIE. How long has the grinding been going on for? if it has been a while then u probably did damage the rotors and will need new ones, or just get them resurfaced. but u don't need new rotors everytime u change your break pads. when i changed the break pads my self it only cost me $22. Also try not to go to the dealership. see if you can find a mechanic that works on bmw's, it could save u some money.
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I took it in to a "independant" BMW mechanic this morning and they have yet to call with the bad news... in the past they have said that since it is a "newer" model with vented rotors that they need to be replaced, but in reading some of the other info on this site I can see that lots of people are just replacing pads themselves. Thanks for the info.
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welcome to the forums. i have an 1987 325 and just replaced my front breaks at about 20,000 miles. i guess it depends on how hard u drive your car. anyway as far as what the stealership said about replacing the rotors every time u need pads is a BOLD FACE LIE. How long has the grinding been going on for? if it has been a while then u probably did damage the rotors and will need new ones, or just get them resurfaced. but u don't need new rotors everytime u change your break pads. when i changed the break pads my self it only cost me $22. Also try not to go to the dealership. see if you can find a mechanic that works on bmw's, it could save u some money.
[snapback]278850[/snapback]
I took it in to a "independant" BMW mechanic this morning and they have yet to call with the bad news... in the past they have said that since it is a "newer" model with vented rotors that they need to be replaced, but in reading some of the other info on this site I can see that lots of people are just replacing pads themselves. Thanks for the info.
no problem. i am not too familiar with the newer BMW's. i am just a back yard mechanic. i hope things work out for u. hopefully it won't cost too much. good luck
grinding is almost always bad if it is coming from the pad, it is possible that the sensors were nor re-installed properly, and it is easy to bend the living crap out of them if you are not careluf.
some pads have a little metal piece that makes an awful sound to make you replace it, but does not cause rotor damage. i do not knwo that this is true of your pads.
usually after 15k rotors are fine and need not to be replaced. the new pad adapts to the rotor not perfectly flat shape if you burn it in correclty.
gauging that a worn out pad can do is almost always a good reason to get new rotors. the price is not excessive fi a rplacement is indeeed necesary.
however, if you decide on replacing you might as well go with non-stock padsa and rotors. bit cheaper and much better performance :cheers
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