HOW OFTEN DO YOU CHANGE BRAKES ?

[sebounet611]

I'm planning to buy a bmw 325i, before doing the move i'm rellay concerned about cost of brakes. Because actually i own an accord 2003 and the rotor need to be replaced at 50000 miles and the pad every 25000 miles.
I know it depends how hard you are on your brake. But in your opinion do you have any problem of wrap rotor.
How much is it to change pads and rotor ?
What mileage do you do that about ?

Thank you

[peterkulesza]

i tend to kill brakes. my old european bmws: rotors last for ever, pads every 20k. but this is history with cast iron rotors, so i am not sure it is relevant.

the new 330ipp i bought developed a lip on the front rotor after 4500 miles. so the metal is very soft, although the brakes work adequately. i just threw these rotors away, and got a slotted set for the front, and hawk hps pads for all corners.

if you drive normally, the oem rotors should be good for about 40k, pads about the same. the 325 has much smaller discs than 330, so it may wear faster.

[e36_m3_Turbo]

for the rotor, you use a measuring tool to measure how much of the rotor you got left. and then brakes, when they get squeeky

[sebounet611]

My dealer told me they never replace pads only they change all because it's performance brakes bla bla bla.
I notice some change only the pad, is the dealer trying to steal me ?
They say they change all the 4 disc and pads for 600 canadian dollars.

[e36_m3_Turbo]

Originally posted by sebounet611@May 26 2004, 07:07 AM
My dealer told me they never replace pads only they change all because it's performance brakes bla bla bla.
I notice some change only the pad, is the dealer trying to steal me ?
They say they change all the 4 disc and pads for 600 canadian dollars.

when u pay a bimmer, i think they are under warrenty

[Mach 5]

I replaced my front pads at 80K and my rears at 90K. The rotors where still within spec. I think I spent about $150 on parts for front and back combined.
Ben

[Furious]

usually the rule of thumb goes, change the pads when the brake lining warning comes on, and change the rotors every second pad change.

[dado]

After 13000 miles dealer told me i have 4 mm on brake pads left.
So probably 4 K miles more to go before i change it
I heard that 2003 models have very bad brakes

[seelinger]

BMW's seem to burn through rotors faster than other cars I have owned. I purchased a 2000 323CiC with 36k on it and they replaced the front rotors prior to putting the car up for sale, (bear in mind the car was covered under the Certified Pre-Owned or CPO warranty so they tend to be anal about those types of things).

My previous car - a 1996 BMW 318i - had the infamous "lip" on the outer edge of each front rotor and my micrometer indicated that they could not be turned. A local mechanic said it is common for BMW's to wear out rotors. The price the stealer is charging is not too unreasonalbe if it includes labor. I would buy higher performance aftermarket rotors and do it myself.

[Gargoyle69]

Hey Guys
While we are on the Brake issue, I would like to know what is everyones opinion about certain brakes. Should I get slotted, cross-drilled or slotted and cross-drilled Brakes? just like to know. I am thinking about buying some Brembo slotted brakes but the slotted/cross-drilled brakes are just a few dollars more and I would like you alls opinion. Thanks guys.

[peterkulesza]

if you are talking about the brembo composite setup, it is so insanely good that it will not matter what the slots or holes are.

unless you are driving on track, either slotted or drilled is fine. actually, even if you are tracking the car, it is still fine. i perceive no advantage to having both.

it used to be true that drilled rotors crack aroung the holes. some probably still do, but nowadays this is less of a problem. i still buy slotted.

peter

[Relevart]

Peter,
Composite setup:
Is it a particular combination of pads/rotors?
Could you provide web link for better description?
Does it reduces dust?
Dust is my primary concearn...

Thanks in advance,
Relevart

[Gargoyle69]

Thanks Peter,
That is what I was looking for. I have always been told that the Brembo brakes are the best and I beleive it. If they could stop the Mazda 787B flting at 240 MPH at LeMans in 1996 then they ought to work for me. Anybody out there have any issues other than the price with Brembo brakes?

[seelinger]

My understanding is that slotted rotors increase the pads gripping ability. This does have the effect of increasing the temperature of the rotor too. The drilled rotors decrease the weight of the rotor and also aid in keeping it cool.

[Gargoyle69]

I must say that I am a little scepticle about getting Drilled Rotors due to many complaints that they tend to crack. Can anybody prove or disprove this? I am cool with slotted rotors but am very wary of the drilled ones just from all of the bad talk I hear. Anyone who has some good stories for the drilled ones, please inform.