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Front Discs

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RobWal View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RobWal Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Front Discs
    Posted: 12 Jul 2014 at 5:25pm

I've been told on a recent free brake check at Kwikfit that my front discs are very close to needing replacing. This is at 50000 miles of mixed motoring, with very little motorway over last 20000. Does this level of wear seem reasonable, guys? Also, does anyone have experience of changing the OEMs for Brembo equivalents? Any advice appreciated.

Thank you,  Rob.

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ade45bmw View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ade45bmw Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Jul 2014 at 4:03pm
what does your onboard service screen tell you when you bring it up on your idrive? i would think (and its just my opinion) that it would be more accurate than someone trying to sell you a new pair of discs on a "free" check.

what does anyone else think?

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Mike Fishwick View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Mike Fishwick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Jul 2014 at 5:55pm
How can Idrive tell you the thickness of the discs?  A micrometer check is the only way, and I would have thoughtt hat 80 - 100,000 miles would be a typical life.
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ade45bmw View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ade45bmw Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Jul 2014 at 7:03pm
a million apologies :) in my haste i was referring to the pads which im sure you all realised...   but your reply brings has a good point did the chap actually check your discs as suggested above?

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Cabrio View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Cabrio Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Jul 2014 at 12:59am

if the brake pad sensor is not on yet then you have time and plenty of pad....can check the disc by check the size of lip and if any grooves visually...but get a second opinion and then make a decision of what make and who to do the work....so don't stress yet


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Cabrio Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Jul 2014 at 1:00am
Also you don't say what model and year to give some advice on normal wear etc
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Mike Fishwick View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Mike Fishwick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Jul 2014 at 11:58am
I would not wait until the warning light operates, as this means the pads are almost non-existant!  When they reach this (lack of) thickness they are unable to absorb much heat, so brake fade is likely.  In extreme cases this can destroy the bonding between the pad and its backing plate, causing seperation and loss of the pad, with consequent damage to the disc.

The thin pad material also means that as the backing plate becomes hot, it passes heat into the caliper piston, which can cause damge tothe picton seals.  In extreme cases it can also cause any moisture in the fluid to boil and vapourise, causing a 'soft' brake pedal.

If these are your original pads they have done well after 50,000 miles of use on normal roads, and will soon need to be pensioned off as a preventative measure.


Edited by Mike Fishwick - 14 Jul 2014 at 12:43pm
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davebrindlee36m3 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote davebrindlee36m3 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Jul 2014 at 3:02pm
Seek a second opinion, my choice would be not to use kwik fit or any outfit similer to them, Just my opinion Wink
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Cabrio Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Jul 2014 at 4:54pm
Mike that nonsense the warning light should come on when half the pad is left

Plenty of options for discs and pads it depends on your budget as to what you can afford to then offer advice

I supply and fit brakes regularly from race spec AP and Stoptech to dealer to the cheapies from Gsf etc so it depends use and purpose

I recently fitted oem discs to my sisters car as they were sensible money and Ebc pads and that's an E61 530
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Mike Fishwick View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Mike Fishwick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Jul 2014 at 8:00am
Neil  - I take it that you mean my comments on the wear sensor are 'nonsense' - how charming.  Here is a picture showing a wear sensor, which clearly shows that its operating height (the bump on top of the sensor) is only just above the level of the backing plate:



Looking at the pad sensors on both my Z3 and our Golf TDI, I doubt if there would be more than about 3 mm of material left by the time the sensor makes contact with the disc, by which time many pads are wearing more on one edge.  And yes - I have seen a few well-worn pads which have seperated from their backing plates while the owners are happily trusting the warning lamp to tell them when replacement is necessary.

I have heard of some pads which have the sensing element embedded into the friction material, but do not think these are used on the older BMW models.

'Nonsense?' - I think not.


Edited by Mike Fishwick - 15 Jul 2014 at 12:58pm
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote GHyde Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Jul 2014 at 12:05pm
When I had an E85 Z4 the brake pad warning light came on, and I changed the rear pads within 50 miles. 

There was a tiny slither of friction material left, I reckon around 1mm.  One heavy emergency brake and it could well have been metal to metal afterwards.

Contrast that to my R56 MINI Cooper rear pads I changed later the same day, and they weren't even half worn.

I really don't trust brake sensors, and a regular visual inspection is very sensible!  Totally on board with Mike on this one.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Cabrio Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Jul 2014 at 12:24am

Whether its an E39 or E60 etc then the oem sensor will come live with half the pad left the question was relating to the posters question regards a 5 series

Anyway back to the original question given its a roadcar and the normal use and the discounted prices currently on OEM discs it wont hurt to fit OEM otherwise consider EBC - based on recent and historical use on different cars E39 and E61 then wont go far wrong with that

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RobWal Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Aug 2014 at 5:10pm

Sorry to be so long getting back to you all who have kindly contributed to my Q about brake disc wear. I am postponed replacement at the moment awaiting a 2nd opinion. Does anyone have a view on fitting non-OEM discs?

Regarding the use of Kwikfit, their staff here in Horsham & Crawley are excellent and I have no reason to doubt their findings- they offered to show me the wear anyway. My main concern has been is this level of wear reasonable for a 2008 E60 530d @ 50000 miles.

Regards

Rob.

Robert
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Cabrio Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Aug 2014 at 8:57pm
depending on use non oem wont hurt a road car with sensible use and remember there are many different levels of after market so the cheapest is cheap for a reason but it depends on your budget as some of the lower level ones work well and are often made by Pagid or Brembo etc anyway
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote richd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Jul 2015 at 10:20am
I have used both Pagid and Brembo discs, and found them both excellent, so you should have no worries with them.
 
I must admit I don't trust pad wear sensors myself, it is better to visually check how much "meat" is left on the pads - don't forget that you could have a sticky calliper, in which case one pad will be worn more than its opposite number, which could give metal to metal contact before the wear sensor comes into contact.
 
I am lucky on my car, in that the alloy wheel design allows a pretty good view of the pads (enough to judge how worn they are roughly at least) without having to take the wheels off!
 
I have found that disc wear is pretty minimal, so 50,000 miles should be easily possible, and I have found pad wear minimal too, which I thought pretty good - as all my 5 series cars have been autos! I found 25 - 30,000 miles was a good average life. I have used Pagid, TRW and Mintex pads, all much of a muchness, no squeeling problems, good performance, and good life, and all much cheaper than from your friendly BMW dealers!
 
Eurocar parts stock a good range, but I personally would avoid their cheap Eicher brake parts, they seem a bit too cheap to be any good. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Brian4 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Jul 2015 at 7:23pm
The E60/61 have a 2 stage brake pad wear sensor so if you IDrive is showing the countdown mileage until replacement you will need to change the sensor as well.

The IDrive countdown will also have to be reset and there are instructions on this on internet, I would not entrust this to chain tyre garages as they could well make a mess and that will entail a trip to a BNW specialist to reset and set up from pad thickness measurements.

I changes ours at about 55k fronts but the discs were still fine.

Edit

Pagid are a supplier to BMW OE equipment but Eicher are not.


Edited by Brian4 - 08 Jul 2015 at 7:25pm
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richd View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote richd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Jul 2015 at 11:51am
I am jolly sure Eicher wont be OEM!! Judging by their price, I wouldnt be surprised to find that they were made of compressed camel poo...........!!
I thought Jurid were the OEM to BMW? Maybe more than one supplier are OEM ?? I know some people get very "precious" about what they will and wont fit as replacements, my view is that as long as it is a reputable manufacturer I will try them - I wont compromise on braking though - brakes are very important, even if I was really hard up, I would not fit anything of dubious origin.
 
 
 
 
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