[jazzaj2003]

On Wednesday I had my Mini serviced for new brake pads, the light came on and I'd got 48 000km on my current set so figured it was time to change em.
I didn't bother even enquiring at a dealership as I figured I'd get ripped off.
So I took it to a BMW specialist instead.

Turns out I needed new front discs also, he showed me how they had a massive lip on the discs but he said the rear ones would last till the next set of pads so leave them. Does anyone know if they can machine the brake discs and put them back on again or do they always replace them?

So anyway here is the rundown.

Labour:

replace worn rear brake pads - $80
replace worn front disc brakes & pads - $160

Parts:

Set of rear brake pads - $122.73
Rear Sensor - $31.36
Set of front brake pads - $155.46
Front Sensor - $31.36
Front Brake Discs (set of 2) - $252.73

I took my Mini to Peter Maybey BMW Care Care in Crows Nest, which I discovered was conveniently within walking distances of the station, so I could train it back home again while it was being done.

They were quick, did a computer diagonostic while they were there and cleared out some fault codes at no charge (cos I replaced my stereo etc.)

Would say it's a good service and I'll be taking it there for service next, it's easy to get to.

Can anyone tell me how those prices compare to getting it done at a BMW dealership?
Are they cheaper?

Cheers.

[minigolf]

Those prices sound fair to me. Only comment I would make is to see if it's worth looking into aftermarket rotors?

[DaFlake]

I agree with the above, the prices sound good.... The OEM rotors are horrible. I just switched to Power Slots and love them. The OEM rotors are designed to go with the pads thus turning them is not really possible. I would take the chance to upgrade as it may last you longer the next round.

[jazzaj2003]

Just wondering how these prices compare to places you guys get them done?
Or perhaps at a bmw dealership?
Cheaper than a dealership would you say?
He did say that he could get other brake pads for me when I asked about low dust ones.
Be he reckons they're not as good as the bmw ones cause he had a guy who was happy with them for 6 months then whenever he breaked he got steering vibrations, so he only installs the bmw ones.

[robbo mcs]

Quote: Originally Posted by DaFlake (original)

I agree with the above, the prices sound good.... The OEM rotors are horrible. I just switched to Power Slots and love them. The OEM rotors are designed to go with the pads thus turning them is not really possible. I would take the chance to upgrade as it may last you longer the next round.

Hi,

I strongly disagree with you on this point. The stock front rotors are a very good product, and perform and last very well compared to many aftermarket products, and are reasonably priced as well.

FWIT I have run in the standard size stock OEM, EBC (dimpled and slotted), dba standard, dba slotted, dba 4000 and brembo. Overall I have used around 15-20 sets of front discs, so I have a fair bit of experience. The stock OEM's last longer than any of the aftermarket ones, and also perform very well

For comparison, the front stock pads are abysmal, and I wouldn't recommend them to anyone

Cheers

Robbo

[DaFlake]

You can disagree all you want but I just replaced my front and rear rotors at 38K miles and they were beyond the limit. I have had many vehicles in my life and I even just changed the Subaru Forester pads and checked them thickness on those rotors and they were fine at 58K miles. Bottom line is that the BMW rotors are soft wear fast. This provides good stopping power but costly repairs in the near future. Also, my rear rotors were cracked (both sides) so I am far from believing that these rotors are "good" in any way.

We at least agree on the stock pads...

[robbo mcs]

Quote: Originally Posted by DaFlake (original)

You can disagree all you want but I just replaced my front and rear rotors at 38K miles and they were beyond the limit. I have had many vehicles in my life and I even just changed the Subaru Forester pads and checked them thickness on those rotors and they were fine at 58K miles. Bottom line is that the BMW rotors are soft wear fast. This provides good stopping power but costly repairs in the near future. Also, my rear rotors were cracked (both sides) so I am far from believing that these rotors are "good" in any way.

We at least agree on the stock pads...

Hi,

I would love to see pictures of your "cracked" discs. I have never seen that even under extreme race conditions with temps up to 900C. I have certainly seen surface "cracks" and "crazy paving" markings on the discs (which is a cosmetic issue and off no significance), but I have never seen cracks (ie through the full surface of the disc on both sides from the hub to the periphery) on stock items. The stock items are very, very, very tough. They do glaze, and get lots of surface cracks on both sides, but as I have said, I have never seen full thickness cracks on oem products

I have had one set of front discs crack the full way through, which was a major scary safety issue. I wont name the brand, but I will never use them again.

Also, IMHO the stock front discs of the mini are very cheap compared to most cars

Cheers

Robbo

[jazzaj2003]

Man...pull your claws in ladies...
All I was doing was asking a comparison of the prices I mentioned above, in comparison to a BMW dealership.
Didn't mean to start a cat fight..
Can anyone actually give me a dealership comparison to these prices I paid above at a bmw specialist? Thanks.

[DaFlake]

No cat fight, only a difference in opinion. We are entitled and just airing it out. Unfortunately I tossed the rotors so no pics are available. That being said, it is what it is. I find the stock MINI rotors to be horrible and he thinks they are great. The choice is yours we are just airing our opinions. As I mentioned above, it was the rears that had the cracks and it was all the way through. Maybe a bad batch? Who knows, but three service bay techs confirmed my fears on it so I don't recommend them if you are into spirited driving.

FWIW, I can get a set of front OEM rotors for the Forester for 140 USD (150 AUD) so I don't see how they are cheaper. Maybe it is a location thing...

That being said, what you were quoted is not bad for the work. Although at a min, I would swap the pads for a better set as both of us seemed to agree there.

[robbo mcs]

Hi,

Claws pulled in

The prices sound pretty much what you would pay if you ordered them from BMW spare parts yourself. I seem to remember paying $250 for a set of front discs.

I think all up you would have paid a couple of hundred bucks more at a dealer, as they would have charged more for labour

Cheers

Robbo

[AndrewH]

Just personally, I'd put a fair bit of weight in Robbo's opinion as he really should know

[2bob]

Quote: Originally Posted by AndrewH (original)

Just personally, I'd put a fair bit of weight in Robbo's opinion as he really should know

I second that.
Bob