[mph1703]

A friend of mine, who is a fellow Mini Cooper owner (04 and 20,000miles), took his car into a BMW main dealer for an Inspection 1 and a MOT yesterday morning. He got a call a few hours later telling him that although the car had passed the MOT, the dealer was recommending that the front and back brake pads be replaced along with the front discs. The total cost of this would be just under £700.00!

After he picked the phone up, after dropping it at the shock, the dealer asked whether they had permission to do the work. My friend sensibly refused this permission. When he picked the car up later he was told that even though there was about 5 mm of brakes pads left, as a main dealer they err on the side of caution, and that's why they recommend that the above work needs doing. The words rip off come to mind.

The question I have is could it be possible that brake discs would need replacing when there is still 5mm of brake pads left? For information the brake pad warning light is not on.

[MarkW]

wise move the prices they charge for parts is ridiculous, much cheaper elsewhere

[fordcymru]

Even though there is 5mm left on the pads ( which the dealer is right, they need to be changed ) what is the thickness of the discs .I`m not sure what the minimum thickness is, but they can be measured with a vernier calipers and is there a very big lip on the edge of the disc`s. If i were you i`d tackle the job yourself, it`s not really complicated and there are pleanty of threads on here to help.

[Hugo]

I got Mintex pads and discs for £150 which are better than stanard and they use themon the JCW Works, then fitted them myself. But dealer was looking £350 for the parts then £200-250 for fitting.


i had to replace pad sensors which cost £27.50 and a tin of red engine lacque to paint the callipers. Total was £180

[mab01uk]

Quote: Originally Posted by mph1703 (original)

The question I have is could it be possible that brake discs would need replacing when there is still 5mm of brake pads left? For information the brake pad warning light is not on.

It is certainly possible the brake discs need replacing but with 5mm on the pads you can wait a few weeks and shop around or get a second opinion. Can you feel quite a step on the outer edge of the disc with your fingernail ? As has been said it is not that difficult a job but if you are not into diy mechanics an independent Garage will be much cheaper than BMW.
Brake discs used to last for many years but with the banning of asbestos brake materials the discs of modern cars have a much harder time often needing changing with every other set of pads. Mileage of course depends on the type of driver you are !
On my own MINI all the pads and both front and rear discs had to be replaced at under 30,000 miles.

[Lawrothegreat]

20,000 miles is a low mileage for a 04-plate car so those discs have probably been hanging around and corroding away in the rainy weather. Typically in the past BMW dealers have quoted me about £120 for two pads + sensors and labour.

[REDHOT CHILLI COOPER]

Had my discs and pads replaced last week at 40,000 miles, discs were about 1mm below min.

Dealer said back before Xmas they needed doing but I think they like to be cautious. But then after a few hairy brake fade moments I decided to get them done.

Have a look at GTT's Spiroslot Discs and Pads. Would certainly recommend these as this is what I had fitted at Rolands workshop. Look good, great initial bite and certainly pull up quick, plus as much as I've tried I cannot seem to find any sign of fading.

[drainaudio]

Hi,
Speak to or PM Chris at Woodmans BMW.

Quote for disks and pads all round + 2 sensors on my S was £380.00 inc Vat and labour.

I was advised that I need pads and disks soon, however - they are very clean, no abnormal corrosion, smooth and very quiet - The minute the brake wear indicator flashes up on the dash I will get the work done but not before.

What's the point of having sensors in the first place?
My pads might be low but the car only does 5k a year - if the pads have 4k left in them what a waste to change them now.....

I think dealerships are happy to err on the side of caution as it keeps their workshop busy.
As for the quote of £700.............that is an absolute *iss take!!

Cheers, Geoff.

[PmP]

Hmmm, i've 52,000 miles up on original discs and on second set of pads. Serious lip on the discs tho, changing to GTT spiroslot setup as soon as I get other things sorted.

[MINIMANIAUK]

The standard discs wear out at about the same rate as the pads,the disc steel spec is on the soft side to give better bite,
As the pads wear thinner and disc wears thinner ,the wear rate increases as the discs run hotter.
Once the minimum thickness of disc is exceeded you no longer have a valid insurance,and the discs become more likely to shatter due heat./stress
If any DIY ers change your discs,and they are worn out,try whacking the old disc with a hammer (off the car) and you will see how easy it is for them to shatter!! and that is cold discs
When discs shatter on the car ,you will get a total brake failure,the pedal drops to the floor and there is no braking,this only ever happens when you are hammering the brakes as in an emergency,----- the very time you don't want the brakes to fail!!!!
There are cheap replacement discs available on EBAY and such like,they are even softer than the original ones,and sometimes the holes do not line up(for the retaining screw)
I only offer the German Zimmerman discs as a replacement as they are a quality disc and the material spec is high,and reccommend these,they also outlast the standard disc wear wise.

[mph1703]

Many thanks for all the advice given. To be honest I had no idea that discs were so "fragile" and could need changing at such low mileage.

I think I will advise my mate to find himself a good local independent garage and get the brakes checked over. I am sure the necessary work can be done and still leave some change from £700.00.

Cheers,

Mark

[MINIMANIAUK]

New pads/discs, all round fitted ,and handbrake reset- should be under £300 ish