Brake pad and disc costs

[oldnell]

My car is at 48,000 miles. The last service in July didn't pick up my brake pads being low.

I was half expecting to have to replace them about now. On Friday, I heard grinding from the rear brakes. I'm assuming that means that the entire pad is gone and I've just knackered my discs as well.

The brake warning indicator didn't come on, and there was no audible indication before the pads wore out. Is this a fault?

How much am I likely to be looking at for four new brake pads and two new rear discs (assuming they're scored), all fitted, from a Mini dealer?

Any advice?

Thanks

[Magictux]

Quote: Originally Posted by oldnell

My car is at 48,000 miles. The last service in July didn't pick up my brake pads being low.

I was half expecting to have to replace them about now. On Friday, I heard grinding from the rear brakes. I'm assuming that means that the entire pad is gone and I've just knackered my discs as well.

The brake warning indicator didn't come on, and there was no audible indication before the pads wore out. Is this a fault?

How much am I likely to be looking at for four new brake pads and two new rear discs (assuming they're scored), all fitted, from a Mini dealer?

Any advice?

Thanks

Pull the wheels off and check 'em first...they might not be so bad...

[woodsy_bear]

Take a look on ebay, theres a bloke that sells mintex rear pads and discs for £60.

[Cooper54]

Look around I found OE front pads for £35 and rears for £30. Fitting very soon ...

[oldnell]

Thanks for the suggestions, guys. Since I need the car to get to work, I'm looking at getting everything done at a garage. I was just wondering what a ballpark figure might be at a Mini dealership, and the "Kwik-fits" of this world. I don't have the knowledge, time, or equipment to do the job myself.

Thanks

[Cooper54]

If you go to your dealer your looking at around £200 to get new pads f/r replaced. My local garage will fit them while you wait for all of £80 cash.

[Haggi]

yeah bmw are expensive (quote 200 gbp) so im off to lohen next week for new greenstuff pads

[zrazycanuck123]

Help?

I admit I am new to this and trying to get a sense of the etiquette of posting.

I have searched numerous postings to find something similar to my situation. This is the closest I could find.

I have a 2002 Mini Cooper S with a little over 40,000 miles on it. I went to drive it on Friday and heard, for the first time, metal on metal sound when I applied the brakes. I promptly turned around and scheduled service on my car.

I anticipated needing new pads. The dealership is now telling me that it is "policy" that whenever there is a brake work it is automatic that pads and rotors are replaced. They don't just do pads. I was told it is due to the "soft compact rotor design".

I find this very hard to believe that you always have to change out the rotors with the pads.

Help???? Is the dealership trying to "take me" or is it true that it is 'policy' to change the rotors out with the brakes?

[SiBradbury]

I take it in the US rotors are what we call brake discs?

[zrazycanuck123]

Sorry.....I may not be technically savvy on 'car speak'. Rotors was the terminology the technician used.

Being Canadian by birth, I recognize discs and rotors as being one in the same

[SiBradbury]

Don't apologise! I'm sorry for being a dim! Yes, apparently rotors ARE just discs. Now i get it

[robbo mcs]

Quote: Originally Posted by zrazycanuck123

Help?

I admit I am new to this and trying to get a sense of the etiquette of posting.

I have searched numerous postings to find something similar to my situation. This is the closest I could find.

I have a 2002 Mini Cooper S with a little over 40,000 miles on it. I went to drive it on Friday and heard, for the first time, metal on metal sound when I applied the brakes. I promptly turned around and scheduled service on my car.

I anticipated needing new pads. The dealership is now telling me that it is "policy" that whenever there is a brake work it is automatic that pads and rotors are replaced. They don't just do pads. I was told it is due to the "soft compact rotor design".

I find this very hard to believe that you always have to change out the rotors with the pads.

Help???? Is the dealership trying to "take me" or is it true that it is 'policy' to change the rotors out with the brakes?

Hi,

If you have gone metal onto metal then you almost certainly do require new rotors (discs) as well.

In normal circumstances you would replace pads when the pad thickness is low, but still present. In this circumstance, the techs will measure the thickness of the disc, and as long as it is within tolerances they can replace pads without changing the discs. You could expect to go through 2 sets of pads for every disc, or 3 if you were very lucky

It is certainly not "routine" to allways replace discs and pads at the same time

Unfortunately, for early cars such as the 02 there is no pad sensor, so unless you keep an eye on things, you will run out of pad completely and go metal on metal. Once this happens, the rough metal surface will scour and scratch the disc, and require a new replacement.

Cheers

Robbo

[Drej]

I just replaced my rear brake pads without doing the rotors/disks. 'Course, I did it myself so no tech can force me to do the rotor change. I will however be replacing the front brake rotors when I do the brake pads on that end as they are well below tolerance.
Basically, from what I've heard about BMW brakes, the stock rotors are made of a far softer metal then other vehicles have. Hence the superior braking of the Mini. If you think the tech is taking you for a ride, check the "lip" on the rotor when the wheel is off. On mine I can see a few millimeter step on the front set. (where the shinny part hits the rusty/dirty part)
Regards,

Drej

[thunder]

I just replaced front rotors (discs) with DBA slotted ones and all four pads (front and rear) with EBC Greenstuff, two Mini dealers quoted $900 for parts and labour for OEM Replacements. I sourced the parts elsewhere and paid our local BMW Dealer to fit the parts, and ended up costing $600 including brake fluid change, and the braking is much improved now that everything has bedded in properly, there was a fairly dcent lip on the front rotors (just over 1mm I'd say) where the pads had worn the rotor down, and there was very little wear on the rear rotor (so we just changed the pads - didn't even bother getting them machined)

Compared to other cars, I'd say the rotors are quite a bit softer, but it really does pay to have a look around and see what non Mini dealers can do for you.

[jammythart]

Hi all,

Just thought I would comment on this thread as I have just had a call from bmw saying that I need new pads fr + re and new front discs. My MCS is 54 plate and done 30000 miles.....is this normal or shall I get a second opinion from a non-bmw garage???

I have also been quoted circa 300 squid for the job, which I promtly turned down.

I have replaced brake pads / discs on other car before but not my MCS, is there anybody with tips on how to do it? and mainly tips on where to get the parts from?? I am also concerned that I get the right parts seeing asthough I will not be getting them from bmw.

Any help would be great

Thanks

Tom