Brake work on 740 - questions

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

Peter Aitken - 21 Jul 2003 23:55 GMT

The computer on my 1998 740i is telling me to check the brake pads. The
dealer, without seeing the car, tells me that the work will be something
like $800. An independent BMW mechanic is telling me $100-150 for the rear
pads and $150-200 for the front. What's the story here? Does the dealer do
something besides replace the pads or is this just an example of dealer
rip-off?

Signature

Peter Aitken

Remove the crap from my email address before using.

Reply to this Message

Dave Plowman - 22 Jul 2003 00:33 GMT

> The computer on my 1998 740i is telling me to check the brake pads. The
> dealer, without seeing the car, tells me that the work will be something
> like $800. An independent BMW mechanic is telling me $100-150 for the
> rear pads and $150-200 for the front. What's the story here? Does the
> dealer do something besides replace the pads or is this just an example
> of dealer rip-off?

Does the dealer service the car? If so, he might guess it needs new discs
at this pad change. The independent could be quoting pads only. Ask them.

Signature

*I don't know what your problem is, but I'll bet it's hard to pronounce

Dave Plowman dave.sound@argonet.co.uk London SW 12
RIP Acorn

Reply to this Message

Xavier - 22 Jul 2003 01:41 GMT

> The computer on my 1998 740i is telling me to check the brake pads. The
> dealer, without seeing the car, tells me that the work will be something
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>
> Remove the crap from my email address before using.

You want to have the rotors turned as well as pads replaced but the
dealership is definitely adding what I call the "BMW" tax.

Even with new rotors, which you can easily get aftermarket for less, this is
too much $.

Reply to this Message

Eric Mild - 22 Jul 2003 06:28 GMT

lmao....this is why i drive a chevy.....
i can't get over the raping that you bmw customers face everyday...i almost
feel bad for you.

eric
<smirk> 800 smackers....sheesh...it's like crack.

> The computer on my 1998 740i is telling me to check the brake pads. The
> dealer, without seeing the car, tells me that the work will be something
> like $800. An independent BMW mechanic is telling me $100-150 for the rear
> pads and $150-200 for the front. What's the story here? Does the dealer do
> something besides replace the pads or is this just an example of dealer
> rip-off?

Reply to this Message

Peter Aitken - 22 Jul 2003 13:25 GMT

> lmao....this is why i drive a chevy.....
> i can't get over the raping that you bmw customers face everyday...i almost
> feel bad for you.
>
> eric
> <smirk> 800 smackers....sheesh...it's like crack.

Hmmm, someone who drives a chevy yet hangs out in the BMW newsgroup. Can you
spell "envy"?

Signature

Peter Aitken

Remove the crap from my email address before using.

Reply to this Message

Eric Mild - 22 Jul 2003 17:14 GMT

Can you spell "envy"?

um, I really see it as helping others out, no matter the make of the
vehicle.
im also here because im a fan of Germans, since im soon to be married to
one.
and just for the record, I'm very satisfied with my Chevy Truck and have no
envy at all to own a car that is over priced (in america), has a small parts
market, and an even smaller 'reliable' service market, and with absolutly no
utility value.
Don't get me wrong, if I lived in Germany where there was an Autobahn that i
could drive at 200 km or better on (as the car is designed for), a reliable
OE parts market (not aftermarket as it seems to be in America), clearly
better trained techs (compared to America) and a world that doesn't see the
need, or have the room, for a full size truck, I would consider a BMW. (i
think i would take a mercedes though)

I just enjoy the talks and the problems that arise with any auto
conversation.

Gotta go, gotta change the transmission in the Truck (just kiddin!)

Eric

> > lmao....this is why i drive a chevy.....
> > i can't get over the raping that you bmw customers face everyday...i
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> Hmmm, someone who drives a chevy yet hangs out in the BMW newsgroup. Can you
> spell "envy"?

Reply to this Message

ZombyWoof - 27 Feb 2004 21:12 GMT

>lmao....this is why i drive a chevy.....
>i can't get over the raping that you bmw customers face everyday...i almost
>feel bad for you.
>
>eric
><smirk> 800 smackers....sheesh...it's like crack.

Well I guess that would depend on what type of Chevy. I've laid out
$900 for a four wheel rotor & pads replacement. To much heavy duty
braking ended up warping the rotors.

Reply to this Message

C.R. Krieger - 01 Mar 2004 16:10 GMT

> >lmao....this is why i drive a chevy.....
> >i can't get over the raping that you bmw customers face everyday...i almost
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> $900 for a four wheel rotor & pads replacement. To much heavy duty
> braking ended up warping the rotors.

Any particular reason you're 'resurrecting' a 7-month-old dead thread?
--
C.R. Krieger
(Been there; done that)

Reply to this Message

Peter Aitken - 22 Jul 2003 14:11 GMT

> The computer on my 1998 740i is telling me to check the brake pads. The
> dealer, without seeing the car, tells me that the work will be something
> like $800. An independent BMW mechanic is telling me $100-150 for the rear
> pads and $150-200 for the front. What's the story here? Does the dealer do
> something besides replace the pads or is this just an example of dealer
> rip-off?

I got some clarification on this. The BMW dealership charges $560 for front
brakes and $490 for rear. This includes the pads, the wear sensor, and new
rotors. The independent mechanic would replace just the pads and sensor, so
this explains the price difference. Apparently BMW recommends replacing the
rotors along with the pads. Whether this is really necessary is anybody's
guess.

Signature

Peter Aitken

Remove the crap from my email address before using.

Reply to this Message

Adam - 22 Jul 2003 20:09 GMT

How many miles does the car have. If its under 40 or 50k then it might not
need new rotors. In any case the dealer can measure the rotors to determine
if they need changing.

-Adam

> > The computer on my 1998 740i is telling me to check the brake pads. The
> > dealer, without seeing the car, tells me that the work will be something
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
>
> Remove the crap from my email address before using.

Reply to this Message

Peter Aitken - 22 Jul 2003 21:34 GMT

Remove the crap from my email address before using.

> How many miles does the car have. If its under 40 or 50k then it might not
> need new rotors. In any case the dealer can measure the rotors to determine
> if they need changing.
>
> -Adam

Yeah, I thought I might ask about this. Mileage is 52K.

Signature

Peter Aitken

Reply to this Message

Adam - 23 Jul 2003 05:48 GMT

If youre pretty easy on the brakes you could very well get to 60 or 80k
before needing to changing the rotors. At last have them measure them before
just replacing them because they know you have a blank check waiting.

-Adam

> Remove the crap from my email address before using.
> > How many miles does the car have. If its under 40 or 50k then it might not
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> --
> Peter Aitken

Reply to this Message

Dave Plowman - 23 Jul 2003 00:24 GMT

> Apparently BMW recommends replacing the rotors along with the pads.
> Whether this is really necessary is anybody's guess.

First I've heard of this. They should measure the disc thickness and
calculate whether they will still be ok by the next pad change time. With
average driving, this means two sets of pads per disc.

Signature

*Just give me chocolate and nobody gets hurt

Dave Plowman dave.sound@argonet.co.uk London SW 12
RIP Acorn

Reply to this Message