Just got off the phone with the Service Advisor from my BMW dealership.
...needs new brake pads and needs new rotors.
He said that 30k-50k is the useful life of BMW rotors, that the rotors
and pads are usually replaced as a set.
Is all of this true?
My '86 VW Jetta is only on it's 2nd set of rotors...
Dave Plowman (News) - 13 Jul 2005 14:56 GMT
> Just got off the phone with the Service Advisor from my BMW dealership.
> ...needs new brake pads and needs new rotors.
> He said that 30k-50k is the useful life of BMW rotors, that the rotors
> and pads are usually replaced as a set.
Like everything, it depends on usage. The discs have a minimum thickness
marked on the hub and can easily be measured. I've found they last for two
sets of pads. But if they are over half way worn when the first set wears
out it makes sense to replace them.
> My '86 VW Jetta is only on it's 2nd set of rotors...
Just about every old (RHD) VW I've driven has had crap brakes.

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pay@tention.com - 13 Jul 2005 15:45 GMT
"Just about every old (RHD) VW I've driven has had crap brakes"
Yeah... maybe they aren't the best brakes; I dont' know.
But they seem to stop me before I crunch the car in front.
...same as my 325XI. And that's really all I ask of brakes.
Dave Plowman (News) - 13 Jul 2005 17:22 GMT
> > "Just about every old (RHD) VW I've driven has had crap brakes"
> Yeah... maybe they aren't the best brakes; I dont' know.
> But they seem to stop me before I crunch the car in front.
> ...same as my 325XI. And that's really all I ask of brakes.
That's rather like saying - "My old **** got me from A to B. And that's
all I ask of a car." ;-)

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J Strickland - 13 Jul 2005 18:21 GMT
That's a bit excessive.
It is normal that brakes and pads are replaced at the same time, but typical
life is two sets of pads for a set of rotors. If your braking leans to the
very mild side, then you may be able to see three sets or pads for a set of
rotors. Frankly, if you need pads after 30k miles, you are pretty hard on
them. Of course, if you drive in constant stop 'n go traffic, then your
brake life will be shorter, and this could explain how you need brakes
already. I am not alarmed that you need brakes, but I question if you need
rotors already.
> Just got off the phone with the Service Advisor from my BMW dealership.
> ...needs new brake pads and needs new rotors.
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
> My '86 VW Jetta is only on it's 2nd set of rotors...