Brake repair - dealer or no dealer
- Thread starter jshorne
- Start date
I've done brake jobs on my BMWs as well as my other cars over the years - GMC, Volvo, Ford, Pontiac. I can assure you that the brake system on a BMW is VERY similar to most other cars, so from a labor viewpoint, you'll get the same quality of labor (good or bad) as if they were working on a Chevy or a Honda. The amount of time is identical as well, so they should not pull a "it's a BMW, it's harder and it will take longer."
As far as parts, you get what you pay for. My guess is they will use lower cost aftermarket parts which will save you money in the short run. Whether you save money in the long run depends on the quality of the parts...
As far as parts, you get what you pay for. My guess is they will use lower cost aftermarket parts which will save you money in the short run. Whether you save money in the long run depends on the quality of the parts...
One thing to mention is that at the dealer they will want to change your rotors too. When i got a quote from the dealer, it was approximately 700 for the front and 700 for the back brakes. What I did is to keep the original rotors and buy the breaks from the dealer. This should save you huge chunk of money. If you are not able to change them yourself...i am sure you can find a garage that will just charge you for labor.
Breaks in a BMW are very easy to change, just required an appropriate hex ranch, but the time is identical to changing compared with other cars, there is nothing magic in a BMW.
Breaks in a BMW are very easy to change, just required an appropriate hex ranch, but the time is identical to changing compared with other cars, there is nothing magic in a BMW.
I was initially against BMW's "changing the disks" approach, but if you think
about it, it does make some sense.
For example, let's say a BMW 3-series has expected braking performance
of 60 to zero in 109 feet. Perhaps with worn and resurfaced disks
(now thinner) the stopping distance becomes 120 feet.
Ten feet can make the difference between "accident," and "no accident."
Thoughts?
about it, it does make some sense.
For example, let's say a BMW 3-series has expected braking performance
of 60 to zero in 109 feet. Perhaps with worn and resurfaced disks
(now thinner) the stopping distance becomes 120 feet.
Ten feet can make the difference between "accident," and "no accident."
Thoughts?
The thickness of the disc has no bearing on the stopping power/distance of the actual breaking, you have not changed the surface area of the disc. Disc's/rotors have a minimum thickness because if they become too thin they can crack, warp or even break. A general rule of thumb is to replace the rotors every other brake job. Either that or measure them with calipers and replace as necessary. I stretched a pair to the third brake pad change and they began to spider web (crack). Do not do that. BMW uses soft metals in their disc to improve braking and they wear fast, but dollar for dollar they are less expensive than other vehicle brands rotors.