Replacing pads and rotors

[Lineleader]

Just got back from a tire dealer who quoted me $540 for new rotors and pads front and back. Sound high to me. Is it true that you must replace rotors when you do the pads? Will my '95 click on a warning light when the pads are too low?

Thanks,

LL

[BMWALDO]

It's wise to replace Rotors and Pads. And that $540 is BS. That's very expensive in my opinion, unless you're doing it at a dealer, in which case: "What are you thininking?!"

I'd recommend you go looking to supporting vendors and get them to give you a quote for pads rotors and sensors. I actually picked up the set pads, cross drilled rotors, and the sensors for $325 shipped from a supporting vendor over at bimmerforums.com. My mechanic quoted me $85 for install, so I'm looking at like at like $420 no problem.

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=267179&page=32

scroll down on that page....

[Mels325]

Some will say you have to replace the rotors each brake job but I'm of the opinion you can probably "turn" (shave them smooth with a lathe) them at a local auto parts store instead. If the rotors are too far gone, they will need replacing, but I've had good luck with turning the rotors on the first brake job, then replacing them on the second.
Yes you will get a warning light on the dash when the pads wear too far, but you will need to replace the sensors when that happens along with the pads.
Me thinks $540 is to dam high, and I'd do it myself.

[HW]

Some will say you have to replace the rotors each brake job but I'm of the opinion you can probably "turn" (shave them smooth with a lathe) them at a local auto parts store instead. If the rotors are too far gone, they will need replacing, but I've had good luck with turning the rotors on the first brake job, then replacing them on the second.
Yes you will get a warning light on the dash when the pads wear too far, but you will need to replace the sensors when that happens along with the pads.
Me thinks $540 is to dam high, and I'd do it myself.

i remember reading that bmw rotors are thinner than average.