Brake service = no rotors

Just had some warranty work done and they SA stated that they did the rear brakes which I thought was getting close.

When I got back to the office I read the report (shame on me, should have done at dealr).

States:

Verified rear brake service due per CBS. Inspect brakes and found brake pads to be at 3mm thickness. Both rotors measured above minimum thickness. Replace rear brake pads and wear sensor only.

I thought they always changed the rotors as well. Is this new?

Tim

Not new, BMW NA is cracking down on the Free Maintenance program and only replacing items that only need replacement according to the computer. Previous years had a lot of premature part replacements and companies need to keep their costs down.

They did turn the rotors, didn't they??

This happenned to me as well. In fact, I figured new rotors into my calculation when deciding to purchase the extended maintenance plan. I was upset when they broke the same news to me. I would advise not purchasing extended maintenance.

Originally Posted by AzNMpower32

Not new, BMW NA is cracking down on the Free Maintenance program and only replacing items that only need replacement according to the computer. Previous years had a lot of premature part replacements and companies need to keep their costs down.

Just another case of BMW changing their service recommendations when they have to foot the bill...

So how do they know when the rotors are out of spec? Wait until pads need replaced?

Originally Posted by Penguin

Just another case of BMW changing their service recommendations when they have to foot the bill...

Back in the earlier years of Free Maintenance, I think some dealers were being too generous and replacing parts that didn't need replacing under warranty or the maintenance program just because the customer "wanted it".

I can understand both sides of the issue though. Whenever something is "free", it can lead to abuse and in the end someone has to pay, and often its the customer in the form of inflated MSRPs.

Originally Posted by tcfila

Just had some warranty work done and they SA stated that they did the rear brakes which I thought was getting close.

When I got back to the office I read the report (shame on me, should have done at dealr).

States:

Verified rear brake service due per CBS. Inspect brakes and found brake pads to be at 3mm thickness. Both rotors measured above minimum thickness. Replace rear brake pads and wear sensor only.

I thought they always changed the rotors as well. Is this new?

Tim

Ask them how THEY will know when the rotors are worn out??? Do they claim you will go though this set of pads and still be under when they look at the rotors again?

The dishonesty of how BMW does maintenance is appalling: they refuse to even INSPECT these items until the CBS indicates it is due- but they dont change the wear parts- and they KNOW you will likely blow past the rotor minimum prior to the next time they pads wear out.


OP- how many miles on the pads and rotors when this happened? I would send a formal written letter outlining your safety concerns that will arise from your reliance on their documented maintenance plan. Their inspection frequency is too low to catch low rotors- use, they have a pad sensor- but without a rotor sensor the only solution is more frequent rotor inspection (ie like every time you rotate your tires....)

A

Originally Posted by MnRiverman

They did turn the rotors, didn't they??

on german cars you don't ,they are to thin, just toss them.

if it was fronts it would much easier to warp them and then get them replaced

Ard,

They were at 52K when they were replaced.

Tim

Not sure what your mileage was on rotors. Most European car manufactures use a soft metal for their rotors. The result is that they ware down at a quicker rate. When I owned a Volvo I had to replace my front rotors at 50K miles because they exceeded the limits. If you are mechanically oriented, and the car is out of warranty, its a simple procedure to replace the rotors and pads. My first X5 had all the pads and rotors replaced before 32K miles. I'm hoping my 2013 X5 will fair better.

Originally Posted by tcfila

Ard,

They were at 52K when they were replaced.

Tim

Sorry, just realized this is an old thread

All brake elements were replaced under warranty. the front rotors were replaced at 16K miles because the rotors were warped. The rear brakes failure were also replaced under warranty. The primary mode of failure (rear) was that the bolts use to hold the rotor were stripped. This was an assembly issue in the US. Unfortunately, I had a similar issue with the transmission. There was a persistent oil leak from the transmission coming from the transmission cooler line. BMW tried several times to fix the problem by replacing the "O" ring. After several attempts by BMW and using different dealers with no success I did the smart thing. I put my wife on the case and she started calling BMW. Do they listen, YES, they had a BMW service adviser visit the dealership on the day I brought it in for the same problem. The result, a new transmission (not rebuilt), was installed and problem was solved. I suspect the same technician in the assembly line stripped both items, but I have no proof.

Originally Posted by Pourboire

All brake elements were replaced under warranty. the front rotors were replaced at 16K miles because the rotors were warped.

I suspect the same technician in the assembly line stripped both items, but I have no proof.

1. Rotors rarely warp...it is usually a presumptive diagnosis with pulsing brakes, and it fixed with new rotors- but the actual CAUSE is usually uneven deposition of pad material into the surface of the rotor caused by getting brakes very hot and THEN applying brakes when the car is stopped. The contact point on the rotor gets preferrential deposition of pad material and this becomes a "grabby" area.

Read up on "Bedding Brakes"

2. Same tech?

Originally Posted by Pourboire

The result, a new transmission (not rebuilt), was installed and problem was solved. I suspect the same technician in the assembly line stripped both items, but I have no proof.

Have you seen the assembly line? I highly doubt the same tech worked on both installing the transmission and the brakes. They generally perform a series of related tasks as the car moves down the line, like installing the dash, interior bits, etc., and then start on the next car. They don't follow the car down the line.

Originally Posted by 335i

Have you seen the assembly line? I highly doubt the same tech worked on both installing the transmission and the brakes. They generally perform a series of related tasks as the car moves down the line, like installing the dash, interior bits, etc., and then start on the next car. They don't follow the car down the line.

Must be his long lost TWIN brother!

Originally Posted by rattmann

Must be his long lost TWIN brother!

Serious question. I've toured both factories multiple times, it just isn't how they build the cars.

I'm sure the assembly plant works like most in the USA. This was my subjective opinion (
jokingly) and I had no intent to malign any of BMW employees who I believe are very dedicated to their job. Having been brought up by a German mother I tend to be a little critical. I did notice from consumers report reliability analysis that BMW for that year had many brake issues. Not sure how all my issues regarding stripped connections materialized. My present 2013 X5 is superb and a joy to drive.