Condition based service indicator

I just rolled 36,000 miles on my '11 50. Scrolling through my upcoming service requirements it says that the front brakes are due for service in 50,000 miles. It has always said 50,000 miles and they have never been serviced. Wondering what other owners are showing in their menu for miles until service on the front brakes?

I haven't had a chance to inspect the pad thickness yet - just more or less curious about the service indicator. I know BMW has tried to minimize their service expenses by extending the life of wear parts, but it seems odd that the mileage would not change since new.

Ultimately I suspect there is a problem with the program for the service indicator, not really because I care much about the information from the service indicator, but rather what other functions that program, or information in it, may control or have influence over is of concern to me.

The other items in the menu have changes. Rear brakes have a suggested life of 18,000 miles.

The default is 50k. The sensor doesn't start kicking in until your close to new pads. 50k drops down quite quickly at that point.

That wouldn't seem to agree with the behavior of the rear pads. That "counter" has been ticking down slowly since the car was new - though obivously not at the same rate the odometer has been increasing.

I was of the assumption that the pad sensors were static rather than dynamic??

^^ I agree, that seems odd. SImply stated, you started at 50k, rolled 36k, and still have 50k MORE to go?

The sensors IS a switch, so you are correct. What is odd is that they counter isnt responding. With oilservice it is driven my miles and fuel consumption. I suspect the same for pads, although I am sure some people will find BMW marketing literature with drivel about precise calculations to ensure optimal services.....

The 'problem' is that BMW won't even inspect the pads for free- so you could find yourself with a one pad with metal on metal before the pad sensor on the other side touches the rotor.... of course in 5 minutes with a jack and lug wrench you can measure the pads. Or 2 minutes with an inspection mirror and flashlight might get you an estimate.

It's possible that the CBS system is not reading the front brake sensor. There is a small black harness that the brake sensor snaps into, you should be able to check that quite easily, it is about 15 inches up from the sensor itself. The front pads should be working towards replacement, and not just showing 50k until a few k before replacement.

Originally Posted by CALLAWAY845

It's possible that the CBS system is not reading the front brake sensor. There is a small black harness that the brake sensor snaps into, you should be able to check that quite easily, it is about 15 inches up from the sensor itself. The front pads should be working towards replacement, and not just showing 50k until a few k before replacement.

Unless something has changed the pad sensor is ONLY a single contact that is opened when the pad wears down to 2mm.

https://www.google.com/search?q=e70+...=1920&bih=1030

BMW uses a two stage trigger system for the brake pads.

The first triggers CBS to begin its best guess for brake pad change

The second trigger is time to change the brakes.

If you are light on your brakes, it's possible to drive some distance before you see any change in the CBS brake pad interval value.

Originally Posted by apw2607

BMW uses a two stage trigger system for the break pads.

The first triggers CBS to begin its best guess for break pad change

The second trigger is time to change the brakes.

If you are light on your brakes, it's possible to drive some distance before you see any change in the CBS brake pad interval value.

Fine.

I keep hearing that but have not seen the actual sensor part that looks any different than the old single contact sensor.....

Agree - best thing to do is a quick estimate on pad depth to make sure I don't cost myself some rotors as well.

If the sensor is as said a two stage sensor then I probably just haven't hit the first wear point yet. If a two stage sensor it would make sense then that it would have more than two contacts in the connector right? Two contacts for the first indication and two contacts for the second. I'll unplug it and check when I look at the pads.

If not, then it would seem there is a problem with the condition based service program??

Anyone else with similar mileage showing 50k left on front brakes? I do let the engine and transmission "brake" as much as possible when driving in traffic, but based on how often I have to clean brake dust off the rims I don't think my braking could be much less, if at all, than a typical driver.

I'm at 20K on the odometer and my front brakes show 46K and rear brakes show 27K based on CBS. I consider myself to be a "light" braker, where I'll tap the brakes a few times rather than continuously pressing the brakes when coming to a complete stop.

It's still a two wire connection to the sensor but the system simply gets two different resistance values based on stage 1 or 2 being triggered.

Ie each stage is wired in Parallel within the sensor itself

When I say two wire ... One goes to dsc/CBS the other goes to gnd to complete the circuit

Originally Posted by apw2607

It's still a two wire connection to the sensor but the system simply gets two different resistance values based on stage 1 or 2 being triggered.

Ie each stage is wired in Parallel within the sensor itself

When I say two wire ... One goes to dsc/CBS the other goes to gnd to complete the circuit

Interesting. Thanks.

Originally Posted by apw2607

It's still a two wire connection to the sensor but the system simply gets two different resistance values based on stage 1 or 2 being triggered.

Ie each stage is wired in Parallel within the sensor itself

When I say two wire ... One goes to dsc/CBS the other goes to gnd to complete the circuit

Thx

So op could have low wear OR an malfunctioning sensor/circuit...

OP, update this when you find out!

Update

I haven't had the time to pull of the wheel and measure the pad thickness, but my odometer is now at 43k and my CBS finally started "moving" and says 47K till service on the fronts. My rears pads will be due either before or close enough that I will have them changed under the maintenance plan (I hope) I'll have them check the front at the same time. If I get 90k out of my front brakes I'll pay the dealer to replace them instead of doing it myself!!