Disappointed with BMW warranty/maintenance (brakes)

I love BMW (I'm on my 3rd) but I am increasingly disappointed with them. First, they decided to use run-flat tires and remove a spot for spare. This led to a very harsh ride and sometimes dangerous situation with certain potholes. Now, with nearly 40K miles on my 2010 BMW 328i xDrive, they refuse to replace brake rotors and pads. The dealership is claiming that there is a rust ring and that the only solution is to pay them $1200+ to replace the rotors and that it's not covered under warranty nor under maintenance.

I'm really confused. How are certain potholes more dangerous to different tires?

And don't all rotors have rust rings? They aren't made of alloy or stainless. Once you replace them the next pair will develop a rust ring guaranteed.

Stupid question perhaps, but can you turn a wrench? Have a jack and jack stands? Or know someone with the aforementioned items/abilities?

Changing rotors and pads on all four corners for most vehicles is a 2-3 hour job (with a break for lunch and brew or two). The day I paid a dealer (or anyone) $1200 to replace rotors and pads is the day hell freezes over..

Originally Posted by x3man

Now, with nearly 40K miles on my 2010 BMW 328i xDrive, they refuse to replace brake rotors and pads. The dealership is claiming that there is a rust ring and that the only solution is to pay them $1200+ to replace the rotors and that it's not covered under warranty nor under maintenance.

There has to be more to it. Are they trying to claim the "rust ring" is evidence of abnormal wear or abuse? (What does it even mean? The lip at the edge of the rotor that develops through normal wear? )

Brakes are covered under maintenance. Perhaps get a second opinion if there is another dealer near you. Otherwise, call BMW NA Customer Relations at 800-831-1117, tell them exactly what the dealer told you and that you believe the repair should not be excluded from the maintenance coverage. They will investigate and either explain to you why the dealer's position is justified, or come down hard on them for trying to charge you for a covered repair.

If you are feeling charitable you can argue your case with the dealer first. Make them show you exactly what it is about your brakes that the maintenance plan does not cover and why. Casually mention that you disagree and will take it up with BMW NA and they might suddenly decide to "do you a favor" and cover the work. You still have the option to go over their heads if needed.

why do you need the rotors and pads replaced?

Originally Posted by x3man

I love BMW (I'm on my 3rd) but I am increasingly disappointed with them. First, they decided to use run-flat tires and remove a spot for spare. This led to a very harsh ride and sometimes dangerous situation with certain potholes. Now, with nearly 40K miles on my 2010 BMW 328i xDrive, they refuse to replace brake rotors and pads. The dealership is claiming that there is a rust ring and that the only solution is to pay them $1200+ to replace the rotors and that it's not covered under warranty nor under maintenance.

I've had rotors changed under warranty on two of my BMWs as they were legitimately worn out (driving schools always help). Your post lacks some details...are they worn out to BMW's warranty spec or just showing "rust rings," whatever that may be.

Originally Posted by Orient330iNYC

why do you need the rotors and pads replaced?

+1 - has the car's computer indicated the brakes need replacement? The maintenance plan covers maintenance "as determined by the Condition Based Service indicator". A few items are time based (brake fluid- every 24 months, but not pads & rotors), but most are wear based.

Originally Posted by tturedraider

+1 - has the car's computer indicated the brakes need replacement? The maintenance plan covers maintenance "as determined by the Condition Based Service indicator". A few items are time based (brake fluid- every 24 months, but not pads & rotors), but most are wear based.

Completely agree...I assumed the OP would not even have had the conversation with the dealer, had the car not been asking for brakes. The situation is entirely different if that is not the case.

So sorry for the long delay in my reply but I've been swamped.

Essentially, the light came on but the dealer said that the wear on the brakes wasn't enough to merit a replacement. So why then did the light come on? They then reset the light. Months later I feel that the brakes are worn but they claim that it's still not enough.

I'm also disappointed in this particular dealership. I brought my car in for a different problem. They claimed to fix it (after keeping my car overnight) but then the problem re-appeared. I'm frustrated.

Originally Posted by tturedraider

+1 - has the car's computer indicated the brakes need replacement? The maintenance plan covers maintenance "as determined by the Condition Based Service indicator". A few items are time based (brake fluid- every 24 months, but not pads & rotors), but most are wear based.

Originally Posted by Ryan...

Stupid question perhaps, but can you turn a wrench? Have a jack and jack stands? Or know someone with the aforementioned items/abilities?

Changing rotors and pads on all four corners for most vehicles is a 2-3 hour job (with a break for lunch and brew or two). The day I paid a dealer (or anyone) $1200 to replace rotors and pads is the day hell freezes over..

Amen brother!

But as far as the "rust ring" requiring replacement of rotors goes. I believe the dealer is giving you a line of BS just to stick it to you. Next they will be telling you that the air in your tires needs to be changed. I would find a new dealer ASAP.

Originally Posted by x3man

So sorry for the long delay in my reply but I've been swamped.

Essentially, the light came on but the dealer said that the wear on the brakes wasn't enough to merit a replacement. So why then did the light come on? They then reset the light. Months later I feel that the brakes are worn but they claim that it's still not enough.

I'm also disappointed in this particular dealership. I brought my car in for a different problem. They claimed to fix it (after keeping my car overnight) but then the problem re-appeared. I'm frustrated.

If the brake wear sensor came on (if it is like my E46) then the pads are worn down so far that they need replacing ASAP. I don't understand why a Tech would not do a simple bmw warranty brake job at that point.

Couple ideas. Are you able to take off one of the road wheels and physically examine the pad thickness? Also need to caliper the rotor width in mm. Look also for a 'lip' on the outer edges of the rotors. Make sure the brakes are cool before doing this. Btw you typically can look for the 'lip' with just a visual inspection. Post pictures here.

Secondly I would advise a second look by another dealership, if at all possible.

Good luck, something is definitely amiss here.

I agree with the idea of getting a pic on here. Let everyone have a look. Perhaps the dealer is seeing something we're having a difficult time imagining? Or perhaps they're just trying to screw you. Pics would help :-)

So far, I'm leaning toward the latter.

Please forgive any grammatical errors, sent from mobile

Originally Posted by MMME30W

If the brake wear sensor came on (if it is like my E46) then the pads are worn down so far that they need replacing ASAP. I don't understand why a Tech would not do a simple bmw warranty brake job at that point.

Couple ideas. Are you able to take off one of the road wheels and physically examine the pad thickness? Also need to caliper the rotor width in mm. Look also for a 'lip' on the outer edges of the rotors. Make sure the brakes are cool before doing this. Btw you typically can look for the 'lip' with just a visual inspection. Post pictures here.

Secondly I would advise a second look by another dealership, if at all possible.

Good luck, something is definitely amiss here.

the E9x does two things
1) there is a wear sensor that trips when its worn down
2) there's a mileage estimate that counts down

i suspect its the latter that was triggered, and when they measured the pads and rotors they were still in spec.

Originally Posted by x3man

....with nearly 40K miles on my 2010 BMW 328i xDrive, they refuse to replace brake rotors and pads. The dealership is claiming that there is a rust ring and that the only solution is to pay them $1200+ to replace the rotors and that it's not covered under warranty nor under maintenance.

Pic? Ask them for a better explanation, why a rust ring is a problem. Should be entertaining - post response here!

Sounds to me like he is asking them to replace the brakes before the car actually needs it, and that is why BMW won't pay. Seems pretty straight forward if that is the case.

Originally Posted by Orient330iNYC

the E9x does two things
1) there is a wear sensor that trips when its worn down
2) there's a mileage estimate that counts down

i suspect its the latter that was triggered, and when they measured the pads and rotors they were still in spec.

But that doesn't explain why the OP's "Essentially, the light came on... They claimed to fix it (after keeping my car overnight) but then the problem re-appeared."

My guess: Someone in the back of the dealership didn't do a thorough check, then the counter guy told the OP that the rust ring means everything has to be replaced on the OP's dime. The warning light came back on because they did miss a worn sensor. Or maybe it was a brake fluid level warning and no one checked the level.

Sensors do occasionally malfunction and go off before the brakes are completely worn.

It's unclear if the dealer is refusing to change the pads and rotors or just the rotors. There is a spec on the rotors. If the rotors are thicker than that spec, then they do not get replaced under maintenance plan even if the pads get replaced. Most dealers (and techs) are happy to slap some pads on the car and go so they can move on to the next car.

To clarify the brake warning light - it's a two stage system:
1. At the point where the brake pads are about half worn, the first portion of the sensor is tripped. This does NOT turn on the light, but it does tell the computer. The computer then calculates (based on the mileage on the current pads) how much longer the current pads will last. Unless your driving style changes dramatically from the first half of the pad life to the second half, it's proven to be a pretty accurate way to do it.

Originally Posted by Orient330iNYC

the E9x does two things
1) there is a wear sensor that trips when its worn down
2) there's a mileage estimate that counts down

i suspect its the latter that was triggered, and when they measured the pads and rotors they were still in spec.

Good post, Tks for info.

Originally Posted by x3man

So sorry for the long delay in my reply but I've been swamped.

Essentially, the light came on but the dealer said that the wear on the brakes wasn't enough to merit a replacement. So why then did the light come on? They then reset the light. Months later I feel that the brakes are worn but they claim that it's still not enough.

I'm also disappointed in this particular dealership. I brought my car in for a different problem. They claimed to fix it (after keeping my car overnight) but then the problem re-appeared. I'm frustrated.

It sounds like you need to find a new service department. Try a different dealer. Also, the light can sometimes come on and the brakes are still good. They measure the pads to determine if they are within the limits for warranty replacement.

BMW dealers typically perform brake pad replacement when the light comes on (or as indicated by mileage sensor) but do not replace rotors unless defective. Of course that means the rotors eventually get tweaked and squeak, etc. However most dealers will not replace brakes under warrantly unless the car service indication shows that they are within 2000 miles of end of useful lifespan.

Originally Posted by Boraxo

BMW dealers typically perform brake pad replacement when the light comes on (or as indicated by mileage sensor) but do not replace rotors unless defective. Of course that means the rotors eventually get tweaked and squeak, etc. However most dealers will not replace brakes under warrantly unless the car service indication shows that they are within 2000 miles of end of useful lifespan.

good to know

Sent from my XT557 using Bimmer App

FWIW the brake light on my 335i came on a week ago Saturday when I was about 90 miles from home. The car was already scheduled to be taken in for routine service the following Wednesday. We drove the car back home and it was fine. When I took it to BMW Manhattan they said that they rear pads were worn down and needed to be replaced. The job was done N/C under maintenance.

CA

I am due in on Wednesday at BMW's invitation for oil change & brakes. Just got the yellow triangle today that said rears are worn. Never ever since 1960 have rear brakes gone out before the fronts. On average it was 2 sets of front to 1 set or rears.

Originally Posted by bear-avhistory

I am due in on Wednesday at BMW's invitation for oil change & brakes. Just got the yellow triangle today that said rears are worn. Never ever since 1960 have rear brakes gone out before the fronts. On average it was 2 sets of front to 1 set or rears.

The ediff uses the brakes to prevent slip on the rear wheels. Have you been gassing the car a lot?