BSI+ ending - How to get brakes changed?

[Jake_M3]

Hi guys,

I have 9 months left on my BMW Service package which also includes brakes pads and discs (i.e. the BSI+ Package).

When I look at iDrive it tells me that the car won't need brake pads for ages, and so I will likely miss out on this if the dealer goes off the iDrive alone.

The problem is that the front discs have quite a large lip on them and really need to be machined or replaced. I have brought this up with the dealer each time I have had it for a service or check-up, but each time he tells me that they will only do this if the iDrive "asks for it to be changed"....

Is there anyway I can trigger the iDrive to say that it needs the front pads/discs changed, short of taking it to the track and smashing the hell out of the brakes?

If that's the case, does this also mean that guys that track their cars get BSI+ included brake changes after each track day?

Any other advice about what I need to do prior to the BSI+ end date?

Cheers, Jake.

[Pete.J]

Originally Posted by Jake_M3

Hi guys,

I have 9 months left on my BMW Service package which also includes brakes pads and discs (i.e. the BSI+ Package).

When I look at iDrive it tells me that the car won't need brake pads for ages, and so I will likely miss out on this if the dealer goes off the iDrive alone.

The problem is that the front discs have quite a large lip on them and really need to be machined or replaced. I have brought this up with the dealer each time I have had it for a service or check-up, but each time he tells me that they will only do this if the iDrive "asks for it to be changed"....

Is there anyway I can trigger the iDrive to say that it needs the front pads/discs changed, short of taking it to the track and smashing the hell out of the brakes?

If that's the case, does this also mean that guys that track their cars get BSI+ included brake changes after each track day?

Any other advice about what I need to do prior to the BSI+ end date?

Cheers, Jake.

The dealer is taking you for a ride. The iDrive doesn't monitor the rotors/discs condition whatsoever. According to ISTA, BMW's own factory workshop manual, the discs are to be manually inspected every time the car goes in for a service and addressed accordingly.

ISTA says the rotors need to be measures in three different spots and all 3 reading must be found to be over 22.4mm for the rear and 28.4mm for the front (double check these values, the minimum thickness is engraved on the rotor hats).

The iDrive receives the brake pad remaining life information from the DSC module, which receives it from brake pad sensors. As the pads wear down, the sensors wear down, the more a brake pad sensor wears down it has lower electric current resistance which the DSC module picks up and interprets as XX mm of remaining pad thickness. Your driving style and brake usage is also taken into consideration. With all this information the DSC estimates the remaining driving kilometres before the brakes need to be addressed and the iDrive displays to the users these values.

Now that you know where that brake life estimation comes from on the iDrive, you know the dealer is taking you for a ride, or that particular service tech that you've spoken to, doesn't know enough that the rotors thickness and condition aren't electronically monitored in any form or way.

Also, worth mentioning that BMW repair procedures strongly enforces the replacement of pads and rotors at the same time. Never one on its own. The pads aren't cheap either. So, a quick rough calculation with local prices in AUD shows that you'll be costing them around the $4k mark to change front and rear pads + rotors + pad sensors + labour. Your local dealer will submit a repair case to BMW Australia with photos and evidence... etc. and wait for it to be approved. So, the local dealer won't be bearing any of that cost, even their labour will be covered by BMW Australia if the case is approved to go ahead.

Lastly, BMW usually tries to adjust the life of the pad compound and type used on a specific car, to have roughly the same life as the rotors. So, that when it's time to replace them, neither of them would have much remaining that will go to waste. So, this could be why the dealer is so hung on the iDrive estimated life, as they're expecting a perfect 1:1 wear ratio between pads and rotors, but that's only in a perfect world and it's not always true depending on how the car was driven.

What I would do, is remove the wheels, use an accurate measuring calliper, and measure all four rotors at 3 different locations. Despite having a large lip on the front rotors as you mentioned, if all your measurements came over the minimum thickness engraved on the rotor hats. Honestly, you would have no leg to stand on against the dealer or BMW Australia in your claim

[Jake_M3]

Thanks for the detailed reply Pete - very clear and well explained.

I will measure the rotors as you suggest, and go from there.

Thanks, Jake.