[XutvJet]

Originally Posted by DrivingPassion

Yes, indeed, you guys have been of great help. I totally appreciate it a lot.

On another front, another independent BMW shop came back with this quote:
“
I would need the last 7 of your VIN number to get an accurate quote.
Brake replacement required pads, rotors, and sensor. Typically replacement of brakes runs around $800-1000 per axle.

Wheel alignment is $175 and

brake flush runs between $155-205 depending if you have the M sport calipers. “

$800-1,000 per axle for pads, rotors, and wear sensors installed, assuming OEM parts, seems fairly reasonable. Front OEM rotors, pads, and sensors are around $550. Since your car has 40K miles, the front rotors are probably somewhat close to their end of life (they tend to be done at 50Kish). I'd check the run-out on the rear rotors though as they only handle about 30% of the braking force and tend to last much longer. Pad and rotor swaps on these cars is crazy easy.

I wouldn't mention anything about the caliper bleeder. A good shop should see this on inspection and take the appropriate measures to reduce the chances of the bleeder snapping. If does snap, it's not the end of the world as a good mechanic should have dealt with this numerous times before and has the extractors and tools available to fix the issue.

The brake flush cost is reasonable as it's a somewhat labor intensive process.

The alignment thing always bugs me. If the car tracks straight, the steering wheel is straight, and the wear is consistent across the tires, then an alignment shouldn't be necessary. It seems like one of these recommended things that higher end makes recommend on tire replacements.

These are sports cars that tend to be driven harder and the OEM alignment and suspension design tends to be a little more aggressive than what you see on a typical passenger car, so it should be no surprise that the tires will wear a bit wonky as they get towards their end of life.

[DrivingPassion]

I bought all pads and cleaners and brake grease but I’m now thinking I should go ahead and replace the rotors, too.

Is it a std practice to replace rotors at 40k when changing pads?

[DanG]

Depending on where you live, try either Stickly BMW in Bellevue or Car Tender in Seattle for good independent BMW service. If you are a BMWCCA member both shops and all the Seattle area dealers will give you a discount.

https://www.strictlybmw.com

http://www.car-tender.com

[Dylan86]

Originally Posted by USA-RET

One reason to consider leasing or trading before warranty expires. All the Euro cars are expensive to maintain.

and 3x more expensive servicing by BMW's recommendations, at a Dealership. You can go very far, for much less, with a good and honest indy shop, even if their door rates are similar.

[harma24]

Originally Posted by DrivingPassion

Is it a std practice to replace rotors at 40k when changing pads?

No, not unless the rotors are warped or scored. They should not have worn too thin in only 40k miles.

[M235SDCA]

Originally Posted by harma24

No, not unless the rotors are warped or scored. They should not have worn too thin in only 40k miles.

Originally Posted by harma24

No, not unless the rotors are warped or scored. They should not have worn too thin in only 40k miles.

I just had my 2026 M235 brakes done at 37k - they were just under the limit allowed by BMW do rotors were changed too. Agree should not have been the case.

[Unicorn123]

Originally Posted by harma24

No, not unless the rotors are warped or scored. They should not have worn too thin in only 40k miles.

Spot on. Passion, use a micrometer to check the rotor thickness, this will tell you whether they should be replaced... It is easy to do and rotors are really not very expensive if they are worn too much or get scored, which is usually why I replace them regularly and you do not have a lathe handy.

I typically replace them when I do a brake job as a matter of good practice (or at least have them available if needed), despite being a tightwad. Look on Rock Auto...I bought rotors for years for my B5 S4 (the dreaded Audi) and Z3 there and that's where I will go for my M235. Rear rotors are on closeout for ~13 USD today... Cast iron is cheap. FWIW.

[Unicorn123]

Originally Posted by DrivingPassion

I bought all pads and cleaners and brake grease but I’m now thinking I should go ahead and replace the rotors, too.

Is it a std practice to replace rotors at 40k when changing pads?

One more thing...

A highly underrated aspect of a brake job is a thorough cleaning of components. I see you have the cleaners, I have not done a M235 yet (my brakes were done prior to my purchase by the Original Owner so I have some time and use my brakes sparingly with my long highway commute and rarely brake on the windy roads) but I would suggest having a paint scraper and a decent metal file handy as well to clean the surfaces as well. Taking a few extra minutes to remove the accumulated brake dust off of the bits makes the job much easier.

Well done moving forward with this; it is highly satisfying (I work on cars to relax) if you have the time and patience. Good hunting!

[aerobod]

Originally Posted by DrivingPassion

Hey guys,

In terms of rotors thickness, what are the acceptable range for being within specs?
Where is a good reference?

Here is the front brake procedure for the M235i: https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/f...nance/KvOmG9sC

The Min Thickness is stamped on the rotor hub, but should be 1.6mm of total wear (0.8mm each side). On standard brake rotors you can put a new set of pads on if the rotor is any value above Min Thickness.

[DrivingPassion]

Originally Posted by aerobod

Here is the front brake procedure for the M235i: https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/f...nance/KvOmG9sC

The Min Thickness is stamped on the rotor hub, but should be 1.6mm of total wear (0.8mm each side). On standard brake rotors you can put a new set of pads on if the rotor is any value above Min Thickness.

Thanks, this is good!

[m981addicts]

Originally Posted by DrivingPassion

I have recently run my finger into the treads to monitor the depth and they felt pretty deep to me. I can re-check it with penny when I get it back.

Well, I have gone back and forth with them, referring them to CarFax history indicating that they have changed all brake pads but he pulled the shop notes which said that they checked the pads but did not replace them.

Good lesson learned: CarFax cannot be trusted.

That technique might work well in other aspects of human behavior but not so much in doing a tread depth analysis.
If you buy enough stuff from Tirerack, they reward you with a complimentary tire pressure/tread depth tool (measures to nearest 1/32nd inch). Each channel might have a different depth by the way.
I can vouch for the sales department since I bought my 09 from them. Can't vouch for service department though, since I immediately drove it 800 miles away, and eventually shipped it 2400 miles further.

[pikcachu]

Originally Posted by aaaaah

Not when spraying the bleeders with some PB Blaster or equivalent, sitting down for 30 minutes and trying again costs $100

what does that have to do with anything? we are talking about the cost of new pads

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by m981addicts

If you buy enough stuff from Tirerack, they reward you with a complimentary tire pressure/tread depth tool (measures to nearest 1/32nd inch).

I gotta call those guys. Over the years, I've spent noticeably into five figures with them and never received any freebies!

That said, I'm using these products for those purposes:

Tire Pressure Gauge – http://www.longacreracing.com/produc...21&prodid=7339

Tread Depth Gauge – http://www.longacreracing.com/produc...88&prodid=7374

[B58togo]

Originally Posted by DrivingPassion

Hmmm ... since the material cost is around $300.
And, they are charging me $950, so the labor cost is $650?

How long are we talking here to replace all 4 brake pads? 6 hours?
I'd expect a decently trained mechanic to take less than 3 hours, wouldn't it?

I bought EBC Red pads for under $300, all four corners. I can change all four corners in an hour to an hour and a half. It's literally 15-20 minutes each corner.

[DrivingPassion]

Originally Posted by B58togo

I bought EBC Red pads for under $300, all four corners. I can change all four corners in an hour to an hour and a half. It's literally 15-20 minutes each corner.

I agree with you.

As I researched this topic more, it appears that the std BMW brake job may include

1. replacing the rotors (most likely for the front brakes)
2. will include sensor replacement
3. will include screws and clips replacements

[pikcachu]

Originally Posted by DrivingPassion

I agree with you.

As I researched this topic more, it appears that the std BMW brake job may include

1. replacing the rotors (most likely for the front brakes)
2. will include sensor replacement
3. will include screws and clips replacements

https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/f...als/34-brakes/

https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/f...rakes/J7O1UV0e

https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/f...rakes/JWrOrgzU

[DrivingPassion]

I bought a pair of front rotors and I will replace those as well.

[DrivingPassion]

Originally Posted by pikcachu

https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/f...als/34-brakes/

https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/f...rakes/J7O1UV0e

https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/f...rakes/JWrOrgzU

Thank you so much.

I cannot tell how many rotor screws there are for each rotor.
Does anyone know?
I want to replace those as well.

The picture has 6 holes on each rotor but the Turners MotorSport catalog is saying each rotor only needs 2 screws.

What are the 4 holes for?

[XutvJet]

Five of the holes are for the lug bolts. The remaining hole is for a screw that secures the rotor to the hub.

[DrivingPassion]

Originally Posted by XutvJet

Five of the holes are for the lug bolts. The remaining hole is for a screw that secures the rotor to the hub.

I see.
Thanks.

[MerlinMc]

Originally Posted by B58togo

I bought EBC Red pads for under $300, all four corners. I can change all four corners in an hour to an hour and a half. It's literally 15-20 minutes each corner.

How do you like the EBC RS pads? Thanks.

[DrivingPassion]

Thanks to all of your info and encouragement, I’ve replaced rear pads + sensor. Tested and they seem to be working fine.

Will tackle front pads and rotors this afternoon.

Thanks again, you fine folks!