Brake light--pads need to be changed at 21K

jgoens · 06-08-2016, 10:48 AM

Got a brake system warning yesterday saying pads need to be changed, drive moderately. Have an Appt. at the dealer tomorrow. I asked my SA about the pads needing changing at 21K and he said it could be the software needs an adjustment. Has anyone else had pads needing changing that early? I hoping they don't have to re-flash my ecu because then I will have to do my coding over again.

E30toF30 · 06-08-2016, 11:15 AM

If might be a broken sensor? Those things I hear are really really sensitive and break easily. Apparantly you can't even do a simple brake pad change without accidentally breaking it, hence the need for a new sensor each time you change that particular brake pad. At least that's what I've read.

My brake system warning has been on for the last 2500 miles because of a broken sensor I'm not replacing till fall.

CalCarNut · 06-08-2016, 11:57 AM

Wife's Benz requires new sensor(s) at each brake pad replacement service. On her car, there is one on the front right and one in the right rear. Not sure how our cars are (BMW). If it's warranteed, why not have BMW fix it? That light would drive me crazy being on all the time...........

CalCarNut · 06-08-2016, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jgoens

Got a brake system warning yesterday saying pads need to be changed, drive moderately. Have an Appt. at the dealer tomorrow. I asked my SA about the pads needing changing at 21K and he said it could be the software needs an adjustment. Has anyone else had pads needing changing that early? I hoping they don't have to re-flash my ecu because then I will have to do my coding over again.

What does iDrive say about your pad wear? Does it say to replace them?

graphite · 06-08-2016, 01:08 PM

It's common for the system to miscalculate break wear or for sensors to go bad. Unless you've got a lead foot, I doubt the brakes need replacement that soon.

jgoens · 06-08-2016, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E30toF30

If might be a broken sensor? Those things I hear are really really sensitive and break easily. Apparantly you can't even do a simple brake pad change without accidentally breaking it, hence the need for a new sensor each time you change that particular brake pad. At least that's what I've read.

My brake system warning has been on for the last 2500 miles because of a broken sensor I'm not replacing till fall.

How can that light and warning on idrive every time starting the car not drive you crazy?

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCalDave

What does iDrive say about your pad wear? Does it say to replace them?

It says replace rear pads. I looked at the pads where I can see on the rear and they look to be at least 4 mm. Unless the other side is worn, probably a sensor.

keylime503 · 06-08-2016, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by graphite

It's common for the system to miscalculate break wear or for sensors to go bad. Unless you've got a lead foot, I doubt the brakes need replacement that soon.

I just got my rear pads and sensors replaced at just over 18,000 miles. I do drive very aggressively and have done one track day and one autocross on these brakes as well.

jgoens · 06-08-2016, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keylime503

I just got my rear pads and sensors replaced at just over 18,000 miles. I do drive very aggressively and have done one track day and one autocross on these brakes as well.

That would seem normal then. I'm pretty light on the brakes and don't do much hill driving. I was just wondering if anyone else had pads worn with normal driving at low mileage. A friend of mine said his Lexus needed front pads changed in the 20k's.

jwilly · 06-09-2016, 07:45 AM

Random thought... How do the brake pads look?

KGB_123_99 · 06-09-2016, 08:16 AM

I changed my rears at 17k miles and fronts at 28k miles. I don't beat up my car...

jgoens · 06-09-2016, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwilly

Random thought... How do the brake pads look?

Like I said, they looked to be at least 4mm and that was on the part I can see through the wheel.

Quote:

Originally Posted by KGB_123_99

I changed my rears at 17k miles and fronts at 28k miles. I don't beat up my car...

Well, we'll see if they change mine.

jgoens · 06-09-2016, 03:03 PM

Just got the car back--rear pads, rotors and sensor replaced. The pads were 4mm but the rotor was under spec so a change was in order. Also got an oil change 1500 mi early.

Michael Schott · 06-09-2016, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KGB_123_99

I changed my rears at 17k miles and fronts at 28k miles. I don't beat up my car...

Did you change them or the dealer under warranty? I'm surprised they wore out that fast. Mine are at 58,000 miles and they have 20,000 miles left. I do however drive a lot on the freeway and it's very flat here.

KGB_123_99 · 06-09-2016, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Schott

Quote:

Originally Posted by KGB_123_99

I changed my rears at 17k miles and fronts at 28k miles. I don't beat up my car...

Did you change them or the dealer under warranty? I'm surprised they wore out that fast. Mine are at 58,000 miles and they have 20,000 miles left. I do however drive a lot on the freeway and it's very flat here.

I do a lot of city driving so that is why perhaps.

In Canada brakes are not covered under maintenance so I changed them.

Gijutsusha · 06-10-2016, 09:18 AM

I had a similar notification......turned out is was just software needing update.

Michael Schott · 06-10-2016, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KGB_123_99

I do a lot of city driving so that is why perhaps.

In Canada brakes are not covered under maintenance so I changed them.

That makes sense. Thank you.

jgoens · 06-10-2016, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gijutsusha

I had a similar notification......turned out is was just software needing update.

I'm happy I didn't need that--then I probably would have to do my coding all over again.

CalCarNut · 06-10-2016, 12:53 PM

So sensors were right on...

My car says I have about 40K miles left on the pads...(car only has 7800)...lol.

jgoens · 06-10-2016, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCalDave

So sensors were right on...

My car says I have about 40K miles left on the pads...(car only has 7800)...lol.

I asked the SA about that and he says the sensors should always be changed when changing pads due to the high heat causing the sensors to become brittle.

CalCarNut · 06-10-2016, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jgoens

I asked the SA about that and he says the sensors should always be changed when changing pads due to the high heat causing the sensors to become brittle.

Absolutely. They're pretty much a one and done part.......

For the benz, the sensors are like $6-8.00 ..not an expensive part at all...not sure for the BMW..but probably not a lot more.

insanecoder · 06-10-2016, 02:52 PM

Curious is there any way to simply disable those sensors?
I'm old school.. I can just visually inspect the pads .. dont need no circuitry to tell me when to change brake pads

Michael Schott · 06-10-2016, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by insanecoder

Curious is there any way to simply disable those sensors?
I'm old school.. I can just visually inspect the pads .. dont need no circuitry to tell me when to change brake pads

That's too old school. I'm sure they can be unplugged but I'm also sure that will void a warranty or at the least throw a code.

06-08-2016, 10:48 AM	#1
jgoens Major General 3788 Rep 5,776 Posts Drives: 2013 335i msport Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: San Mateo, CA iTrader: (0)	Brake light--pads need to be changed at 21K Got a brake system warning yesterday saying pads need to be changed, drive moderately. Have an Appt. at the dealer tomorrow. I asked my SA about the pads needing changing at 21K and he said it could be the software needs an adjustment. Has anyone else had pads needing changing that early? I hoping they don't have to re-flash my ecu because then I will have to do my coding over again. __________________ 2013 335i Msport Black sapphire/Coral red. MHD. stage 2--e30 VRSF DP, ER CP, Dinan Shockware. VRSF 12mm/15mm spacers. Cobra dashcam. Various codings. Last car: 2011 335i Msport. JB4. Vrsf CP
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06-08-2016, 11:15 AM	#2
E30toF30 Captain 122 Rep 749 Posts Drives: 2016 528i Executive Edition Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (1) Garage List 2002 BMW M3 [0.00] 2014 BMW X5 35d [0.00] 2016 BMW 528i xDrive [0.00]	If might be a broken sensor? Those things I hear are really really sensitive and break easily. Apparantly you can't even do a simple brake pad change without accidentally breaking it, hence the need for a new sensor each time you change that particular brake pad. At least that's what I've read. My brake system warning has been on for the last 2500 miles because of a broken sensor I'm not replacing till fall.
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06-08-2016, 11:57 AM	#3
CalCarNut Brigadier General 1061 Rep 3,258 Posts Drives: 2015 F36 Jet Black Sport Line Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Blue Skies iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW X3 [0.00] 2015 BMW 428i Gran ... [10.00] 1996 Chevrolet Impa ... [8.00]	Wife's Benz requires new sensor(s) at each brake pad replacement service. On her car, there is one on the front right and one in the right rear. Not sure how our cars are (BMW). If it's warranteed, why not have BMW fix it? That light would drive me crazy being on all the time........... __________________ 2015 BMW F36 428i JetBlack. Sport Line Edition 25% 3M Tint\|
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06-08-2016, 01:08 PM	#5
graphite Private 39 Rep 98 Posts Drives: '15 528xi Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: PNW iTrader: (0)	It's common for the system to miscalculate break wear or for sensors to go bad. Unless you've got a lead foot, I doubt the brakes need replacement that soon. __________________ 2015 BMW 528i xDrive (F10) \| Glacier Silver Metallic w/ Black Dakota + Tech Package (ZTP), Premium Package (ZPP), Driver Assist Package (ZDA), Heated Front Seats, Side and Top View Cameras
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06-09-2016, 07:45 AM	#9
jwilly Private First Class 9 Rep 150 Posts Drives: They're all white now. Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Mebane, NC iTrader: (0)	Random thought... How do the brake pads look? __________________ That's a lot of white
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06-09-2016, 08:16 AM	#10
KGB_123_99 Captain 404 Rep 962 Posts Drives: '17 330ix M-Sport, '09 528ix Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Montreal, QC iTrader: (0)	I changed my rears at 17k miles and fronts at 28k miles. I don't beat up my car...
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06-09-2016, 03:03 PM	#12
jgoens Major General 3788 Rep 5,776 Posts Drives: 2013 335i msport Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: San Mateo, CA iTrader: (0)	Just got the car back--rear pads, rotors and sensor replaced. The pads were 4mm but the rotor was under spec so a change was in order. Also got an oil change 1500 mi early. __________________ 2013 335i Msport Black sapphire/Coral red. MHD. stage 2--e30 VRSF DP, ER CP, Dinan Shockware. VRSF 12mm/15mm spacers. Cobra dashcam. Various codings. Last car: 2011 335i Msport. JB4. Vrsf CP
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06-10-2016, 09:18 AM	#15
Gijutsusha Enlisted Member 12 Rep 32 Posts Drives: 2012 328i Sport Line Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	I had a similar notification......turned out is was just software needing update.
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06-10-2016, 12:53 PM	#18
CalCarNut Brigadier General 1061 Rep 3,258 Posts Drives: 2015 F36 Jet Black Sport Line Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Blue Skies iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW X3 [0.00] 2015 BMW 428i Gran ... [10.00] 1996 Chevrolet Impa ... [8.00]	So sensors were right on... My car says I have about 40K miles left on the pads...(car only has 7800)...lol. __________________ 2015 BMW F36 428i JetBlack. Sport Line Edition 25% 3M Tint\|
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06-10-2016, 02:52 PM	#21
insanecoder Banned 1412 Rep 3,211 Posts Drives: 340isDrive Join Date: May 2016 Location: East Coast USA iTrader: (0)	Curious is there any way to simply disable those sensors? I'm old school.. I can just visually inspect the pads .. dont need no circuitry to tell me when to change brake pads
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