Hey! My name is Jessica, I'm 21, Married and I purchased my 03 MCS last summer and have been absolutely loving it!

I get onto the forum every once in a while to figure out what's going on with my own mini, but I have always had the hardest time navigating. I like to think I'm pretty computer and internet savvy, considering I sit at a desk all day at a computer...but I never seem to be able to find what I'm looking for efficiently in the forums.

Just now I was looking for information on changing your own brakes, and what exactly the indicator lamp looks like when you need to change them. A yellow light turned on last night when I turned on the car and I cannot figure out what it's trying to tell me! I have the generic owner's manual I printed off from a website, but None of the indicator lamps and warning lights that are in there match what I see on my speedometer. It's yellow with a circle and 3 dots lining each side of the circle...I'm guessing it's the "change brakes" light...but I really have no idea.
Can someone help me? or direct me which forum to go to if it's already been discussed? I've been trying to find information for an hour now and really need to get back to work, so I'd really appreciate any help or tips you can share!

 

Here is an online version of your Owner's Manual:

http://www.motoringfile.com/files/20...perCooperS.pdf

Not sure what the description of your indicator lamp is. Good luck.

 

Yup that is the brake pad sensor light.. That will turn on when the pad wear sensor is "tripped" on the front-driver or passenger-rear inside brake pad or one of the conectors is disconnected.. If it is tripped by normal pad wear, there will still be "some" pad thickness left for a bit more driving, but now is the time to start making plans for the replacement.

Your next challenge is to figure out which set needs the attention - front or rear? After that there are several options for replacement brake pads/rotor/fluid as you might need them..

I did a search for brake pads and found a good HOWTO write up by OctaneGuy to give you an overview of the process.

I was not able to find a "simple thread" to review many pad options.. But I also realized that I am not that clear on your braking needs.. That helps narrow down the options..

Hope that helps,
BBCooper

 

Do em both. Get good brakes, that way you never have to worry about them.

 

Thank you all very much for your responses. They've been very helpful!! I'm going to try to change them this weekend following the How To by OctaneGuy...but I still have to order the pads. I took a look and it's just the front that needs to be replaced and the rotors all look fine. I live in San Diego, so I do a lot of highway And city driving...up and down some pretty steep hills sometimes too...
I know I don't need anything really high-end, but am looking for something practical. Does anyone have suggestions for brands and where to get them?

Also, I'd like to have something that has really low brake dust because my wheels are white and annoying to have to constantly clean (although after using this wax spray stuff, it's really cut down on how much sticks). Helping the environment doesn't hurt either...

 

I don't know if you have any locations near you, but Napa Auto Parts sells good brakes. When I do a brake job, I always pull the rotors off too and get them turned. This takes the glaze from the old pads off and allows you to properly bed in the new pads, which in turn increases life of the rotors, pads, and allows for better stopping ability. Napa also resurfaces the rotors. If you are looking for a pad that generates less dust, look around this site. I remember someone mentioning something.

 

If you want low brake dust you could try either Hawk Ceramics or Carbotech Bobcats. The Hawk's are cheaper but many would argue that the Carbotech's are "better" overall.

You might want to think about swapping out the rotors as well. BMW say that you are supposed to swap them out each time you do the pads, and I am inclined to agree given how beat up mine are after only 25k. It isnt all that hard to do and doesnt add much time to the project. The only issue you will likely run into is removing the Torx bolt that retains the rotor when the lugs are taken off, that thing can get pretty stuck. It doesnt add much cost either, rotors can be had for around $40 a corner at Autozone or NAPA.

 

Hawk I can personally vouch for. I installed the HPS pads on my F-250 Crew Cab because I had to bury my foot to stop the thing, along with Powerslot Rotors. The pads are doing great! Bit of dust though, but I fully anticipated that for as much as I stop whilst plowing.