My brake pad light just came on at 40K miles. I have the extended warranty, but the dealer is 120 miles away? How far can I drive the car before having the pads replaced. Does Mini also replace the rotors at the same time? If so, I guess I'm not all that worried about putting another 500 miles on the car before I get the brakes done.

 

Before my last set I ran over 1500 miles and still hadn't worn to the back plate.If you plan on swapping the rotors with the pads I'd be less concerned about rushing to change.

 

The rotors should be replaced at every brake pad change. You will need to have the brake sensor changed as well. You are probably down to 1/8 inch, don't put it off too long.

 

Did you get the extended warranty or the extended maintenance agreement?

The brake pads/rotors are covered under the maintenance agreement, not the warranty, so unless you bought an extended maintenance agreement, you might be better off taking the car to a local repair shop instead of driving the 120 miles to the dealer, since you're going to be paying for it anyway.

 

As stated brakes/rotors are covered under maintenance, not warranty. With that said it's not a difficult DIY.

 

I bought the extended maintenance, so it appears they'll replace rotors, sensors and pads from what everyone is saying. I was worried about messing up the rotors if they weren't part of the brake service, because I don't know how much pad I have left when the warning light comes on. I'll probably put about 300 more miles on it before I get it up to the dealer, so it looks like I should not have to worry. Thanks to all for your input.

 

I'm driving a loaner ('07 MC) while Carmen Dragon is in the shop. While in the loaner, the brake pad light cameon so I called the dealer and their Maint Supervisor said they should be good for at least 200 miles - he was shocked though, since my loaner only has 20K on it...

 

you can go as far as you want...


you just can't stop !~~~!!!

LOL . sorry .. i could not resist

 

That's a damn good point you have.

I did call the Mini dealer this morning, and the "official" word is that the sensor turns on when there is about 3mm left on the pad. He said I'd be ok for 1,000 or so miles under "normal" driving conditions.

 

Shocked ...ha ...it is a loaner ...you know how it's been driven.

note to self "dont buy a retired loaner"

 

It used to be,
"drive it like you stole it"
then it was,
"drive it like you rented it"
now it's
"drive it like a service loaner"

 

I went a several hundred miles and still had plenty of pad left. And yes, accepting the damn torx bolt that holds the disk on the hub, it's a SUPER easy DIY. I certainly wouldn't pay someone to do it, or even go out of my way for a free brake job - it's just too easy.