The mini dealer told me the sensor said I needed to replace my rear ROTOR and pads
It seems strange to me to have to change the rear ROTOR after only 50000 miles

Pads for sure but ROTOR is this normal?

 

The sensor only trips when the brake pads become too thin. That sensor usually goes off once the pads are really low. Its possible that the rotors have been scored by the pads. If thats the case replace it all at the same time. Its much eaiser. If the rotors have become too thin they will have a tendancy to warp. You will know this has happend because the brake pedal and steering wheel will vibrate when you hit the brakes. And if you only get an extra 1,000 miles out of the rotors before this happens you will just end up paying for all the labor again to get at the rotors.

Also, i am 100% certian you could get a brake job done anywhere thats not the dealer for tons less money.

 

My SA told me BMW designed the braking system so that both the pads and rotors wear together so they'll need to be replaced at the same time. He also commented that because I was approaching the 40k mark that it would "be soon" - Approx $800

 

yeah that what i was quoted as well.. Seem a bit much considering the parts are less that $300 and it is like a 3hr job for a novice.

 

Yea, the rotors are designed to be as light-weight as possible, so no extra metal for turning them down. So, they usually need to be replaced with the pads. Go for after-market pads. I like the Carbotech 1521 Bobcats I have--almost no brake dust, better modulation, last longer, and are easier on rotors. Braking is at least as good as OEM pads.

 

Some folks do get away with just getting new pads on the rears...but they are so cheap...if you reuse the rotor, and it warps...you will need new pads and new rotors...a second brake job... So unless the rear rotors are really good looking, the safest thing to do is just replacing them.
One thing...rear rotors don't heat up too much, and if you live in an area that uses lots of salt on the roads, corrosion of the rear rotors can be an issue. A few folks here, have had the rear OEM rotors replaced due to corossion problems at more or less the same time the rear pads were due...so yet another reason the rears can need changing.

 

cool Thanks so much all..
I actually called a local shop(recommended)..
They quoted me like 160 for pads installed and 60 for the each rotor.. seems very reasonable to me...

 

Having to replace at brakes at 50,000 miles is not unusual. My 2003 rears wore out at 42,000 miles and my fronts still had some life left. My 2006 fronts wore out at 41,000 miles and the rears still had some life left.