Greetings,

Am still covered by warranty on a 2003 S. Need to replace front and rear brake pads ... at only 20,000 miles. Isn't this unusual? Dealer said they aren't covered under the 36k/3 year warranty. A search of other forums mentions that they are covered as maintenance under this same warranty.
????? Are brakes the same as tires or... should they be covered?

Got two quotes. Dealer wants $558 just for the front pads and rotors. Another shop quoted $700 for all 4 pads and grinding all 4 rotors. Mechanic noted a slight "lip" on the edge of the routers and said they may have to be replaced. Any advice on this? You could barely detect (feel) it. Just a slight edge.

Any recommendations on repair shops or a free-lance repair person? May do the job myself.... so does anyone know where to order the pads and rotors locally or OEM? Just some simple pads and rotors.
-alohas!!!

 

I thought the warranty was 4 years with 3 years maintenance? If it is 3 years maintenance, then yes, it will not be covered as I think that warranty is expired.

You are not supposed to cut BMW rotors as that will reduce braking efficiency. Instead, you just replace them as the rotors are relatively inexpensive @ $50 each or less. However, shipping will kill you as those parts are heavy!

As a DIY, it is very easy to change pad and rotors. You just need the allen head to remove the rotor and a caliper spreader will help, but you can use c clamps.

If you don't want to do a DIY, try and call Gerard at Motorwerkes in Kakaako or Albert at A&A Motorwerkes in Kaimuki.

 

Thanks for all the info. Am still confused about my warranty and will call tomorrow. I bought the car in July 2004 and still have 5 months left on the standard warranty (which I thought was for 3 years/36K). They tried to sell me an extended warranty during my last service when they alerted me to the need for a brake job in the near future. I declined. Just wondering if 20K is acceptable milage for the factory brakes - Mini S 2003.

One last question...Is there any place to purchase the rotors here?

Onward!

 

If you bought the car in 7/04, the warranty and maintenance should be valid. Therefore, the brakes should still be covered unless BMW/MINI changed their policy.

I would push the SA to do the work as it is still under warranty. Make sure he checks your in service date. He probably thinks your car is not under warranty because of the model year, but when he checks the date your car was first sold, it should be covered.

As for rotors, they can probably be ordered from Hawaii Import Parts on Ilaniwai Street, but I think the other MINI guys would know better places.

As for 20k on a set of brakes, it all dpends on your driving. I think I went 20k on a set of brakes when I was living at Harbor Court. Going up and down in that structure many times in a day will kill your brakes.

 

I think many MINI of Hawaii customers have had their brakes done under warranty. Weird how they said it is not covered.

Are you a HMMC member? If so, you can get a discount on the pads if you are going to DIY it. We also have had brake pad DIYs for our members in the past.

I agree with the_beastmaster regarding resurfacing BMW rotors. As long as you're within the minimum thickness, I'd say just reuse the rotors "as is".

 

Cutting rotors can also lead to warping.

 

I just re-read this part! Yikes! No wonder everyone wants to us to do the brake DIYs.

 

Price for parts is probably @ $120 - $150, wholesale is even cheaper. That's some profit margin.

 

I had both front and back pads and rotors replaced at Motorwerks in June 2006. I provided the pads and rotors. For the labor of replacing/installing the parts, it was $324.

 

Wow, even this is higher than I expected. Damn, HMMC membership is "really" a great deal now! You save $300 on your first brake DIY.

 

Lazule,

Any update on this? Did you get it "taken care" of?

 

recently ordered replacement rotors and pads from helix for all wheels for my brother's '02 mcs with 50k town miles and no hills. basic set cost ~$340, including s&h at a cheaper trans-pacific rate that required a few weeks to get here.

break down is: $80 for 4 pads(mintex redbox), $210 for 4 rotors(2 front brembos and 2 rear zimmermans), $50 for mailing.

hmmc membership sure does have its benefits...

 

I would think Warranty would not cover pads as it is a standard wear & tear item...

For a Mini, is it necessary to change the rotors at pad change or only if they are getting bad?

 

Pads are a wear item.

However if the pads are wearing prematurely then it can be covered under warranty.

If the pads are worn out after 30,000 miles then that would be normal wear.

If you change pads early and the rotors are not worn then it is possible to change only pads.

If the pads are completely worn down and the rotor is scored or marked then it's best to replace both pads and rotors at the same time.

 

PAds and rotors are covered under your 3yr/36k maintenance warranty.

Strange the service dept. said not covered if you are under the 3 year mark.

Many folks have gotten them replaced under warranty.