i had a light come on yesterday while i was driving to work. i have the outmotoring face gauges, so i don't believe this is correct (i tried looking in the manual but i don't see this light anywhere.) it looks like .

i'm assuming it's the brake light described in the manual... but my brakes feel fine? also, it said it's for canadian models only? what does this mean?

 

It's the light telling you that your brake pads are getting worn down to the minimum. Mine is lit aswell and I need to buy new soon!

 

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This is the brake pad wear sensor warning light (Sounds like NASA, right?). This shows that a sensor, which is mounted on the right front and left rear pads, has made sufficient contact with the rotor to wear it down, breaking the wiring circuit and enabling this warning light. You shouldn't feel any difference in braking performance, however, you should brace yourself if you plan on having the dealer replace the pads. It's a BMW, after all. There is some time (determined by your driving habits) before you'll start to feel the rotors rub but you will have to replace your pads, and the sensor(s), shortly. You'll need to replace the sensor(s) only if you want to get rid of the annoying warning light.

For my first pad replacement, I also replaced both sensors as I didn't realize that only one would be necessary to re-establish the circuit. I did the job as I was using aftermarket pads. The next time, I replaced only the "broken" sensor and zip tied both sensors up into the body as the new aftermarket pads did not support the sensors, and I wanted to get rid of that dern light.

Hope this helps and good luck.

Cheers!!

 

i replaced mine before the sensor said to, because it seemed to need it to me, and i went with semi ceramic to cut down on brake dust. could not find full ceramic pads.

 

thanks for the responses everyone. so i have to replace both the pads and the sensor? this isn't a diy job?

 

It is a DIY job. There is a write up here somewhere. Just need to splice in a new sensor (cheap part) and if you are savy enough to change pads you can handle the splicing. Monkey easy.

 

This is definitely a DIY job, especially if you're going to aftermarket pads. As I live in the Netherlands and my car is under warranty, the BMW guys will not install anything but OEM parts. Therefore, I have to do this job in order to cut down on the dust. For me, there was only one hard (technically) step, the installation of the rear pads. There are three clips on the pads that have to make contact with the rear piston. Trying to get all of those aligned and connected is a trifle hard. This, however, pales in comparison to the hand origami required to reinstall the rear wear sensor up into the body panels. That was a bear to do. Difficult but doable.

Again, a DIY job if you have some reference and confidence. Good luck!

Cheers!!