Well, 55,000 miles, figure I should get my 1st brake job. I just called the local Goodyear, they said they have to replace the rotors and sensor (can't machine because BMW rotors are too soft). Is this correct? Any suggestions for me regarding a brake job? Thanks!

 

oh, by the way, Goodyear just quoted me $1050 for front & back OEM parts & labor.

 

For a thousand bucks, I suggest taking it to your dealer and not a generalist. Too bad you didn't use the brakes enough to get it done 5K miles ago under warranty

 

$1000 from an independent sounds very high. From what I have read I think some dealers are that or less...

 

They are right you can't turn them. You should be able to find someone to do it for around $750.

 

That seems alittle high. I just order front rotors and pads from Classic for about $180. (front only) I replaced my rear pads myself some time ago and it only cost about $40. Next time around I will replace the rotors on the rear, but they seemed fine for the first go around.

Nik

 

Do you 'figure' you should do the brakes, or has the brake lining sensor lit up in the cabin? If the former, then you don't have to replace the sensor. BMW recommends replacing the rotors.
You can get Brembo rotors and greenstuff pads from MossMini for $350. If you've got techie friends, $400 will buy a lot of pizza and beer...

 

Goodyear is always my last choice because they are usually waaaay higher than most anyplace else.

 

Yeah, i agree.

 

DON'T LET THEM TOUCH YOUR CAR.

Find someone knowledgable about Minis... or get the parts and have a mechanic friend attack them. Loved the post above: How true! Brake jobs are a ripoff of maximal proportions at most generalist shops. Talk to some folks in your local Mini club and ask around...

 

Glad you asked that...the sensor hasn't lit up yet, but I noticed that the front rotors are grooved and that I'm @ 55k, I figured it was time. Would I be wrong? Should i wait for the sensor? How many miles can you usually go before a change?
Also, I called the nearest MINI dealer and they were $200 cheaper than Goodyear. Didn't expect that.

 

Brake mileage varies drastically - some get 20K miles, others 60K+
You may be able have them inspected and measured for free (or not.)

Where you go depends on your preference. Definitely go dealer before Goodyear. The $800 sounds close to what my local dealership charges. A local independent BMW shop (or any competent shop, really) should be able to do it for less.

If you have them done before the sensor goes, you save the cost of replacing the sensor - so better to have it done before rather than after if you know they're close. Rotors will groove over time - it's really pad thickness that determines replacement, unless the rotors are warped or under mininum thickness (the latter is rare.)

 

I will offer a discount of $399 of pizza and beer.

I'll bet a friendly DIY club member would do it for even less.

That is to much $

Come up to NORCAL and I'll do it

or 1/2 way is Custom MINI (fresno)... GREAT guys who will help.

 

we just did new front and rear mintex redbox pads, new oem style rotors on all 4 corners, no sensors needed, for about 430.00 including labor and tax last saturday on an 04S. the only downside with the mintex pads is no slot for the sensor in the rear pads.

 

Thanks to all! I lucked out and was mentioning the cost of this to a buddy @ work who (I didn't know) has a friend that is an owner of an auto shop. So I can get the front & back for $500. The bonus here is that it is only 10 mins from work. I'm in Rancho Cucamonga, so CENTRALCOASTCOOPER is not a long, long way, but not close either. But thanks for all the info.

 

good news

So there are 15 posts and 5 are yours do the 10 posters get a kick back ???