[opant]

I'll throw this out to the group, since I'm seemingly stumped. I've got an '07 328xi that I'm about to do brakes on. Turner's got a bundle deal, 4 rotors, front and rear pads, sensors, and shipping for about $450ish (which is about $150ish cheaper than BAS).

I've been shopping around locally to find someone to put them in for me. (All of my trustworthy mechanics are up in MA, and I moved down to VA a few months ago.) I found one place that seems to have a lot of bmw's and benz's in the lot, and he wanted $300 for the labor ($150 front, $150 rear.) I called a local Pep Boys, and they gave me almost the same figure. When I asked why it's so much more than on any other car, all he could way was "it's just the way it's designed." Does that seem right? Money aside for a moment, is a brake job on an E92 really a 4 hour job??

[pwrdbym]

No, the brakes on that car are no different to change than any other car. You are getting quoted a "BMW tax" if they say it is different. Grab a Bentley manual and do the job yourself, it honestly isn't that hard. Many cities have garages that will rent a stall and tools if you don't have access.

[sjk9671]

I usually change then in the parking lot of my appt complex. If your somewhat mechanical you won’t even need a manual.

Once you get the wheel off and look it’s pretty self explanatory.

[B-737]

I absolutely agree with PWRD,
Brake jobs are how auto shops make their bread and butter. they are brakes, people are scared. they are told all sorts of scary stores about ruining their cars, crashing and dieing.

If you can follow directions, have tools, a little anti-cease, and a garage, just take the time out of a day off and knock them out yourself. Brakes are made to be changed, you will be surprised how easy the job is to do, how fast it will go. and when its all done, everything back together and you see your results you'll be proud and you'll never flush another $500 in labor down the toilet again for something you can do yourself.

[tanginaglaz]

DIY ftw!

[mid-corner fun]

If you're not comfortable doing this on your own, post on your local subforum, I'm sure someone will help you for a beer or 2. Open the beers *after* you're done with the brake job!

[witeagle]

like others have said - brakes are easy. The brakes on my E46 were the same as any modern day caliper based break system. I haven't don't my E92 yet but I am sure they are the same.

The only time you have additional labor involved in a brake job is when the rotor itself is also the bearing hub and you need to remove/repack/reinstall the wheel bearings. This is not the case on a 3 series BMW!!

Simple DIY brake job - just make sure you raise and secure the car properly using jack stands and chucks on the wheels that are still on the ground.

[MusclezMarinara]

GOOD DIY

[John 070]

Originally Posted by B-737

I absolutely agree with PWRD,
Brake jobs are how auto shops make their bread and butter. they are brakes, people are scared. they are told all sorts of scary stores about ruining their cars, crashing and dieing.

If you can follow directions, have tools, a little anti-cease, and a garage, just take the time out of a day off and knock them out yourself. Brakes are made to be changed, you will be surprised how easy the job is to do, how fast it will go. and when its all done, everything back together and you see your results you'll be proud and you'll never flush another $500 in labor down the toilet again for something you can do yourself.

The same types of "scare" tactics are used by plumbers, electricians, and accountants. We're like a whole generation of scared consumers paying someone else to do what we should be diy. Look at all those Jackson Hewitt and HR Block commercials come the new year, nobody should be using them. There's something that's called turbo tax, and if you can't afford the $29 for it, there's also free services online. crazy

[sjk9671]

Originally Posted by witeagle

like others have said - brakes are easy. The brakes on my E46 were the same as any modern day caliper based break system. I haven't don't my E92 yet but I am sure they are the same.

The only time you have additional labor involved in a brake job is when the rotor itself is also the bearing hub and you need to remove/repack/reinstall the wheel bearings. This is not the case on a 3 series BMW!!

Simple DIY brake job - just make sure you raise and secure the car properly using jack stands and chucks on the wheels that are still on the ground.

The other bummer is when everything is rusted together, but that shouldn't be an issue with most newer cars.

[J02 335i]

Lets not forget shops also rely on making money on the sale of parts. Since you are providing parts it takes away profit, there for resultings in higher labour times/cost to make up the difference, simply business.

[witeagle]

Originally Posted by sjk9671

The other bummer is when everything is rusted together, but that shouldn't be an issue with most newer cars.

Definitly agree with you on that - sometime the rust just sets in to causing some extra time to break the bolts free.

Some penetration sprays help out here and so does a bit of extra leverage such as interlocking a wrench 1 size up on the wrench who's got the bite on the bolt, or some long black pipes over a breaker bar

[Wires]

Originally Posted by John 070

The same types of "scare" tactics are used by plumbers, electricians, and accountants. We're like a whole generation of scared consumers paying someone else to do what we should be diy. Look at all those Jackson Hewitt and HR Block commercials come the new year, nobody should be using them. There's something that's called turbo tax, and if you can't afford the $29 for it, there's also free services online. crazy

You mean like if I don't renew Onstar in my GM truck, my family will most likely die in a wreck in the a$$ crack of nowhere?

It's really crappy that people actually prey stuff like that.