[danmandle]

So my car is telling me that I have 90 miles left on my front pads and thus has triggered the "Service Engine Soon" light. However, from what I've been reading on the forums, that milage is just an estimate and I likely have 50% of my pads left.

Should I wait until then sensor gets triggered? If so, anything I can do about getting rid of the dash lights until then?
If I change them now, do I need to replace the sensor?
Will the car know when I've changed the pads or do I need to reset the counter? From what I've read, resetting the counter without replacing both F&R sensors can lead to headaches.

Also, I was thinking about getting EBC Redstuff or Akebono Euro pads. Any objections/suggestions?

[IN54NITY]

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1034117 Starting at about #20. Indeed there are two loops (though "one" circuit per axle), and what happens is when one loop is broken, the resistance of the circuit goes up, when you break the second the resistance of the circuit goes infinite... " that milage is just an estimate and I likely have 50% of my pads left": Not in your case any more, you need to change out the pads.

You do need to change out the sensor wire, $20 at ECS and pad opinions are as numerous as fish in the sea. I have since moved on to a BBK but when I used the OEM brakes I actually preferred the OEM pads (though they do dust a lot - but that is a proud badge of owning a BMW).

[danmandle]

Originally Posted by aleckzandr

Not in your case any more, you need to change out the pads.

The brake light isn't on, just the milage countdown and "Service Engine Soon". Still need new pads?

[IN54NITY]

So you don't have this light?

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=743996

Now I am confused with your SES light.. is it for something else?

What do your eyeballs say? Just go look at the pads themselves, it sounds like they will be at 2mm or so.

[danmandle]

Sorry for the red herring, the "Service Engine Soon" light is unrelated. Checked the codes and got 2EF4. I cleared the code and the SES light is gone. So with that in mind, what should I do about my pads?

[IN54NITY]

Looks like they are done! After all the computer says 90 miles left, just confirm with your eyeballs. I hope you don't commute down from Ned.

[danmandle]

Originally Posted by aleckzandr

I hope you don't commute down from Ned.

Haha, I don't, but I do like to cruise up and down 72, 119, and 7!

[Meeni]

The brake symbol will turn red when the pad sensor trip wire contacts, it will be then time to change them.

[danmandle]

So my car is very upset that I haven't changed the brakes yet. The red BRAKE light is on constantly on the dash now, but I took off the wheels and it looks like I still have half of my brake pads left. What should I do?

[john16443]

Your taking off the wheel and looking told you nothing. Remove the pads to get the real story. You've tripped your sensor, it's time for new pads, the sooner the better.

[danmandle]

Originally Posted by john16443

Your taking off the wheel and looking told you nothing. Remove the pads to get the real story. You've tripped your sensor, it's time for new pads, the sooner the better.

Hmmm looked like I had at least a centimeter left on them. Rear ones looked like they had less pad left and the BMW thinks it has 16k mi left on those.

[IN54NITY]

Originally Posted by danmandle

Hmmm looked like I had at least a centimeter left on them. Rear ones looked like they had less pad left and the BMW thinks it has 16k mi left on those.

10mm is a lot of pad left! I think typically pads are about 13 or 14 mm thick when new.

This sucks, probably best to take the wheels off and give a look to see what's going on with the inside pads. If they're OK then your sensors are shot, ignore the warning (or short circuit the wire) and go back to eyeball/periodic check of pads. I would replace sensors only with new pads. Waste of money otherwise IMO.

[mweisdorfer]

I don't know why your SES Light is on. Typically speaking it means a sensor in the engine somewhere. If your over 100k, could be an O2 sensor or a Vanos Solenoid.

Breaks -

Akebono Ceramic pads and Brembo UV rotors have always done me right.

You will need a new sensor and probably retention spring