Changing Brakes on E90?

kociol80 · 05-17-2010, 10:29 PM

Hi, I have a 2006 E90 330XI. My service is showing that my brakes are due. I was thinking of changing them myself. I was planning to change both rotors and pads on front and rear axle with performance looking rotors.

Link is:

http://www.cquence.net/advanced_sear...ter=1&x=20&y=7

or those from eBay???

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-3...Q5fAccessories

What do you guys think? And what do I need to change them? Are there any sensors on BMW, or the setup is almost the same as on other cars? If you guys have link to DIY guide, that would be appreciated. Thanks!

335i_4D · 05-17-2010, 11:31 PM

Also Brake Performance offers rotors for your car.

Do a

on the DIY section for brake replacement or click here.

Get yourself rotors, pads and sensors (there's 1 in the left front, and the other in the right rear.

Don't forget that with your tires and direction, brakes are one of the most important part of your car.
If you have doubts, let a trained mechanic do the job.

BKV122 · 05-18-2010, 11:02 AM

I just changed my front pads anbd rotors on my 330xi back in march was a very easy jobe to do your self. There is a DIY written up in the DIY section, I also wrote a little review of my brake job in that DIY thread somewhere on the last page with some hints and tips.

I just got BMW parts (pads, rotors, and sensor). Just one thing make sure u use penetrating spray on the caliper bolts. Spray it on the bolts let it sit for a few mins and the bolts should come off easliy. If not you'll probly have a very hard and stress ful time removing the bolts.

kociol80 · 05-18-2010, 06:35 PM

Thanks guys. One more thing, are rotors and pads same on 330i and 330xi because some websites show different prices for both of them. Do I need to replace sensor everytime I change brakes? Where do I get that sensor from?

BKV122 · 05-18-2010, 07:19 PM

idk about the rotors, but the sensor you can get from www.getbmwparts.com or if your sensor wasn't tripped yet you can probably reuse it just be careful you don't damage it when you remove it from the pad

EAS · 05-19-2010, 02:01 PM

We carry Cool Carbon Brake Pads:

http://www.europeanautosource.com/pr...oducts_id=2803

Great street pads that can be used on the track as well!

TSM330i · 05-23-2010, 03:11 PM

I changed the front brakes on my wife's car a few months ago. It took me about 2 hours to do the left front - taking my time and making sure I did everything correctly. The right front too literally 30 minutes.
The hardest part is installing the new brake pads. The clips are difficult to install into the caliper piston. Other than that, it's not too hard and you'll save about $600 over the stealership for front and rears.

bmw6953 · 05-23-2010, 05:15 PM

Always change your sensors guys and gals!!! the car will know that you did not and it wont reset the CBS.

TSM330i · 05-24-2010, 12:18 PM

I almost forgot, the DIY for 335 brakes is not applicable. We don't have the same brakes as they do.

BKV122 · 05-24-2010, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AW325xi

I almost forgot, the DIY for 335 brakes is not applicable. We don't have the same brakes as they do.

That's the only difference are that the brakes are different (bigger/different part #) other than that the DIY is the same steps for any e90 brake job, or you can use it to do pretty much any other car's brakes.

kociol80 · 05-25-2010, 12:17 PM

Thanks guys. Did any of you used aftermarket rotors and pads that states they are OEM replaceable. Are they the same size as OEM. If you did can you give me a feedback on them and the brand name?

Mark14617 · 05-27-2010, 07:45 AM

I only changed the rear brake pads on my 325i, but I will be changing the front pads and all the rotors sometime this summer. I used Akebono Euros and have been happy with them so far. The braking performance feels the same as OEM. They are suppose to create a lot less brake dust, but I 'm not sure about that point since I wash my car once a week and they look pretty clean to me.

I had difficult getting the pads to fit in the calipers because of surface corrison and a tight fit. Also, pushing the piston back was a PITA because I wasn't using the right size C clamp. Next time I'm using a 4 inch C clamp. Definitely use penetrating oil on the caliper bolts; I didn't have a problem getting them off.

Overall, I definitely recommend doing this yourself. You will be saving hundreds of green backs and getting a lot of satisfaction from the experience.

05-17-2010, 10:29 PM	#1
kociol80 Private 15 Rep 55 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 330XI Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Lemont, IL iTrader: (0)	Changing Brakes on E90? Hi, I have a 2006 E90 330XI. My service is showing that my brakes are due. I was thinking of changing them myself. I was planning to change both rotors and pads on front and rear axle with performance looking rotors. Link is: http://www.cquence.net/advanced_sear...ter=1&x=20&y=7 or those from eBay??? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-3...Q5fAccessories What do you guys think? And what do I need to change them? Are there any sensors on BMW, or the setup is almost the same as on other cars? If you guys have link to DIY guide, that would be appreciated. Thanks!
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05-17-2010, 11:31 PM	#2
335i_4D Now in the dark side ! 69 Rep 1,134 Posts Drives: 2011 911S 997.2 Cab Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: The Great North iTrader: (3)	Also Brake Performance offers rotors for your car. Do a on the DIY section for brake replacement or click here. Get yourself rotors, pads and sensors (there's 1 in the left front, and the other in the right rear. Don't forget that with your tires and direction, brakes are one of the most important part of your car. If you have doubts, let a trained mechanic do the job. __________________ Present: 2011 Porsche Carrera S Cab, white (Now on the dark side!) BMW X3 M40i (wifey) Past:2012 335i Sport Black, 20" 356 wheels, M Sport Aero, MPE (Sold -kinda missed) 2010 X5 35d Black fully loaded (Sold) 2007 335i sedan Antracite (Sold and missed !) Last edited by 335i_4D; 05-17-2010 at 11:40 PM..
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05-18-2010, 11:02 AM	#3
BKV122 Major 47 Rep 1,160 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: NY iTrader: (1) Garage List 2006 330xi [9.50]	I just changed my front pads anbd rotors on my 330xi back in march was a very easy jobe to do your self. There is a DIY written up in the DIY section, I also wrote a little review of my brake job in that DIY thread somewhere on the last page with some hints and tips. I just got BMW parts (pads, rotors, and sensor). Just one thing make sure u use penetrating spray on the caliper bolts. Spray it on the bolts let it sit for a few mins and the bolts should come off easliy. If not you'll probly have a very hard and stress ful time removing the bolts. __________________ Monaco Blue 330xi - Terra Interior/6-MT/Sport/Premium/Cold/CSL's/M3 Spoiler Lip/Black Kidney's
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05-18-2010, 06:35 PM	#4
kociol80 Private 15 Rep 55 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 330XI Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Lemont, IL iTrader: (0)	Thanks guys. One more thing, are rotors and pads same on 330i and 330xi because some websites show different prices for both of them. Do I need to replace sensor everytime I change brakes? Where do I get that sensor from?
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05-18-2010, 07:19 PM	#5
BKV122 Major 47 Rep 1,160 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: NY iTrader: (1) Garage List 2006 330xi [9.50]	idk about the rotors, but the sensor you can get from www.getbmwparts.com or if your sensor wasn't tripped yet you can probably reuse it just be careful you don't damage it when you remove it from the pad __________________ Monaco Blue 330xi - Terra Interior/6-MT/Sport/Premium/Cold/CSL's/M3 Spoiler Lip/Black Kidney's
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05-19-2010, 02:01 PM	#6
EAS 585 Rep 5,686 Posts Drives: VF620 M3 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Anaheim, CA iTrader: (10)	We carry Cool Carbon Brake Pads: http://www.europeanautosource.com/pr...oducts_id=2803 Great street pads that can be used on the track as well!
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05-23-2010, 03:11 PM	#7
TSM330i 2006 330i, TSM, Black, manual, sport 902 Rep 3,698 Posts Drives: '17 C2, GTI, Z4 3.0si Racecar Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Chester Springs, PA iTrader: (2)	I changed the front brakes on my wife's car a few months ago. It took me about 2 hours to do the left front - taking my time and making sure I did everything correctly. The right front too literally 30 minutes. The hardest part is installing the new brake pads. The clips are difficult to install into the caliper piston. Other than that, it's not too hard and you'll save about $600 over the stealership for front and rears. __________________ 2017 Porsche C2 - manual of course 2015 GTI S 2008 BMW Z4 3.0si Coupe - because racecar
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05-23-2010, 05:15 PM	#8
bmw6953 Second Lieutenant 25 Rep 257 Posts Drives: 2006 325i Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: california iTrader: (0)	Always change your sensors guys and gals!!! the car will know that you did not and it wont reset the CBS.
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05-24-2010, 12:18 PM	#9
TSM330i 2006 330i, TSM, Black, manual, sport 902 Rep 3,698 Posts Drives: '17 C2, GTI, Z4 3.0si Racecar Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Chester Springs, PA iTrader: (2)	I almost forgot, the DIY for 335 brakes is not applicable. We don't have the same brakes as they do. __________________ 2017 Porsche C2 - manual of course 2015 GTI S 2008 BMW Z4 3.0si Coupe - because racecar
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05-25-2010, 12:17 PM	#11
kociol80 Private 15 Rep 55 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 330XI Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Lemont, IL iTrader: (0)	Thanks guys. Did any of you used aftermarket rotors and pads that states they are OEM replaceable. Are they the same size as OEM. If you did can you give me a feedback on them and the brand name?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-27-2010, 07:45 AM	#12
Mark14617 New Member 4 Rep 24 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 325i Join Date: May 2008 Location: Upstate NY iTrader: (0)	I only changed the rear brake pads on my 325i, but I will be changing the front pads and all the rotors sometime this summer. I used Akebono Euros and have been happy with them so far. The braking performance feels the same as OEM. They are suppose to create a lot less brake dust, but I 'm not sure about that point since I wash my car once a week and they look pretty clean to me. I had difficult getting the pads to fit in the calipers because of surface corrison and a tight fit. Also, pushing the piston back was a PITA because I wasn't using the right size C clamp. Next time I'm using a 4 inch C clamp. Definitely use penetrating oil on the caliper bolts; I didn't have a problem getting them off. Overall, I definitely recommend doing this yourself. You will be saving hundreds of green backs and getting a lot of satisfaction from the experience.
	Appreciate 0 Quote