[Ryan 330i]

so i brought my car into service for its 1 year or 15k. Even though it has 12k it was time according to the count down in the trip computer. And no, no one called me from BMW like the Nav system said it would. Surprise, surprise.

Anyways, i brought it in for that, the seat belt thing was broken, and a few other real small things. In passing i mentioned to my advisor the back brakes seemed a little squeeky but were functioning totally normal.

After a day in the shop she called me to tell me that all 4 roters were warped, and the pads all developed a blue coating which indicated the brakes had over heated. She stated this was out of BMW's warranty guidelines for replacement (excess ware and tear) and BMW wouldnt cover it till a region service manager made the call to do it. i had a fit, and of course they did it.

So long story short, why are these brakes on my 335 designed so poorly. Sure i live in San Francisco and there are a lot of hills. Sure i brake a little harder than the average joe, but its a 335 lets not forget that. Its a BMW! It should be designed to drive 130MPH daily. Thats what you pay the big bucks for.

Not that i had to pay or anything, but it was a little dissapointing that the brakes and rotors only lasted 12,000 miles! Thats kind of a joke...

Dont you think? Anyway with 4 new rotors, and all new brake pads front and back, she feels like day one again.

Thoughts??

[ntgxtreme]

That is somewhat disappointing, but not ultimately surprising. BMWs have traditionally always used really thin rotors, and cannot be resurfaced for this reason and it is standard practice to always replace rotors and brake pads on a Bimmer.

I forgot the exact reasoning behind this, I recall my mechanic explaining to me a few years ago why BMW chose to do this. If someone on this forum might offer insight, I'd be interested to know as well.

As for your dealership, well they're just assholes

[daheechang]

may i ask why your dealership is so bad?

[John 070]

I hope the brakes will last longer than that, my other car has never seen anyone but me for brakes, and it's got 150k. I first did the fronts myself at at 54k, they were only 60% worn. I did the rears at 87k. I changed the fronts again at about 130k, and same thing, they didn't need it but I replaced the pads. The rears I did at 140k again because of a sticky piston, but otherwise they didn't need it. Rotors have never been turned and no pulsation! It's a Nissan....I think manual trannys prolong pad life, don't see that BMW should be any different....

[gonzo]

No surprise to me. Mine went in for brake warning at 9,000. They said it was just a code. The warning is back and they want the car next Tuesday. They think they may change everything out. Also will be looking at why the coolant level warning goes off once a week with max fill level. So they get my car for no telling how long. If it is a week this will add up to about 3.5 months my car will have been in the shop....

[F32Fleet]

Either you didn't seat the brakes, OR you autocross, OR u'r just too hard on the brakes. Sure the cars are made to go 155 mph, but not 0-155-0 within .5 miles.

[Kiemyster]

^^^

even if, its still just a bit dissapointing. i always heard how BMW had excellent brakes, and seeing some comparisons on youtube with other cars BMW's brakes are clearly far superior than most. so i guess we can take it from the perspective that with such high performance brakes, their lifespan is shortened by far. yes, even though they should be made to last longer, heres a question, why is everyone getting pissy at your dealership? i mean, the end matter is that they covered it and all is well. i dont see the problem here, they were just trying to see if they could push u into not doing it. come on. all dealerships try to see if their customers are pushovers to see if they can save and extra buck or two. you know how much paperwork they have to endure for warranty items and shit? its rediculous.

[epiphone3]

I think the problem is with how the OP drives the car.

BMW brakes are fantastic and always have been. My car currently has 38200km (~24,000 miles) and they still have 25,000 km (~16,000 mile) of life in the front left and 30,000km (~20,000) of life left in the rear.

They operate perfectly, are quiet, and very strong.

Having warped rotors and over-heated pads comes from poor driving habits and not from poor design in this case, I'm afraid.

[mmm def]

11k on mine with 1 hard autoX and a few 140-60 hard stops and they are fine. OP must really be hard on them..I'm glad it worked out in your favor man.

[Mace]

Originally Posted by ntgxtreme

That is somewhat disappointing, but not ultimately surprising. BMWs have traditionally always used really thin rotors, and cannot be resurfaced for this reason and it is standard practice to always replace rotors and brake pads on a Bimmer.

I forgot the exact reasoning behind this, I recall my mechanic explaining to me a few years ago why BMW chose to do this. If someone on this forum might offer insight, I'd be interested to know as well.

As for your dealership, well they're just assholes

Thin brake disks = lighter weight = less unsprung weight = better suspension performance. Jaguar also knows about the unsprung weight. I don't think they do this anymore but some of their designs put the disks at the inner end of the rear axles next to the differential so the unsuspended weight was lower. Great idea....right up until the time you needed to get the rotors off to turn/replace them. You had to drop and disassemble the entire rear axle and suspension system to get to them.

[dxb335d]

the rears needed doing on mine first? aint that a bit dodgy?

why would the rears need doing before the fronts?

[Gort]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

the rears needed doing on mine first? aint that a bit dodgy?

why would the rears need doing before the fronts?

I don't have an answer, but I have heard of this happening to other people as well.

[gonzo]

My braking style is the same today as it was with my 320i, 528e and M3. Not one of those cars had a problem other than standard issue changes.

[Gort]

Originally Posted by gonzo

If it is a week this will add up to about 3.5 months my car will have been in the shop....

Don't they know better than to mess with the Motor City Madman??

[gonzo]

Originally Posted by Gort

Don't they know better than to mess with the Motor City Madman??

Guess not...

[achien]

The OP probably didn't warm-up his brakes before he "tortured" them. The warp-rotors and the build-up of the blue-coating on the brakes explains it quite well.

Originally Posted by mmm def

11k on mine with 1 hard autoX and a few 140-60 hard stops and they are fine. OP must really be hard on them..I'm glad it worked out in your favor man.

Somebody must have forgot and left the handbrake on when driving. I know grannies love doing this.

Originally Posted by dxb335d

the rears needed doing on mine first? aint that a bit dodgy?

why would the rears need doing before the fronts?

[Whispre]

13,500 miles on mine and still showing over 30,000 miles of wear left...

Driving habits are the biggest factor in break wear... things like lots of hard stops and following too close so you are on/off the brakes constantly induce greatly increased wear.

Frankly I'm impressed they actually fixed them for free after that short of time...

[Revlis]

Somebody LOVES their Brakes!!!! Bet them taillights are on all the way down every hill and while just bombing along the Interstate.

First I've ever heard of braking deficiencies in a 335 coupe, and it's bathed in Drama...

Didn't you have a Salesman about make you have a heart attack as well?

[Revlis]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

the rears needed doing on mine first? aint that a bit dodgy?

why would the rears need doing before the fronts?

Originally Posted by Gort

I don't have an answer, but I have heard of this happening to other people as well.

I'd say DTC and it's "Electronic Limited Slip Rear Differential" Remember that it uses the rear brakes and then the Throttle to mitigate wheel spin, and simulate a LSD. I imagine that if you are constantly slipping one wheel or another you could see excessive rear wear as the rear brakes are always back there slowing one wheel or the other.

The "Electronic Traction Control" can apply the rear brakes as well if need be, individually and if the driver is numb and has little mechanical sympathy they may just be constantly hammering these systems.

[Gort]

Originally Posted by Revlis

I'd say DTC and it's "Electronic Limited Slip Rear Differential" Remember that it uses the rear brakes and then the Throttle to mitigate wheel spin, and simulate a LSD. I imagine that if you are constantly slipping one wheel or another you could see excessive rear wear as the rear brakes are always back there slowing one wheel or the other.

The "Electronic Traction Control" can apply the rear brakes as well if need be, individually and if the driver is numb and has little mechanical sympathy they may just be constantly hammering these systems.

Explains why my rear brakes are like new....

[AcmeExplosives]

I don't have an answer either for your e92. But, I didn't get my brakes & rotors changed until...maybe around 45-50K for my e46.

It may be worth checking out some better rotors, brakes & calipers next time.

[RGB]

The computer of my 325i auto. driven mostly in the city with 10.000 kms tells me to check the brakes at 40.000 kms.