BRAKE Pad replacement...help & advice...

[abcxyz]

Hello there!

My "REPLACE BRAKE PADS" light came on in the instrument panel. I haven't replaced the pads ever because I bought my '98 328is last year used, so I've had it for about 1.5 years now. In the manual it says, "Replace pads IMMEDIATELY" -- how long do I REALLY have before I should change them?

Should I go to a dealer to change them, or just mom & pop shop that specializes in BMW and Benz? How much am I looking to pay at the dealer or at the mom & pop shop?

Should I just get the OEM replacements?

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

[Wayne 962]

Pad replacement is so easy:

http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/techarticles/E36-Brake_Pads/E36-Brake_Pads.htm

Here they are in our catalog:

http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/catalog/shopcart/BE36/POR_BE36_brakes_pg5.htm

Very easy...

-Wayne

[himes]

The pad wear sensor is a small plastic part wedged into a slot in the center of the brake pads. When the pads wear down to a minimum thickness, a wire inside the sensor is worn to an open circuit, triggering the warning indication. DO replace the pads right away. I just did my rear pads and rotors and it's easy. Doing just the pads will cost you less than $100 and takes an hour or so.

[Ad Hoc]

This topic raises a question: a mechanic friend tells me that no replacement pad will lower the amount of brake dust that ends up on my wheels. I've heard Axxis Ultimates do - and I don't want to put a dust shield on the wheels. Any first hand experience?

[himes]

I've heard that too. For the same braking action achieved, 'low dust' likely means faster rotor wear and/or more pad noise. I just put Mintex rear pads (advertised as lower dust) and OEM [ATEs] rear rotors on mine. Being on the rears, I can't really tell if I've lost any braking effectiveness by going to the Mintex pads and they seem quiet so far. I can't hear them. I think perhaps I am seeing a bit less dust from them. It'll be a while before I can tell if the rotors are wearing faster. When I do the fronts, barring bad experience with the rears, I'll put Mintex on them too. btw...the old [OE] pads on the rears were....Pagids....

[spinner]

Brake pad replacement on the beemer is straight forward although I wish it was as simple as the 911s. Make sure the rotors are still within spec (i.e. thickness). I changed mine at around 60K. If you see/feel a distinct lip at the outer edge, it's time. I went with ATE slotted rotors and Mintex pads. Dust is neither more or less than OEM. Just wash them periodically and there's no problem.

Paul

[ettsn]

First, if the car is telling you to replace your brake pads immediately, you should do so. Do you really want to try to save a buck on something as critically important to your safety as brakes?

Second, almost all pads dust about the same amount. The ones that appear to dust less, are actually dusting roughly the same, but their dust is grey instead of black. OE brake pads in German cars must have a TUV (German DOT) mandated amount of graphite in them for heat rejection. This is what makes all that dust black. Aftermarket pads sometimes use asbestos or other flame-retardant materials instead that dust lighter colors, but suffice it to say that if a pad isn't dusting, it isn't working.

My opinion? Use OE pads and wash your wheels more often. If you wax your wheels, the dust comes off with a quick wipe from a soft cloth.

-Paul