Brake Warning Light on Dashboard

almo81

Hi,

The brake warning light has come up on my bmw 3 series 2001 model, took it to my local BMW dealership and the nice man there had a quick look, he said it looks as though it will need front and rear brake pads and discs! He couldn't give me a price as they were too busy and said to book the car in, I don't want to book the car in and then not be able to afford the work. If anyone could give me an idea what it would cost, it would be greatly appreciated.

anewman

Will no doubt cost lots at a BMW dealer. Pads and discs front and back, hmmm - I'll make a guess at £400. Surprised a dealer who works with the cars day in day out couldn't say "it will be about £x" from experience though.

If you're worried about the price, the first place to go is not the BMW dealers :beer:

thescouselander

To give you an indication, Kwikfit quoted over £400 to change the rear disks and pads and hand brake shoes on my 330ci - I assume the front will be about the same again. In the end I just bought the parts and did it myself for around £130.

Its actually a pretty easy job but since it is the brakes you need to be sure you're competent enough to do it right. If you can, I'd recommend doing it yourself.

daveonline

Agree with anewman, your'll get stung at a BMW dealership. Best find a reputable, recommended local garage the price should be a fraction of the BMW dealer. Also ask them for a second opinion on the disks.

jeannieblue

anewman wrote: »

Will no doubt cost lots at a BMW dealer. Pads and discs front and back, hmmm - I'll make a guess at £400. Surprised a dealer who works with the cars day in day out couldn't say "it will be about £x" from experience though.

If you're worried about the price, the first place to go is not the BMW dealers :beer:

I had to quote one today - as it happens..

Using genuine parts, for just front disc & pads and rear pads ony, hour and a half labour, worked out at £290 plus the dreaded VAT - but that was based on our hourly rate. If used good quality pattern parts, then lose a hundred off of that.

anewman

jeannieblue wrote: »

I had to quote one today - as it happens..

Using genuine parts, for just front disc & pads and rear pads ony, hour and a half labour, worked out at £290 plus the dreaded VAT - but that was based on our hourly rate. If used good quality pattern parts, then lose a hundred off of that.

Ouch :eek: Much closer to £800 then :eek:

almo81

Thanks for your replies, today I went to Kwikfit as well as BMW. I checked out Kwikfit on a review site and they seem to get alot of bad reviews! The reason I went to BMW is to confirm what actually needs doing as the review site said kwikfit and nationwide autocentres get commision for each product they sell and BMW have been brilliant in the past with problems to my previous car. Been on some BMW forums and they say the car is good for another 400 - 500 miles so might do it myself when visiting parents soon so my brother can give me some guidance. Thanks again.
:beer:

big_gay_kirk

Now, I can't speak for BMWs.. but surely most brake warning lights tend to refer to the fluid, rather than the pads etc.. so you may just need to top up the reservoir....

cajef

I think you will find that BMWs have wear sensors in the pads, which warn of minimum pad thickness, though an inspection would need to be carried out to see whether the pads and the discs themselves need changing.

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

You can check yourself. Jack the vehicle up on each corner, remove the wheel, and look at the thickness of the pads and the wear on the disc. If the pads have only a couple of mm, they need changing. If the discs have a massive lip around the edge, they need changing.

I'd be surprised if all four need doing - it will likely be only the front or rear two wheels that are thin.

almo81

Had a free brake test at two different garages, both said the same thing really, front and rear pads and discs required with 4 sensors. Strange thing is on one quote it said they couldn't assess the rear discs but as they looked a bit rusty and there is a lip they included them in the price as well. First was £550, 2nd was £490.
Also whilst waiting at the 1st garage (nationwide auto) 3 different people came in to complain about work that had been carried out by them. Not a good adverstisment, no wonder they don't like people waiting for their cars.