need advice on price of brake job

[ger1880]

What's up guys! This is my first post here so I'd like to introduce myself. My name is Florian and I am a student at the University of Florida College of Pharmacy. I just recently(7 months) bought a 325Ci. I also just got an oil change (not from the dealer which was asking about $160) and they told me that my brakes are only about 10% left. I called the dealer and they told me it would cost around $220 to change just the front brake pads. To me that sounds like too much but I wanted to get the advice of some of you who've had BMWs for longer. Do you guys think it's too much?
thanks in advance

[jeffreyb4me]

dealer prices are higher than indepenents and it's likely you'll need rotors also [ more $ $ $ ]. recommend you find a local, REPUTABLE independent BMW experienced shop, ASK around. I'd avoid 'Brake / Muffler' or ANY mass merchanizer AT ALL COSTS. the dealer maybe expensive, but at least you know you got what you paid for. Look for a recognized Independent first.

[drwambo]

I don't know how mechanically inclined you are, but this is an EASY job. You need very few tools too. Parts are pretty cheap as well. I got pads (standard - not hi performance) for about $50 all the way around. If you need new rotors, you can purchase them for less than $50 each as well. If they're not warped or grooved, you can get by with cleaning the crud off of them with some emory cloth and slapping the new pads in. Haynes has a good section on brakes and should help a bunch.

Otherwise, I agree with the previous post - find a good shop and have them do it for you.

Douglas

[ger1880]

Actually, I'm not mechanically inclined at all but money is hard to come by when you're still a student. I was bought this car as a present when I graduated from undergrad school and have found out that it's pretty expensive to get things fixed on this car.

[jeffreyb4me]

drwambo's do it yourself tip is excellent. two notes though; the 16mm hex headed bolts that hold the caliper supports to the strut can be VERY tight! be sure to use the correct socket/wrench and DON'T round the head off. be SURE to clean and lube the caliper slide pin/bolts you remove to get the calipers off. they can bind and keep the caliper from releasing fully. TO "ger1880", you'll probably find some 'gearhead' at your school who might be able to help you do the pads. as long as the steering wheel isn't shaking now when you hit the brakes, your rotors should survive 'til the next pads replacement AND be careful with the 'pad wear' sensor on the L/F. once you've spread the caliper open enough to slide it over the 'wear lip' gently pull it from that inboard pad without breaking the wires.

[jeffreyb4me]

say there 'ger1880'. it's so ironic to be given such a great car as an undergrad. gift then being expected to afford the maintanence on a student's budget ! my daughter's boyfreind is a Pharmacy undergrad at the U.W. but his folks gave him an Accura......still expensive to maintain but so for, they're footing the bill.....best of fortune !.......jb.

[ger1880]

Thanks for the advice guys. I just find it weird that it costs about $50 for a pair of brake pads and these shops want to charge about $150 just for the job. I'm sure it doesn't take more than 30 minutes to do this work but they keep saying that they have to take out the rotor just to change the brake pads. Is this true?

[EdgePerformance]

Originally Posted by ger1880

Thanks for the advice guys. I just find it weird that it costs about $50 for a pair of brake pads and these shops want to charge about $150 just for the job. I'm sure it doesn't take more than 30 minutes to do this work but they keep saying that they have to take out the rotor just to change the brake pads. Is this true?

As everyone else has said find a reputable local BMW or German specialist shop. If they work on Audis, VW, BMW, or Porsche you should be all good! Figure upwards of $400-$500 perhpas if you need all the rotors, pads front and rear, and wear sensors at most. That is for the parts and labor. Unless you go to a shop that charges through the nose. I would helpyou out however I am up in Lexington, KY and also in Virginia Beach, VA so can't help ya. Just ask around for a good shop!

Guessing you are in Gainesville, and if I remember there are a few good shops in the area.

Jared

[jeffreyb4me]

NO, the rotors DON'T need to be removed to replace the pads, only the caliper which is held to it's bracket by two bolts AND the rotor is measured if need be W/O removal.............jb.

[esco328]

What up ger. Let me tell you, it is very easy to change brake pads. The cat above is right. All you need is a couple of tools and some jackstands. I recommend buying a 3 series service manual so you can do a lot of easy repairs/maintanence yourself (it cost about $100 but it will pay itself back with the $ it will save you). Instructions are easy to follow. Dealers love to jack bmw owners. Give it a shot!

[ger1880]

Thanks again. Is the Bentley manual what you're referring to? I guess I should go ahead and buy that, it's just that like I said earlier I'm not mechanically inclined at all but I guess I can give it a shot.

[jeffreyb4me]

once the wheel is off, all you need is a tiny screwdriver to pop the caliper bolt covers off, a large screwdriver to carefully pry the pads appart w/o scratching the rotor, a 7mm allen wrench or socket [best] to remove the caliper bolts and perhaps a LARGE pair of 'channel lock' pliers to squeeze the piston all the way back into the caliper. i DON'T recommend opening the bleeder screw to ease compressing the piston as you could easily introduce air into the system. it will feel 'stiff' but you will move the piston back once the fluid inside it starts moving back through the system...............HAVE FUN****SAVE MONEY !....jb.