Rotors always replaced with Pads?

dbs600 · 10-05-2014, 10:34 PM

When our pads are replaced, shouldn’t our rotors be replaced as well, and doesn’t BMW recommend same?

My pads were just replaced, but the dealer didn’t replace the rotors. Now I feel more play in the pedal is needed to come to a stop, and that the nose of the car dives slightly more than before.

Is there an adjustment for this or should my rotors have been replaced as well?

Thanks.

ezmaass · 10-05-2014, 11:42 PM

I've never had a brake service at BMW in the past 14 years where the rotors weren't replaced with the pads. Then again, I've gone a good 50k in between brake services each time!

Technically, they should measure the rotor wear to determine if they need to be replaced. If you got 50k between replacements, like I have, chances are good you'll need them done. If the replacement was done under the free maintenance, perhaps they were just trying to save themselves a few bucks - or you, if it was done outside of the maintenance period. But either way, I'd usually expect the rotors to be done with the pads.

grimlock · 10-06-2014, 12:31 AM

It wouldn't affect the pedal travel -it calibrates automatically- but bubbles in the brake lines might (but no reason they would open it unless they also bleed your brakes.)
Dive on braking depends only on front spring strength, and ratio of front/back braking distribution, which could be introduced by front braking compound having more bite than the rear, but that doesn't appear to be in your case.

The Beast · 10-06-2014, 02:20 AM

My rotors have lasted around 60k on previous BMW's. Pads around 30-35k, so I wouldn't expect the rotors to be changed at each pad change.

AVIMAX · 10-06-2014, 08:47 AM

I don't know what BMW policy is, but I would think the rotors could be machined at least once before needing replacement. When the pads are changed, it is good practice to either machine the rotors or replace them since rotors don't wear flat across the radius. New pads will be flat, old rotors will have a slight taper unless machined or replaced. It is a bit of a short cut to replace pads only. I seem to recall my dealer telling me a few years ago that they don't machine rotors anymore, so I wouldn't be surprised if they just opt to charge for new rotors always now. That's what they did to me, but mine were a bit warped as well so not exactly the same situation.

bake · 10-06-2014, 09:31 PM

Correct. I don't think BMW machines rotors, they just replace. My experience on all my BMW's have been that rotors were always replaced with pads.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AVIMAX

I don't know what BMW policy is, but I would think the rotors could be machined at least once before needing replacement. When the pads are changed, it is good practice to either machine the rotors or replace them since rotors don't wear flat across the radius. New pads will be flat, old rotors will have a slight taper unless machined or replaced. It is a bit of a short cut to replace pads only. I seem to recall my dealer telling me a few years ago that they don't machine rotors anymore, so I wouldn't be surprised if they just opt to charge for new rotors always now. That's what they did to me, but mine were a bit warped as well so not exactly the same situation.

mike@x-ph.com · 10-07-2014, 11:40 AM

BMW dont machine their rotors, they just replace them

Bavarian Tech · 10-07-2014, 11:51 AM

If the rotors still measure above min spec, you just hang pads. If they measure under spec obviously you replace the pads and rotors. Tho if rotors measure under spec, but the pads are above. Both still get replaced per BMW.

The Beast · 10-08-2014, 02:24 AM

I've only had rotors changed on one of the many BMW's that I've owned, despite multiple pad changes. There has been absolutely no impact on braking performance, if you guys are changing rotors on every pad change you either have different specification rotors in the US that wear quicker or are massively overspending on your brake services.

10-05-2014, 10:34 PM	#1
dbs600 Colonel 266 Rep 2,246 Posts Drives: 2011 750LXi Individual Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: New York, NY iTrader: (0)	Rotors always replaced with Pads? When our pads are replaced, shouldn’t our rotors be replaced as well, and doesn’t BMW recommend same? My pads were just replaced, but the dealer didn’t replace the rotors. Now I feel more play in the pedal is needed to come to a stop, and that the nose of the car dives slightly more than before. Is there an adjustment for this or should my rotors have been replaced as well? Thanks.
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

10-05-2014, 11:42 PM	#2
ezmaass Lieutenant Colonel 370 Rep 1,698 Posts Drives: '17 650xi GC / '15 Audi R8 V10 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	I've never had a brake service at BMW in the past 14 years where the rotors weren't replaced with the pads. Then again, I've gone a good 50k in between brake services each time! Technically, they should measure the rotor wear to determine if they need to be replaced. If you got 50k between replacements, like I have, chances are good you'll need them done. If the replacement was done under the free maintenance, perhaps they were just trying to save themselves a few bucks - or you, if it was done outside of the maintenance period. But either way, I'd usually expect the rotors to be done with the pads. __________________ 2017 BMW 650xi Gran Coupe \| MSport \| Exec Package \| Driver Assist Plus \| ACC Stop & Go \| Adaptive Drive \| B&O \| Night Vision \| Cold Weather \| Active Seats 2015 Audi R8 V10 \| Brilliant Red on Black \| S-Tronic \| Carbon Sideblades \| Carbon Trim \| Full Leather \| Sport Exhaust \| Illuminated Doorsills \| I-Pod \| Contrast Stitching Previous: '14 550xi, '07 335i, '01 325i
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-06-2014, 12:31 AM	#3
grimlock Colonel 716 Rep 2,003 Posts Drives: F10 N52B30@255PS Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Hong Kong iTrader: (0)	It wouldn't affect the pedal travel -it calibrates automatically- but bubbles in the brake lines might (but no reason they would open it unless they also bleed your brakes.) Dive on braking depends only on front spring strength, and ratio of front/back braking distribution, which could be introduced by front braking compound having more bite than the rear, but that doesn't appear to be in your case.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-06-2014, 02:20 AM	#4
The Beast Lieutenant Colonel 268 Rep 1,597 Posts Drives: VW Transporter Sportline Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Wolverhampton iTrader: (0)	My rotors have lasted around 60k on previous BMW's. Pads around 30-35k, so I wouldn't expect the rotors to be changed at each pad change.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-06-2014, 08:47 AM	#5
AVIMAX Second Lieutenant 26 Rep 228 Posts Drives: last BMW was 2014 535xd Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	I don't know what BMW policy is, but I would think the rotors could be machined at least once before needing replacement. When the pads are changed, it is good practice to either machine the rotors or replace them since rotors don't wear flat across the radius. New pads will be flat, old rotors will have a slight taper unless machined or replaced. It is a bit of a short cut to replace pads only. I seem to recall my dealer telling me a few years ago that they don't machine rotors anymore, so I wouldn't be surprised if they just opt to charge for new rotors always now. That's what they did to me, but mine were a bit warped as well so not exactly the same situation.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-07-2014, 11:40 AM	#7
mike@x-ph.com Joint Chiefs of Staff 24095 Rep 190,633 Posts Drives: 07-335/12-328/18-M4/21-M4CP Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Las Vegas iTrader: (23)	BMW dont machine their rotors, they just replace them __________________ Check out our current sale by clicking on this link! https://x-ph.com/sale/ Phone number 702-494-9435
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-07-2014, 11:51 AM	#8
Bavarian Tech Major 267 Rep 1,203 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Pittsburgh/Harrisburg iTrader: (15) Garage List 2006 330i [10.00]	If the rotors still measure above min spec, you just hang pads. If they measure under spec obviously you replace the pads and rotors. Tho if rotors measure under spec, but the pads are above. Both still get replaced per BMW.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-08-2014, 02:24 AM	#9
The Beast Lieutenant Colonel 268 Rep 1,597 Posts Drives: VW Transporter Sportline Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Wolverhampton iTrader: (0)	I've only had rotors changed on one of the many BMW's that I've owned, despite multiple pad changes. There has been absolutely no impact on braking performance, if you guys are changing rotors on every pad change you either have different specification rotors in the US that wear quicker or are massively overspending on your brake services.
	Appreciate 0 Quote