[Goodchip]

My '11 535i does this:
When I change gear "drive to reverse, or vice versa), the first time I apply the brakes, I get two or three short, but very audible "clicks" coming from the brakes. It only happens the first time I apply the brakes, but it happens every time I change direction.
So, I back out of my garage, apply the brakes, and hear "click click click". I back onto the street, drive to the first stop sign, apply the brakes and hear "click click". I back into my stall at work, and as I apply the brakes, "click click".

I have taken it into the dealer a couple of times. The first time, they did something to the way the brake pads were seated, or some such thing. The noise went away for a while, but came back. So I took it in again, and after much fussing, they declared this annoying sound "normal". Their basis for this determination was that they took another brand new 535 out on a short road test and heard the same noise.

Am I the only one?

[Jon D]

I haven't experienced this on my Sep '10 535d and it definitely doesn't sound 'normal' to me.
I think you should persist with your dealer - did they take you out on the test drive in their own car? If not it might be an idea to ask them for a demonstration.
There will be a very slight degree of movement between the carrier and pads within the brake caliper assembly and what you might be hearing could be the parts reseating themselves after a change in direction. However, as I said earlier, it doesn't sound right to me.
Can you isolate it to a particular area of the car and can you feel anything through the pedal?

[Goodchip]

I've just re booked to have this looked at again. They did mention "reseating", which I sort of get, but the noise is getting louder, and I can actually feel it a bit through the brake pedal.
I shall persist!

[Breach]

I experience something similar. It's very pronounced when using Auto-H.

[Goodchip]

So here is the write up from my service visit:

Check and advise for clicking noise on brake pad, most noticeable when stopping after changing direction.
Asst shop foreman road tested and verified sound with customer: seems to originate from normal caliper motion during load reversal upon initial brake application.
Lubed spring clips of front brakes, sound still present. Updated Puma case 47921111 for BMW Canada to monitor. Puma measure 44767097-02 states parts replacement. Does not provide a remedy. No further action required at this time.

So there you have it. They acknowledge the issue, and continue to do nothing about it. So now whenever anybody sits it my 70k luxury sports sedan and asks "what's that noise?", I get to tell them "oh it's nothing really, just a normal thing for a BMW.", to which the can reply, "Odd, that doesn't happen in my Hyundai."

Not happy......

[Goodchip]

Oh, I forgot to mention, they graciously waived the $69.95 brake inspection fee!

[MWPos]

After three trips to BMW of San Diego for failed attempts at resolving this, I followed a friend's advice and went instead to BMW of Encinitas. Within two hours, the problem was identified as being that the front brake pads were slightly too small, from leading to trailing edge, thus allowing them to shift, with an audible "clank", when changing direction and braking such as when leaving a parking spot. BMW of Encinitas replaced the front brake pads and sensors. The car is still within the free service period so no cost to me. The noise is gone. Finally!