[cadesertrat1]

can anyone tell me if this is a decent quote for a brake job on a 2011 528i. I'm in Southern California. comes out to about $1450 with tax. thanks in advance!

[John H.]

The brake pads are pricey. Is this quote from an AD or indy?

[cadesertrat1]

Originally Posted by John H.

The brake pads are pricey. Is this quote from an AD or indy?

They are from an indy shop in Palm Springs. Dealer has always treated me well but his quote was closer to 2k. I may not know cars but stupid I'm not!

thanks

[TEF]

Since this is not a job requiring specialized tools or electronics, it's suggested that you seek quotes from other competent indy mechanics. Moreover, the price of parts seems excessive. To put these costs in perspective, look up the same parts on FCP or Rockauto websites. While it's conceded that aftermarket parts are not as expensive as OE ones, it's not clear that those in the quote are real BMW parts either. Secondly, consumable replacement parts like these (even if not from BMW) can function equally well and will cost much less especially when it's considered that the vehicle is now nine years old.

[Unspec]

Yikes on those parts prices. See if they'll let you provide your own parts, and order the items from FCPEuro. You'll save a bunch of money now, and in the future thanks to their lifetime warranty. Even on consumables.

[John H.]

ECS sells service kits here....

https://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-F10-52.../Service_Kits/

Yes, front and back can be had for <$500. These are quality Zimmerman rotors and PAGID pads. I don't know anything about the Holstein brand of sensors; however, they are probably good to go.

You may want to post your query in the California forum. Also, use Yelp to find a reputable indy.

[Unspec]

Originally Posted by John H.

ECS sells service kits here....

https://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-F10-52.../Service_Kits/

Yes, front and back can be had for <$500. These are quality Zimmerman rotors and PAGID pads. I don't know anything about the Holstein brand of sensors; however, they are probably good to go.

You may want to post your query in the California forum. Also, use Yelp to find a reputable indy.

FCPEuro sells the service kits as well for around 70 bucks more (total, since you have to buy the back and front kits separately), but comes with the lifetime warranty. Uses Akebono pads in the kit and BOWA sensors, rotors are the same company for both ECS and FCPEuro. IMO FCPEuro is the better buy.

BOWA is the OEM for the sensors, though I'm sure the Holsteins are fine as well. Not much to go wrong with the sensors from a manufacturing perspective.

[sesh1957]

Yes can not beet FPCEuro, next set of bake hardware is free.

[F10Dan]

If you near me, I would say you can come over and we can do the job in two hours together. We would have fun working on your car, have a few laughs and you would save $1000.

At that price it better be genuine BMW parts and include a full brake fluid swap.

Edit: Just saw that you are in California. That’s a tough place to be in business. Taxes and regulations etc...

Given that, its likely competitive, but about $400 higher than I would expect in PA.

[F10Dan]

I believe ECS is s sponsor of this site. They have been great and have often offered helpful insights.

[Surly73]

I won't get into a whole thing here, but carefully note that F10 factory rotors are two piece - aluminum hats and grey iron swept surface. All of the inexpensive options that come up when you search parts sites are one piece, all grey iron replacements at half the cost or less.

I prompted discussion earlier in the year on a forum somewhere or other about using 1 or 2 piece rotors when doing a DIY job. There is some indication that BMW may have "updated" the replacement part for the F10 to be one piece, while new cars continue to roll off the line with two piece. There is some discussion that maybe this change took place because maybe there are some longevity and vibration problems with the 2 piece design.

However, the part system supercession:

1/ did not come with a bulletin drawing attention to the design change
2/ is merely the elimination of the word "light weight", but the shipping weight listed is less than a kg different.

I am not positive that there is a BMW-originated design change to the part (e.g. no bulletin) at all and, if there was, I'm not sure whether it's a design improvement (e.g. to reduce vibration) or cost-saving/margin-increasing when servicing "old" cars. To my knowledge, newer cars are still equipped with the two-piece design so if it was a design issue then the newer cars would have been changed too.

ANYWAYS - I say all this just to point out not necessarily to argue that 2 piece is better but that apples must be compared to apples when questioning pricing. If the quoted rotor is a genuine BMW rotor it will almost certainly be the 2 piece one and more costly. I specifically sought out two piece and ended up with Pagid 2 piece high carbon rotors from ECS (currently $299 US free shipping for the pair of fronts, I think I paid $270, both of which are higher than your quote).

Quality OEMs like Zimmerman offer BOTH 1 and 2 piece designs (I have the Zimmerman part#s somewhere, which were given to me in this same other thread from earlier this year) but many shops like FCP, Rock auto etc... only choose to offer the one piece.

[wcr3d]

Also note his Indy is in Palm Springs.

[ziekxq]

I bought eBay ones from a place called brake motive for 250 bucks lol rotors and pads and they been on the car for over 6 months now and 0 issues. Also have the same on my Infiniti g35 for over a year and 0 issues. Lots of pad and rotors left. Plus they come with coated (drill/slotted) so no rust so far.

Corvette community uses these and there are reviews on YouTube as well.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?m...2F392082449007

They are 208 right now and should fit your car.

If you need to see them on the car let me know.

[lsturbointeg]

Originally Posted by ziekxq

I bought eBay ones from a place called brake motive for 250 bucks lol rotors and pads and they been on the car for over 6 months now and 0 issues. Also have the same on my Infiniti g35 for over a year and 0 issues. Lots of pad and rotors left. Plus they come with coated (drill/slotted) so no rust so far.

Corvette community uses these and there are reviews on YouTube as well.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?m...2F392082449007

They are 208 right now and should fit your car.

If you need to see them on the car let me know.

bro that's dirt cheap for both front and rear rotors including the pads!!?? am I seeing that correctly??

[ziekxq]

Originally Posted by lsturbointeg

bro that's dirt cheap for both front and rear rotors including the pads!!?? am I seeing that correctly??

Yup and they are made to OE specs. I have 0 issues so far on both of my cars with these rotors and pads. You can YouTube them as well. Plus I read bunch of reviews on Corvette forums before buying them for my self.