I am hoping someone can shed some light on this subject for me. My father owns a late model 740 and recently received news from the dealer that his brake pads and rotors needed replacement. This is only after 38,000 miles. The dealer said BMW put on softer rotors to increase the braking ability at the expense of rotor life.

Does this sound right?

 

There is a sensor to tell you when you need a break job - and BMW is calling you? That sounds a little strange, and did you miss type - softer rotors? How can you make steel softer? You can make pads softer - is that what you meant?

But irreverant of that, 38K isn't that bad for needed new breaks. I'm just a little confused, so if you could impart more information that would be great - and I'll ask around.

 

Brakes.
Yes, softer rotors. Rotors are hardened by heat treating them. Depending on the degree of heat treatment, the rotors will either be softer (non-ht) or hard (heavily ht'd)

 

oh ok, sorry, didn't want to sound like a smart *** there, I just didn't know. But see each of us can learn something new everday!

 

Here is my $0.02 from a BMW guy...

BMW will always tell you to replace rotors and pads at the same time. Why, because it's cheaper that way. BMW charges 1hr to replace pads per axle, but they charge 1 1/2hrs to change rotors. If you do both at the same time, they only charge 1 1/2 hours period (so you technically get the pads for a free labor rate).

Do you need to replace pads and rotors? Not necessarily... but BMW recommends it. BMW also highly discourages turning rotors or resurfacing them.