[Ridg]

So my front brakes will need to be changed in the near future (probably around the time I swap back to summer wheels) the car's on 58K so I'm expecting the discs to need doing at the same time, BMW are going to want best part of £400 so I'm considering the job myself (and upgrading to something like zimmerman).

I've changed floating calipers in the past but wanted to check out a few things as the BMW setup is fixed.

Given the calipers are fixed calipers I'd need the following tools;

wind back tool suitable for dual / quad pot,
some sort of punch tool to remove the guide pins

Things I'm not clear on; the wear sensor will need to be changed, how does that fit into the system (previous cars have had the sensor integrated into the pad.

Will I need something like bimmer code to reset the service requirement or will the presence of the new sensor be enough?

Lastly what are the recommendations for after market pads?

Thanks!

[teaston]

BMW charge about £400 just to change pads, discs and pads is closer to £1k!

Search the forum for TRW DF6600S they’re 2 piece discs that can be got for around £230 a pair.

[teaston]

Also there is no need for any wind back tool, you can just push the pistons back in with your hand, loosen the cap on the brake fluid reservoir though.

I use the smallest one of these to punch the guide pins out:

Am-Tech Parallel Pin Punch Set (5 Pieces) https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B008PQD7..._w03vAb21JN8P6

[GEP77]

The wear sensor might not need replacing, however when I did my pads in the previous car it was pretty much bonded to the old pad so I changed it anyway.
As for the changing of the pads - I did it in about an hour start to finish - the fixed pistons been slightly easy than doing floating in my view. I use a spreader tool which goes across all the pistons. An old thin screwdriver or needle file is an ideal tool to punch out the pins if you haven't got a thin punch.

You have to reset the service indicator. This can be done either with an app or via the dash. I did it using Carly. The method via the dash has been described quite a few times elsewhere on the forum.

[Ridg]

Originally Posted by GEP77

The wear sensor might not need replacing, however when I did my pads in the previous car it was pretty much bonded to the old pad so I changed it anyway.
As for the changing of the pads - I did it in about an hour start to finish - the fixed pistons been slightly easy than doing floating in my view. I use a spreader tool which goes across all the pistons. An old thin screwdriver or needle file is an ideal tool to punch out the pins if you haven't got a thin punch.

You have to reset the service indicator. This can be done either with an app or via the dash. I did it using Carly. The method via the dash has been described quite a few times elsewhere on the forum.

That's really helpful info!

I hadn't realised the brake service could be reset via the dash.

Regarding the wear sensor, am I right in assuming it simply clips into the pad (assuming the pad has the groove for it)?

[sensible]

Originally Posted by teaston

BMW charge about £400 just to change pads, discs and pads is closer to £1k!

Search the forum for TRW DF6600S they’re 2 piece discs that can be got for around £230 a pair.

He only wants the front changed, surely the £1K is for discs and pads all round?

[teaston]

Originally Posted by sensible

He only wants the front changed, surely the £1K is for discs and pads all round?

Parts alone are around £700 so is close to 1K with fitting! Hence why most of us fit aftermarket discs & pads ourselves

[6times7]

FWIW BMW value service is showing Front Pads & Discs at £349, Rears at £309

https://www.bmw-service.co.uk/value_service

[Ridg]

Originally Posted by 6times7

FWIW BMW value service is showing Front Pads & Discs at £349, Rears at £309

https://www.bmw-service.co.uk/value_service

Those are the ballpark figures I'm going off, if you compare that to aftermarket then the TRW discs teaston recommended with brembo pads front and rear comes in less than £600 so would be saving money and fitting uprated parts too :-)

[teaston]

Originally Posted by 6times7

FWIW BMW value service is showing Front Pads & Discs at £349, Rears at £309

https://www.bmw-service.co.uk/value_service

That's not for M Sport brakes surely?

[Smee]

Tim

did you buy those other ferrodo pads in the end to try?

[teaston]

Originally Posted by Smee

Tim

did you buy those other ferrodo pads in the end to try?

Yes, still haven't had time to fit them though!