[hsk1610]

I had my front and rear brakes done by a reputable indy BMW service center and the iDrive shows a brake life of 70,000 miles for front and 80,000 miles for rear. When I had brakes done at the BMW dealer under the maintenance plan, even new brakes registered 38000 miles tops. Just curious as to the discrepancy. OEM brake pads and rotors were purchased at FCP Euro along with the brake line wear sensor.

[Billfitz]

The iDrive mileage indicator is purely a guess. It has no method to measure the pad thickness. The pad warning sensors aren't much better, because there's only two of them, one on the inner right rear pad, the other on the inner front left pad. There's no sensor on the other six pads. Yearly inspection of all the pads is a must.

[cfm56d7b]

Speaking of brakes, when was the last time when brake fluid has been changed?

Brake fluid change should be done every 2 years.

[hsk1610]

Originally Posted by cfm56d7b

Speaking of brakes, when was the last time when brake fluid has been changed?

Brake fluid change should be done every 2 years.

That's been done every 2 years at the dealer.

[cfm56d7b]

Originally Posted by hsk1610

That's been done every 2 years at the dealer.

Then all is well!

[garyfried]

Originally Posted by cfm56d7b

Speaking of brakes, when was the last time when brake fluid has been changed?

Brake fluid change should be done every 2 years.

What fluid is to be used?

[Billfitz]

Here also the recommended interval is a guess, because the car has no way of measuring the moisture content of the brake fluid. As part of my yearly routine where I check the pads I also check the fluid, with one of these:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1