Brake Pad service indicator

[Zed Five]

Hi,

I have a brake fluid change scheduled in a month or so, but yesterday when I started the car, I got a second warning that the rear brake pads need changing in 2700 miles.

the indicator tells me that the fronts have about 44000 miles left. I cannot believe that the the rears would wear out faster than the fronts.

(i've had the car almost from new, so I know that all of the pads are the originals).

Fault sensor?

 

[Maniac]

The rears do wear quicker than the fronts. Its a RWD drive car remember and the DSC uses the rear brakes to stabilise the car among other things.

 

[Jembo]

The rears do wear quicker than the fronts. Its a RWD drive car remember and the DSC uses the rear brakes to stabilise the car among other things.

... better check mine out now as I get the amber flashing light quite regularly

 

[Zed Five]

The rears do wear quicker than the fronts. Its a RWD drive car remember and the DSC uses the rear brakes to stabilise the car among other things.

Really? I've always had rear wheel drive cars, the fronts will surely always wear first. - The DSC probably uses less than 2% of the overall brake wear.

It seems really unusual to me. I will rely on my own visual inspection I think. I cannot believe that the sensor is right.

Just wondered if anyone else has come across this?

Thanks.

 

[Maniac]

My rears are going faster, pretty much every topic about brake wear on these cars shows faster rear wear. Most cars will wear at the front first. These don't seem that way, DSC is the only thing that springs to mind as there's no other logical reason for rear wear with equal brake force all round under normal braking.

 

[Anonymous]

Electric parking brake not disengaging fully?

 

[gannet]

Electric parking brake not disengaging fully?

or hill start assist causing wear....

:exitright:

 

[Anonymous]

I couldn't begin to comment as my car, although advertsied as having hills start assist....doesn't have it.

oh, I'm off on one again!

 

[ralphfcooke]

I have also been surprised at the amount of brake dust on the rear wheels when cleaning the car. Previous cars, including RWD Toyota Supras and 4wd Evos have used a LOT less rear brake pad.
I'm sure there must be a technical reason for this, but for the life of me I can't think of one. When it comes to time to change them I hope the ebay suppiied diagnostic tools will allow me to do the job myself 8)

 

[Anonymous]

The front discs on our 35i definitely have more wear than the rears, the car has covered just over 20,000 miles to date.

I need to check in more detail if there are any non BMW alternatives for the 35i when it comes time to replace the discs, a quick check on the Brembo and EBC sites shows that they don't have anything available as yet :thumbsdown:

 

[sars]

I believe Nickm went through a set of brakes in 20,000 miles or so, I've just passed 61,000 and have loads of life left in them, driving style and circumstance makes a huge difference.