Brakes - MOT Advisory

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Popey

Senior member
I knew the time as coming, original parts now on 32,000 miles. Just got the advisory on MOT :( .

Look at new discs and pads all round, I believe ATE are OEM? Would this be the best option or would you look at alternatives?

ATE pads and discs are just over £1000, best price I can find online.

(I would like to add I did try the search function but was bringing up all sorts with the perm "brake" in a post.)
 
'Would this be the best option or would you look at alternatives?'

Well, there's no can of worms like a brake-parts can of worms. But if you're happy with OEM then go with ATE two-part discs and Textar pads.
 
I am happy, but is that because I don't know any better?

Also would upgrades affect insurance?
 
'Better' always comes with trade-offs. More aggressive pads are dustier and noisier. Bigger calipers and discs add unsprung weight and potentially require larger wheels, further increasing unsprung weight.

If you're happy that means you haven't reached the limits of your current setup, and if it ain't broke etc.

If you stick with OEM calipers and discs there's no need to inform insurance. It's only when you change calipers that you absolutely should notify them.

If you're a belts and braces type, then notify them if you change pad compound, or switch from rubber to braided lines. However the chances of a claim being invalidated for not notifying these are miniscule, and your premiums may increase as your car will be officially tagged as modified.
 
id certainly look at alternatives if you aren't looking for more braking performance than standard.

ATE might be OEM, but the likes of pagid and brembo would also be perfectly fine, and potentially cheaper. stick your reg in on eurocarparts and see what comes up.

personally £1000 for pads and discs seems like daylight robbery for me. i'd be surprised if you couldn't get perfectly serviceable items from reputable manufacturers for half that.
 
£1,000 does seem extortionate, but maybe that's due to the M tax?

Interested to see how this pans out, just so I know what to expect when the time comes!
 
Are we talking about £1000 for a 4 wheel set?

Last time I looked cheapest prices for ATE were about £550 for a pair of front discs, and £400 for rears. Add on handbrake shoes, pads, pad sensors and £1000 does not seem excessive.

If via a dealer, then I can see £1000 just for the fronts when you include pads & labour.

I’ve seen Zimmerman options both cheaper by about 20%…and more expensive :x

I don’t think we’re ever going to see £150 per disc again…might use my spare set as a pension :P
 
brillomaster said:
id certainly look at alternatives if you aren't looking for more braking performance than standard.
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That's a useful perspective. If you're willing to accept less braking performance than standard, then money can certainly be saved by opting for one-piece front discs rather than the two-piece OEM designs.

However, I expect most ///M owners would shell out the cash for OEM spec parts, even if they never actually need the extra performance.
 
brillomaster said:
id certainly look at alternatives if you aren't looking for more braking performance than standard.

ATE might be OEM, but the likes of pagid and brembo would also be perfectly fine, and potentially cheaper. stick your reg in on eurocarparts and see what comes up.

personally £1000 for pads and discs seems like daylight robbery for me. i'd be surprised if you couldn't get perfectly serviceable items from reputable manufacturers for half that.
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If you can find them and they are up to OE standards, I would consider the option also.
 
that said... how many miles do you do a year? an advisory might well mean expecting to change in the next 10,000 miles, which for a normal car might be before the next MOT. however... if your car only does 2,000 miles a year, well, they might last another 5 years...

your views may vary, and it is brakes, but... i'd be hesitant to spend £1000 on new brakes when there may be a few years life left in them as they are... just sayin'...
 
So this is my parts from BMW

Front Discs x2
Rear Discs x2
pads F
sensors
sensors
Pads R
plastilub

Total £1045.42
 
Look for their discount codes for Eurocarparts as these could knock a lot of money off
 
Popey said:
So this is my parts from BMW
...
Total £1045.42
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You won't find much cheaper than that. The two-part discs specific to the Z4M (shared only with the M3 CSL) are expensive.
 
Popey said:
Would you recommend changing the handbrake shoes at the same time, this would add about £160?
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Only if you're experiencing problems or there is an MoT advisory. In 35 years of owning countless cars, I've never changed handbrake shoes.
 
plenty said:
Popey said:
Would you recommend changing the handbrake shoes at the same time, this would add about £160?
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Only if you're experiencing problems or there is an MoT advisory. In 35 years of owning countless cars, I've never changed handbrake shoes.
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Good To know, thank you. That's a bit of dosh saved
 
Popey said:
Would you recommend changing the handbrake shoes at the same time, this would add about £160?
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Just give the friction material a sand with some rough sandpaper (don't breathe the dust)

You will know when you remove the disc remember to release the handbrake either the service clip under the handbrake leaver or wind it off through the wheel bolt hole

How often do you use the handbrake mine is in gear and handbrake off 6 months during the winter and only use it in the summer as a back up to leaving it in gear.
 
PDJ said:
£1223.74 for all 4 discs from AutoDoc
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I used to work for BMW so I did get some discount. The price I possed includes some screws too :rofl: .

One disc is on backorder, won't arrive in Germany until June..
 
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