Cowboy car mechanics, breakfluid, tears and blood.

[k3ab]

So it seems the streak of bad luck has started for me (2003 2.5i - 40,000miles)

In addition to a corroded thingy to which the wheel fits:

http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=12748&start=0

and a broken(ish) rear spring:

http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=12749

I've discovered over the weekend that I had a major puncture on the passanger's side runflat tyre. It was down to 8PSI so I filled it up back upto 30 and took it to be replaced.

KwikFit clowns quoted me 190 for a 17 inch pirelli to match the tyre on the drivers side. They did say they'd throw in a free visual inspection and carry the work out immidiately. I kindly rejected and went to Humphrees. They started out at 160 quids to which I raised my eyebrows and said Look... I had an audi A4 which had similar 17 inch runflats and it was only 110 so what's the deal?

Anyway they agreed to do it for 140 (still a freaking rip off but I needed it done quickly as I was in a hurry).

During the work they invited me in and pointed out that the front breakpads were "1 mill below legal minimum limit" the second mechanic jumped on the bandwagon and did his piece which went something like "had issues stopping lately?!".

I looked at them in disgust and pointed out to them that whilst the breaking isn't extremely sharp I have no issues stopping and besides the point the car has passed an MOT 2 weeks ago during which I had brake fluid service (indy BMW specialist) during which this issue was not picked up.

The guy agrued that MOT does not include break pad checks (really?!?) and that he'd need to replace breakpads right now because they are below minimum limit.

I told him that it is MY car and I'll decide what they do it it. EVEN if I did have the break pads done the last thing I'd want is a set of crappy generic pads at a rip off price to which the guy had no comeback.

Anyway to my point - the mechanic said it is extreemely dangerous for me to drive like this and that "once they go - they go" and I won't be able to stop! He even went as far as to include a note on the receipt (advised customer of worn front breakpads!)

Should I believe this? Should I have the breakpads replaced?

 

[pvr]

Nope, you have a brake wear sensor on the car that will let you know if they are getting too low (on one side anyway).

 

[chetalien]

I thought they checked both brake pads and discs for MOT. i had my car once failed for that reason alone. SO i would go back to ur indy and see what he says. or soemtimes palces like nationwide and hi-tech do free brake pads/tyres check, worth getting an independant opinion.

 

[gannet]

Our Saxo failed on pads this year... so its definately included in the MOT. Certainly sounds like they were spinning you a line

 

[cj10jeeper]

Nope, you have a brake wear sensor on the car that will let you know if they are getting too low (on one side anyway).

Assuming they are connected...

MOT def test brake performance and typically on a rolling road. There is a visual inspection of pads and discs and if low an advisory given and of course can fail on visual or performance.

As far as I'm aware there is no legal minimum depth of pad??

Once shot at they will squeal like mad and destroy the disks real quick. You woudl know about it and stop driving real soon

Frankly whenever garages tell me such stuff, I smile thank them as I may have missed something am happy for the input, then go check it out myself.

 

[un1eash]

Lol, "mechanics" make me laugh as they think you know nothing. There is no legal minimum limit for brakes pads. Have you checked them yourself to see just home much pad is left?

 

[Aebous]

The only limit I know of with brake pads would be the limit BMW sets, which IMO is not a "legal" limit. Of course if MOT checks in there must be some type of limit.