BMW E46 Brake Pad Warning Light

CountingCrows

Will I get away with just replacing the front brake pads or once the sensor is activated does it need to be replaced too?

Mr.David

usually the sensor is built into the pad and activates when the circuit is opened/closed (depending on the car) as it wears down

JohnCleary

The sensor is a seperate part on my E46.

Cost me something like 18euro from the dealer. Replace it when replacing the pad, then turn on your ignition - the light will take about 60 seconds to extinguish so don't panic if you see the light still coming on after replacing it.

There's 1 on the front and 1 on the rear, can't remember what side each is on, but they're opposite sides (ie. front left and rear right but could be the other way around)

CountingCrows

Cheers, guess a quick trip to Advance won't do the trick so unless I bring a sensor with me.

JohnCleary

CountingCrows wrote: »

Cheers, guess a quick trip to Advance won't do the trick so unless I bring a sensor with me.

Whether it's a DIY or getting a garage to do it, best off to buy the sensor first.. BMW dealers will have it in stock. What model is it? look up www.realoem.com for your model and you can get the part number directly - saves hassle on both you and th guy in the parts dept in BMW

CountingCrows

'01 320CI

Darragh29

JohnCleary wrote: »

The sensor is a seperate part on my E46.

Cost me something like 18euro from the dealer. Replace it when replacing the pad, then turn on your ignition - the light will take about 60 seconds to extinguish so don't panic if you see the light still coming on after replacing it.

There's 1 on the front and 1 on the rear, can't remember what side each is on, but they're opposite sides (ie. front left and rear right but could be the other way around)

It's separate in this case. OP if you have the pads changed once the light comes on, you can often re-use the sensor. If however you drive around with the light on for some time, the pads wear down further obviously and the sensor head can be eaten down in the process. I'd generally replace them, they aren't expensive.

Darragh29

JohnCleary wrote: »

Whether it's a DIY or getting a garage to do it, best off to buy the sensor first.. BMW dealers will have it in stock. What model is it? look up www.realoem.com for your model and you can get the part number directly - saves hassle on both you and th guy in the parts dept in BMW

That site is a fake spam site. I just tried to visit it and next thing I start getting junk mail advertising OEM parts from China.

Eoin

CountingCrows wrote: »

Cheers, guess a quick trip to Advance won't do the trick so unless I bring a sensor with me.

I've had one of those kwikfit type places replace my e46 pads and sensors with OEM parts before, though they had to order them in. Next day delivery though, so I was sorted quickly.

Darragh29 wrote: »

That site is a fake spam site. I just tried to visit it and next thing I start getting junk mail advertising OEM parts from China.

What? The site is down for me at the moment, but I've never had a problem with that (and never entered my email address either).

Here's another one: http://bmwfans.info/

JohnCleary

Darragh29 wrote: »

That site is a fake spam site. I just tried to visit it and next thing I start getting junk mail advertising OEM parts from China.

That's funny because I (along with many, many others) use it on a regular basis to get BMW part numbers / diagrams. Funny though the url doesn't seem to work this morning - maybe it was hacked, who knows

DublinDilbert

Darragh29 wrote: »

It's separate in this case. OP if you have the pads changed once the light comes on, you can often re-use the sensor. If however you drive around with the light on for some time, the pads wear down further obviously and the sensor head can be eaten down in the process. I'd generally replace them, they aren't expensive.

+1

The sensors never seem to last more than one set of pads, or there abouts... it might be ok on fitting a new set of pads, but a few thousand miles later will fail.

I picked up an E46 brake sensor last week in GSF for €8, so definitely worth doing with the pads.

Lex Luthor

I bought pads & sensors from GSF in Oak Rd before for a BMW. Get yourself a few G-clamps and its a couple of hours job

milltown

Darragh29 wrote: »

That site is a fake spam site. I just tried to visit it and next thing I start getting junk mail advertising OEM parts from China.

I've never had a problem with it either (never gave them an e-mail address though) and I'm using it years too.

Eoin

milltown wrote: »

I've never had a problem with it either (never gave them an e-mail address though) and I'm using it years too.

It's up again now - looks very slightly different from the last time I visited, but other than the contact page I can't find a way to enter my email address...

CountingCrows

eoin wrote: »

I've had one of those kwikfit type places replace my e46 pads and sensors with OEM parts before, though they had to order them in. Next day delivery though, so I was sorted quickly.

Rang Advance and they have them in stock so happy days!

CountingCrows

Turns out I need the lot done, new pads, discs and sensors front and back.

Advance quoted me 650, AC Cars 550. Does anyone know where I could get it done for less?

Eoin

That doesn't sound too bad?

CountingCrows

A poster on another thread paid 400 for the same work but didn't say where.

JohnCleary

CountingCrows wrote: »

Turns out I need the lot done, new pads, discs and sensors front and back.

Advance quoted me 650, AC Cars 550. Does anyone know where I could get it done for less?

Who told you you need the discs done? What milage is the car on?

While it could be totally possible that you do need the discs, don't be afraid to get a 2nd opinion. If it was Advance that advised it, i'd definately get a 2nd opinion

CountingCrows

JohnCleary wrote: »

Who told you you need the discs done? What milage is the car on?

While it could be totally possible that you do need the discs, don't be afraid to get a 2nd opinion. If it was Advance that advised it, i'd definately get a 2nd opinion

70K, Advance told me but AC Cars also mentioned it at last service so I'm guessing it is needed.

mickdw

Alot of garages are too quick to swap the discs nowadays. Do discs have a minimum thickness indicator anymore? I know there are many reasons why discs might need replacing but as the OP hasnt reported any brake problems, it is possible the garage are working on the super safe side of things