58k mile 2008 E90 - potentially buying - brake life question

1MOREMOD · 09-10-2012, 10:46 PM

i think i got 3 sets of stock pads covered and tried for rotors but was no go. i now use aftermarket pads and am off warranty so doing my own work, bleeding, pad changes. i have 25k miles and have went through 3 sets of oem pads, 2 sets of ds2500s and a set of rs19s and my rotors still are about half thinkness left.

Grail05 · 09-11-2012, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ///M3THOD

..really?

Are you the first owner? How is that possible... what kind of driving do you do?

2nd owner but bought the car with 1k miles

when i brought the car at dealer at 48k miles the dealer said "do u use the brakes at all" lol cause you still have 80+ % on both pads... LOL...

I have no idea im in Los Angeles Area and i daily the car 50/50 freeway and streets.

bigjae1976 · 09-11-2012, 08:18 AM

The OE pads are pretty good all things considered. Not excellent at anything though. I found the OE pads to do OK on a not so brake heavy track.

I think Chriszeh demonstrated that the OE brake system cannot withstand high heat and repeat abuse.

1MOREMOD · 09-11-2012, 09:33 AM

I thought I demonstrated the opposite. Pads get used but the rotors are pretty durable. I do also have apex gt4 ducts.

bigjae1976 · 09-11-2012, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chriszeh

I thought I demonstrated the opposite. Pads get used but the rotors are pretty durable. I do also have apex gt4 ducts.

By system I meant cooling, rotors, calipers, etc...the end result being your experience with the pads.

Purplem3pursuit · 09-11-2012, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chriszeh

i think i got 3 sets of stock pads covered and tried for rotors but was no go. i now use aftermarket pads and am off warranty so doing my own work, bleeding, pad changes. i have 25k miles and have went through 3 sets of oem pads, 2 sets of ds2500s and a set of rs19s and my rotors still are about half thinkness left.

That's some serious use.. And with brake cooling ducts??? Wowza

1MOREMOD · 09-11-2012, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purplem3pursuit

That's some serious use.. And with brake cooling ducts??? Wowza

brake ducts have only been in place for about half of the track days.

probably not something to be proud of. my use is down now that i brake more effectively i believe.

S65V8 · 09-12-2012, 05:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Curt941

So I have read a lot about how expensive the E9x M3 brakes are to replace (pads and rotors)

But I haven't seen much about how many miles they typically last. I'm looking at a "higher" mile E90 M3 (58k miles) with lots of maintenance at BMW of Dallas listed on its CARFAX report (I've contacted the dealership to see if I can get info on exactly what was done).

I didn't see brake replacement specifically listed though.

Anything else to look for when I go to check out the car?

The rears last longer than the fronts typically. Have you looked closely at the rotors and whether there are micro cracks near the holes? If smooth / no lip and no cracks near drilled holes, there's a good amt. of life on the rotors I would think.

A 60k M3, there's a lot of things you should be looking at before you close that deal. GL!

sensi09 · 09-12-2012, 07:18 AM

No track with mostly freeway driving and my front brakes are due in the next service. 45K miles.

Hoping I can get the rears replaced too since it's almost out of warranty.

edwinm3 · 09-12-2012, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SROC5

Quote:

Originally Posted by Curt941

So I have read a lot about how expensive the E9x M3 brakes are to replace (pads and rotors)

But I haven't seen much about how many miles they typically last. I'm looking at a "higher" mile E90 M3 (58k miles) with lots of maintenance at BMW of Dallas listed on its CARFAX report (I've contacted the dealership to see if I can get info on exactly what was done).

I didn't see brake replacement specifically listed though.

Anything else to look for when I go to check out the car?

The rears last longer than the fronts typically. Have you looked closely at the rotors and whether there are micro cracks near the holes? If smooth / no lip and no cracks near drilled holes, there's a good amt. of life on the rotors I would think.

A 60k M3, there's a lot of things you should be looking at before you close that deal. GL!

60k just broken in

sensi09 · 09-21-2012, 05:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sensi09

No track with mostly freeway driving and my front brakes are due in the next service. 45K miles.

Hoping I can get the rears replaced too since it's almost out of warranty.

Sadly I just got brake pads. And the rotors were just cleaned.

The rotors were said to be 1mm above the minimum spec. Not sure if that's a huge amount, but hoping to do away with that extra mm within the next 4K miles.

M3PO · 09-21-2012, 02:41 PM

I think mine are all original (53K miles). No track work (yet). My rotors do have a significant lip though.

1MOREMOD · 09-21-2012, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sensi09

Sadly I just got brake pads. And the rotors were just cleaned.

The rotors were said to be 1mm above the minimum spec. Not sure if that's a huge amount, but hoping to do away with that extra mm within the next 4K miles.

1mm is a significant amount. The difference between new and minimum thickness is 2mm so you are halfway.

sensi09 · 09-22-2012, 05:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chriszeh

1mm is a significant amount. The difference between new and minimum thickness is 2mm so you are halfway.

Good to know. With my mostly freeway driving nowadays, probably wasn't going to try and burn through them anyhow.

Comped Ego · 10-17-2012, 07:26 AM

Well, some of you guys might not believe this, but mine has now 120K and I still have original pad and rotor.
First of all, I drive mildly and I think 6MT slow down the car fast if I let go of the throttle.
Second reason is that large portion of the mileage is from multiple cross country trips between Los Angeles and North Carolina.
Matter of fact, I think 90% of my mileage is from Highway driving when I am on a long distance trip.
I drive a truck most of the time.

Recently, I asked the dealer if I need the tune-up, but they said that the engine is running OK so the spark plug is the original also.

1MOREMOD · 10-17-2012, 09:35 AM

we might have a high mileage winner. havent heard of anyone with over 100k until you? nice work.

Comped Ego · 10-19-2012, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chriszeh

we might have a high mileage winner. havent heard of anyone with over 100k until you? nice work.

I am not sure if I should be happy with that honor

But, the mileage just piled up. I guess.

Correction:
I did not remember, but service record showed that the spark plugs were changed once at 36K miles.
I took it to dealer and inquire about the spark plug service and a technician said 'I am not sure why no one mentioned about this' 'Let's go ahead and change it this time'.

Estimate:
Spark plug service: $577
Oil Change: $158
Injection and induction cleaning: $179

With respect to the brake, he just shrugged and said 'it is highly unusual for the original brake to last this long, but should expect that you would need new one within next 10K.

cposk · 10-22-2012, 02:19 PM

For the record, my front pads at 56k miles. Replaced due to dust and noise issues but definitely had plenty of life left. Moderate street driving, no track use.

09-10-2012, 10:46 PM	#23
1MOREMOD - 11817 Rep 23,187 Posts Drives: Race car-> Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: check your mirrors iTrader: (5)	i think i got 3 sets of stock pads covered and tried for rotors but was no go. i now use aftermarket pads and am off warranty so doing my own work, bleeding, pad changes. i have 25k miles and have went through 3 sets of oem pads, 2 sets of ds2500s and a set of rs19s and my rotors still are about half thinkness left. __________________ 02 Tiag e46 M3\|6MT\|GC plates\|MCS c.o.\|GC bars\|GC race control arms\|GC bushings\|BW eng. & tran. mounts\|subframe kit\|BW race shifter\|BW Jaffster\|Euro header\|BW exhaust\|K&N c.a.i.\|Epic race tune\|Rouge pulleys\|Seibon CF hood\|CSL bumper\|apr gt 250 & splitter\|ST-40\|XR-2\|SS lines\|half cage\|Recaro profi\|Profi 2 harness\|BMWpedals\|BW studs\|
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09-11-2012, 08:18 AM	#25
bigjae1976 Major General 1570 Rep 8,075 Posts Drives: 11 E90 M3 Individual Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (22) Garage List 2004 BMW M3 [4.50] 2011 BMW E90 M3 [5.25] 2013 BMW 328i [5.00]	The OE pads are pretty good all things considered. Not excellent at anything though. I found the OE pads to do OK on a not so brake heavy track. I think Chriszeh demonstrated that the OE brake system cannot withstand high heat and repeat abuse. __________________ 2018 F30 320iX Melbourne Red 2011 E90 M3 Monte Carlo Blue 2004 E46 M3 Imola Red 2000 E36/7 Z3 Steel Blue
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09-11-2012, 09:33 AM	#26
1MOREMOD - 11817 Rep 23,187 Posts Drives: Race car-> Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: check your mirrors iTrader: (5)	I thought I demonstrated the opposite. Pads get used but the rotors are pretty durable. I do also have apex gt4 ducts. __________________ 02 Tiag e46 M3\|6MT\|GC plates\|MCS c.o.\|GC bars\|GC race control arms\|GC bushings\|BW eng. & tran. mounts\|subframe kit\|BW race shifter\|BW Jaffster\|Euro header\|BW exhaust\|K&N c.a.i.\|Epic race tune\|Rouge pulleys\|Seibon CF hood\|CSL bumper\|apr gt 250 & splitter\|ST-40\|XR-2\|SS lines\|half cage\|Recaro profi\|Profi 2 harness\|BMWpedals\|BW studs\|
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09-12-2012, 07:18 AM	#31
sensi09 Lieutenant Colonel 30 Rep 1,789 Posts Drives: . Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: socal iTrader: (1)	No track with mostly freeway driving and my front brakes are due in the next service. 45K miles. Hoping I can get the rears replaced too since it's almost out of warranty.
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09-21-2012, 02:41 PM	#34
M3PO Colonel 84 Rep 2,792 Posts Drives: '08 IB E92 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: OC iTrader: (7)	I think mine are all original (53K miles). No track work (yet). My rotors do have a significant lip though. __________________ 2008 IB E92 M3\| BBS \| KW \| Arkym \| Platte Forme A.G. \| Active Autowerke \| K&N \| Fabspeed \| Dinan \| Evolve-R
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10-17-2012, 07:26 AM	#37
Comped Ego Goes around, Comes around 3 Rep 14 Posts Drives: 2008 M3 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: NC iTrader: (0)	Well, some of you guys might not believe this, but mine has now 120K and I still have original pad and rotor. First of all, I drive mildly and I think 6MT slow down the car fast if I let go of the throttle. Second reason is that large portion of the mileage is from multiple cross country trips between Los Angeles and North Carolina. Matter of fact, I think 90% of my mileage is from Highway driving when I am on a long distance trip. I drive a truck most of the time. Recently, I asked the dealer if I need the tune-up, but they said that the engine is running OK so the spark plug is the original also. Last edited by Comped Ego; 10-17-2012 at 07:31 AM..
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10-17-2012, 09:35 AM	#38
1MOREMOD - 11817 Rep 23,187 Posts Drives: Race car-> Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: check your mirrors iTrader: (5)	we might have a high mileage winner. havent heard of anyone with over 100k until you? nice work. __________________ 02 Tiag e46 M3\|6MT\|GC plates\|MCS c.o.\|GC bars\|GC race control arms\|GC bushings\|BW eng. & tran. mounts\|subframe kit\|BW race shifter\|BW Jaffster\|Euro header\|BW exhaust\|K&N c.a.i.\|Epic race tune\|Rouge pulleys\|Seibon CF hood\|CSL bumper\|apr gt 250 & splitter\|ST-40\|XR-2\|SS lines\|half cage\|Recaro profi\|Profi 2 harness\|BMWpedals\|BW studs\|
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10-22-2012, 02:19 PM	#40
cposk Private First Class 15 Rep 154 Posts Drives: 08 IB M3 (E90) , 12 X5d Join Date: May 2012 Location: Annapolis - Maryland iTrader: (1)	For the record, my front pads at 56k miles. Replaced due to dust and noise issues but definitely had plenty of life left. Moderate street driving, no track use. __________________ E46 Auto to 5-Speed Swap
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