Why Is It Sooo Expensive To Replace The Brakes...

[manikdprsvinX5]

My warranty is about to expire and BMW was nice enough to remind me that I should get the maintenance program for 2300 bc to replace the brakes it costs 1900. I thought brakes cost 2 to 300 dollars max!!! Why does it cost 1900 are they one piece w/the rotors or something.. Has anyone ever replaced these without going through the dealer???

[x5lover7777]

200 to 300 max?? just oem parts cost more than 300,, it's time for honda!!

[manikdprsvinX5]

So its just a normal change of pads plus rotors??? Do I have to use oem parts?? Plenty of e70 brakes on eBay I wonder what ppls experiences have been w/these aftermarket brakes??? It seems the dealer is charging double...

[x5lover7777]

it so easy to change brake pad, dealer usually change rotors, pad, sensor. but it's ok to change just pad and cut senor wire and tie them together for resetting, jurid make good pad 70-90 dollar for sets,,,,

[eythappy]

lol...i wouldnt do it at dealer shop...
if u are willing to pay 2300+ tax...why not get the brembo break kit for 3000 ?

[buffalotr8]

I had my brakes done on my 07 X5 4.8 outside of the dealer. 4 brand new pads, turned the rotors and it didn't need sensors for $500 all in. The dealer will say you need new rotors and sensors, hence the huge price. This is the first time I have ever owned a car that the dealer says you can't turn the rotors. BS! On the back of each BMW rotor it is stamped the minimum thickness allowed so the machinist knows how far he can turn them to. Cash grab.

[gilbertfg]

Check out realoem.com to see how much are the parts. They also change brake fluid... I don't know how often they change fluids but on cars other than BMW; every two years!

[WWONG]

The sad part is it's probably cheaper to just pay for the $1900 brake replacement. What's the extra $400 going to pay for? 2 oil changes? You'll still be out some, unless there's some other major maintenance.

[karussell]

on getbmwparts.com the total cost is about $900 including shipment for rotors, pads, sensors. fluid is like $10. Brakes are very easy to change on BMW's. If you are handy, then its something you should be able to do in an afternoon. otherwise find a good independent BMW mechanic that will charge you a non-insane amount for the labor. should be 4 hours labor max at whatever hourly rate they charge. Use http://www.bimrs.org/ to find a good independent mechanic in your area.

[Barbja]

Definitely get an estimate from another reputable shop that specializes in Europeans/BMWs.

About 1 week before I traded my last X5 in, my brake light came on .. Great! The estimate from an outside shop using BMW parts was WAY less than the dealer (it was a trusted shop).

[sed8U]

I'm about to be out of 8k at bmw dealership, turbo gasket, crankcase breather hose and crankcase oil change and ignition coil pack spark plugs and fuel injector. I'm getting it good but I have no other choice because I'm new to Roswell NM and the only dealer I could find is in Albuquerque, any suggestions on where to could get leaking shock in rear replaced and turbo cooling hoses replaced for a decent charge also need some small suspension work done, i have dimpled and slotted rotors and pads, how many brake sensors do I need 2?4? Also I want this hideous trailer hitch removed, please help guys. I want my baby to get fix right but I don't want to be bent over at the dealership either🙏🙏🙏🙏

[RL18]

Originally Posted by sed8U

I'm about to be out of 8k at bmw dealership, turbo gasket, crankcase breather hose and crankcase oil change and ignition coil pack spark plugs and fuel injector. I'm getting it good but I have no other choice because I'm new to Roswell NM and the only dealer I could find is in Albuquerque, any suggestions on where to could get leaking shock in rear replaced and turbo cooling hoses replaced for a decent charge also need some small suspension work done, i have dimpled and slotted rotors and pads, how many brake sensors do I need 2?4? Also I want this hideous trailer hitch removed, please help guys. I want my baby to get fix right but I don't want to be bent over at the dealership either🙏🙏🙏🙏

As far as I know there are only 2 brake sensors, drivers side front and passenger rear. Brake pads are not hard to do and that'll save you A LOT of money. I remember getting quoted $860 for JUST the rear brakes on my e90 335d, I laughed bought all four corners (pads,rotors, sensors) for like $450 on fcp euro. As for the other issues I'm sure someone knowledgeable about that engine will chime in

Also you said something about a hitch? I'm looking for an oem one, wouldn't mind helping you get rid of it if you don't want

[X5 MAN]

Brakes can save your life .

Why pinch money on brakes ?

Pinch your money on deletes and fancy wheels.

[Dawgz]

Originally Posted by sed8U

I'm about to be out of 8k at bmw dealership, turbo gasket, crankcase breather hose and crankcase oil change and ignition coil pack spark plugs and fuel injector. I'm getting it good but I have no other choice because I'm new to Roswell NM and the only dealer I could find is in Albuquerque, any suggestions on where to could get leaking shock in rear replaced and turbo cooling hoses replaced for a decent charge also need some small suspension work done, i have dimpled and slotted rotors and pads, how many brake sensors do I need 2?4? Also I want this hideous trailer hitch removed, please help guys. I want my baby to get fix right but I don't want to be bent over at the dealership either🙏🙏🙏🙏

Turbo gasket? What?

[X5 MAN]

Originally Posted by x5lover7777

200 to 300 max?? just oem parts cost more than 300,, it's time for honda!!

Yes, 300 per wheel. At least the reputable rotors and pads.

[Colodano]

Yep, to the OP, it is so expensive since that what parts and labor start to cost when you deal with German vehicles compared to Honda, Toyota etc. Just wait until you get into shocks, electronics, oil pan gaskets etc.

But yes, looking around for deals you will basically always beat the dealer. Finding a good local independent shop is usually the way to go, and many times you can find a dealer trained tech who went out on their own, or works for a smaller shop. Or learn how to do it yourself, and save the labor rates and know that the job was done to your satisfaction.

[ryansbmw]

Here you go. Order this kit and find a normal shop to do the work, not a dealer.
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...116793245ktfr1

Or put together you own kit if you want different pads. I use Textar when I recently replaced mine earlier this year.

[clueless69]

Originally Posted by x5lover7777

it so easy to change brake pad, dealer usually change rotors, pad, sensor. but it's ok to change just pad and cut senor wire and tie them together for resetting, jurid make good pad 70-90 dollar for sets,,,,

well if you know the guy who know the guy who knows the bmw mechanic they have good left over rotors .some people change all rotors and brake shoes if mechanic say so.

[Poppyboy]

Changed my front pads and rotors today with the kit from FCP Euro with Akebono pads. Akebonos produce much less dust, with negligible performance difference. Less than $300 bucks total, done the right way. Easy DIY. Also don’t have to deal with the idiots overtorquing everything.

[chris604]

Originally Posted by Poppyboy

Changed my front pads and rotors today with the kit from FCP Euro with Akebono pads. Akebonos produce much less dust, with negligible performance difference. Less than $300 bucks total, done the right way. Easy DIY. Also don’t have to deal with the idiots overtorquing everything.

Did mine myself on the X5M. Oem parts are 2k per axle! So, I went on ebay for the rotors, for $200 in total for 2. Match the oem style. No slots or holes, or performance material. Then EBC yellow, as I track it a lot. And, did a brake flush with good fluid. In total $500 for everything, including flush, front and rear, with EBC yellow and oem rotors. Anyone know where I can get high performance rotors for X5M? Also, was wanting to get like real track pads which bite more than ebc yellow. Anyone using anything better than ebc yellow?

And, 2 track days prove that ebay rotors are ok, lol. But, still wanting to try out extreme high performance rotors and better pads if anyone has any links?

Thanks!

[Jerry-C]

I just had my brakes, sensors, rotors, and fluids changed at an indy for just under $1100 on a 2010 X5. I would not have this done at a dealer. Next time I will do it myself but that will be a long time from now.