New 2009 2010 BMW Z4 - ZPOST
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read


Go Back   New 2009 2010 BMW Z4 - ZPOST > BMW Z4 Forum (E89) > 2009-Current Z4 Forum (E89) General Discussion

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      08-26-2012, 05:01 AM   #1
riccis
Private First Class
riccis's Avatar
United Kingdom
7
Rep
176
Posts

Drives: Z4 30i Auto
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: London

iTrader: (0)

Rear Brake Pads Replaced at 25K Miles

Hi,

Just had the rear brake pads replaced after the car has only done 25K miles. Is it just me or is the mileage very low for rear brake pads? Fronts still appear (according to computer) to still have loads of life left in them.

Would have expected the fronts to wear first? What are your thoughts?

Thanks in advance.
Appreciate 0
      08-26-2012, 10:58 AM   #2
raven333
Private First Class
raven333's Avatar
7
Rep
175
Posts

Drives: Sapphire Black 3.0siM sport
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: United Kingdom

iTrader: (0)

Hi! the rear pads spend a lot of time managing the car in terms of anti skid and when doing fast corners etc, so they have a lot more use than the traditional rear pads so wear out quite quickly.
What does concern me though is the electronic parking brake, if it releases but not enough and the pads rest against the discs still allowing the wheels to turn will wear out the pads quicker.......just a thought given how they actuate!!!!
Appreciate 0
      08-26-2012, 11:55 AM   #3
riccis
Private First Class
riccis's Avatar
United Kingdom
7
Rep
176
Posts

Drives: Z4 30i Auto
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: London

iTrader: (0)

Raven....great points you raise. Didn't consider traction control and all that so thanks for pointing it out.

Regarding the electronic handbrake......good point there too. But how to check that it's actually releasing the pads sufficiently?

Thanks for your input.
Appreciate 0
      08-26-2012, 12:03 PM   #4
Z4@Phuket
Lieutenant
Thailand
63
Rep
433
Posts

Drives: Z4 E89
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Bangkok, Thailand

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2009 BMW Z4  [8.00]
2004 BMW 525i  [0.00]
I have 35k km, rear pads go only 50%, front is gone
__________________
Appreciate 0
      08-26-2012, 12:27 PM   #5
riccis
Private First Class
riccis's Avatar
United Kingdom
7
Rep
176
Posts

Drives: Z4 30i Auto
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: London

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Z4@Phuket View Post
I have 35k km, rear pads go only 50%, front is gone
You're clearly not pushing hard enough

You need to get those rear tyres working overtime
Appreciate 0
      08-26-2012, 03:23 PM   #6
samiti
Enlisted Member
Slovenia
0
Rep
30
Posts

Drives: BMW Z4 E89
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Somewhere on the road

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by riccis View Post
But how to check that it's actually releasing the pads sufficiently?
To check this time to time drive very slow (like just before stoping) and you should feel if pads are pushing the disks. Not a rocket science.
Appreciate 0
      08-26-2012, 03:48 PM   #7
ChuckB
Lieutenant
ChuckB's Avatar
United_States
17
Rep
448
Posts

Drives: 2020 X2 2.0i
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Hockenheim, Germany (APO)

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by riccis
Raven....great points you raise. Didn't consider traction control and all that so thanks for pointing it out.

Regarding the electronic handbrake......good point there too. But how to check that it's actually releasing the pads sufficiently?

Thanks for your input.
The parking brake uses a threaded, locking rod to engage, when you release the parking brake it unscrews the rod back to the same place it started from, which would have been the Clarence the pads had when you applied them. Granted this probably be measured in nanometers. If they do not return to the starting point you will a brake error on the dash and/or console.
Appreciate 0
      08-26-2012, 04:29 PM   #8
HerrK
Captain
HerrK's Avatar
40
Rep
640
Posts

Drives: 21 X5 40i, 77 R100Rs
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: AZ

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by riccis View Post
Raven....great points you raise. Didn't consider traction control and all that so thanks for pointing it out.

Regarding the electronic handbrake......good point there too. But how to check that it's actually releasing the pads sufficiently?

Thanks for your input.

Rubbish on the traction control explanation. 25K miles is too early without some problem: riding the brakes, improperly set from the factory, a mechanical or electrical fault, etc.

Who replaced the pads? What did the old pads look like? Were both L&R worn equally? What was the wear on the inside and outside pads? Did whomever replace the pads do any checks to ensure they are properly set after replacement?
__________________

HerrK - 2021 X5 40i M Sport l PCD l Atlantis Blue/Ext'd Tartufo Merino l M Sport w/blue Calipers l Matt Popular l HK Sound l 740's l Exec & Drive Pro Pack
Sold w/Great Memories - E89 Z4 l ED 2010 l 2011 35i l Crimson/Ext'd Coral Red w/Alum l 6 sp MT l Prem Sound l Sport Pack l 296's
Appreciate 0
      08-26-2012, 05:43 PM   #9
persian54
Lieutenant General
persian54's Avatar
United_States
921
Rep
15,818
Posts

Drives: M760/G83M4
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: The Valley, SoCal

iTrader: (298)

25k miles...?! and you're saying it didn't last long enough?!?!

How much do you guys baby the cars....?

I've never had a set of brake pads last more than ~5k miles (Front), 15k miles (rear)
Appreciate 0
      08-26-2012, 05:58 PM   #10
eugenelee
New Member
Singapore
1
Rep
15
Posts

Drives: z4 sdrive 23i
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Singapore

iTrader: (0)

Brakes are really dependent on driving style; how hard you drive, how hard you go into a corner, if you only brake hard in a straight line when you come to a stop at lights, etc.

Personally I've found the idrive conditional maintenance notices rather accurate. But mine started out with 50,000km life from new. Now after 5,000km, my rears are down to 45,000km but my fronts are still at 50,000km. Strange, but the pads do look like what the idrive say they should be.
Appreciate 0
      08-27-2012, 08:46 AM   #11
nickm9
Private First Class
8
Rep
185
Posts

Drives: E89 Z4 35i - Alpine White
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: London

iTrader: (0)

25K is plenty...and also depends how you drive. I drive fast and brake late, so mine are expected not to last too long ....
Appreciate 0
      08-27-2012, 12:39 PM   #12
raven333
Private First Class
raven333's Avatar
7
Rep
175
Posts

Drives: Sapphire Black 3.0siM sport
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: United Kingdom

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by HerrK View Post
Rubbish on the traction control explanation. 25K miles is too early without some problem: riding the brakes, improperly set from the factory, a mechanical or electrical fault, etc.

Who replaced the pads? What did the old pads look like? Were both L&R worn equally? What was the wear on the inside and outside pads? Did whomever replace the pads do any checks to ensure they are properly set after replacement?

HerrK it would be good if you could advise us on how traction control works??? given that you have said traction control is a rubbish explanation for the wear of rear brake pads!!!!
Appreciate 0
      08-28-2012, 12:04 AM   #13
HerrK
Captain
HerrK's Avatar
40
Rep
640
Posts

Drives: 21 X5 40i, 77 R100Rs
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: AZ

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by raven333 View Post
HerrK it would be good if you could advise us on how traction control works??? given that you have said traction control is a rubbish explanation for the wear of rear brake pads!!!!
Well for starters your confusing DSC with DTC. DTC is a subset of DSC. You have to minimize the DSC which activates the DTC. Sport and Sport+ have different levels of combined DSC and DTC control active. Sport+ = DCS minimized (not full off) & DTC full on.

DSC does activate various brake calipers individually to help keep the vehicle under control based on feedback from the pitch/yaw sensors and individual wheel speed rotation input sensors. In addition throttle/engine control is activated. DSC is not just controlling rear brakes. So I would not expect this abnormal rear brake wear as described

Maybe if you drive aroung full bore every minute with the car in "sport+" mode you will experience abnormal rear brake wear. I don't get that impression of driving style from the OP's statements, but you know what happens when you ASS-U-ME.

Study this document, I'll post some quiz questions tomorrow (just kidding). Good reading on EMF and other controls

Attachment 742015
__________________

HerrK - 2021 X5 40i M Sport l PCD l Atlantis Blue/Ext'd Tartufo Merino l M Sport w/blue Calipers l Matt Popular l HK Sound l 740's l Exec & Drive Pro Pack
Sold w/Great Memories - E89 Z4 l ED 2010 l 2011 35i l Crimson/Ext'd Coral Red w/Alum l 6 sp MT l Prem Sound l Sport Pack l 296's

Last edited by HerrK; 07-24-2013 at 08:30 PM..
Appreciate 0
      08-28-2012, 08:03 AM   #14
raven333
Private First Class
raven333's Avatar
7
Rep
175
Posts

Drives: Sapphire Black 3.0siM sport
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: United Kingdom

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by HerrK View Post
Well for starters your confusing DSC with DTC. DTC is a subset of DSC. You have to minimize the DSC which activates the DTC. Sport and Sport+ have different levels of combined DSC and DTC control active. Sport+ = DCS minimized (not full off) & DTC full on.

DSC does activate various brake calipers individually to help keep the vehicle under control based on feedback from the pitch/yaw sensors and individual wheel speed rotation input sensors. In addition throttle/engine control is activated. DSC is not just controlling rear brakes. So I would not expect this abnormal rear brake wear as described

Maybe if you drive aroung full bore every minute with the car in "sport+" mode you will experience abnormal rear brake wear. I don't get that impression of driving style from the OP's statements, but you know what happens when you ASS-U-ME.

Study this document, I'll post some quiz questions tomorrow (just kidding). Good reading on EMF and other controls

Attachment 742015
Herrk! It is great when someone rises to the bait, clearly well informed, you have made me smile!!! however whilst all of those electronic controls are used to manage the vehicle traction they still use the rear brake pads to a greater extent to control rear wheel traction, given we also have rear wheel drive!!
What I truly do not like is the mode of use of the electronic parking brake, it is a neat feature ie pull a switch, but I do not believe that this is the way forward as in the past I did have a car where the brakes failed and the only way to stop the car was to pull on the handbrake!!! Plus no more handbrake turns.......
Appreciate 0
      08-28-2012, 08:45 PM   #15
Z4-Pilot
New Member
United_States
1
Rep
19
Posts

Drives: 2012 Z4 sDrive35i 6mt
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Hampton Roads, VA

iTrader: (0)

Raven, you are correct that we can't use the parking brake to motivate the rear end around. However, if you pull up on the switch and hold it up the brakes will engage to slow the car to a stop in an emergency situation. It is listed as such on page 49 of my manual (2012). Yes, I have never tried that feature out!
__________________
Air Force Rescue
...these things we do that others may live...
Appreciate 0
      08-28-2012, 10:00 PM   #16
HerrK
Captain
HerrK's Avatar
40
Rep
640
Posts

Drives: 21 X5 40i, 77 R100Rs
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: AZ

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Z4-Pilot View Post
Raven, you are correct that we can't use the parking brake to motivate the rear end around. However, if you pull up on the switch and hold it up the brakes will engage to slow the car to a stop in an emergency situation. It is listed as such on page 49 of my manual (2012). Yes, I have never tried that feature out!
I've tried the EMF at slow speeds less than 15 mph. You have to physically hold up the switch to activate and as soon as you release the switch the brakes release. Unfortunately as you stated no power sliding assists with the EMF brake as all four wheel brakes are activated in the dynamic emergency braking mode. I didn't held it on long enough to see if the ABS becomes active - I assume it will. The RFT's are nearing the end of their life so I make that a test before I throw them away.
__________________

HerrK - 2021 X5 40i M Sport l PCD l Atlantis Blue/Ext'd Tartufo Merino l M Sport w/blue Calipers l Matt Popular l HK Sound l 740's l Exec & Drive Pro Pack
Sold w/Great Memories - E89 Z4 l ED 2010 l 2011 35i l Crimson/Ext'd Coral Red w/Alum l 6 sp MT l Prem Sound l Sport Pack l 296's
Appreciate 0
      08-30-2012, 11:44 AM   #17
USE Z4S
Private
USE Z4S's Avatar
0
Rep
98
Posts

Drives: 2013 Tundra Crewmax Limited
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Colorado and Florida

iTrader: (0)

FWIW, I had to replace my rear brakes at 17,000 miles.
__________________
Ordered: 2015 M4: Austin Yellow Metallic 6MT, Exec. Package, Adaptive M Suspension, Side and Top View Camera, Carbon Ceramic Brakes
Appreciate 0
      08-30-2012, 01:52 PM   #18
raven333
Private First Class
raven333's Avatar
7
Rep
175
Posts

Drives: Sapphire Black 3.0siM sport
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: United Kingdom

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by USE Z4S View Post
FWIW, I had to replace my rear brakes at 17,000 miles.
Hi! Just out of interest how long have your rear tyres lasted???? Or What tread is left??? There may well be a correlation between the two!!
Appreciate 0
      08-30-2012, 02:50 PM   #19
BluuZ4AZ
New Member
0
Rep
18
Posts

Drives: 2009 Z4 sDrive 35i
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Southwest

iTrader: (0)

I would think that 90% of us do not have to replace any brake pads that soon.

If brake pads need to be replaced at only 25k miles then that would be the exception, and attributed to driving habits.
Appreciate 0
      08-31-2012, 03:32 PM   #20
nicknaz
Lieutenant General
nicknaz's Avatar
3183
Rep
10,509
Posts

Drives: C6Z
Join Date: May 2008
Location: NorCal

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by persian54 View Post
25k miles...?! and you're saying it didn't last long enough?!?!
+1

The traction control light doesn't flash when the car is intervening using the rear brake pads.

It is very credible to me that the pads will be used up at 25k miles and I personally expect mine to need replacement much sooner.
Appreciate 0
      09-02-2012, 06:31 PM   #21
riccis
Private First Class
riccis's Avatar
United Kingdom
7
Rep
176
Posts

Drives: Z4 30i Auto
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: London

iTrader: (0)

Thanks for all the comments.

I dont reall think that I drive that spirited to be honest. Don't really have the opportunity in and around London, and certainly when my better half is in the car with me.

However, only yesterday I noticed that the computer was telling me I needed a service in 9000 miles. Went into the vehicle status menus on the computer and it's telling me that the rear pads need replacing in 9000 miles!!! Fronts, FYI still have 24000 miles left (they have yet to be changed from when the car was purchased new).

Now this raised the question: given that I only changed the rears pads a week ago, can I really only have 9000 miles left in them?

@Raven333: rears tyres are pretty much at the limit now and I will be looking to replace them in the next couple of weeks.
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Tags
brakes, pads, rear, rear brake pads change

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:31 PM.




zpost
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST