I have a 2000 BMW 328Ci and I was told I need new rotors. Is there an easy way to check for myself?

Question

I take such good care of my car and I don't overuse my brakes and I think this place is just saying I need them when I don't. There are no grooves in the rotor at all and they look perfectly smooth... I know grooves only show up once rotors are destroyed but is there some easy way I can check before making this investment???

Answer 1

All bimmers have disposable rotors because they have awesome braking ability, so their brake pads are more abrasive that makes the car stop quickly, albeit they leave a smooth appearance on the rotor they wear more quickly that rotors on a Honda.  Ever notice your wheels really get black from the brake dust?  This is proof that your brakes are working hard for you to stop like a BMW can.

With that being said, you can have them skip the rotors this time, but most likely the rotors you have now will be worn out before these brake pads.  Gotta love the lifestyle of owning and maintaining the Ultimate Driving Machine.

Answer 2

drive it up to 60mph and try to brake quite fast and see if car starts to shake expecially the sterrign wheels,if it does so then your rotors wore down till minimum and due to be replaced.

Answer 3

Yes! there is!

Often rotors wear down due to filler material in cheap brake pads. If your rotors have deep groves in them instead of a fairly level surface, you're probably going to need to get new rotors.

If your brake pedal pulses when you stop, you may have warped rotors. This happens most often when you ride the brakes on a long downhill run.

If you've done a lot of stop and go driving, and been through a few brake pads, it's also likely that your rotors have worn thin enough that they are no longer safe to resist the heat generated by the friction.

Also, if you see cracks or fringing on your rotors, they are definately going to have to be replaced. This happens when they overheat and the metal begins to fragment.

Being that your car is a 2000, I would say new rotors would be a good idea anyway.

Generally rotors aren't very expensive, and if you're having your brakes replaced as well, it's not much more work to replace the rotors.

Answer 4

You measure the thickness and if it's less than spec you replace...

most shops will also turn down rotors on a brake lathe to make sure they are flat....

i only turn or replace rotors if there is roughness or warpage..

if you are replacing pads because they are getting thin, and you have had no problems, i would leave the rotors alone...

The shop may not warranty the work however....

if you have mechanical ability you could do this within a saturday morning.......yourself...