Worn Brakes

[psjkxp]

Bought an E46 M3 last feb from HR Owen
Only done 4500 mls in it.Weekend use only , bought it with 19k ... so total of 23500

Had some odd noises coming from the rear , though it might be the diff.
Took it in to be told it was broken spring and brakes are worn which are not under warranty

The reception bloke tells me that they must be worn out beacuse I don't use the car much !!
Infact I need new discs and pads all round ... in 4500 mls !
He claims I don;t understand. That if the car is not used regularly the brake wear out quicker !
My car is garaged and never goes out in the rain and has done most of the last 4500miles on the motorway.
Please, tell me this guy is talking b*&£$%ls?
Should I expect them to pay for new discs and pads as they should last far longer then 4500 miles after buying from a franchised dealer.

If I have to pay for disc and pads all round what should I expect to pay ? parts and labour?
Is there somewhere apart from BMW delaers I can get it done cheaper and still be within the warranty ?

[stockhatcher]

psjkxp said:

Bought an E46 M3 last feb from HR Owen Only done 4500 mls in it.Weekend use only , bought it with 19k ... so total of 23500 Had some odd noises coming from the rear , though it might be the diff. Took it in to be told it was broken spring and brakes are worn which are not under warranty The reception bloke tells me that they must be worn out beacuse I don't use the car much !! Infact I need new discs and pads all round ... in 4500 mls ! He claims I don;t understand. That if the car is not used regularly the brake wear out quicker ! My car is garaged and never goes out in the rain and has done most of the last 4500miles on the motorway. Please, tell me this guy is talking b*&£$%ls? Should I expect them to pay for new discs and pads as they should last far longer then 4500 miles after buying from a franchised dealer. If I have to pay for disc and pads all round what should I expect to pay ? parts and labour? Is there somewhere apart from BMW delaers I can get it done cheaper and still be within the warranty ?

discs and pads aren't covered under warranty.

your car has covered 23500 miles which is about right for the lifespan of front pads.

it is unlikely the rear disc/pads and front discs will need replacing.

as you have to have a spring replaced, you may as well get the front pads done at the same time.

please tell me that you are not upset because the pads have worn in the time you have owned the car, you need to consider how old the car is overall.

the dealer does not need to change pads as part of the used car standards before you ask - unless you specified it as part of the deal.

[Vee]

Motorway mileage does reduce brake life beacues all braking is done from cold.
Even so, its unlikley that your discs need replacing already.
Take it to an independent or someone who knows about these things for a second opinion - I think you'll find that they're nowhere near needing replacement.

[RichyCSL]

My car was a garage queen before I got it, the discs were supposedly corroded and were replaced on warranty.

[psjkxp]

Thanks for the replies guys

I take your point that the car has done 23500 miles overall
But having bought from a franchised dealer, and paid over the odds, I expect them to make sure the brakes are good for at least a years worth of average miles , ie 10,000 to 12,000.
Although I not an expert, I did look at the brake pads myself and and they look fine to me.
The pads seem to have plenty left and the discs look good.
Also , if the pads were very worn , should the warning lights not come on ? Or is that too late?

I'll be taking the beast to a friend who does all the MOTs for the same BMW dealership and see what he thinks.

Otherwise .... what gorgeous weather to put the top down and cruise.Shame I have to be at work to pay for the up keep !