The Todal > wrote:
>I have a 2012 BMW 3 series. I recently had two tyres replaced in a tyre
>and exhaust centre, and the man told me that both my front and rear
>brakes were worn and should be replaced within weeks.

Well, of course they are worn. The question is how worn are they?

>Yet the car itself is telling me that there are at least 6000 miles left
>before brake replacement is necessary. Which advice is likely to be more
>reliable? If the brake pads are dangerously worn, will the car's warning
>lights alert me?

I believe that you still have the electronic sensor on the brake pads on
this car, although you should check to make sure. If that's the case, when
the brake pads get worn down to the level of the sensor, the sensor will
wear through and you'll get a light on the panel telling you that the pads
need replacing. Only the front brakes have the sensors, but the front pads
wear faster than the rears normally.

There are people who will argue that since the pads are only $35 for a set and
the sensors are $15 or so each that it's better to replace the pads before the
sensors go, because it'll save you $30 on the job. These people are likely
not working at your local tire and exhaust center, though.
--scott


--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."