Accuracy of the BMW computer

[Salmank]

Hi there,

I have a BMW X3, and I am getting a message on the screen that I need to change the rear brake pads.

However, I do not hear any sound even if I apply sharp breaks. And the cars stops instantly. So should still replace the break pass (R4200 at BMW), just because it comes on the screen, or should I rather repay R200 for a diagnostic test to see if the breaks really need replacement?

 

[TheChamp]

The computer warns you before the brakes are worn down to squealing levels, when they start squealing they are already eating into the disc. When last were they replaced?

 

[Pineapple Smurf]

Yup what @thechamp said

 

[N@t3]

Hi there,

I have a BMW X3, and I am getting a message on the screen that I need to change the rear brake pads.

However, I do not hear any sound even if I apply sharp breaks. And the cars stops instantly. So should still replace the break pass (R4200 at BMW), just because it comes on the screen, or should I rather repay R200 for a diagnostic test to see if the breaks really need replacement?

You know I aint no expert, I had the same issue on my Golf 6 gti, were it was warning me to check break pads and I know it still has 70% life. Took it for a Tyre rotation and a good wash afterwards and the message has not returned for quite some time, so I would assume a dirty sensor/ faulty sensor as we even ran the VAGCOM on it and no report for the brakes appeared. Also what @thechamp said as well could be the case.

 

[Salmank]

The computer warns you before the brakes are worn down to squealing levels, when they start squealing they are already eating into the disc. When last were they replaced?

Thanks for the responses.

Bought the car brand new and it's now 40 000 km. Never changed before.

 

[SauRoNZA]

Thanks for the responses.

Bought the car brand new and it's now 40 000 km. Never changed before.

Sounds fair enough time for near replacement.

But put a torch in there and have a look more often than not can see the groove on most cars without removing anything.

The noise you would hear on other cars wouldn’t happen in your case because you have active pad sensors. That noise is in fact the “time to change brake pads” in an old
School rudimentary fashion with a pin designed inside the pad to make it scream.

 

[SauRoNZA]

There’s also very little computer involved.

It’s a simple circuit being shorted and once it’s done it just reports to the car that it has.

So it shouldn’t really be a case of on/off/on/off faulty as once it’s on there should be no other state.