Brakes are probably the most important safety item on your BMW.  There are many ways to tell if you are in need of brakes on your BMW.  Most BMWs have brake lining sensors located in the left front and the right rear brake system that measure the amount of brake pad material remaining on your car.  You can also have your brake system checked at our San Diego location at any time for no charge.  Depending on the year and model of your BMW a typical brake job will consist of the following:

Brake Pads

Brake Pad technology has changed over the years.  There are many different types of brake pads available for your BMW ranging from stock compound to full race application.  What we look for in a brake pad is one that performs slightly better than the stock BMW pad while having the same longevity.  At La Jolla Independent we also test many pads in an attempt to minimize the amount of brake dust that they produce as the stock BMW pads are very dusty making wheels look unsightly.

Brake Rotors or Discs

Starting in 1992, most brake rotors for BMWs are not able to be used more than once as they typically will be below the minimum allowable thickiness when brakes are due.  We measure each rotor before replacement to determine if the rotor can be re-used.   BMW rotors are intentionally thin in order to sve weight and increase performance in the handling of the car.  At La Jolla Independent we offer OEM rotors, performance rotors and we can also special order rotors for different race applications.

Clean all Brake Components and Adjust Emergency Brake

Proper cleaning of all brake components is critical during any brake job to insure that your BMW brakes work as efficiently as possibly with minimal heat build up.  During each brake job we clean all brake parts, inspect the integrity of your brake calipers and remove rust a debris from your wheel hub and brake caliper hanger.  During each rear brake job we also inspect your emergency brake shoes for any cracking as well as properly adjusting the hand brake shoes according to BMW specifications.  All this is done to insure that your BMW brakes are at optimal performance.

Brake Fluid Test

The main enemy of your BMW’s brake fluid is typically water.  It used to be said that brake fluid should be changed once every 2 years.  In today’s BMW, this is not always practical for the consumer and not always needed.  Conversely, if you tend to autocross or take your BMW to the track often, changing the fluid every two years would not be enough.  With each brake job and Inspection II we sample your BMW brake fluid to insure that it continues to function properly and to avoid brake failure or fade.

Should you have any questions regarding your brakes, or would like to come in for a free brake system check-up, feel free to give us a call to set an appointment.