Back to the dealership! yearly inspection, ABS light, new pads&rotors$$$$ - United Bimmer Community

**delmarco** · 07-05-2005, 10:40 PM

So BMW of Manhattan has been trying to get me o bring my car back for "yearly inspection" aka $$$$$$ gone out my pocket!

Anyway the ABS light has been annoying me and i think i need new brakes and rotors! cause my car doesn't brake like it used to and there is lots of sqeaking!

even after i got new brake differential fluid.

So far I know I'm paying them for the normal yearly Emmissions test ($37), and to check my ABS lights ($?) and to chec brakes and rotors for wear ($?)

anyway the woman on the phone at BMW said that Its all part of the "inspection"

and I'm now wondering what the hell that is?
and how much is it usually for inspection of a 1995 E36 318i?

**xsperf** · 07-05-2005, 10:58 PM

wtf are you doing taking your car to the dealer, take it to some crappy guy for the inspection, and then replace the brakes later, or probably before the inspection, but independently

**Spieluhr** · 07-06-2005, 03:47 AM

dude, delmarco, the answer is obvious, take that car to the dealer right fucking now! You clearly want to spend an insane amount of money, and at a BMW dealer is a great place to do it, I totally agree, Cause those inspections and brake work are tough, definately nothing some small euro mechanic can do, hell no...

**Dudesky** · 07-06-2005, 05:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by delmarco

anyway the woman on the phone at BMW said that Its all part of the "inspection"

and I'm now wondering what the hell that is?
and how much is it usually for inspection of a 1995 E36 318i?

Depends on which one. Inspection I runs about $250, and Inspection II runs about $450, could be slightly higher in the NY area. Any repairs are additional to those prices. A breakdown of what each entails can be found at http://www.bimmerzone.com/inspection.htm

Seriously though, you should find a local garage that knows BMW's and build a relationship with them.

**E36Bimmer** · 07-06-2005, 08:00 AM

im in the tri-state area and i can tell you that with my old 95 318i I went in for a "tune-up" and it cost me 2 grand. Brakes and rotors on all 4 wheels will cost $800 alone. The inspection will cost you at least $500-$600 and then they will find other fixes for god only knows how much more.. Call up Imported Cars of Stamford. They do premium work for a lot less than the dealer. I got a clutch replacement quote for $500 from them, compared to $850 from BMW..

**projal147** · 07-06-2005, 09:56 AM

dont go to the dealer.

if you know you need new brakes and rotors then do it youself. I did, it was easy, took maybe at most 4 hrs to do all 4 brakes. Once you get one down then the others are easy. Buy aftermarket brakes and rotors. if you want the sensor for the brakes then buy it from the stealer (if you really want to go there).

**billycuth** · 07-06-2005, 04:44 PM

guys, I took my car to Thompson BMW in Doylestown PA. I had them replace my air pump and put on new brake rotors and pads I got from Bavauto. Now, I did spend $1000 for all that and some other little issues, but let me tell you.... The best thing happened to me. While test driving the car, they drove over some new yellow road lines and got paint caked onto my car.

Your asking yourself, "and thats the best thing that happened to you?"

No, the best thing is, I get my whole car detailed, and an X3 to pimp around in until it's done... -_-

**billycuth** · 07-06-2005, 04:46 PM

PS - join BMWCCA! it gives you parts at cost and a 10% discount on labor at most stealerships!

The reason I took mine to the dealer was to get the work done right the first time. I have had too much work on my car over the years done wrong, and the inconvenience wasn't worth the savings!

**delmarco** · 07-06-2005, 05:24 PM

yeah, I plan on buying my pads and rotors from Bavauto!
I'm getting mintex low dust pads ($60) and probably the drilled rust free pads ($120)

I just wanted to find out if i needed new brake pads and rotors.

Also my ABS light is freaking me out!

**DEATH2000** · 07-06-2005, 07:32 PM

^^ then just dont slam on the breaks and youll be fine

**xxxbimmer** · 07-06-2005, 08:09 PM

my abs light went on.............i took it to a shop and had the code read out(some places do this for free, most charge $40)

the problem was my abs sensor......$60(parts+labor)

Get the codes read out........

my brakes squeak like hell........when u feel the grinding through the pedal there is a prob..... Just pop off a front tire and a rear one and check how much pad u have left...or have a shop do it (not the dealer)

**billycuth** · 07-07-2005, 07:45 AM

bimmer brakes suck. lets not kid ourselves. I have read many articles outlining how bad the e36 brake system is. Mostly stemming from suspension issues. The don't vent well and they warp a lot of times. I got pagid sport brake pads with the ultimate rotors from Bavauto. They rock so far. Give em a couple months and they'll warp.

**billycuth** · 07-07-2005, 07:47 AM

xxx- when you feel a shim through the brake pedal, it isn't because your pads are low, it is telling you your rotors are warped.

**xxxbimmer** · 07-07-2005, 08:05 AM

theres act a big diff between the 2 but can be related...........a warped rotor would cause abnormal brake wear.......

and u can deff feel your rotors grinding if you dont have ne pad left even if the rotors arent warped

the most common way to warp ur rotors is when they are really hot they get water on them..........so im concluding that in pa there is a large number of stop signs and water puddles where billy drives(and he drives too fast)

**billycuth** · 07-07-2005, 09:42 AM