"Rear brake pads thin" warnin gon iDrive?

[kavehm]

So last week I got a "Service Due" warning and took the beast (e90 330xi 21k miles, loves to be driven...) into the dealer to get the filter changed and rear brakes looked at. The dealer replaced the microfilter and did not replace the rear brake pads. Their excuse was that "the software is too sensitive" and that "my rear brake pads are just fine", and that I need to wait for a "software update" so that the warning message no longer is set off. http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/images/smilies/confused1.gif Does this sound a little suspect? Why would the software originally be "too sensitive" to brake pad usage? Does it make sense to "upgarde" to softare that "isn't as sensitive"? Should I go back and tell them that until they "fix the software" they should replace my brake pads so that I'm not worried/nervous every 5 minutes when my warning chimes go off? Any ideas, sugggestions? has anyone else seen this before?

thanks,
kavehm

[shifterkart33]

I'd have asked to see the pads when it was on the lift. You may still be able to see them through the wheels. My old e46 323i didn't need rear pads until 60 or 70K miles, so you should be OK.

[jbass524]

my rear pads went down to about 4mm and the brake service light went amber (19,000 miles). The same happened with my front pads yesterday.

Dealer replace rears last week and will do the fronts this week.

See if you can measure the pad thickness. That will help you understand if the dealer is being less than honorable.

[kellie]

Some E90s have had brake lining light issues. The culprit has been a number of things from bad pad wear sensors to software to failed DSC units. I can't think of a single reason why they would let you drive out of there with worn rear pads. It would be a safety concern, and I guarantee they don't want that sort of liability. I am confused as to why they didn't fix the issue while the car was in the shop though - did you tell them that you needed the car back by a certain time or something?

[mryakan]

They are probably right. Check out my experience: http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=943130

[Grumpa72]

Why not take the tire off yourself and have a look. I never let pads get below 1/4".

[kavehm]

I talked to the service lead at my dealership, they mentioned that this is a known issue (i took a look myself and the pads seem plenty thick) and apparently BMW is working on a software fix for this, and it may take a while.....not sure if that's acceptable.....in the meantime I guess i'll just ignore the warnings on iDrive.......just curious if anyone else has seen this issue before?

[mryakan]

I talked to the service lead at my dealership, they mentioned that this is a known issue (i took a look myself and the pads seem plenty thick) and apparently BMW is working on a software fix for this, and it may take a while.....not sure if that's acceptable.....in the meantime I guess i'll just ignore the warnings on iDrive.......just curious if anyone else has seen this issue before?
Did you check the link to my thread that I posted above? My SA also told me they've seen several cars with this issue. Hope they have a software fix in case this comes again.

[kellie]

There was a bulletin released on this issue, but I can't access it from my computer here at home (stupid Macs). They just released a new version of the programming and diagnostic software this week, and I believe it contains the fix for the brake lining light.

[Briar]

This occurance is not unusual, not welcome, and suspect to s/w - typical culprit being the s/w that "taps" the brakes during rain /wet weather to keep them "dry".
I had to replace rear brake pads in an E320 after 25K miles, never got the straight scoop from my SA, but they solved this with new pads and s/w and I drove another 60K miles without having to replace any brake pads, so problem was "solved"!
Suggest you ask your SA details regarding the solution and why.