BMW Brakes or Meineke?

[Nrnason]

Sorry this question may have been asked before but I want to ask anyway.
So my 2014 328ix GT needs brakes front and rear

Dealer price
Pads and rotors front $760
Pads and rotors rear $725

Meineke
Front pads and rotors $386
Rear pads and rotors $354

Is there a difference I should be concerned about and the Dealer ship tells me theirs come with a 2 year warranty, Meineke tells me theirs is a lifetime warranty? what ever that really means.

Thanks for any input I appreciate it.

[328 Power 04]

Those are not your only 2 choices.

You can have quality Zimmermann/Brembo disks + Textar pads installed, while saving money and having quality parts.

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Go to fcpeuro.com and shop around.

[Nrnason]

Who do you have do the work? Around here most if not all the local shops I know will not do work with parts you have purchased.

[shadowpuck]

have you taken the vehicle to a BMW shop other than the dealer? there must be something between dealer and meineke...

i'd also look into the BMW CCA (BMW Car Club of America) - most dealers and some BMW shops will offer discounts on parts/labor to club members.

are you certain you need new brakes all around?

[Nrnason]

Yes I have one shop locally that does BMW Audi and VW their price is over $600 per axle.
As far as front and rear needed, I had originally taken it to Meineke because of shaking during braking. ( I have purchased this car used BTW)
They told me that although the pads were new the rotors we're badly corroded and needed changing as well. The warranty company I am dealing with told me to bring it to a dealer. The dealship then told me almost the same thing in that even though the pads were new the rotors needed changing. Both places said that if you are needing new rotors the pads should be changed as well.

[bmwdirtracer]

I'd suggest visiting a local BMW specialist shop.....maybe German Autowerks or perhaps Concord Motorsport Service. (I don't know either on, just Googled Concord NH BMW service).

Ask them to have a look at your brakes, and tell you what you need, and what it will cost, using OEM quality parts.

Shops generally won't use customer parts because parts are where they really make their money.

Whatever you do, stay away from generic chain shops like Meineke, Midas, PepBoys, etc ! They use CRAP parts, and also often employ people who are completely unfamiliar with BMWs. It's likely they don't have the computers to release the rear calipers, or reset the CBS service records either.

If you care to join your local chapter of BMWCCA, you'll be able to ask local Bimmerheads what shops they use, or maybe find someone to help show you how to do the work yourself, and save bunches!

[Nrnason]

Yes German Autowerks is who gave me the estimate of $600 per axle. So really I have had 3 shops look at the brakes.
I would love to learn how to do it myself more than anything else.
But German Autowerks is a small but very reputable shop In the area.

[bmwdirtracer]

Let's just note that for the $1500 the dealer quoted, you could buy all new OEM quality parts, all the tools to do this job, including a good jack and jack stands, a Bentley manual, AND a Foxwell diagnostic tool which will communicate with all your car's computers, reset the service functions, release the brake calipers, and help you diagnose everything you come across in the future.

Let's see: (Now, please understand that there are a couple of different brake options, so these may not be the correct part numbers, but they are for a '14 328ixGT):

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-zimmerma...4116855006kt3/ Front rotors, $130 per pair
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-zimmerma...4216864900zkt/ Rear rotors, $109 per pair
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-textar-p...106799801~tex/ Front pads, $50
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-textar-p...206799809~tex/ Rear pads, $61
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-bowa-par...356792292~bow/ Rear sensor $20
(front sensor will be about the same, so total price for quality OEM part for BOTH axles will be about $400


Decent small trolley jack with 2 jackstands: About $100 at Harbor Freight.
The Foxwell ScanTool: About $150 from Foxwell or EBay
Necessary hand tools for this: Let's be really generous and say $200, so you'll buy a nice set of sockets for future endeavors.
Bentley Manual $100

So there you go: for $950, you'll have not only your brakes done, but a good diagnostic computer for every computer in your car, a decent jack and jack stands, a workshop manual, and a good starter set of tools!

And if you want to get around the $100 Bentley manual, here's a link to BMW factory service manuals:
https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/

[Nrnason]

Thanks Chris,
That is good advice I really want to do a lot of work myself to save $$ as you have probably guessed by now I am not a typical owner that can afford to buy a new BMW. But I have always wanted one. And now that I have one I really want to make it mine. It's a pretty technical vehical for sure. But I think I should be able to do my own brakes unless there is something very technical that I'm missing.
Thank you for your help.
Also I will be looking into a local BMWCCA to learn more.l

[shadowpuck]

chris - will this vehicle need anything done with an EPB or anything like that?

nr - it can be a lot of fun working on your own vehicle. most of us are biased here as we like to tinker, but it can be fun! the first job i learned to do on my BMW was brakes. check into your local chapter of CCA and see if they have any DIY programs. many chapters do - and, if nothing else, you'll likely find someone that knows how to do the work and can help you the first time.

i always tell DIY folks too it doesn't hurt to build a relationship with a good BMW shop or the dealer's service department (or, at the very least, their techs) - that can really come in handy! beer, bbq, and doughnuts go a long way!

[bmwdirtracer]

We're here to help you, as you work towards doing basic maintenance and diagnostics on your car. Sure, there will be things that need to be left to a pro, but you'll save a wheelbarrow full of cash, and enjoy your car much more when you're comfortable with doing some things yourself.

That said, since you're in a cold locale, I'm hoping you've got a garage. Has this early storm hit you yet? (I'm freezing, 1000 miles south of you!)

[Nrnason]

Unfortunately I have no garage so I am going to be buying g a good quality car cover. Although I am happy to try out my new snowblower. So there is a positive. I really appreciate the help from you guys and thank you.

[bmwdirtracer]

I love snow, for a short fun drive, with my Blizzak tires. (You DO have Blizzaks, don't you? See Tire Rack, Bridgestone Blizzak. These tires climb snow-covered trees).

After that, I want to curl up by a fire, because I do NOT get along with cold temps. Blame it on 18 years in Hawaii and 12 years in the Chihuahuan desert.)

[Nrnason]

Unfortunately I do not have them yet but they are on the list.

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Actually on that note,it rings a new thread of run flat vs. non run flat. I'm a realtor/ home inspector so either way I'm already late if I get a puncture. The local shop says No run flat of course the dealer tells me the car is tuned for them? About $100 difference between them.

[shadowpuck]

there will probably be a range of opinions on the run flat question.

if its critical that you be able to get somewhere with little delay, then a run flat is going to make that easier.
i wonder if your vehicle even has a spot for a full size spare - so, the whole discussion may be academic....

[Nrnason]

Unfortunately I checked under the back floor hatch and only found an additional storage box.
But nothing for a spare tire to fit.

[bmwdirtracer]

My M5 has no space either....so I carry a full sized spare in the trunk. And a real jack. And an electric impact gun. Call me paranoid.

[ross1]

Who do you have do the work? Around here most if not all the local shops I know will not do work with parts you have purchased.

I don't blame them, it's a problem when a customer purchased part doesn't fit correctly, is plain wrong or if it fails. It's not just about lost profit from parts sales.
Having said that the advice above is good and there will no doubt be a BMW specialist nearby who will order the brands you specify.
"Undercar"(tire, exhaust, brake & spring) and chain store shops aren't for this car, ever.

[jamin325i]

op,
go to autohausaz.com where they have info on who are oem parts manufacturers who specialize in parts for bmw. avoid aftermarket and unknown part makers for putting on a bmw.