Bra

davidh

davidh

Member
Brake Disc/Disk/Rotor Replacement

So I'm at the dealer and am told I need new front and rear brake discs with 43k miles on the bike. I looked at what they wanted to charge me for the parts and labor and almost went into cardiac arrest. Replacement looks straightforward but I'm questioning the cost of the parts -- all the OEM sources I've found have them for about $230 EACH -- I can't fathom paying $700 for three pieces of steel!

Anybody else gone through this and looked into aftermarket discs? I found another post referencing NG Brakes (pads and discs) but don't have any experience with them.

Thoughts/suggestions would be appreciated.
 
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SteveADV

SteveADV

Active member
Hey David, Is your bike still under warranty? Have you tried estimates from any local non-BMW repair shops? That does seem pricey.
 
TwoPort

TwoPort

Member
Are the rotors really bad? I doubt they are warped or scored or the things that used to justify replacement (or turning) "in the old days."

Les Schwab said I needed new rear rotors and pads because the rotors were "out of spec" on my Honda CRV. They refused to just put new pads on. I put new pads on myself and next time I went in for a tire rotation they said "looks great."

I'm no expert (like others on this forum) but really - how much metal could have been "relieved" such that a replacement is necessary!?

From another BMW dealer frustration, I spent a great deal of time on the phone with BMW North America about what is "needed" and "necessary" and what "will void your warranty." Sadly, it's caveat emptor out there and the dealers are at the center of it.

Unless there is real - demonstrable evidence the discs are degraded that you can see for yourself I'd replace the pads and move on. In other words, "43k miles" is not demonstrable evidence.

Some of this stuff is really frustrating cause its a big $ hit.
 
SteveADV

SteveADV

Active member
TwoPort said:
.....I'm no expert (like others on this forum) but really - how much metal could have been "relieved" such that a replacement is necessary?.......In other words, "43k miles" is not demonstrable evidence......
Click to expand...

Sounds like you are expert enough to me. The cynical side of me would suggest that there are those manufacturers that require over spec'd maintenance to help dealer profits as much as to maintain the vehicle. Other members of this forum have worked at dealers and would have a better handle on that (Snowdog?).
 
davidh

davidh

Member
SteveADV said:
Hey David, Is your bike still under warranty? Have you tried estimates from any local non-BMW repair shops? That does seem pricey.
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Sadly, no, but I'm guessing BMW would consider this a "wear item" and it wouldn't be covered. The cost of the OEM parts seems consistent everywhere I've checked so going to a non-BMW facility wouldn't help. I'm now looking at aftermarket discs.


TwoPort said:
Are the rotors really bad? I doubt they are warped or scored or the things that used to justify replacement (or turning) "in the old days."

Les Schwab said I needed new rear rotors and pads because the rotors were "out of spec" on my Honda CRV. They refused to just put new pads on. I put new pads on myself and next time I went in for a tire rotation they said "looks great."

I'm no expert (like others on this forum) but really - how much metal could have been "relieved" such that a replacement is necessary!?

From another BMW dealer frustration, I spent a great deal of time on the phone with BMW North America about what is "needed" and "necessary" and what "will void your warranty." Sadly, it's caveat emptor out there and the dealers are at the center of it.

Unless there is real - demonstrable evidence the discs are degraded that you can see for yourself I'd replace the pads and move on. In other words, "43k miles" is not demonstrable evidence.

Some of this stuff is really frustrating cause its a big $ hit.
Click to expand...

Excellent question about if they're really bad. In my experience, BMW autos are the same way -- the rotors seem to be just above minimum spec when new so they're due to replacement at EVERY pad replacement. I haven't put a micrometer on mine yet to see what the difference between new is. There's definitely wear but I can't say if it's too much or not.

Even more frustrating is that the dealer advised a pad replacement with the new discs. I explained I'd replaced all three sets less than 10k miles ago (my last two sets lasted over 15k miles each) and they said "we recommend replacing pads when replacing discs so they can seat in..." I called BS, noting that they don't do the converse, advise replacing the discs when you get new pads. They quickly backed down, having ZERO evidence to support their claim (aside from their desire to get another $350 for pad replacements.
 
TwoPort

TwoPort

Member
davidh said:
Even more frustrating is that the dealer advised a pad replacement with the new discs. I explained I'd replaced all three sets less than 10k miles ago (my last two sets lasted over 15k miles each) and they said "we recommend replacing pads when replacing discs so they can seat in..." I called BS, noting that they don't do the converse, advise replacing the discs when you get new pads. They quickly backed down, having ZERO evidence to support their claim (aside from their desire to get another $350 for pad replacements.
Click to expand...

Nothing like fear generating conclusions without any fact or measurement. Like - "sorry friend, these original 1/2" slab ring will most certainly die a miserable death when it gets "x" smaller and - wow - let me tell you, we measured it and you're there."

I posted elsewhere about a complete and total rip-off attempt by a Nor Cal BMW dealership somewhere near a big bridge and the ocean. The service manager was flatly claiming all kinds of replacement parts must be installed or it would void my warranty. It was a total lie. Needless to say, I went elsewhere.

Call BMW NA - navigate through the system - and speak with their motorcycle service service rep. You'll hear what I heard - this is no BMW recommendation at all. Its purely a service rep's opinion. And that's the problem. Most (but not all) of us are not knowledgable enough to know if its real or just revenue enhancement. Far too much seems like the latter.
 
exavid

exavid

Member
Unfortunately it doesn't appear that EBC is making rotors for the BMW scooters. Personally I'd put some new pads on it and call it good. Grooves parallel to the circumference really don't matter all that much. If there's a big lip on the edge of the rotor you might be able to find a shop that will do a light surface grind to knock it down. But I can't see how there would be that much wear on the rotors with the mileage you mention. If the old pads are worn thin but have flat surfaces with the same thickness around the perimeter I would just put on some new pads.

Sorry to hear of such a cheating dealer. I'm very lucky Hansen's BMW nearby is an excellent dealership and has a great shop. Very friendly place as well.
 
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davidh

davidh

Member
davidh said:
Cool, thank you! $65 each is WAY better than $230 :) I'll give them a shot.
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Sigh...so here's what I got back from CarpiMoto:

Hello,
We regret to inform that we can’t accept your order due to the payment card used .
The card you used doesn’t satisfy the security we require for international orders.
We will be glad to accept your order if you will pay with a Verified by Visa card or Mastercard Securecode or by Wire Transfer.

The card used for the payment is not a Verified by Visa

For more information about Verified by Visa and Mastercard Securecode please follow these links:
http://www.visaeurope.com/en/cardholders/verified_by_visa.aspx
http://www.mastercard.us/securecode.html
For you reference these are our Payment Policy Terms:
http://www.carpimoto.com/EN/GeneralInfo.aspx?idContent=4

FAQ:

Q: Why my transaction was approved by your bank and now you are writing me it does not satisfy your payment terms ?
A: The automatic system does not check if the card is a “Verified by Visa” or a “Mastercard Secure Code”, that’s why it is possible to complete the payment procedure. When we receive the payment we check if the transaction is conform to “Verified by Visa” or a “Mastercard Secure Code” , if it is not conform we promptly write to the customer and we cancel the transaction refunding the full amount.

Q: My card was charged for this order, and my bank has confirmed that this transaction has gone through. Please let me know what happens now ?
A: Your card will be credited as soon as your bank will receive the transaction cancellation, usually it will take 3 days.

Q: How can I purchase parts from you then ?
A: Just call your bank and upgrade your card to “Verified by Visa” or a “Mastercard Secure Code”, then place a new order.

Q: I have called my bank, they don’t comply with “Verified by Visa” or a “Mastercard Secure Code”, how can I purchase parts form you then ?
A: Most of the bank customer service expecially in US are not skilled enough and they prefer to tell the customer they don’t support “Verified by Visa” or a “Mastercard Secure Code”, when customer calls again his bank and complains, or threaten to change bank, the bank discovers that they can add the card this feature. If finally your card does not support “Verified by Visa” or a “Mastercard Secure Code” We suggest to use a different card or to wire money using an on-line service like http://www.transferwise.com/ .​

Anybody run across this and have any suggestions. I can definitely try the "contact your bank" route but surely there's an easier way!
 
W

wctan72

New member
Hi Davidh,

Sorry to hear that. Think they are looking for a card which has a 2-factor authentication. If your card doesn't meet the requirements, suggest to check with your bank or use another card. I have no issues with mine.
 
davidh

davidh

Member
wctan72 said:
Hi Davidh,

Sorry to hear that. Think they are looking for a card which has a 2-factor authentication. If your card doesn't meet the requirements, suggest to check with your bank or use another card. I have no issues with mine.
Click to expand...

Problem solved! My bank informed me that neither my Visa nor Mastercard met the requirements but my Visa-branded debit card was. I used it and everything seems to have gone through successfully.
 
davidh

davidh

Member
davidh said:
Problem solved! My bank informed me that neither my Visa nor Mastercard met the requirements but my Visa-branded debit card was. I used it and everything seems to have gone through successfully.
Click to expand...

Sigh...spoke too soon. Even the card I thought was "Verified" was rebuffed. Curiously, the charge was posted to my account and then immediate credited. I'm back to finding a North American Brembo distributor or just sucking it up and paying the $35 wire transfer charge. Why must it be so difficult?!?
 
Super-Fly

Super-Fly

New member
hardright said:
What is the recommended mileage to warrant a CVT belt replacement?
Click to expand...
I also changed mine at over 15k miles and that was with hard London riding, when I took the belt out you could see it was okay with the extra miles.

Sent from my SM-N910F using Tapatalk
 
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