The Ultimate BMW Brake Change Guide

In this video I show you how to replace your brakes on your BMW. This guide can be used for all modern non M models going back about 20 years. I perform this brake service on a BMW F30 328i but this process would have been identical on my E90 335i, the only difference would be the components would have been larger.

I cover every detail I could think of with regards to doing a proper brake job on your BMW.

If you're looking for a thorough guide on how to meticulously replace your brakes this video should have you covered.

If you have a F30 328i with standard brakes and want to purchase the components I install in this video you can get them here (affiliate):

The rotors:

The pads:

If this is the first video you are catching of mine please consider subscribing. I upload regularly.

Thanks for watching :)

When you see the word "affiliate" listed beside any link in my description please know that this is a custom link and I will earn a small commission if you opt to purchase using said link. This is at no extra cost to you so it's a win all around :) Thank you!

[kermittfrog]

I really appreciate the fact that this channel has absolutely no clickbait, no stupid jokes, no cheapest salvage title super car in the states. Plus being BMW only is a plus 👍

[emrahbeslija]

Vehicular DIY to a million subs, floating that out to the universe

[RICHMindsetzz]

Dude you just saved me a ton of money! Just did my front brakes on my 2017 4 series and it took me a few hours with running back and forward to AutoZone but all in all I got it done. Dealership quoted me $1200 and doing it myself I spent between $250-$300 total…Huge thanks for the tutorial!

[Riley]

Just did this job with the exact parts. Can't go wrong, especially ordering from FCP Euro

[Riley]

Also, you deserve more subs!!!! You're one of the few bmw DIY content creators that do things the right/thorough way.

[dretookoo]

Hands down you are the only one on YouTube that knows how to take off a tire. Everyone else jacks up car to take off lmao..🤣😂 good job man

[MotorenWerkeN]

One call out, BMW guide pins are engineered to be run dry. Always love your DIYs, best BMW content on YouTube IMO.

[lw]

By far the best and most thorough of several BMW brake job videos I've watched. I just replaced the rear pads on our 2017 530I X Drive, 34000 miles. Going to do the front tomorrow. It took me as long to find the right sequence to reset the "Brake Warning" light as it did to replace the pads.... This is the first time I've signed in and subscribed to a You Tube channel, your video made it worth it, Thanks. Signing out from Canyon Lake TX.

[doofwop]

Just did this job myself, and used Zimm solid rotors as I have for the past 15 years or so on my 19 year old E46. I prefer good old Textars however. They dust up but I don't care. They stop great. And for a BMW volume car like mine, plenty good enough. It's not a race car. I feel the need to mention however, that BMW instructs to not use any lubricant on those caliper pins. Just run them in dry. Also, smearing paste on the hub faces is generally not recommended either. I've done it in the past myself and experienced no issues, but now I use a thinner anticorrosion agent instead of grease on the hub faces such as Corrosion X. Also, if you don't have a Milwaukee M12 polisher with a Roloc disc go out and buy one. Superb for cleaning corrosion off hub faces and wheel before you put the new parts back in.

[michaelkettleson]

A tip for removing the Allen bolt that stops the disk coming off, get a short length of allen key say 20-30mm long put it in the bolt head and give it a sharp blow or two on the end with a hammer, this shocks the bolt and helps break through rust which may be clogging the threads. It works most of the time. Replace a bolt you have have had difficulty removing and apply copper slip to the thread.

[baseballguy]

I just had all four done on my X5 35d. The Akebono pads are the bomb. I agree, they stop differently than the stock pads, but there is no noise, and no dust at all.

[violinmiata]

Great video. The last brake job was through a really excellent independent BMW shop, I managed to glaze the brakes in the first week and was about to bring the car back but then I found myself going 120 and almost missing my exit, middle pedal to the floor, made the exit and the brakes have been perfect for 30k. One of those Italian tune up moments. Might do the upcoming brake job myself. 175, 00 mile E60 535xi, will drive this car and maintain it until it gets crashed or I pass it to my kids when I’m old and gas cars are rare. Discovered the channel a couple of weeks ago, this is a goldmine of information, nice under spoken and charming format too. Thank you

[jacobbub]

Sounds like some hub play when you shook the front wheel checking stability on the jack stand. Side note...I love your videos. You deserve way more viewers than you have currently. Love from sylvania ohio

[plightn]

I appreciate that you put this video up because I have to do this job soon on mine.

[king-jcgz]

Expert engineer and professional photographer Thank you very much

[philiplee]

Excellent tutorial and good editing!
For what it’s worth, I’ve been using ATE COATED ROTORS, ATE CERAMIC PADS and ATE PLASTILUBE ( IDENTICAL TO BMW PLASTILUBE BUT JUST HAS THE ATE BRAND ON TUBE AND MADE BY CONTINENTAL GmbH, who supply same product to BMW) for all the sliding surfaces. Your use of Zimmerman and Akebono are also great quality.

[xhfyxhfy]

Doing that very thing today on my E39 M5... you just confirmed and validated my intended process.

[randythemitoman]

I love Bosch Quietcast rotors because of the zinc anti-corrosion coating. But it looks like Zimmerman are also coating their rotors the same way now. I love Bosch Quietcast pads too. They're low dust and good all-around.

[machtschnell]

Fun brake jobs. I am old school and believe in checking lateral and radial runout on even new rotors. Better to turn them before they are installed if they need it.

[amolabib]

I can give you a good tip, in most BMWs, you don't have to remove the caliber bracket to change the rotor! The rotor usually slips out sideways out of the bracket, and you can just put the new one in! This makes it much easier since you don't have to take the bracket bolts off and torque them back on :)