How Long Should My Car's Rear Brakes Last?

Question

My car has 50,000 miles on it. I just recently replaced the front brakes for the 2nd time.

I've yet to replace the rear brakes. When do you think they will need replaced?

(The car is a BMW --- so I assume it has 4-wheel discs.)

Answer 1

Normally the rear brakes on newer cars will last a minimum of twice the front brakes. I would say that the next time you need front brakes the rears will also need replacing.
Since the late 1980s BMW has brake pad life idicators so if a pad gets to the point it needs to be replaced a warning light will illuminate.
Furthermore, due to car manufacturers saving every penny, brake mastercylinders are filled to FULL with new pads and new discs (or drums). As the brake parts wear this causes more fluid to enter the system. Once either the pads or the discs are at or below minimum the "Low Brake Fluid" light should come on.
SO - a quick check of brake pad / disc /.drum life is to look at the mastercyclinder. I say quick check because too many people have a habit of keeping the fluid level at full preventing the "Low Fluid" light from coming on if the brakes are worn below minimums.

Answer 2

Front brakes do most of the work while stopping, rear brakes wear at a lesser rate. However, replacing brakes twice in 50k miles seems like a very high wear rate. You must do a lot of stopping. Its easy to inspect the pads on disc brakes, you just have to jack the car up and remove the wheel and then look at each pad. A BMW most likely has the wear indicator installed in the pads that make a slight screeching noise as they reach the end of their useful like. Just inspect the rear pads.
As a side note, I've never had a set of brake pads wear out in 25K miles. You must do a lot of quick stopping or your mechanic needs the $$.

Answer 3

YES, your BMW should have 4-wheel disc brakes on it. The brake pad wear indicators are put there so you can have some warning about when the pads have worn down to about 30%-40% of remaining pad. The brake pad indicators are usually found on only two wheels, the left front and the right rear (in the USA). Lots of people are too busy going somewhere to stop right away and install new pads. Therefore the pads have a healthy reserve of brake pad material remaining when the pads finally get replaced.
Different models of BMW, like the 3 Series, the 5 Series, 6, 7, and 8 series cars all have different brake wear patterns because of their various weights and different drivers. Generally, however, the rear pads will last easily twice as long as the front pads. Inspections are highly recommended because different driving habits of the various drivers cause different wear patterns. Different brake pad compounds, like standard, heavy duty, long life, and sport, can make a 50% longer or shorter brake pad life when used on the same car. So you can see there are many variables to consider, and the most important single feature to observe is REGULAR BRAKE INSPECTIONS on a yearly basis or at least every 25,000 miles. On the newer model cars, brakes are supposed to be inspected every INSPECTION I and II (on USA models). The German TUV (Vehicle Inspection Agency) does a total vehicle inspection every two years, regardless of mileage.

Answer 4

I think you should get them looked at cause with BMW's thier disk brakes tends to be quite soft and if you wear out your brakes it will usually mean you'll have to replace your rotors... why take that chance BMW's part are not cheap... just have a pro check them out if the brake lights on your dash is not lit up if it is then you should have changed them last week.....

Answer 5

plenty would be counted on your utilising, yet i've got had rear brakes, particularly disc brakes, final nicely over one hundred fifty,000 miles. My previous 1996 Mercedes C-220 had its first set of rear brake pads put in at 225,000 miles, so it is not in simple terms FWD automobiles that coach low positioned on types on rear brakes.

Answer 6

The BMW On board computer will tell you when your brakes are in need or replacing it will read on the message center "Check brake lining"

Answer 7

I'm guessing your car is fairly new - it should have a wear indicator that will let you know when you absolutely need brakes. If you are doing the work yourself, I'd go ahead and throw another set of pads on - it only takes 15 minutes, and they are cheap. And, if you put them on before the disk gets out of shape you won't have to have them turned. Just de-glaze them.

Answer 8

take off one of the rear tires, and look at the brake shoe, or brake pad, and see how close to the back plate the shoe or pad is

Answer 9

have them looked at ,the way you are going through brakes it could be now