1996 BMW 318 BRAKES, PADS, ROTORS

KAREN PETERSON-VAUGHAN

MEMBER
1996 BMW 318
4 CYL
FWD
MANUAL
180,000 MILES

HOW DO I KNOW WHEN I NEED TO REPLACE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS, AND HOW DO I KNOW WHEN TO REPLACE 1 OR THE OTHER?
HOW DO I KNOW WHEN THE ROTORS ONLY NEED TO BE "TURNED", IF THERE'S SUCH A THING?
WHAT IS THE AVG COST OF REPLACING BRAKE PADS. ROTORS?
WHAT ARE SOME REPUTABLE SHOPS IN THE MEMPHIS & SURROUNDING AREAS, RECOMMENDED FOR BRAKE REPAIR FOR MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE?
3 DAYS AGO, THERE WAS ALOT OF FLOODING ON ROADWAYS IN MEMPHIS, AND MY CAR WENT THROUGH A COUPLE OF BIG WATER PUDDLES, AND NOW MY BRAKES ARE "SQUEALING" AND MY BRAKE LIGHT IS ON, ON MY DASH. WHAT WAS THE POSSIBLE DAMAGE DONE?

1 Reply

DOCHAGERTY

MECHANIC
9,601 POSTS

It seems as if there is a need for you to take a leap of faith and trust someone in your area with at least inspecting your car and to help you decide what measures would be best. The light on in the dash just indicates the pads have reached their service life and will require replacement, an inspection will reveal which brakes (front or rear) need service.