Change Car Front Brake Discs and Pads BMW 3-Series

Change Car Front Brake Discs and Pads

Easy 1h30–17h00 ~150–1700£
Estimated time 1h30–17h00
Estimated labour cost ~150–1700£
Difficulty Easy
Vehicles
3-Series 1982-1995 15
  • 316 Petrol (M10B18)
  • 316i Petrol (M10B18)
  • 316i Petrol (M40B16)
  • 318i Petrol (M10B18)
  • 318i Petrol (M40B18)
  • 318is Petrol (M42B18)
  • 320i Petrol (M20B20)
  • 320i Petrol (M20B20)
  • 320is Petrol (S14B20)
  • 323i Petrol (M20B23)
  • 323i Petrol (M20B23)
  • 325e Petrol (M20B27)
  • 325i, -ix Petrol (M20B25)
  • M3 Petrol (S14B23)
  • M3 Petrol (S14B23)
3-Series 1990-2000 15
  • 316g (65/75 kW) CNG,Petrol (M43B16)
  • 316i (73/75 kW) Petrol (M40B16)
  • 316i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M43B16)
  • 318i (83/85 kW) Petrol (M40B18)
  • 318i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M43B18)
  • 318is Petrol (M42B18)
  • 318is, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M44B19)
  • 320i Petrol (M50B20)
  • 320i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M52B20)
  • 323i Petrol (M52B25)
  • 323ti, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M52B25TU)
  • 325i Petrol (M50B25)
  • 328i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M52B28)
  • M3 GT Petrol (S50B30)
  • M3 Petrol (S50B30)
3-Series 1998-2007 26
  • 316 Ci Petrol (M43B16TU)
  • 316i, -Ci, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M43B19TU)
  • 316i, -ti, -Ci Petrol (N40B16)
  • 316i, -ti, -Ci Petrol (N45B16)
  • 316i, -ti, -LPG LPG,Petrol (N42B18A)
  • 316i, -ti, -LPG LPG,Petrol (N46B18A)
  • 316ti Petrol (N40B16)
  • 318 Ci Petrol (N46B20)
  • 318d Diesel (M47D20)
  • 318d, -td Diesel (M47D20TU)
  • 318i, -Ci, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M43B19TU)
  • 318i, -ti, -Ci, -LPG LPG,Petrol (N42B20)
  • 318i, -ti, -Ci, -LPG LPG,Petrol (N46B20)
  • 320d Diesel (M47D20)
  • 320d, -Cd Diesel (M47D20TU)
  • 320d, -td, -Cd Diesel (M47D20TU)
  • 320i, -Ci, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M52B20TU)
  • 320i, -Ci, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M54B22)
  • 323i, -Ci, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M52B25TU)
  • 325i, -xi, -ti, -Ci, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M54B25)
  • 328i, -Ci, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M52B28TU)
  • 330d, -xd Diesel (M57D30)
  • 330d, -xd, -Cd Diesel (M57D30TU)
  • 330i, -xi, -Ci, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M54B30)
  • M3 CSL Petrol (S54B32)
  • M3, -LPG LPG,Petrol (S54B32)
3-Series 2005-2013 44
  • 316d Diesel (N47D20C)
  • 316i Petrol (N43B16A)
  • 316i Petrol (N45B16A)
  • 318d Diesel (M47D20TU2uL)
  • 318d Diesel (N47D20A)
  • 318d Diesel (N47D20C)
  • 318i Petrol (N43B20A)
  • 318i Petrol (N43B20A)
  • 318i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (N46B20B)
  • 320d Diesel (M47D20TU2OL)
  • 320d Diesel (N47D20A)
  • 320d Diesel (N47D20A)
  • 320d Diesel (N47D20C)
  • 320d EfficientDynamics Diesel (N47D20C)
  • 320d, -Xd Diesel (N47D20C)
  • 320d, -Xd M Performance Diesel (N47D20C)
  • 320i Petrol (N43B20A)
  • 320i Petrol (N46B20B)
  • 320i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (N43B20A)
  • 320i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (N46B20B)
  • 320Si, -LPG LPG,Petrol (N45B20A)
  • 323i Petrol (N52B25A)
  • 323i Petrol (N52B25A)
  • 323i Petrol (N52B25A)
  • 325d Diesel (M57D30T2)
  • 325d Diesel (N57D30A)
  • 325i Petrol (N53B30A)
  • 325i, -Xi Petrol (N52B25A)
  • 325i, -Xi Petrol (N53B30A)
  • 325i, -Xi, -LPG LPG,Petrol (N52B25A)
  • 328i, -Xi Petrol (N51B30A)
  • 330d Diesel (M57D30T2)
  • 330d, -xd Diesel (M57D30T2)
  • 330d, -xd Diesel (N57D30A)
  • 330i, -Xi Petrol (N52B30A)
  • 330i, -Xi Petrol (N52B30A)
  • 330i, -Xi Petrol (N53B30A)
  • 335d Diesel (M57D30T2)
  • 335d Diesel (M57D30T2)
  • 335i, -Xi Petrol (N54B30A)
  • 335i, -Xi Petrol (N55B30A)
  • 335is Petrol (N54B30A)
  • M3 GTS/CRT Petrol (S65B44A)
  • M3 Petrol (S65B40A)
3-Series 2011-2020 35
  • 316d Diesel (B47D20A)
  • 316d Diesel (N47D20C)
  • 316i Petrol (N13B16A)
  • 318d, -xDrive Diesel (B47D20A)
  • 318d, -xDrive Diesel (B47D20A)
  • 318d, -xDrive Diesel (N47D20C)
  • 318i Petrol (B38B15A)
  • 320d EfficientDynamics Diesel (B47D20A)
  • 320d EfficientDynamics Diesel (N47D20C)
  • 320d, -xDrive Diesel (B47D20A)
  • 320d, -xDrive Diesel (N47D20C)
  • 320d, -xDrive M Performance Diesel (B47D20A)
  • 320d, -xDrive M Performance Diesel (N47D20C)
  • 320i EfficientDynamics, -LPG LPG,Petrol (N13B16A)
  • 320i Petrol (B48B20A)
  • 320i, -xDrive Petrol (B48B20A)
  • 320i, -xDrive, -LPG LPG,Petrol (N20B20B)
  • 325d Diesel (B47D20B)
  • 325d Diesel (B47D20B)
  • 325d Diesel (N47D20D)
  • 328i Petrol (N26B20A)
  • 328i, -xDrive Petrol (N20B20A)
  • 330d, -xDrive Diesel (N57D30A)
  • 330d, -xDrive M Performance Diesel (N57D30A)
  • 330e PHEV Electricity,Petrol (B48B20A+GC1)
  • 330i, -xDrive Petrol (B48B20B)
  • 335d xDrive Diesel (N57D30B)
  • 335i, -xDrive M Performance Petrol (N55B30A)
  • 335i, -xDrive M Performance Petrol (N55B30A)
  • 335i, -xDrive Petrol (N55B30A)
  • 340i, -xDrive M Performance Petrol (B58B30A)
  • 340i, -xDrive Petrol (B58B30A)
  • Active Hybrid 3 Electricity,Petrol (N55B30A)
  • M3 Petrol (S55B30A)
  • M3 Petrol (S55B30A)
3-Series 2019-2025 21
  • 316d Diesel (B47D20B)
  • 316d mHev 48V (MHEV),Diesel (B47D20B+JA1)
  • 318d Diesel (B47D20B)
  • 318d mHev 48V (MHEV),Diesel (B47D20B+JA1)
  • 318i Petrol (B48B20A)
  • 320d mHev, -xDrive 48V (MHEV),Diesel (B47D20B+JA1)
  • 320d, -xDrive Diesel (B47D20B)
  • 320e, -xDrive Electricity,Petrol (B48B20A+GC1)
  • 320i Petrol (B48B16A)
  • 320i, -xDrive Petrol (B48B20A)
  • 320i, -xDrive Petrol (B48B20B)
  • 330d mHev, -xDrive 48V (MHEV),Diesel (B57D30B+JA1)
  • 330d, -xDrive Diesel (B57D30A)
  • 330e, -xDrive Electricity,Petrol (B48B20A+GC1)
  • 330e, -xDrive Electricity,Petrol (B48B20B+GC1)
  • 330i, -xDrive Petrol (B48B20B)
  • M3 Competition, -xDrive Petrol (S58B30A)
  • M3 Petrol (S58B30B)
  • M340d mHev xDrive 48V (MHEV),Diesel (B57D30B+JA1)
  • M340i mHev, -xDrive 48V (MHEV),Petrol (B58B30B+JA1)
  • M340i, -xDrive Petrol (B58B30B)
Renew both front brake discs 1h30–17h00
Renew both rear brake discs 1h30–15h00

What is the role of brake discs and pads on a BMW 3-Series?

When you press the brake pedal, hydraulic pressure pushes the brake caliper pistons, which press the brake pads against the rotating discs. Through friction, kinetic energy is converted into heat, slowing the vehicle.

When should you change the BMW 3-Series front brake discs?

Brake discs should be measured with a micrometer; if below minimum thickness stamped on the disc, replacement is mandatory. Discs typically last 60,000–80,000 km. Always replace discs in pairs.

Why change discs and pads together on the BMW 3-Series?

It is strongly recommended to change discs and pads together to ensure optimal braking performance. New pads on worn discs will not bed in properly, leading to reduced braking efficiency, noise, and uneven wear.

Is it difficult to change BMW 3-Series front brake discs and pads?

Difficulty level 2/5: technically easy. Key steps: raise the vehicle, remove the wheel, unbolt the caliper and bracket, slide off the old disc, clean the hub face, fit the new disc, refit the bracket and caliper with new pads. Pump the brake pedal before driving.

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View your 3-Series maintenance plan (keep the 3-Series token) →

7 models covered

Model Year Range Engines covered Fuel
3-Series 1975-1983 1975-1983 315 Petrol (M10B16), 316 Petrol (M10B16), 316 Petrol (M10B18), 318i Petrol (M10B18), 320 Petrol (M10B20), 320 Petrol (M20B20), 320i Petrol (M10B20) Petrol
3-Series 1982-1995 1982-1995 316 Petrol (M10B18), 316i Petrol (M10B18), 316i Petrol (M40B16), 318i Petrol (M10B18), 318i Petrol (M40B18), 318is Petrol (M42B18), 320i Petrol (M20B20), 320i Petrol (M20B20), 320is Petrol (S14B20), 323i Petrol (M20B23), 323i Petrol (M20B23), 325e Petrol (M20B27), 325i, -ix Petr… Petrol
3-Series 1990-2000 1990-2000 316g (65/75 kW) CNG,Petrol (M43B16), 316i (73/75 kW) Petrol (M40B16), 316i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M43B16), 318i (83/85 kW) Petrol (M40B18), 318i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M43B18), 318is Petrol (M42B18), 318is, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M44B19), 320i Petrol (M50B20), 320i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M52B20), 32… CNG, LPG, Petrol
3-Series 1998-2007 1998-2007 316 Ci Petrol (M43B16TU), 316i, -Ci, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M43B19TU), 316i, -ti, -Ci Petrol (N40B16), 316i, -ti, -Ci Petrol (N45B16), 316i, -ti, -LPG LPG,Petrol (N42B18A), 316i, -ti, -LPG LPG,Petrol (N46B18A), 316ti Petrol (N40B16), 318 Ci Petrol (N46B20), 318d Diesel (M47D20), 318d,… Diesel, LPG, Petrol
3-Series 2005-2013 2005-2013 316d Diesel (N47D20C), 316i Petrol (N43B16A), 316i Petrol (N45B16A), 318d Diesel (M47D20TU2uL), 318d Diesel (N47D20A), 318d Diesel (N47D20C), 318i Petrol (N43B20A), 318i Petrol (N43B20A), 318i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (N46B20B), 320d Diesel (M47D20TU2OL), 320d Diesel (N47D20A), 320d Die… Diesel, LPG, Petrol
3-Series 2011-2020 2011-2020 316d Diesel (B47D20A), 316d Diesel (N47D20C), 316i Petrol (N13B16A), 318d, -xDrive Diesel (B47D20A), 318d, -xDrive Diesel (B47D20A), 318d, -xDrive Diesel (N47D20C), 318i Petrol (B38B15A), 320d EfficientDynamics Diesel (B47D20A), 320d EfficientDynamics Diesel (N47D20C), 320d, -xD… Diesel, Electricity, LPG, Petrol
3-Series 2019-2025 2019-2025 316d Diesel (B47D20B), 316d mHev 48V (MHEV),Diesel (B47D20B+JA1), 318d Diesel (B47D20B), 318d mHev 48V (MHEV),Diesel (B47D20B+JA1), 318i Petrol (B48B20A), 320d mHev, -xDrive 48V (MHEV),Diesel (B47D20B+JA1), 320d, -xDrive Diesel (B47D20B), 320e, -xDrive Electricity,Petrol (B48B20… 48V (MHEV), Diesel, Electricity, Petrol

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Very easy 0h30–0h30
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Easy 0h30–10h00
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View the service schedule for your 3-Series →