Change Car Front Brake Pads BMW 5-Series

Change Car Front Brake Pads

Easy 1h00–12h00 ~100–1200£
Estimated time 1h00–12h00
Estimated labour cost ~100–1200£
Difficulty Easy
Vehicles
5-Series 1987-1997 6
  • 520i Petrol (M20B20M)
  • 525i Petrol (M20B25M)
  • 525i, -ix Petrol (M50B25)
  • 530i Petrol (M30B30M)
  • 535i Petrol (M30B35M)
  • 535i Petrol (M30B35M)
5-Series 1996-2004 20
  • 520d Diesel (M47D20 (204D1))
  • 520i Petrol (M52B20TU (206S4))
  • 520i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M52B20 (206S3))
  • 520i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M52B20TU (206S4))
  • 520i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M54B22 (226S1))
  • 523i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M52B25 (256S3))
  • 523i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M52B25TU (256S4))
  • 525d Diesel (M57D25 (256D1))
  • 525i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M54B25 (256S5))
  • 525td Diesel (M51D25 (256T1))
  • 525tds Diesel (M51D25 (256T1))
  • 528i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M52B28 (286S1))
  • 528i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M52B28TU (286S2))
  • 530d Diesel (M57D30 (306D1))
  • 530d Diesel (M57D30 (306D1))
  • 530i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M54B30 (306S3))
  • 535i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M62B35 (358S1))
  • 535i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M62B35TU (358S2))
  • 540i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M62B44 (448S1))
  • M5 Petrol (S62B50 (508S1))
5-Series 2003-2011 30
  • 520d Diesel (M47D20T2)
  • 520d Diesel (N47D20A)
  • 520d Diesel (N47D20C)
  • 520i (120/125 kW) Petrol (N43B20A)
  • 520i Petrol (M54B22)
  • 520i Petrol (N46B20B)
  • 523i Petrol (N52B25A)
  • 523i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (N52B25A)
  • 523i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (N53B25A)
  • 525d Diesel (M57D25TU)
  • 525d Diesel (M57D25TU)
  • 525d Diesel (M57D30 (306D3))
  • 525d, Xd Diesel (M57D30T2)
  • 525i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M54B25)
  • 525i, Xi LPG,Petrol (N52B25A)
  • 525i, Xi Petrol (N53B30A)
  • 530d Diesel (M57D30T2)
  • 530d Diesel (M57D30TU)
  • 530d, Xd Diesel (M57D30T2)
  • 530d, Xd Diesel (M57D30T2)
  • 530i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M54B30)
  • 530i, Xi LPG,Petrol (N52B30A)
  • 530i, Xi Petrol (N52B30A)
  • 530i, Xi Petrol (N53B30A)
  • 535d Diesel (M57D30T2TOP)
  • 535d Diesel (M57D30TUTOP)
  • 540i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (N62B40A)
  • 545i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (N62B44A)
  • 550i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (N62B48B)
  • M5, -LPG LPG,Petrol (S85B50A)
5-Series 2009-2017 35
  • 518d Diesel (B47D20A)
  • 518d Diesel (N47D20C)
  • 520d Diesel (B47D20A)
  • 520d Diesel (N47D20C)
  • 520d, -xDrive Diesel (N47D20C)
  • 520d, -xDrive M Performance Diesel (B47D20A)
  • 520d, -xDrive M Performance Diesel (N47D20C)
  • 520d,-xDrive Diesel (B47D20A)
  • 520i Petrol (N20B16A)
  • 520i Petrol (N20B20A)
  • 520i Petrol (N20B20B)
  • 520i Petrol (N20B20D)
  • 523i Petrol (N52B25A)
  • 523i Petrol (N53B30A)
  • 525d Diesel (N57D30A)
  • 525d Diesel (N57D30A)
  • 525d, -xDrive Diesel (N47D20D)
  • 528i Petrol (N52B30A)
  • 528i Petrol (N53B30A)
  • 528i, -xDrive Petrol (N20B20A)
  • 530d, -xDrive Diesel (N57D30A)
  • 530d, -xDrive Diesel (N57D30A)
  • 530d, -xDrive M Performance Diesel (N57D30A)
  • 530i Petrol (N52B30A)
  • 530i Petrol (N53B30A)
  • 535d Diesel (N57D30B)
  • 535d, -xDrive Diesel (N57D30B)
  • 535i, -xDrive M Performance Petrol (N55B30A)
  • 535i, -xDrive Petrol (N55B30A)
  • 550i, -xDrive Petrol (N63B44A)
  • 550i, -xDrive Petrol (N63B44B)
  • M5 30 Jahre Petrol (S63B44B)
  • M5 Petrol (S63B44B)
  • M5 Petrol (S63B44B)
  • M550d xDrive Diesel (N57D30C)
5-Series 2017-2025 33
  • 518d Diesel (B47D20B)
  • 518d, -mHev 48V (MHEV),Diesel (B47D20B)
  • 520d, -mHev, -xDrive 48V (MHEV),Diesel (B47D20B+JA1)
  • 520d, -mHev, -xDrive 48V (MHEV),Diesel (B47D20B+JA1)
  • 520d, -xDrive Diesel (B47D20A)
  • 520d, -xDrive Diesel (B47D20B)
  • 520e Electricity,Petrol (B48B20A+GC1)
  • 520i M Performance Petrol (B48B20A)
  • 520i mHev 48V (MHEV),Petrol (B48B20A)
  • 520i Petrol (B48B16A)
  • 520i Petrol (B48B20A)
  • 520i Petrol (B48B20A)
  • 520i Petrol (B48B20B)
  • 520i Petrol (B48B20B)
  • 525d Diesel (B47D20B)
  • 530d mHev, -xDrive 48V (MHEV),Diesel (B57D30B+JA1)
  • 530d, -xDrive Diesel (B57D30A)
  • 530e iPerformance Electricity,Petrol (B48B20A+GC1)
  • 530e, -xDrive Electricity,Petrol (B48B20A+GC1)
  • 530i mHev, -xDrive 48V (MHEV),Petrol (B48B20B)
  • 530i, -xDrive Petrol (B48B20B)
  • 540d mHev, -xDrive 48V (MHEV),Diesel (B57D30B)
  • 540d, -xDrive Diesel (B57D30B)
  • 540i mHev, -xDrive 48V (MHEV),Petrol (B58B30C)
  • 540i xDrive Petrol (B58B30C)
  • 540i, -xDrive M Performance Petrol (B58B30A)
  • 540i, -xDrive Petrol (B58B30A)
  • 545e, -xDrive Petrol (B58B30C+GC1)
  • M5 Competition Petrol (S63B44B)
  • M5 Petrol (S63B44B)
  • M550d xDrive Diesel (B57D30C)
  • M550i xDrive Petrol (N63B44C)
  • M550i xDrive Petrol (N63B44D)
Renew the front brake pads 1h00–12h00
Renew the rear brake pads 1h00–12h00

What is the role of front brake pads on a BMW 5-Series?

When you press the brake pedal, the brake caliper pistons press the brake pads against the rotating discs. Through friction, kinetic energy is converted into heat, slowing the vehicle. During heavy braking, brake pads and discs can reach temperatures up to 800°C.

How do I know if I need to change the BMW 5-Series front brake pads?

On vehicles equipped with brake wear sensors, a warning light will appear on the dashboard. On vehicles without wear sensors, visually check the pad thickness (minimum 2–3 mm of lining material). Other symptoms: squealing noise when braking, increased braking distance, vibration through the brake pedal.

When should you change your BMW 5-Series front brake pads?

No fixed replacement interval — wear depends on driving style, journey type, and vehicle weight. On average, front brake pads last 30,000–50,000 km. Always replace pads in pairs (both sides of the same axle).

Is it difficult to change BMW 5-Series front brake pads?

Difficulty level 2/5: technically easy but requires specific tools (jack, axle stands, brake caliper piston rewind tool, torque wrench). Important: pump the brake pedal several times before driving to restore pad contact. Bed in new pads gently over the first 200 km.

View all compatible products →
View your 5-Series maintenance plan (keep the 5-Series token) →

6 models covered

Model Year Range Engines covered Fuel
5-Series 1981-1988 1981-1988 518 Petrol (M10B18), 518i Petrol (M10B18), 520i Petrol (M20B20), 520i Petrol (M20B20), 524td Diesel (M21D24), 525e Petrol (M20B27), 525i Petrol (M30B25), 528i Petrol (M30B28), 535i Petrol (M30B34), M5 Petrol (S38B35) Diesel, Petrol
5-Series 1987-1997 1987-1997 520i Petrol (M20B20M), 525i Petrol (M20B25M), 525i, -ix Petrol (M50B25), 530i Petrol (M30B30M), 535i Petrol (M30B35M), 535i Petrol (M30B35M) Petrol
5-Series 1996-2004 1996-2004 520d Diesel (M47D20 (204D1)), 520i Petrol (M52B20TU (206S4)), 520i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M52B20 (206S3)), 520i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M52B20TU (206S4)), 520i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M54B22 (226S1)), 523i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M52B25 (256S3)), 523i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M52B25TU (256S4)), 525d Diesel (… Diesel, LPG, Petrol
5-Series 2003-2011 2003-2011 520d Diesel (M47D20T2), 520d Diesel (N47D20A), 520d Diesel (N47D20C), 520i (120/125 kW) Petrol (N43B20A), 520i Petrol (M54B22), 520i Petrol (N46B20B), 523i Petrol (N52B25A), 523i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (N52B25A), 523i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (N53B25A), 525d Diesel (M57D25TU), 525d Diesel (M5… Diesel, LPG, Petrol
5-Series 2009-2017 2009-2017 518d Diesel (B47D20A), 518d Diesel (N47D20C), 520d Diesel (B47D20A), 520d Diesel (N47D20C), 520d, -xDrive Diesel (N47D20C), 520d, -xDrive M Performance Diesel (B47D20A), 520d, -xDrive M Performance Diesel (N47D20C), 520d,-xDrive Diesel (B47D20A), 520i Petrol (N20B16A), 520i Petr… Diesel, Petrol
5-Series 2017-2025 2017-2025 518d Diesel (B47D20B), 518d, -mHev 48V (MHEV),Diesel (B47D20B), 520d, -mHev, -xDrive 48V (MHEV),Diesel (B47D20B+JA1), 520d, -mHev, -xDrive 48V (MHEV),Diesel (B47D20B+JA1), 520d, -xDrive Diesel (B47D20A), 520d, -xDrive Diesel (B47D20B), 520e Electricity,Petrol (B48B20A+GC1), 520i… 48V (MHEV), Diesel, Electricity, Petrol

Other repair guides

Change Car Accessory Belt Kit

Change Car Accessory Belt Kit

Easy 0h30–3h00
Change Car Air Filter

Change Car Air Filter

Very easy 0h30–1h30
Change Car Battery

Change Car Battery

Very easy 0h30–0h45
Change Car Cabin Filter

Change Car Cabin Filter

Very easy 0h30–0h45
Change Car Clutch

Change Car Clutch

Technical 5h00–10h00
Change Car Front Brake Discs and Pads

Change Car Front Brake Discs and Pads

Easy 1h30–17h00
Change Car Fuel Filter

Change Car Fuel Filter

Easy 0h30–2h30
Change Car Glow Plugs

Change Car Glow Plugs

Intermediate 1h00–6h00
Change Car Handbrake Cable

Change Car Handbrake Cable

Very easy 0h30–0h30
Change Car Oil Filter

Change Car Oil Filter

Easy 0h30–8h00
Change Car Particulate Filter (DPF)

Change Car Particulate Filter (DPF)

Easy 0h30–3h00
Change Car Rear Silencer

Change Car Rear Silencer

Easy 0h45–2h30
Change Car Shock Absorbers

Change Car Shock Absorbers

Easy 2h00–5h00
Change Car Spark Plugs

Change Car Spark Plugs

Easy 0h30–3h30
Change Car Timing Belt Kit

Change Car Timing Belt Kit

Very technical 4h00
Change Car Turbo

Change Car Turbo

Very technical 2h00–31h00
Change Car Water Pump

Change Car Water Pump

Easy 1h00–6h00
View the service schedule for your 5-Series →