Get the Best Priced BMW 330xi Brake Rotors

Research on Brake Rotors for BMW 330xi

The brake rotors are an integral part of your BMW 330xi's braking system, and while you can resurface them to a point, eventually, you'll need to get a BMW E46 brake rotor replacement for your vehicle. When you need new rotors, you'll be able to hear and feel it, and it's not a task you should put off, because bad rotors require longer braking distances, and unless you want an extended braking distance to cause an accident, you should replace your worn or warped rotors soon.

What are the Brake Rotors on a Car?

The brake rotors are just one piece of the braking system found on each of your 330xi's four wheels. The rotors are affixed to the wheels and spin as the wheel turns when you drive. Brake pads are held above the wheel by calipers that are connected to the vehicle's frame. When you want to stop, a hydraulically controlled piston closes the calipers, which force the brake pads against the rotor. When the pads and rotors surfaces meet, they rub against each other, creating friction. This friction is what stops your vehicle. Though to you, this complicated process happens in just a few seconds. For the process to go without a hitch, you need to have working brake components. Whether you still have your BMW OEM brake rotors or aftermarket rotors, they have to be in good condition and not too thin. How your brake rotors get worn and what signs they cause are things to know when you own any vehicle with brakes.

How Rotors Become Worn

Rotors become worn from the friction of typical use. Sometimes, when you take your BMW to a mechanic to get an E46 rear brake pad replacement, the mechanic will also look at the rotors and resurface them. This restores the smoothness of the rotors so they can work better with the new pads to stop your vehicle, but over time, the rotors can be resurfaced too much and they become too thin to have any more of their faces worn off through resurfacing. This is one reason your brake rotors get worn. The other reason happens if you drive with worn brake pads for too long. The worn brake pads can cause excessive wear to the brake rotors, which is another reason to regularly replace your brake pads once your brake sensor light comes on.

Signs of Bad Brake Rotors

Bad brake rotors will cause several signs that you'll notice when driving. For instance, you may hear a growling or grinding noise when you drive. This is caused by warped brake rotors. Warping does not necessarily mean the rotor has become curved. Instead, a warped rotor has pits in it that cannot be resurfaced out. Bad brake rotors also make it harder to brake; you may not feel that your brake pedal is as responsive as it once was. This can be dangerous in an emergency situation or in inclement weather when your braking distance needs to be as short as possible to avoid a collision.

Cost for New Brake Rotors

The cost for new brake rotors is almost always coupled with replacing the brake pads, if you have this job done at a mechanic's or at your BMW dealer's service center. For instance, a mechanic may charge for a set of 2006 BMW 330xi brakes and rotors $383 to $571. Save by getting your rotors and pads at PartsGeek.com and install them yourself.