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ChrisBauer

BMW iX3 Brake Warning: Safety Check or Major Repair?

Spongy/unresponsive brakes

Hey everyone! Need some advice about my 2021 BMW iX3 (74.5k km). The brake warning light just came on, and my infotainment system is showing warnings. The brake pedal feels weird too, not as smooth as usual. My guess is low brake fluid, but after a bad experience with my last mechanic, I'm hesitant to go back. Has anyone dealt with similar symptoms in their iX3? What was the actual issue, and did you find a trustworthy mechanic to fix it? Thanks in advance for any insights!

4 comment(s)


M_Schmidt86

Hey there! I had similar issues with my 2019 BMW i4 last year. The brake warning and pedal feel changes are serious symptoms that shouldn't be ignored. When I took mine in, it turned out the brake pads were severely worn, and the rotors had developed uneven wear patterns. The low brake fluid warning was actually due to the worn brake pads, as they wear down, the caliper pistons extend further, using more fluid. The repairs included replacing all brake pads, resurfacing the rotors, and a brake fluid flush. It wasn't a quick fix, had to leave my car at the garage for two days. This isn't something you want to postpone, brakes are critical for safety. I know you're hesitant about mechanics, but driving with compromised brakes is risky. These symptoms match exactly what I experienced before getting mine fixed. Get it checked out soon, preferably at a certified dealer or a shop that specializes in EVs, since our models have regenerative braking systems that need proper diagnostic equipment.

ChrisBauer (Author)

Thanks for sharing your experience! It does sound exactly like what I'm dealing with. It's reassuring to know there's probably a straightforward explanation. If you don't mind me asking, how much did you end up paying for all the work? And have you had any brake-related issues since the repair? Just trying to get an idea of what I might be looking at cost-wise and whether it solved the problem completely.

M_Schmidt86

Hey again! Happy to share more details! Since I got it fixed, I haven't had a single brake-related issue, everything's working perfectly smooth now. The brake fluid warning is completely gone, and the pedal feel is back to normal. The total bill came to 480 € for everything, that covered new brake pads, resurfacing the rotors, and the brake fluid flush. While it wasn't exactly cheap, it was totally worth it for the peace of mind. My i4 feels like new when braking now. Just a heads up, prices might vary depending on your specific repair needs, but at least this gives you a ballpark figure. The most important thing is that once it's properly fixed, you shouldn't have any more problems. My car's been running great for months now, and the braking system is working exactly as it should. Let me know if you need any other info about the repair process!

ChrisBauer (Author)

Thanks for all the detailed info! I actually ended up taking your advice and got my iX3 checked out yesterday. The mechanic I found was really upfront about everything. Turns out my brake pads were almost completely worn out, just like yours were. Got the full service done, new pads, rotor resurfacing, and fluid flush. Total cost was a bit more than what you paid, but totally worth it. The brakes feel amazing now, that weird pedal feeling is completely gone, and all the warning lights have disappeared. Such a relief to have it sorted! Had to wait around at the shop for about 4 hours, but the mechanic kept me updated throughout the repair. Even showed me the old brake pads to explain why the warnings came on. Nice change from my last mechanic experience! Really appreciate you pushing me to get it checked out quickly. You were right, definitely not something to put off when it comes to brakes.

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