BMW X5 Brake Warning: Expert DIY & Fix Advice Needed

Hey there! I had similar issues with my 2013 BMW X3 last year. The symptoms you're describing, warning light, message, and that odd pedal feel, were exactly what I experienced. In my case, it turned out to be more than just low brake fluid. The brake pads were seriously worn down, and one of the calipers was starting to stick. When I finally took it to the garage, the mechanic found that the wear sensors were damaged, which explained why I didn't get an earlier warning about the pad wear. They had to replace both front brake pads, rotors, and the problematic caliper. It was definitely a serious safety issue that needed immediate attention. Don't wait too long on this one. Brake problems aren't something to mess around with, trust me on this one. The symptoms you're describing could indicate multiple issues that need checking. If your fluid is low, there's usually a reason for it, like worn pads or a possible leak in the system. Best of luck with the repairs.

Thanks for sharing your experience! That definitely sounds similar to what I'm dealing with. Could you remember roughly how much you ended up paying for all those repairs? Just trying to get a ballpark figure of what I might be looking at. Also, has everything been running smoothly since the fix, or have you noticed any other brake-related issues pop up?

Hey again! Happy to update you! After getting my X3 fixed last month, it's been running like a dream. The brake fluid level warning is completely gone, and the pedal feel is back to normal, exactly how a BMW should feel. The whole brake system is working perfectly now, and I have zero complaints. I ended up paying 480 € for the whole job, that covered replacing the worn brake pads and addressing the fluid issue. Honestly, it was worth every cent for the peace of mind. Much better than worrying every time I hit the brake pedal! To be straight with you, it was actually a simpler fix than what I initially dealt with in my first post. Turned out I didn't need the caliper replacement or rotor work I mentioned before. The mechanic caught it before it got that serious, which probably saved me a bunch of money in the long run. Trust me, get it checked out sooner rather than later. Better to catch these things early before they turn into bigger (and more expensive) problems. Let me know how it goes!

Thanks for the follow-up! I bit the bullet and took my X5 to a mechanic today. Turns out you were spot on about catching it early, they found the brake pads were getting pretty thin and there was a small leak in one of the brake lines. Got it all sorted for around 520 €, which wasn't as bad as I feared. The funny part was when they showed me the old brake pads, they were basically down to nothing! Can't believe I was driving around like that. The mechanic was actually pretty cool about it all. He walked me through everything they were doing and even showed me the faulty parts. The best part? The brake pedal feels amazing now, firm and responsive, just like when I first got the car. Guess I learned my lesson about not waiting too long when these warning lights pop up. Really appreciate you pushing me to get it checked out promptly. Thanks again for your help!