Brake Warning Light + Soft Pedal on BMW X3, Should I Worry?

Hey there! I have some experience working on cars, and dealt with something very similar on my 2011 BMW X5 last year. Those brake warning lights can definitely be nerve-wracking! Mine started with the same symptoms, warning light, alerts, and that weird pedal feel. Took it to my trusted workshop, and it turned out my brake pads were completely worn down, which explained the low brake fluid level too. Ended up paying about 480 Euro for new pads, rotors, and labor. Much better than risking brake failure! The X3 and X5 share pretty similar brake systems. Could you tell us what kind of noise you're hearing when braking? Also, roughly how many miles/kilometers are on your X3? This would help determine if your brake pads might be due for replacement too. Stay safe out there!

Hey, thanks for sharing your experience! My X3 just hit 115782 KM and had its last service about 3 months ago. Actually, I'm not hearing any squealing or grinding when braking, which is why I was a bit confused by the warning. The pedal just feels a bit spongy, and I have to press it further down than usual to get the same braking power. Your situation does sound pretty similar though. I'll definitely get it checked out rather than risk any brake issues. Just wanted to get some real-world feedback before heading to the shop. Thanks for the heads up about the potential cost too, helps me know what to expect!

Hey again! Thanks for those extra details about your X3. You know what's interesting, that spongy pedal feel you're describing is exactly how mine started too. Since you're not hearing any squealing (like I did with my worn pads), I'm actually thinking it might be air in your brake lines rather than pad wear, especially since you had service recently. When my X5 had this issue, I first thought it was just low fluid too, but my mechanic explained that a spongy pedal usually means there's air in the system. They ended up having to do a brake fluid flush and bleed to get all the air out. Cost me way less than the pad replacement I needed last time, around 150 Euro for the flush and bleed. Since you've hit 115K km, it might just be time for fresh fluid anyway. BMW usually recommends changing brake fluid every 2 years or so, regardless of mileage. Did they mention anything about brake fluid during your service 3 months ago? Keep us posted on what you find out! I'm really curious if it turns out to be similar to what I experienced.

Thanks so much for that detailed follow-up! You know what, I actually can't remember if they mentioned anything about the brake fluid during my last service. I'll have to dig up the paperwork and check. That's really helpful to know about the air in the brake lines possibility, makes total sense with the spongy pedal feel, and honestly, that's a relief since it sounds less expensive than a full brake job! I've just called my mechanic and booked it in for tomorrow morning. I'm feeling much better about the whole situation now, knowing that others have dealt with similar issues. Will definitely update the thread once I find out what's actually causing it. Really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience and knowledge, exactly the kind of real-world feedback I was hoping for when I posted this!