By Core Brake Parts Tech Team — Circleville, OH warehouse
Short answer: The BMW F30 328i runs 312 mm vented front and 300 mm vented rear rotors; the 335i and M Sport step up to about 340 mm fronts. All use a 5-bolt 5x120 hub, an electromechanical parking brake, and two one-time-use wear sensors. This guide walks through the exact diagnostic steps, replacement thresholds, product comparisons, and cost breakdown so you can decide with confidence whether to DIY or take it to a shop.
Direct experience note: we ship these parts daily from our Circleville, OH warehouse to customers across the country. The picks in this guide reflect what fits, what lasts, and what our repeat-buyer mechanics come back for.
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Shop Brake Pads & Kits →What to Know About Bmw 3 Series Brake Replacement
Understanding BMW 3 series brake replacement matters because it directly affects stopping distance, brake pedal feel, and how often you replace consumables. Getting it right the first time saves both money and follow-up shop visits.
- The F30 3 Series (2012-2018) uses a 5x120 bolt pattern with five M14x1.25 wheel bolts per hub.
- Front rotors are internally vented on every trim; the base 328i runs roughly 312 mm x 24 mm fronts.
- The 335i and M Sport brake packages use larger 340 mm front rotors, often with fixed multi-piston calipers.
- The parking brake is electromechanical (EPB), driven by a motor mounted on each rear caliper.
- Two wear sensors are fitted diagonally, front-left and rear-right, and both are one-time-use parts.
- Rear rotor size varies by trim, roughly 300 mm on the 328i up to about 345 mm on M Sport.
Spec Chart by Vehicle Class
| Vehicle class | Pad thickness | Rotor thickness |
|---|---|---|
| Front rotor (328i) | 312 mm x 24 mm, vented | Single-piston floating caliper |
| Rear rotor (328i) | 300 mm x 20 mm, vented | EPB motor mounted on caliper |
| Front rotor (335i / M Sport) | ~340 mm x 30 mm, vented | Fixed multi-piston caliper |
| Wheel bolts | 5 x M14x1.25, 5x120 PCD | Torque about 120 Nm (89 lb-ft) |
| Wear sensors | Two total, front-left and rear-right | One-time use, replace each job |
How to Diagnose or Replace
- Loosen the wheel bolts, lift the car safely, and remove the road wheel.
- For rear brakes, activate EPB service mode with a scan tool first.
- Remove the caliper guide bolts and slide the caliper off the rotor.
- Unclip the pad wear sensor and lift out the old pads.
- Remove the rotor set screw, then pull the rotor off the hub.
- Fit the new rotor, pads, and a fresh wear sensor, then reassemble.
- Torque wheel bolts to 120 Nm, cycle the EPB, and bed in.
Once diagnosis is complete, order the exact replacement parts for your vehicle - fitment matters. Related BMW 3 series brake replacement products are listed in the next section.
Recommended Parts and Where to Buy
Every product below is in stock at our Circleville, OH warehouse and ships same-day when ordered before 2 PM Eastern. Free shipping on orders over $75.
If your exact vehicle is not listed, use the site search or filter the full brake parts collection by year and make.
Cost Breakdown - DIY vs Shop
| Job | DIY parts only | Shop parts and labor |
|---|---|---|
| Front pads | OE-quality set | $45-$110 |
| Front rotors (pair) | Vented | $90-$260 |
| Rear pads plus rotors | Full set | $120-$320 |
| Wear sensor (each) | Front or rear | $10-$30 |
DIY savings scale with vehicle size and job complexity. A full-size truck brake job saves $450-700 in labor. For most passenger cars, plan on 90-120 minutes per axle for pads only, 2-3 hours for pads plus rotors.
Install Tips - Where Most DIYers Go Wrong
- Put the electromechanical parking brake into service mode with a scan tool before removing rear pads.
- Always fit new one-time-use wear sensors, since old sensors do not reseat reliably.
- Torque wheel bolts to about 120 Nm in a star pattern and keep threads dry.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the short answer on BMW 3 series brake replacement?
The BMW F30 328i runs 312 mm vented front and 300 mm vented rear rotors; the 335i and M Sport step up to about 340 mm fronts. All use a 5-bolt 5x120 hub, an electromechanical parking brake, and two one-time-use wear sensors.
How much does BMW 3 series brake replacement cost?
It depends on your vehicle and how much you replace. For example, front pads runs about OE-quality set in parts for a DIY job, or $45-$110 at a shop with labor included. The full cost breakdown is in the table above.
What should I check first?
Key things to check: The F30 3 Series (2012-2018) uses a 5x120 bolt pattern with five M14x1.25 wheel bolts per hub; Front rotors are internally vented on every trim; the base 328i runs roughly 312 mm x 24 mm fronts.
Can I do this job myself?
Many DIYers can with basic tools. The first steps are: Loosen the wheel bolts, lift the car safely, and remove the road wheel; For rear brakes, activate EPB service mode with a scan tool first; Remove the caliper guide bolts and slide the caliper off the rotor. The complete step-by-step is above.
Key Takeaways
- The BMW F30 328i runs 312 mm vented front and 300 mm vented rear rotors; the 335i and M Sport step up to about 340 mm fronts. All use a 5-bolt 5x120 hub, an electromechanical parking brake, and two one-time-use wear sensors.
- Measure friction material and rotor thickness at every tire rotation - catches wear before it becomes damage.
- Replace pads at 3 mm; below 2 mm is unsafe.
- Loaded calipers (with brackets, pads, and hoses) save 1-1.5 hours of labor per side over bare calipers.
- Bed new pads properly with 8-10 medium stops from 40 to 10 mph.
- Free shipping on orders over $75; same-day shipping on in-stock orders before 2 PM Eastern.
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