Scratches on brake rotor?

Shawn Dover · 02-19-2016, 10:31 AM

I have the standard steel brakes on my 2016 M3. One (just one) of the brake rotors has developed scratches all the way around the perimeter. They are visible, but not so deep that you can feel them. Is this just normal wear?

mephiska · 02-19-2016, 10:47 AM

pictures would be helpful.

Kevin_BMW · 02-19-2016, 10:52 AM

Had the same issue on all the rotors when the car is brand new, went away after 1,500 miles. Don't worry unless the scratches is getting deeper

Shawn Dover · 02-19-2016, 09:10 PM

Here is a picture. The scratches appear on the outer edge of the rotor. The car has about 2800 miles. I only noticed this recently. Any ideas?

SakhirM4 · 02-19-2016, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shawn Dover

Here is a picture. The scratches appear on the outer edge of the rotor. The car has about 2800 miles. I only noticed this recently. Any ideas?

What wheels are those?

Shawn Dover · 02-19-2016, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SakhirM4

What wheels are those?

The BMW 18" winter wheels. The scratches I'm asking about are on the rotor.

SakhirM4 · 02-19-2016, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shawn Dover

The BMW 18" winter wheels. The scratches I'm asking about are on the rotor.

I know - was just curious about the wheels. Thanks.

sh55 · 02-19-2016, 10:34 PM

How many miles on your car? Asking because it looks like it could be the remnants of the texturing on the rotor for initial brake bedding.

Shawn Dover · 02-20-2016, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sh55

How many miles on your car? Asking because it looks like it could be the remnants of the texturing on the rotor for initial brake bedding.

About 2800. I first noticed this recently (though that doesn't mean it wasn't there before).

sh55 · 02-20-2016, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shawn Dover

Quote:

Originally Posted by sh55

How many miles on your car? Asking because it looks like it could be the remnants of the texturing on the rotor for initial brake bedding.

About 2800. I first noticed this recently (though that doesn't mean it wasn't there before).

Hm ok, miles are higher than I would expect for this to still be showing but maybe you are easy on your brake pedal?

Take a look at this picture to see the texturing I'm talking about, if you bought the car new all 4 rotors look like thus at first: http://f80.bimmerpost.com/goodiesfor...b/DSC03465.jpg

jwzimm · 02-20-2016, 11:51 AM

Those are the remnants of the surfacing of the rotor from the factory. The pads have not worked fully through them yet. Nothing wrong here.

edwinm3 · 02-20-2016, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwzimm

Those are the remnants of the surfacing of the rotor from the factory. The pads have not worked fully through them yet. Nothing wrong here.

This

CanAutM3 · 02-20-2016, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sh55

How many miles on your car? Asking because it looks like it could be the remnants of the texturing on the rotor for initial brake bedding.

^This is what it seems to be. I'll echo what others have stated.

There is no way normal wear would cause radial marks on the rotors. As others have stated, you are probably very easy on your brakes. The marks will disapear once the bedding/running in is complete. As reference, you can see the bedding cross hatch on a brand new rotor on the picture below:

Shawn Dover · 02-20-2016, 02:29 PM

Thanks everyone. These look like finer scratches than the rough texturing on the rotors as they come from the factory. But if that's what everyone thinks it is, I'll just keep an eye on it for a bit and assume it will go away. Thanks.

msginnie · 03-17-2016, 06:53 AM

Rotors and pads don't wear perfectly flat. Minor anomalies in the surface are normal.

CanAutM3 · 03-17-2016, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shawn Dover

Thanks everyone. These look like finer scratches than the rough texturing on the rotors as they come from the factory. But if that's what everyone thinks it is, I'll just keep an eye on it for a bit and assume it will go away. Thanks.

If you would look at a cross section of the factory cross hatching, you would see that the grooves are "V" shaped. So the more they wear down, the finer they get until they disappear.

jritt@essex · 03-21-2016, 09:52 AM

As others have said, it looks like those are just the remnants of the machining process...nothing to worry about. You need to bed in your pads and discs though, if you want optimum performance and longevity from them. Below is a good example of what a properly bed-in disc (on the left) looks like next to one that has not be properly prepared (right).

02-19-2016, 10:31 AM	#1
Shawn Dover Enlisted Member 19 Rep 47 Posts Drives: 2013 335 Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: VA iTrader: (0)	Scratches on brake rotor? I have the standard steel brakes on my 2016 M3. One (just one) of the brake rotors has developed scratches all the way around the perimeter. They are visible, but not so deep that you can feel them. Is this just normal wear?
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02-19-2016, 10:47 AM	#2
mephiska Major 515 Rep 1,001 Posts Drives: 2016 M3 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: East Bay iTrader: (0) Garage List 2022 Tesla Model Y ... [0.00] 2016 BMW M3 [0.00] 2015.5 Volvo V60 T5 ... [0.00]	pictures would be helpful. __________________
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02-19-2016, 10:52 AM	#3
Kevin_BMW New Member 3 Rep 12 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: San Jose iTrader: (0)	Had the same issue on all the rotors when the car is brand new, went away after 1,500 miles. Don't worry unless the scratches is getting deeper
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02-19-2016, 09:10 PM	#4
Shawn Dover Enlisted Member 19 Rep 47 Posts Drives: 2013 335 Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: VA iTrader: (0)	Here is a picture. The scratches appear on the outer edge of the rotor. The car has about 2800 miles. I only noticed this recently. Any ideas? Attached Images
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02-19-2016, 10:34 PM	#8
sh55 Lieutenant 220 Rep 433 Posts Drives: %E2%80%9805 E46 ZCP 6MT and '9 Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Brooklyn NY iTrader: (0)	How many miles on your car? Asking because it looks like it could be the remnants of the texturing on the rotor for initial brake bedding. __________________ ______________________________ ?05 E46 M3 ZCP 6MT ?06 C55 AMG '97 911S 6MT
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02-20-2016, 11:51 AM	#11
jwzimm Colonel 687 Rep 2,770 Posts Drives: '16 M3 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Renton, WA iTrader: (17)	Those are the remnants of the surfacing of the rotor from the factory. The pads have not worked fully through them yet. Nothing wrong here. __________________ 2008 Honda S2000 - Current 2016 F80 M3 - SOLD!! 2011 e92 X-Drive Coupe - SOLD!!
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02-20-2016, 02:29 PM	#14
Shawn Dover Enlisted Member 19 Rep 47 Posts Drives: 2013 335 Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: VA iTrader: (0)	Thanks everyone. These look like finer scratches than the rough texturing on the rotors as they come from the factory. But if that's what everyone thinks it is, I'll just keep an eye on it for a bit and assume it will go away. Thanks.
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03-17-2016, 06:53 AM	#15
msginnie Private 8 Rep 53 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Tuscon iTrader: (0)	Rotors and pads don't wear perfectly flat. Minor anomalies in the surface are normal.
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03-21-2016, 09:52 AM	#17
jritt@essex Captain 1026 Rep 842 Posts Drives: e90 335i, NSX, 997.2, 987.1 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Charlotte, NC iTrader: (0)	As others have said, it looks like those are just the remnants of the machining process...nothing to worry about. You need to bed in your pads and discs though, if you want optimum performance and longevity from them. Below is a good example of what a properly bed-in disc (on the left) looks like next to one that has not be properly prepared (right).
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