Just wanted to give everyone a heads-up on the issue with the common problem with BMW having a shimmey/shake in the steering wheel/front end while driving at speeds over 40 and even worse when applying the brakes. Mine started having a slight shimmey a few weeks back only when applying the brakes lightly at high speeds, but it wasnt bad. Then it got progressively worse in s short period of time to the point where it would start shaking while just driving normally at speeds over 40 mph. Took it to my mechanic and told him the problem. He walked right outside and felt the left front wheel which was only warm, and then felt the right side front and it was hot enough to burn your hand!!! Jacked up the right side and the right front wheel wouldn't even turn freely. Caliper was totally siezed! Luckily the rotor was not damaged which is good cause the front and rear rotors and pads had just been replaced under the service plan before it had expired.

So all said and done, replaced both calipers (supposed to replace the other if plan on keeping the vehicle for a while) and both pads on the front. Due to the seizure of the caliper the right front pad was 3 qtr gone and had to go ahead and do the left front to avoid the uneven wear. Total bill was 730 stamps. Lucked out and was given a break cause its been a family mechanic we have used for almost 20 years. He said any average money hungry mechanic would have probably charged me over 900 and a BMW dealer would have gone well over the 1k mark.

So just an FYI for everyone, before checking the control arm bushings, Tie rods, wheel balance and whatnot for the front end shake/shimmy problem, first make sure it isn't gonna be the high priced caliper problem.

$730 to replace 2 calipers? And he called it a "break"??? Did he at least use the BMW OEM calipers? I used aftermarket calipers and my own labor and it only cost me $125. Now the OEM calipers were $300 each, so if you used those, then your price is ok. If not, you got hosed.

Why did he not just rebuild the calipers? The kits cost i think $10? and some labour. It would have been much cheaper and if he didnt use OE parts those calipers are going to fail. The cheap aftermarket calipers do not use the best parts, including the pistons and seals. The pistons will pit with rust and cantt be cleaned up. The OE calipers usually can be rebuilt several times, if heavy rust has not pitted the piston.

Yeah, both the calipers and the brake pads were OEM.

Well its good that he used OE parts. Guess it drives much better now.