X5 Brakes Squealing after Pad Change

[Mefster]

I’ve just had the rear pads changed on my 2011 E70 BMW X5 d40 by a reputable independent BMW specialist. The discs weren’t changed (seemed to have plenty of life and no probs before the pad change: it wasn’t recommended by the garage)

Car is back with me and I’ve done about 500 miles Over the weekend since collecting it. The brakes seem to be working well, good modulation and stopping the car ok with no sponginess or vibration through the pedal. Unfortunately they are screeching when the pedal is partly depressed. They are fine under hard braking. There has been no improvement or notable bedding in or scrubbing in the 500 miles since collecting the car.

Spoke to the garage who advised if it doesn’t improve the only solution it to replace the discs- a further £200+. I did point out that I’ve had pads only changed several times on this car and others without this problem but they didn’t seem able to offer any other solution.

They say they fit the pads with copper slip (or equivalent) and when I asked about cleaning the disks they said the new pads should do that within a few miles of use.

Any advice before I fork out for new discs?

Thanks

[Mefster]

Thanks for all the advice and responses- that’s really useful. The garage did mention that it might be a flange caused by wear around the edge of the disc, although they fitted the last pads (and discs) as well, with OEM parts, so I’d have thought that Pad size would match. There was no problem before the work was done.

I think their attitude is if they are going to take a further look they will put new discs on (to make it worth their while and solve the problem).

I feel that this should have been picked up by the garage when the job was completed (it was obvious). I’d like to think with the advice you’ve given it wouldn’t be unreasonable to get them to check the pad fitting before fitting new pads but I think they might be reluctant: I’m relying on their word- one solution makes them look like they’ve not done the job correctly, the other gets them more work 🤔. It’ll be an inconvenience to get the car back to them, not to mention any duplication of labour costs.

I’ll take a look at the discs: I assume if their is a flange catching I should be able to see where the disc is burnishing it. Is it likely to be on the outer or inner edge of the disc?