E46 330i brake pad lifespan

[Yuben]

Guys I know this will sound like an odd query but here it goes:
How long would brake pads normally last in terms of years, not mileage.

The reason I ask is that I have about 4-5mm of pad left. According to the service history, pads were changed in May 2009 at 86xxxkm.

So just over 6 years and 94xxxkm later, how effective can these pads really be?

Is it necessary to replace seeing it's age and mileage so should I carry on until it gets a little lower and then change?

:cartel:

 

[Philip Foglar]

Hard to say, can be many many years, or less depending on various things I would think. If the car is driven daily, and the brakes are treated well and there is no contamination of the friction material (brake fluid etc), then as long as they are not falling apart for some or other reason, then they should be fine. I am of course speaking under correction - typically brake pads wear out sooner or later along with the disks, but I am generally quite gentle on brakes, so having them last is a good thing. Maybe a case of just inspecting the brake pads and disks every now again if you are concerned that there is anything that can deteriorate due to age alone.