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My 2007 is at 42K. On last inspection (40K), the dealer maintenance department told me it was time to replace the rear pads, because they were down to 2mm (new pads are 10mm), while the front pads measured 8mm. I was surprised that the front pads had worn less than the rear, but have since learned that this has to do with the electronic brakeforce distribution. Anyway, I told the dealer I would buy the pads and replace them myself. I over-paid ($70) and took the pads home. When I popped the rear wheel off and removed the pads, they measured 5mm! That means they are only half-used. I have not decided how to approach the dealership maintenance dept.... perhaps with some reading glasses.
I estimate I will go at least 70K before having to replace the pads. I am a freeway commuter, and my car has driven between 80 and 120 miles every working day since I bought it, in stop-and-go Portland traffic.
I have a question: Warped rotors aside, because they would obviously effect braking performance, why would one want to re-surface rotors that have mildly grooved? It would seem from an engineering standpoint that grooves would (a.) increase surface area, resulting in better braking performance, and (b.) increase surface area, resulting in better cooling (think of the cooling efficiency of heat-fins).
I have driven drum and disk, and have never had rotors turned; I have also never experienced poor braking performance or accelerated brake pad wear as a result, even when I know the rotors or drums had been scored, or grooved, by worn-out pads. The pads always wore to match the grooved surface, and everything was fine.
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