The pads are easy to check and easy to change. You can zoom in on your photo and also look at the photos just above of a worn set and another with new pads. You can see the amount left with how deep/shallow the grooves are. Unless I was heading out on a long trip I would just monitor the wear and when the grooves are almost gone I would pop a new set in or if you prefer have the shop do it when needed.
I've bought a new set of pads already... will wait a lil probably to replace them...got everything for a 6 k service as well... i'll prob just take to a dealer for the valve clearence check... everything else i'll probably do my self
Sounds like you're more than on top of things, apologies for "preaching to the choir". Have you had a chance to eyeball the new v. old pad as to depth of material?
I took a pic of a new motorcycle pad at the dealer before i bought the things i need for the 6 k service... take a look... im about half?! Maybe lower than that... i will measure once i take the old pad out to compare... prob in few miles... i'll keep my eye on it for now.. look at the pic below of a new bike /pad vs mine bike pad
I've sent an email to Brembo last friday... lets see what they say , if they respond of courseYou're way too proficient for my guessing game to be of any good use at all
I will do some more searching as this should have been been a fairly easy R+R. I certainly would have proceeded exactly as you have when servicing my brakes so this is important for all of us that like to do our own work. Of course I recall other times BMW has incorporated "interesting" answers to questions no-one was asking so you can never let your guard down completely
p.s.
If no circlip, etc., is in play, I still feel there is something binding that is the functional equivalent to preventing removal. Try pushing, tapping, separating the pads to make sure they are free to move even though you've done it before. Maybe a small piece of casting is hanging up on the bolt thread?
