Rotor Replacement Challenge

Usually, replacing the brake pads and rotors an any late 90s BMW 3 or 5 series is pretty easy.

1. Remove the wheel - 5 bolts
2. Remove a spring clip
3. Remove 2 7mm bolts holding the caliper
4. Remove the 6mm rotor retention screw.

That's about it
Unless the rotor retention screw won't come out.

These screws get stuck more often than anyone likes. Here are some links to some videos on the topic:
How to Remove a Stripped Rotor Locator Bolt
Drilling Out Stripped Brake Rotor Screws
Removing Brake Rotor Screws That Won't Come Out

While replacing the front pads and rotors on the 98 M Roadster I found a rotor retention screw that had been badly mauled. My best guess is that someone had trouble removing the screw and then re-installed it for me to learn from - how nice.

I didn't remove the screw. Here's what I did:

You may wonder why I didn't use an "easy out". My experience with using an easy out has been all bad. I broke an easy out in a drilled out bolt and found myself in worse shape than when I started.

It does bother me that I left that screw in the hub, with a little work I'll get over it.