seoulbrova

Sorry if these have been answered but I searched FORUMS and couldnt find the answers. Much help is appreciated.

I went in for Service A and they said I need to replace front pads and rotors.

car only has 30k miles on it and has been driven VERY GENTLY.
my friend drives his 05 rsx hard and just changed his pads at 55k miles.

Estimate price was 597.00, is this a fair price?
--

Also, if I were to do the brake job myself which pads do I need?
I asked the service guy and he said my car was a 04 so I need 04 brakes but on these boards there seems to be conflicting views on the 2004.5.

Dealers also had no idea what I meant when I said 2004.5, must be a forum thing here.

If you go to this link
http://replacement.autopartswarehous...%20Set&dp=true

There are three types of pads for the front, which one would I need?

Do I purchase brakes for a 2004 or a 2005?

any links to pads that would fit would be appreciated.
also, are there aftermarket rotors or do i have to purchase from dealer?

Buellwinkle

That's a tricky year, the 2003 brakes are the same as the early 2004, the 2004.5 brakes are the same as the 2002-2004 C32 brakes, 4 piston, the 2005+ brakes look similar but are 2 piston. So if you have a 2004 with the drilled rotors and calipers that say Mercedes Benz then you have the same brakes as the C32. I've just been looking at it for fun, TireRack, one of the sponsors has ceramic pads from Akebono that a bunch on the C32 forum like, low noise, long wear, good pedal feel, very low dust for about $95. I've had Porterfield but they can be noisy and very expensive. As for the rotor, the minimum thickness should be stamped on the rotor, get a micrometer and check it and if it's not warped and still thick enough, just replace pads. If you want MB factory pads/rotors, check Duval Motorcars, I've bought stuff from them before for our Jeep and they have great prices, C32 pads are $66 and C32 rotors are $93 each. So if you really need MB pads and rotor you are looking at about $250 in parts and close to one hour of your time to put it in. It's not difficult but does require care. Forgot one thing, the sensor, if it's tripped you'll need a new one, it's about $5. Also get a small tube of brake grease and antisqueel compound, about another $5.

Here's the link to Duval -
http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...04&catalogid=1

So is $597 fair, heck yes, if your the dealer, not so good if you are the consumer. Can't do the brakes yourself, get the parts, take it to a local mechanic, one hour labor max.

C230 Sport Coup

Carl,
I been asking for the kind prices and you post it here...
dooode.....you holding out on me?
Thats a good price on rotors. I wonder how much for shipping.
Best closest price I found was 120, or 135 in SF.

One other thing....the stock pads come with a sensor, and have the anti-squeal goo preapplied to plates that come attached to the back of the pads.

razorfish228

Ok, thought I'd step in because I"m changing my pads with PorterFields and I have a 05 with the 2 Piston setup. The Pads are big and square and have holes in them for the pins to hold them in place on the caliper. Anyway, I've been with with Jerry from Formymercedes and he sent me ones that didn't fit twice from PorterField. PorterField doesn't make them for the 2 Piston setup and are working on it now. He's a quick quote that Jerry wrote to me:

OK, more info

Mercedes has used several different pads on the C230

(this info was not in the reference book I had)
In 2005 if you had a non-sport the 872 fronts is correct (In 04 Sport was a 847 front and Sport in 03 was 872 front)

For the 2005 sport version they have a new pad for type an 1121. Porterfield is checking to see if they can supply this pad. I'll let you know. 1121 is the front pads you should have - so new however I don't know if Porterfield can supply it.

Jerry

Buellwinkle

Duval's shipping is fair, no add ons but rotors are very heavy so expect a 30lbs box, possible $25 for UPS for the 2 rotors and pads but no tax. You can certainly call them if there's more than one pad and give them a part number.

seoulbrova

"For the 2005 sport version they have a new pad for type an 1121. Porterfield is checking to see if they can supply this pad. I'll let you know. 1121 is the front pads you should have - so new however I don't know if Porterfield can supply it."

Couldnt I just order any brake pads for a 2004 C32 and it should fit?

If I order rotors from elsewhere, would I also ask for C32 ones?

Thanks again for all your help.

I really would like to take this to the dealer but money has been tight because as a teacher, we dont get summer pay.

seoulbrova

"SBC brake system MUST be deactivated using SBD 102 or Mercedes Star Diagnosis tool. When activated, the SBC brake system builds up high pressure in the brake system."

does that also refer to the 2004.5 c230?

when u order pads for the c32, it has that warning

http://rep.racepages.com/parts/racep...howdc=true#top

Buellwinkle

This warning is misplaced, it has to do with the brake by wire used on the SL and E class that has since been discontinued because of all the issues and bad press they had with it. It was never used on any C-class including the C32/C55 and certainly not our beloved C230 Kompressors.

As for the other question, no the C32 brake pads are not the same as the pads used on the 2005 sport sedans. Be careful as I noticed that many parts websites show the same pad from 01-05 and we all know that's not true for the sport sedans but is true for the non-sport sedans (older C230 and coupes, C240, non-SS C320, etc) so they can be misleading.

drexappeal

I ordered C32 (Porterfield) front pads for my 2004.5 and they have worked great so far. Breakware is even (according to the Service A report). The rears for the 230's are the same.

Now, due to some people with 2005 models reporting that they have the 4 piston calipers, I'd say that purchasing the Porterfield C32 pads for the front will only work for the 4 piston calipers on the 230SS/320SS 2004.5 and early production 2005 (that were made before the change to the 2 piston).

seoulbrova

have to buy the porterfield ones right? as long as they're 2004 c32 pads from any brand?

also, since the pads from the c32 fit, can i also purchase c32 rotors?

once again, thank you so much for all your help.

drexappeal

Don't know 'bout the C32 rotors. When I was close to having to change my pads before, I inquired at the parts department using my VIN and they said that the part number for the pads on my car was the same as the C32 pads. That's the only way I figured out that I can use C32 size pads.

You can always check with the parts department (based on VIN) to see if the C32 rotors will work.