Front Brakes
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Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 322
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From: Albany, NY
2015 C350 Coupe
Front Brakes
I had my 2013 C250 coupe in for some warranty service and a yearly inspection. I got a call and was told that the front breaks are 90% worn to the sensor and that the rotors are below minimum thickness. The Car has 50K miles on it. I now have the luxury of getting new front brakes and rotors. The dealer quoted me $675 plus tax. I don’t have that kind of money. I need a cheaper alternative.
I went online to see what it would cost to buy the rotors, pads and sensor and found that there are many different options. How do I know which parts I need to match OEM? Also where is a good place to order the parts? And…if I find a good deal online for the parts should I take them to a shop that works on Mercs and have them do the installation or are brakes something I can think about trying?
I know somethings about cars and am handy with a wrench. I can follow a YouTube video. With my previous c230 coupe, I took the dash apart to install an aux input for my iPod. Heck, a buddy and I took apart a snow blower and fixed it with the help of YouTube. Just how hard is it to replace front brakes?
Are any special tools required in order to swap the brakes?
I went online to see what it would cost to buy the rotors, pads and sensor and found that there are many different options. How do I know which parts I need to match OEM? Also where is a good place to order the parts? And…if I find a good deal online for the parts should I take them to a shop that works on Mercs and have them do the installation or are brakes something I can think about trying?
I know somethings about cars and am handy with a wrench. I can follow a YouTube video. With my previous c230 coupe, I took the dash apart to install an aux input for my iPod. Heck, a buddy and I took apart a snow blower and fixed it with the help of YouTube. Just how hard is it to replace front brakes?
Are any special tools required in order to swap the brakes?
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Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 197
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From: Connecticut
C300 4matic
After I bought my C300 I decided to do most of the work my car. I just finished the front brakes on the car it took me two hours taking my time. I purchased everything from https://www.fcpeuro.com/. They had the best price and they also have a video on how to do the job
. Total cost for everything was $250 which was for pads, rotors, and wear sensor. You will need brake grease and some hand tools, that's it nothing special. Watch the video you can do it.
Nelson
Nelson
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 463
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From: Elizabethtown, Kentucky
2014 C300
I've bought things from FCP when I had my Volvo so I know they're good. When I needed rotors for my 07 C230 I purchased them from Brake Performance. Never had a problem with them. For pads I use Akebono Euro Ceramic pads. Love the ceramic pads because there is NO DUST!
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Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 197
Likes: 17
From: Connecticut
C300 4matic
I have used the Akebono I switch to the original Mercedes pads this time so I could replace the clips since my car has 95K miles on it and you can't just buy the clips. I bought the Zimmer rotors I find they hold up well, I got 50K out of these last front rotors. The rears lasted 85K. Good luck and do it yourself it feels good when you save money and know the job was done right.
Nelson
Nelson
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 290
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From: Weaverville, Ca
1992 MB 190E, 2016 MB C300
Brakes are easy. Any experienced mechanic can do them. Genuine MB parts are sold everywhere on line. Many other brands are as good. I've always done my own brakes and I'm not that great mechanically.
Last edited by dennish; Jul 20, 2017 at 11:10 AM.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 929
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From: Silicon Valley, California
Factory ordered 2012 MB C350 w/Dynamic Handling Package
First I thought you were happy that you get to "MOD/upgrade" the car, then you mention $675 is too much?!
I just priced out semi-performance front rotors (STOPTECH SPORT SLOTTED) and pads (AKEBONO EURO CERAMIC) from tirerack and the parts alone was $400.
2nd only to tires, this is one of those that you really shouldn't cheap out on, especially more so when you do it yourself.
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Joined: May 2017
Posts: 242
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From: West by god Virginia
'08 C300 4Matic Sport / '11 C63
For the price I always find brakes worth doing myself. I've started using FCP Euro which was a hint more for the Akebono pads and zimmerman rotors but keep in mind if you plan on keeping the car for awhile FCP Euro does lifetime warranty on everything. My oil changes cost like $17 now which is nice so it's worth it in my view and user experience.
I just did my front brakes and I think it was around $275 from them for pads, rotors and lube for pins etc along with a sensor.
I just did my front brakes and I think it was around $275 from them for pads, rotors and lube for pins etc along with a sensor.
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2013 C250 Sport
A little OT but what do people usually get out of their brakes? I'm at 50K too but still have plenty left. My mechanic seemed to indicate it wasn't even a concern just yet. I'm looking forward to a DIY when they need it. I did have a wheel speed sensor fail, which triggered a light, but that was covered under warranty.
My previous car needed brakes in the rear when I purchased it at 20K miles. I put about 120K more miles on the car and didn't need to replace either. It still had the original fronts.
My previous car needed brakes in the rear when I purchased it at 20K miles. I put about 120K more miles on the car and didn't need to replace either. It still had the original fronts.
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From: LA LA Land
'08 C300 MM Pano
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From: Canada
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A little OT but what do people usually get out of their brakes? I'm at 50K too but still have plenty left. My mechanic seemed to indicate it wasn't even a concern just yet. I'm looking forward to a DIY when they need it. I did have a wheel speed sensor fail, which triggered a light, but that was covered under warranty.
My previous car needed brakes in the rear when I purchased it at 20K miles. I put about 120K more miles on the car and didn't need to replace either. It still had the original fronts.
My previous car needed brakes in the rear when I purchased it at 20K miles. I put about 120K more miles on the car and didn't need to replace either. It still had the original fronts.
Perhaps it's indicative of my driving style.
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Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Thessaloniki, Greece
S204 C250 CDI 4Matic Avantgarde - 2013
I changed both front and rear rotors and pads at 230k km (143k miles). MB local dealer said there was no need changing the rotors any sooner (I change pads every 50k km the fronts and 75k km the rears). Most of my mileage is on highways.
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Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 197
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From: Connecticut
C300 4matic
The clips that fit into the front brake pad carrier. I usually clean them but they were looking rusty. The tension on the new clips is better and at 95K this is the second set of front brakes I have put on. So figured the Mercedes pads work as well and the clips come with them.
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2013 C250 Sport
I've always done crazy well with brakes and tires. Those are the only things on my car not failing on a regular basis, lol.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Albany, NY
2015 C350 Coupe
Looking at FCPEuro site, I see that there are different options. How do I know which ones to buy? Do I just get OEM ones as that is what I would get a t the dealer?
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From: Canada
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$275 I can live with. What I don't understand i why Mercedes wants $675 when I can have it done elsewhere for $325 or do it myself for $275.
Looking at FCPEuro site, I see that there are different options. How do I know which ones to buy? Do I just get OEM ones as that is what I would get a t the dealer?
Looking at FCPEuro site, I see that there are different options. How do I know which ones to buy? Do I just get OEM ones as that is what I would get a t the dealer?
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Joined: Apr 2010
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From: LA LA Land
'08 C300 MM Pano
For the price I always find brakes worth doing myself. I've started using FCP Euro which was a hint more for the Akebono pads and zimmerman rotors but keep in mind if you plan on keeping the car for awhile FCP Euro does lifetime warranty on everything. My oil changes cost like $17 now which is nice so it's worth it in my view and user experience.
I just paid $257.02 for 2 rear Bremo rotors, 2 front Brembo rotors, plus front and rear Akebono pads (1340 & 1341).
For comparison's sake, the front brakes cost me 71.13 for the Brembo rotors and 68.90 for the Akebono pads, for a total of 140.03. The Akebono pads come with the lube and not only 1, but 2 sensors. The Brembo rotors come with the set screw.
The last time I did front brakes I replaced OEM pads with Akebonos, (which according to my records were $72.74). Front rotors at the time were only less than 1 mmm from the 28mm thickness they are when new. Didn't even need to get them turned.
So my grand total for 2 sets of brake pads and one set of rotors comes to 140.03 + 72.74 = 212.77. My car is a 2008, meaning it is 9 years old. Let us say I keep it for another year, I doubt I will need to replace brake pads a third time...
More power to FCPEuro for being able to sell their "lifetime guarantee" feature to get more customers, but the way I see it, and knowing full well they are a business in business to make money (and not give it away), if they were not making a killing on replacement parts, they would not be offering a lifetime guarantee!
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From: LA LA Land
'08 C300 MM Pano
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Joined: May 2016
Posts: 536
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From: Perkasie, PA
2014 C300 Sport
I was quoted $750 for Sport package rotors and pads in the front. Luckily one of my local Benz techs is a friend. He sourced the OEM parts for $250 and installed them for $100.
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From: Ontario, Canada
2009 C63 AMG, 2010 C250 4Matic Sport
$275 I can live with. What I don't understand i why Mercedes wants $675 when I can have it done elsewhere for $325 or do it myself for $275.
Looking at FCPEuro site, I see that there are different options. How do I know which ones to buy? Do I just get OEM ones as that is what I would get a t the dealer?
Looking at FCPEuro site, I see that there are different options. How do I know which ones to buy? Do I just get OEM ones as that is what I would get a t the dealer?
The OE rotors and pads will be more expensive if you do it through the dealer than other places for 325... Personally I'd pay the extra cost for a good set of rotors and pads and do it myself. Brakes are not something to cheap out on
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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2013 C250 Sport
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 562
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Mercedes w204 4matic sport
, I drive the "shatbox" every day lol 
. When I'm lucky I drive the Benz 
.... LOL.
But I agree 110% on the whole brakes/tires issue which seems to be getting a lot of action lately.
OP, I was quoted around 750 for front brakes (sports package). I can do the job for about 280 or less with OEM parts. My fronts have a ton of life left and recently did rear pads and I'm 33k.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2016
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Mercedes w204 4matic sport
even 40 is cheap on our car, costs $30 for me to do an oil changed on my sisters Subaru.. $17 for an oil change would mean less then $2 a qt and like a free filter for the 3.5, I haven't seen even regular oil that cheap in well over a decade let alone synthetic oil approved for our cars...
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Joined: May 2017
Posts: 242
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From: West by god Virginia
'08 C300 4Matic Sport / '11 C63
even 40 is cheap on our car, costs $30 for me to do an oil changed on my sisters Subaru.. $17 for an oil change would mean less then $2 a qt and like a free filter for the 3.5, I haven't seen even regular oil that cheap in well over a decade let alone synthetic oil approved for our cars...
So for example, you purchase oil and filter stuff you need, change it and use it. Reorder and do another oil change only this time you ship back the used filter and oil, FCP then refunds second round of purchasing. This makes the oil change essentially just price of shipping old oil back.
So that goes for rotors, pads and well everything that can be returned after use. Have done it once so far for my oil change, I used Mercedes oil and filter. Was pretty straight forward and no major hassle.
May not be for some as you still have to come out of pocket upfront. Apologies for kind of derailing the thread OP.
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Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 562
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Mercedes w204 4matic sport
For the ones asking, FCP Euro has competitive prices but you can always find items cheaper elsewhere. Where they shine is a lifetime warranty on everything they sell, even OIL.
So for example, you purchase oil and filter stuff you need, change it and use it. Reorder and do another oil change only this time you ship back the used filter and oil, FCP then refunds second round of purchasing. This makes the oil change essentially just price of shipping old oil back.
So that goes for rotors, pads and well everything that can be returned after use. Have done it once so far for my oil change, I used Mercedes oil and filter. Was pretty straight forward and no major hassle.
May not be for some as you still have to come out of pocket upfront. Apologies for kind of derailing the thread OP.
So for example, you purchase oil and filter stuff you need, change it and use it. Reorder and do another oil change only this time you ship back the used filter and oil, FCP then refunds second round of purchasing. This makes the oil change essentially just price of shipping old oil back.
So that goes for rotors, pads and well everything that can be returned after use. Have done it once so far for my oil change, I used Mercedes oil and filter. Was pretty straight forward and no major hassle.
May not be for some as you still have to come out of pocket upfront. Apologies for kind of derailing the thread OP.
