Arjun R Kumar

India - w205 C220 CDI imported from Germany (CBU)

The car clocked 9800 km- my air filters clogged and rear brake pads wore off, which is quite shocking to me as I’ve never had an air filter clogging/brake pads worn off within such low mileage - MB denied any warranty claims on this issue and I paid to get the Air filters ($175) and rear brake pads ($325) replaced. What is surprising to me is that the car has covered 16100 km now and my front brake pads – which is under a higher stress than the rear pads are still in good condition

I understand from my fellow MB users in India that, they've had their brake pads changed every 10,000 km for W205 - all of them are on prepaid-maintenance plan. I've had w204 C250d facelift & BMW F30 and for both the cars the Air filters lasted up to 25,000 - 30,000 km and I sold them before I even had to change the pads.

Now @16100 km the dealership advised me that the air filter (A 651 094 04 04) has reached high contamination level and might require a replacement soon and they told me the air filter for W205 are small, hence they clog faster than previous model. I've attached the picture of my old air filter for reference.

Please comment on the brake pad issue and has MB introduced a modified air filter that has a better life? do K&N offer an alternative?

B2FiNiTY

That is pretty dirty. You probably live in an area with high dirt and there is nothing you can do about that. Just changed it more often.

Arjun R Kumar

the above filter was lying outside for the past 6 months. " I've had w204 C250d facelift & BMW F30 and for both the cars the Air filters lasted up to 25,000 - 30,000 km "

sean1.8t

Recently, another member had a similar instance where they were told by Mercedes-Benz that their rear brake pads needed to be changed at a similar mileage. Denied warranty claims but it turned out after he got a second opinion at an independent shop that it was only one of his inner rear brake pads that was the issue. Leading to a legitimized defect claim.

Unfortunately, sounds like it's too late for you?

Arjun R Kumar

Thanks Sean1.8t, I've the old pads (rear) with me - I have just checked them, they have worn out quite evenly. What is the average brake pad mileage for w205, considering I do not thrash my car?

MitzaB

I have 27000 km with pretty hard driving and my brake pads are still good for about 10000-12000 km on the front and better on the rear. Like any other car i owned (MB W204, BMW E90 and others).

sean1.8t

Street brake pads should last in the neighborhood of 40,000 miles. Give or take 20,000 miles depending on the individual's style of driving.

If they are worn out after 10,000 miles, there is something seriously wrong with something. Or you are riding the hell out of them.

One thing that really irritates me when I'm riding passenger with someone is when they are either throttle or braking and never in between. I usually slap them and explain this amazing feature cars have called "coasting"

Arjun R Kumar

it's 9800 km i.e. only 6000 miles - I contacted MB on the same and they refused to comment. All that they say is - no guarantee on consumable parts.

GerritKw

+1

You cannot relate the life of brake pads to the milage of a car. The life of the brake pads is related to the amount the brakes are used.

Arjun R Kumar

True that, but 6000 miles / 9800 km is too low for an air filter / brake pad replacement. I agree India has bad roads but brake pads and air filters on my w204 facelift and BMW F30 lasted 30,000 - 35,000 km +.

I was told by the dealership that the brakes are now TRW make and not ATE as in w204 and the air filter design (A 651 094 04 04) is smaller, has lesser surface area than W204's and that could be the reason for early replacement of consumables - I also noticed that the air filter design is different from rest of the world (excl. balken states)

- could this be a design flaw??? How can I get MB's attention ?? the MB call center are not technically sound to understand my problem and they simply forward the issue to the dealership and it's the same vicious circle.

Hapa88

Brake pad life is mainly a function of what material they use in the pad and how many miles.
My first VW used to have a rear brake pad issue where the rear pads would be gone after less than 20,000 miles while the fronts would last to 100,000 miles. Turned out that VW used different materials in the fronts and rear. There were so many complaints about the rears needing to be replaced that it forced VW to reformulate their rear pad material to last longer. The updated replacement pads now last almost as long as the fronts.
Until enough people complain, you may be better off finding a suitable aftermarket brake pad replacement. Do your research and only use brake pads from reputable brake pad manufacturers (name brand companies only).

sean1.8t

You are 100% correct in that statement.

But mileage is a good unit of measurement when considering the "law of averages" for anything car related.

Shadwell

At least you know your filters are working and are necessary.


With that level of dirt I'd personally be buying a few on line and changing mid interval..

Shadwell

In many cases eg the AMG pack, the front callipers (and hence pads) and discs are Brembo sourced and the rears are ATE.. the disc hardness's can be different...
A harder disc will wear pads a lot more quickly..
So having different wear behaviour front to rear is to be expected...