chrissy0874

Hi all,

I took my 2020 C43 sedan to the dealer for the 40K maintenance service. The dealer said my front rotors are at 34.51 and 34.66 and the pads are low at 5mm and they recommend changing both rotors and pads. Cost is $1350.

I call local shops and they quoted $1100 and another shop is $850. What should I ask for as far a genuine mercedes rotors and pads? Do you recommend getting the parts online and have them installed? If so, can you share the SKU number of the front brake pads and rotors and the website you would recommend?

Thank you in advance!

Christine

streborx

Pad thickness when new is typically 12mm, and minimum pad thickness is 2mm. At 5mm, you've worn away about 1mm per 6K miles. You can probably go another 10K miles before hitting 3mm, which is the point where I would be changing pads. Not sure of the rotor specs, but minimum thickness is usually cast into the metal. Unless your brakes shimmy or have some other unusual feel, you can probably wait a bit before it becomes a must-do. Unless you have experience with or a recommendation for an indy shop, I'd stick with the dealer, despite the high quote. OTOH, brake jobs are not all that difficult to DIY.

TwoC400s

Front brake jobs are pretty freaking easy on this platform.

Get the MB/Akebono kit from FCP Euro, and a few tools, you'll come out hundreds ahead of all of those quotes even if you have to buy tools.

streborx

One more point -- minimum rotor thickness is the spec to which a rotor can be machined and/or continue to be used with a new set of brake pads. If your rotors aren't warped (causing a shimmy when braking) and don't have surface scoring, and are still greater than the minimum thickness spec, they can continue to be used. Dealers sell the whole package -- brakes, rotors and sensors -- because that's the business they're in.

ygmn

Hmmmm:

Mercedes Brake Kit - Genuine Mercedes 0004212312 | FCP Euro
FCP EURO MB Parts = $666.76

MB 2 piece are expensive ($400+ for pair) and aftermarket ones I see are single piece and range from $75 to $300 for a pair.

So dealer not too too bad but you could do cheaper in the driveway and even save more if willing to go single piece rotor.

AXO893

I hate the brake dust from my oem pads. I am definitely going with Akebonos when its time for change......

streborx

Received an email from FCPEuro -- "5 Simple Must-haves for DIY Brake Jobs:"
1. Brake Pad Spreader
2. Caliper Brush & Hangers
3. Motive Brake Bleeder
4. Anti-squeal paste
5. 4 lb. Sledge Hammer

No joke on #5 (I already own 3 "BFH's")

user33

I'm a little concerned about #5 ... nothing should need heavy-handed "persuading," especially not _that_ heavy handed!

Be careful with a caliper-cleaning brush so as not to damage the rubber dust-boots on the caliper pistons. Personally, I've always been successful simply using a 50/50 rubbing alcohol and water mix to clean calipers (so that makes 2 tools I don't have).
$;-))

streborx

Yeah, doesn't seem like the tool of first resort on a brake job. But the "BFH" was the only way I was able to get a tapered bolt out of the tie rod on my Jeep, after the conventional tools couldn't budge it.

stockbmw

I had just lubed the front and rear brakes including cleaning the dirt and salt from winter last week, and skill level required to do front pads is like 1 out of 10. And that's all you probably need to do. It increases if you need to replace the rotors and service the rears as you need to put the rears in service mode. All it took was some time but definitely does not cost $$$ in labour. If no cleaning was required, took 30 mins tops to do the front pads. Floating brake type on rears takes longer to be honest.