I was digging into the WIS program I have on my home computer and found out some good things:

1. On my 211.026(and most other models), I have electronic wear indicators on each wheel. When any of the 4 pads is at 2mm remaining, it sets off the disc warning in the multifunction display. This warning can also be set off by moisture in the sensor. If you think your pads are really in good shape and you get the sensor warning, you might wait a couple of days and see if it dries out.

2. If you are psycho about maintenance and want to measure your brake wear as you go along, MB has a special tool: 211 689 06 23 00 which is a brake pad wear guage. It looks like a tire pressure guage with a plastic sliding scale on it. You stick the pointy end into an inspection hole on the caliper and read what the scale says. I plan on ordering one; it can't be very expensive.

3. Brake Pad Wear Limits for 211.026 plus a lot more 211's)

New( with pad backing plate) mm 15.5
Service Limit( with pad
backing plate) 11.0
Service Limit( without pad backing
plate) 5.5
So, if I read this right, if you have a pad backing plate on your pad, and you bring it to the dealer, if he sees around 11mm left on the pad, he will change it.

Or, if you do not have a pad backing plate, if he sees 5.5 mm, he will change it.

Or, you can just delete this and wait for the light to come on. If you have normal brake use, you should get at least 20,000 miles on a set. If you have long highway driving, you could get 50,000.

 

Once again, thanks for your post.

What, pray tell, is the "WIS program" you refer to, and where did you get it?

 

WIS is the abbreviation for the German of Work Station Information program. Put out by Benz. It is what the technician goes to at your MB facility to get info on how to fix things and find the latest TB's( tech bulletins) etc. I found a copy on Ebay for about $100. Once you get it, it can't be upgraded, but it is very useful otherwise. Look on Ebay. There is also a parts manual available, which is useful in looking at exploded diagrams of how things are put together.

Just checked Ebay. Do a search this way on Ebay: Mercedes Repair Manual WIS There are a few available. I highly recommend it.

 

Yes, WIS is very helpful. I use it all the time.

As for the brake pad wear, 211s also have a 50% pad wear sensor as well as the regular pad wear sensor. Once you hit the 50% wear sensor it tells the computer that you are over halfway through the pads and it can calculate approximatly how much pad is left by remembering how long it took you to go through the first half. If your service indicator has a "+" sign after it, it means to check brake pad wear at service. It might say C+ service due to that means it has calculated that your service is due and the brake pads are getting low but have not hit the other wear sensor yet.

Just a little extra info for you.

 

Never heard of this one, sounds great though....truly forward thinking. Do the new 211's without Sensotronic retain this feature?

 

What new W211s without Sensotronic?

http://www.mbusa.com/brand/container...50W&class=06_E

 

[QUOTE=DWP]What new W211s without Sensotronic?QUOTE]

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...ht=sensotronic

After reading it again I find that I may be guilty of rumor mongoring....or maybe not.

 

Yea, if they are doing away with SBC, its news to me.

 

I started hearing a slight squeal on my brakes at around 8,000 miles. I've been ignoring it though since it seems way to early to need to be changed. I am not a heavy braker either.

Is there a way I can find out through the car how much pad is left (like how I can tell how much oil is in there)?

I also want to get that brake pad tool.

 

SBC is not going away anytime soon on the W211.

 

I thought it was being changed when the face lift comes out next year. Do you think they'll wait for the W212?

 

I was told that its not going away on the W211 at all, but a senior tech at Schumacher.

 

The technician at Sindelfingen who delivered my car a two weeks ago told me the W211 brakes will be changed next June when they have the face lift.

 

Well, I'd take that to the bank then.. so much for Schumacher.

 

No, we can hook up a computer in the shop and it can give an estimate on how much pad is left but you cant see it through the instrument cluster. But its just as easy to look through the wheel with a flashlight anyway. A lot of customers complain of brake squeal which is going to happen with high performance brakes but the majority of the time it doesnt mean the brakes are worn.

 

hey dude.. you seem like you might actually know something about these cars, so let me ask you a quick question..

Why are the front brakes (calipers) different on the E320CDI from the E350 and E500? and more importantly, can I put those calipers on my CDI? thanks man..

 

Jim, how’s that C350 treating you? My deal is set for Oct 14th.

 

I couldn't be happier. The C350 is one fun sports sedan and its brakes don't fight you. Good luck on your deal.

 

You got me there, I work on the cars all day so I know plenty about repairing them and things like that but I really never payed any attention to the CDI having different brakes on it than the gas models. We dont get in very many CDI models compared to gas models. If I get a chance, I will check into it at work. Figures, I was working on a CDI yesterday and there is always a regular 211 in the shop so I could have compared them but the one I was working on is gone now so I'll have to look for another one. I'll let you know what I can find out.

 

be a pal for me, and if/when you find anything out... pm/email me.

I would GREATLY appreciate it.