michael10128

Just had new pads and rotors at 30K miles, not my version of good wear.
Despite feeling ripped off, i was told by the dealer that this was good as far as mileage - my rears where shot to hell

Unfortunately the rotors had to go because i have had the car in five times for break squeel... They put that copper based dressing on it, and it comes back weeks later. They told me it was 1300.00 to get it done on all fours and i said no way. I told them this is clearly a defect on the rotors as exemplified by my five service visits since 8K miles

They knocked 300.00 off and i just did it because i was tired of arguing.
I was wondering if anyone else had a similar situation. I live in nyc so changing my own pads is not an option.
The way i look at it, i paid full on the pads and the gave me the rotors at half price.

Barry45RPM

I got 21,000 on my Front & Rear pads. Not bad for a fast heavy car. In NY we have a million traffic lights with VERY short yellow lights, and it seems that on every block in Suburbia some dude has had his own personal stop sign installed on his corner by his local "in the pocket" Village Board Member neighbor.

People who come to visit Long Island are truely stunned by the number of stop signs we have. Everywhere!

JRGD4L

I have 43,000 miles and still have the same pad and rotors. I do drive a lot of highway miles. I looked at the pads when I was getting new tires the other day and still think I can get another 5k-10K out of them. If you do a lot of stop and go city driving that might explain the low mileage you got out of your brakes. Just to clarify did you say a pad and rotor job for all four is $1300 ?

CE750

This is SO TRUE.. where as here in AZ, most of the roads are wide open, 45mph or faster and space between lights is as much as a 1/2 mile or more in most cases... much easier on tires/rotors.

michael10128

yes it was 1300
i have the work order in front of me. They actually charged me 1000.00

front and rear pads and rotors all around.
does stop nicely now. Just feel that it was a early to need rotors. My pads were not totally cooked but they were close.

MarcusF

How much of that bill was labor?

JRGD4L

This is what drives me crazy about these cars. $1000 is ridiculous for a brake job. It just should not cost this much. When I was in college I worked at a dalership that serviced Porshe and VW. The service labor rate on the VW was $40.00/hr and the Porsche they charged $80.00. What was funny about this is it was the same mechanics that did the work for both. Just because the Porsche was a higher line car they figure they can charge more. I have no problem paying a premium to buy a well engineered car but I feel ripped off every time I set foot in the Mercedes dealership service center. $200 oil changes, $1000 brake jobs ? This is crazy. It just assaults my sense of value.

StapleGun

Does not make sense to me....waaay too pricey.

CE750

I would make a killing if I opened up a StarDiag certified MB repair shop here in the Valley. It's amazing to me that they can get away with $110/hr labor, and turn around and pay their guys $18/hr.. Then there's the mark-up on the parts which is anywhere from 100-200% on most consumables..

I always STRONG arm the dealers for a good price, and they always give it to me.

allen_7

I did my Service B at 21k miles at the stealer and they told me I only have 5% left on the rear pads and rotors. Quoted me $500 for the job but I decided to order the parts and do it myself.

Zimmermann rotors @ $45.25 x 2 = $90.5
Pagid rear pad set @ $55.46
Rear brake sensor @ $ 5.77
Anti-Squeal Paste @ $2.41 x 2 = $4.82

Total = $156.55 shipped free

I haven't install them yet because I want to wear them out 'til the brake sensor kicks on. But now at 23,5k+ miles my original set is still going strong (knock on wood); will post a thread when it does.

Flash Gordon

I totally agree. It is an insult to our intelligence. Just because we can afford a MB it doe not mean we are willing to throw our money away, although MANY MB owners do. That's why the dealers are doing it to us! Those of us on this forum are better informed, however, the majority of the MB owners know next to nothing about cars! But this is not surprising because the majority owners of any make know next to nothing about their cars!

saffrontiger

Sorry if this sounds like a basic question, but are there any problems with doing a brake job outside a a MB center with the SBC system? I'm at 23K miles and use an independent service tech who is very familiar with MB as this is what he services exclusively but I dont' know if I feel confident in letting him service my brakes with all of the high tech SBC componenets. Opinions?
Jay

CE750

I would say if he's done one before, let him do it, but don't be a guine pig.

konigstiger

CarTalk.com – MechanXfiles (upper left) – local well-rated shops – review features and specialties (i.e.: Mercedes-Benz). Choose several to ask whatever questions you deem necessary to satisfy your comfort level for whatever.

I have a local shop operated by a former MBUSA lead tech. When I questioned him about changing out the rear pads on my ‘03 e320 he told me he would not be comfortable in doing so until his shop was SBC compatible (didn't go into detail as to what this means). So I am assuming if your mechanic is to do the job correctly he will need the proper equipment to do so. Anyway, I didn’t use him with the e320 because I had free maintenance and my dealer charged about $190 total for rear pads. BTW, he (shop) quoted $850 for new pads & rotors all around, and $59 for an oil change. I’m seriously considering using him for the CLS.

CE750

Dan, post / or PM me the info on that shop.. I'm looking for an independent in Phoenix who knows the W211.. I like some of the prices at Schumacher, but prefer to give my business to an independent.

BudC

Actually, changing the pads and rotors isn't a high tech job at all. It's no different than doing it on my 300E. What IS different is that you must not let the SBC pump run while you do the job. People on this forum have done their own work and all they do is unplug the cable from the SBC controller. I'll bet most dealers do it the same way.

If the brakes are to be bled, then you need to go to someone who knows how to do it and can discharge the system. If the brakes aren't bled correctly, then the SBC system can shut down and go to backup.

cte430

Don't feel bad, I had to replace my front pads and rotors at 15,000. But then again, I've also had to stop from 150 mph + several times Two front rotors and pads were $1,000

CE750

2 rotors and pads for $1000!!!! Glad I didn't fall to my temptation to get an E55

jimbo1mcm

Ordered some goodies to change the brake pads in a couple of months. I ordered a Brake Pad Wear Guage, plus some of the MB tools. I will post a pix of the Brake Pad Wear Guage. Kind of neat. Looks like a large pen. You stick it in a hole in the caliper and measure the pad wear. Takes about 2 seconds per pad. $43 from a forum member, KY Benz.

CE750

Dang Jimbo! Were you an ATP, or an A&P??

you got the oil changes and brakes, heck get the transmission flushed while you're at it!

I wish I had your skills..

cte430

Yeah, and get this. These rotors have about 3,500 miles on them and I think they're warped I feel a very slight vibration in the steering wheel when i'm going real slow and coming to a stop. Dealer says they're fine, yet the shop who just installed my Kleemann headers says not.

LeslieRushforth

Any body interested on how to replace brake bads on a w211 please read more on the following forum ........>

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...=diy+brake+job

Les......Chesterfield U.K.

tbone

I replaced all 4 pads at 51,000 miles (mainly freeway). The front pads had a slight squeal. The rears were about 1 mm away from needing replacement, so I replaced all 4 together. The rotors are fine. It cost me $630 at Mercedes of Pleasanton.

konigstiger

I would have your independent shop write up a statement. Present this statement to your dealership’s service manager. If not satisfied with their response escalate to your MBUSA regional rep.

Also, P-B-33.15/16 NOV04 Steering wheel twitch during brake application (replace torque strut bushings, model year 2003 through 2005) should be referenced.

cte430

They actually did change the bushings. Glad to hear it's an actual fix. I thought they were just BS'ng me! I plan on taking it to another MB dealer and have them write it up. I have mods to my car and when I brought it in that was the first thing they said. The GM said my brakes are shot because of that "chip" I have in my car!! I almost fell down. I asked how that has anything to do with premature brake wear and he said more power, more braking. I asked if you ran to E55's side by side from zero to 150 mine might get there a little faster. Once there we both have to brake the same to slow down.

I'm really struggling with what to do with this. If I challenge them they will blame the mods. I'm basically accusing them of lying to me. I've had a very good relationship with this dealer for several years. My car is one of those that suffers from intermittent stalling. After the 2nd time (and no codes) they offered to replace the car, no questions asked. If I challenge them the relationship will change - Once I go that road, don't know If I can go back.