tydog07

My local Mercedes dealer wants $1000 for a brake job that replaces the pads and rotors on all four ends. I was told by them that only the front ones were bad, but it's "policy" to replace and service all four. My next door neighbor is good at doing brakes, and rotors and pads aren't the hardest job to do, so I would rather give him the parts and some labor money to him. Here are my questions, BTW my '07 E350 has ~50000 miles on it:

1) Should I replace all four rotors and brake pads even though I think I only need the fronts done?

2) What brand pads and what brand rotors should I buy for equal/better than OEM performance and LOW brake dust, or should I buy OEM?

3) I notice that my front rotors are drilled while my rears are not, should I buy four drilled rotors?

4) Is there anything too dificult/unique about replacing rotors and pads on a Mercedes?

5) What websites are reputable and have great deals on this type of thing?


~Thanks In Advance, and if anyone is wondering, the Blizzak LM-60 snow tires are working great!~

edwinwalke

If I were you I would start finding a new dealer. I am all for replacing everything that is needed but not up to paying MY money to pay to replace something that may be perfectly good.

Second, Make sure you car does not have SBC. If it does you or you neighbor need to know how to disable the system.

Third, There are a bunch places to get the parts. I found a MB Dealer in St. Louis that processes orders on line and has very good prices and the parts are MB OEM. Here is the link if you are interested.

http://www.mercedespartscenter.com/p...?siteid=215720

The actual job is no different than many other cars and is not that difficult.

Hope this helps.

gaazmon

07+ cars wouldn't have SBC so it shouldn't be that hard.

I was quoted for front pads and rotors about $500 at dealer so $1000 sounds about right for a MB dealer for all four.

What I've noticed on my car, the brake pads have been changed twice, once at 23650 miles when I bought the car and the other at a little over 50k miles and the rotors only once at the second brake job. I've heard you should change rotors on ever other brake pad change.

shaunls1

parts.com is about the cheapest i have found.

pinebaron

I believe my 07 E320 Bluetec has SBC; certainly looks like an SBC.

007_e350

I got mine from www.autohausaz.com

bigben320e

Go to a good indy shop that specializes in MB's.

tydog07

How do I know if I have SBC or not? Is it hard to disable?


The only online store I've checked so far is MBPartsWarehouse.com and heres what I've found:

Stock Brake Pads (Front Set):$70-$90
Stock Rotors (Front, Not Slotted/Dimpled/Drilled): $70-$110 Individually

Performance Brake Pads From EBC: $100-$130
Performance Rotors From EBC (Front Set, Dimpled and Slotted): $285



Is EBC a good brand to go with? What is the difference between Ceramic, Organic, Kevlar and Semi-Metallic brake pads?


EDIT: It looks like I want to stick with Ceramic Brakes Pads because Kevlar has too much Brake Dust. EBC Red Stuff are probably the pads I'm going to get.

LEGOIII

07's don't have sbc, Another way you can tell, if you have sbc brake system, you will hear all kinds of weird noise(clickinging and whining), coming from your engine area for a few seconds when you open your car doors.
You should not hear any noise when you open your doors on the 07.

tydog07

Thanks!

MBtech1098

Yes 07' and newer do not have SBC, also if you look at the pump located under the hood at the RF it will say "SBC" on it. As far as your brakes, if a dealer says states your fronts are only worn, but MB recommends to do both front and rear, well that is a bunch of BS, only do what you need.

mcleantmw

You can also get discounted Genuine MB parts from www.getmercedesparts.com..........MB of Annapolis MD operates this discount parts site.

dsm2925

what happens if you dont disable the sbs and change pads?

tydog07

Can anyone comment on the quality of the EBC brake pads, and more specifically the EBC Red Stuff Ceramic Pads?

MercFiveHundred

SBC pump MAY go off and your caliper will compress. You can imagine what can happen if you have your finger in between....

Just remove the battery, SBC harness connector, and dont open the doors (keeps keys inside the house). In my opinion, i dont see any way possible for the SBC to go off with all those disconnected.

ohlord

You can get real hurt
Op has no issue,no sbc.
Autohausaz.com
Akebono pads from tirerack.com
-300f cryo rotors from me if you want rotors that last over twice as long.ALSO CARRY CERAMIC 2000F SCORCHED PADS.
Don't get drilled for the front.
If you have SBC per above disable it.Then proceed with the brake change.
If the rotors are smooth you can break the glaze with 120 grit paper wash the rotors and clean off the soapy residue with brake cleaner and get another use out of them.Don't resurface not enough material to lathe.

PARTS.COM is in most cases way higher priced than a specialty online supplier like www.autohausaz.com

tydog07

I created a new thread in the brakes/tires/wheels forum asking about the quality of EBC brakes, someone said that they got the Red Stuff from EBC and liked them. He also said that he didn't get yelllow stuff because they are meant for racing.

apl175

There was also some document that I saw a few weeks ago about changing the brakes on SBC vehicles (06 and earlier except for E55 and AMG) WITHOUT Star or any other diagnostic system.
It involved the right sequence of turning the ignition on and then off, and leaving the doors locked or unlocked...something like that. There was also a procedure to have the system adapt to the new brake pads by turning the ignition on and spinning the rear and then front tires by hand until the SBC system braked them automatically.

pinebaron

I think you mean this document; see attached.

pinebaron

Today I replaced front and rear brake pads with Akebono EUR Ceramics from Tirerack but need to bleed brakes. I will try the method in the earlier document. If that does not work I will have to order a Power Bleeder.

My 07 E320 Bluetec has only one pad wear sensor on each passenger front and rear wheels.

Front pads were quicker to replace while rears took a bit longer.

Original pads had at least 80% material on them after 23000 miles.

skiahh

Whichever way you go, this applies to any service done at ANY repair shop that has "policies" like this one.

You look the idiot right in the eye and say, "That's great... but I have a policy to only replace things that need replacing. This is what I want you to repair."

If they try to tell you they can't or it's against policy, tell them you'll call another dealer and your next three calls after that will be to the BBB, your state's Attorney General and then MB USA customer service.

Dealer's "policies" are nothing. They have no bearing on you or what you "must" do or not do. Remember, they also have a policy to extract as much money from you in selling you a car and in maintaining your car. I don't say that with any negativity... remember, a business is in business to make profit!

Caveat Emptor still applies... it's up to you to have a "policy" to only pay the minimum necessary to achieve your objectives!

killatee18

Did most of you have to replace your front or rear brake pads first?? I went to the dealer and they said I will have to replace my rears first since those are wearing faster, they said that is common among the e-class. Is that true? I have an 07 e350 with 35k miles and havn't replaced any pads yet. thanks

USCGTO

any details..I am in pasadena, but wouldnt mind travelling to get it done at the right price.

pinebaron

I was wrong . I was looking at the ABS pump and thought it was an SBC.
I took the car on a long drive 30 miles there via freeway which gave me an opportunity to fade the new pads in though I was not sure if this was required. Return 30 mile trip was through town, constant stop and start at traffic lights. The new akebono ceramics work great. I still need to bleed the calipers to firm up the brake pedal.

Boulder GT3

I think you mean "bed" the brakes. As in, making them mate with the rotors correctly. You shouldn't have to worry about it with that brake set up.