TREBOR68

Does my car have one??? I have a 2004 E500. I took it for an oil change and my mechanic tells me i need to change the rear brake pads right away as they have less than 5%. Total cost of about $250. I told him to wait. That gives me a chance to ask all of you - Don't these cars have a sensor that indicates when the pads need to be changed?

Plutoe

There are many variations, however I think you have one, a right rear sensor.

Do you kniow how to inspect the E500 rear brakes yourself??

Flash Gordon

Your car has both the front (2) and rear (1) sensors. $250 just for the rear pad is too high.

TREBOR68

Can you please explain how. I mean other than visual inspection i really don't know what else to look for. Thank you.

TREBOR68

So when the brake pads have worn down to the point of having to change them, the sensor should trigger a message in the dash?

The breakdown of the quote is $126.00 for labor, $87.00 for the brake pads, $7.25 for sensor, and $15.42 in taxes for a total of $235.67. So its a little less than the $250.00. What do you think would be a fair price for this job?

Thank you.

Plutoe

What is fair to one may not be fair to another, however you know he did not quote MB OEM pads.

If it were me, I would let the rear sensor tell me when the rear brakes needed changing. Good Luck!!

TREBOR68

I think he did quote me MB OEM pads. He only works on MB's and claims to only use OEM parts. Can you or someone please get me the part number for the pads so i can find out prices. I appreciate it.

Plutoe

The pads are 004 420 44 20. The sensor is 211 540 07 17

TREBOR68

Thank you for the part numbers Plutoe. I'm going to try to find the parts myself and then see how much they will charge just for labor.

AllieNaquint

I think you have one, a right rear sensor.

ozusa

I am a little surprised that your mechanic is not recommending disk replacement at the same time as the pads. Ask him why not in order that you don't get that as an unexpected surprise add-on to the job once you have given the go-ahead for the pads and the car is a hoist-hostage.

If you have only 5% pad left, then it should be pretty easy to see with the wheel off that there's only a few mm of pad material left on the pad backing plates. I have no idea why the sensors have not kicked in yet to tell you.

TREBOR68

i have no idea either. My mechanic specializes and only works on MB. He told me the disks were fine but that i should immediately change the pads. That is why i was asking if there was a rear sensor. That part doesn't make sense. I have asked around for pricing and to be honest most are the same and higher. Just one guy was about $20 less so its really not worth it. I think im just going to stick with my mechanic. I will ask him about the rotors and why the sensor hasn't worked and will post his reply.

edwinwalke

His price seems fair. Just remember, these mechanics are not working on cars for recreation, they are trying to make an honest living. My guess is he is recommending replacement because they are close to being down to the level of activating the sensor and his logic is change them now rather than wait to the message appears and you are inconvienced with another visit to his shop. If the rotors are not worn beyond spec then there is no need to replace them. Just as him to show you the pads he removes if you are still not convienced he is honest.

vettdvr

The sensor will wear through before you are the min thickness of approximately 0.125 inches

IF you have the sensor and no + in the FSS under the service you probably don't need new pads.

TREBOR68

Well guys i went ahead and had my mechanic replace the rear brake pads as per his suggestion and i got to tell you i'm really glad i did. the pads had no more than 5 or 10 percent left. He also gave me a discount on the price so i'm happy with the results. The rotors are in really good shape and they didn't need replacing.

edwinwalke

Sounds like a good decision and good result. I have found over the years that you can get at least two set of pads per rotor change and with some MBs even more.