Dericious

Was looking for some input as to when the brake pads should be changed on a w211 e500?

I took my car in because the display said, Brakes Service Visit workshop.

Service Advisor told me it was because of my brake pads (front) cost about $218 to swap them. (seemed reasonable price).

I was skeptical becasue the car only had 15k miles. He told me it was normal to replace at 15k.

My question is what mileage are other seeing for their brake pad changes? I haven't done any track driving and dont' even drive like a maniac. So I was rather surprised that it would wear out so quickly.

Any commment appreciated.

BudC

My 300E will go 35K to 40K before I have to change the front pads. I have 67K on the car and just checked the original rear pads. They are still OK.

Changing pads at 15K is sick. Besides, I can change pads in my 300E in less than an hour and the cost is $50.

I'm not looking forward to having to pay a dealer $100/hour to change pads in my new E320. That's more than really good programmers make. The SBC system pretty much eliminates any D.I.Y.'er activity on the brakes

I think I'll put it up on blocks and only drive it on vacation.

hlkc

Wow just 15K miles... My ML brake pads does 60K to 70K miles.

Thanks!

marcos

I had mine done at about 20k. The pads do wear out quicker on the W211 because of the SBC type brakes, apparently if you live in a wet place they wear out really quick because they sense water and pulse to keep the discs dry so wear out quicker

GDawgC220

damn...our ML eats pads...changed about every 20-25k (fronts). I think we're on our 3rd set of front pads and 2nd set of rotors already.

Rear pads have been done once already.

15k seems a little too early...how are your braking habits?

benzboy

I'm approaching 21000 on my '03 E500 with no sign of unusual wear. I drive and brake hard at times. 15K is rediculous!

alewifebp

I haven't gotten a replacement yet, but I was a little surprised too when I saw that mine apparently need replacement at 17K (message came on in the MFD, and I'll be going shortly to the dealer). I was expecting a little more mileage out of them. Typically I'm not too hard on the brakes, but I do live in an area with a lot of traffic, wth frequent trips to NYC.

SAguirre

I just put my winter wheels and tires on my E320 4Matic and I noticed that the pads are REALLY SMALL! They are also tapered so that the more they are worn, more surface of the pad touches the rotor. I also heard that the SBC puts a lot more pressure to the rear wheels during normal braking. This might explain why my rear wheels dust just as much as the front. Are your rear pads wearing quickly too?

I sure hope that my brakes last longer than 15K. My 300E barely got 50K on the front and the back lasted for about 100K. I am wondering if there is going to be some sort of computer interface one car buy to deactivate the SBC and change the brakes oneself. Once the system is deactivated, the pads, calipers and rotors look standard. I also think that $200 is a rip off if you think of how easy it is to change the brakes.

I have gotten used to the way the SBC works, but I will be pissed if they wear out that soon. But I'll tell you, the rotors are big, but the pads sure look small to me.

Just my opinion,

Steve Aguirre

Dericious

alewifebp, can i ask what the instument cluster said? Did it just say brakes? visit workshop? or did is specify change pads?

Just curious. mine just said brakes, went in, they changed them and said there was a recall. Fixed that. Day later, i get the same warning. I feel that maybe they are just jerkin me around on the pad thingy.

15k seemed rediculous to me too. Also, softer pads shouldn't squel all the time, no?

I dont' really drive hard. once in awhile, but not continuously. To top that off, half of my commute in the morning is very light in traffic so little braking.

Steve,

I wasn't too upset about $200. i looked up parts from some places online and front pad replacements were just shy of $100. I don't have time to change the pads myself. As for self replacement, i hear that if you unplug the battery, it will prevent the SBC system from activating. There are a bunch fo posts on how to get around the system w/o needing a computer.

I'm more weary of the dealer ripping me off for unnecessary stuff. 15k just doesn't sound right to me. and I live in LA to top it off. not much rain here.

alewifebp

In the MFD it says Brake Wear Visit Workshop!

Dericious

Okay, that really burns me up.

it never said Brake Wear, just Brake.

i'm gonna rip someone a new one at the dealer.

Anyone know if MBUSA will do anything if i complain to them?

SAguirre

It would be interesting to see how to change the brakes with out using a computer. However, just disconnecting the main battery will not disable the SBC. There is a second lead-acid-gel battery under the hood. Apparently, it gets used solely by the SBC in instances when the main battery and alternator are overburdened and there is a chance that the SBC will not have enough amps to operate.

Also, I heard that even if the alternator fails, and you drain the main battery while driving the car until it stalls due to no voltage to run the fuel injection system, the second battery does not drain and you will have enough electric power to stop a few times. So there is a one-way voltage flow to the second battery that is only for the SBC. This makes it one of the only cars that will have power brake boost even if the engine stalls. That is an extra safety feature for extreme measures.

I will read up on changing the brakes when it comes time do so. I hope that I can get two sets of pads per rotors like I have always done. The only car I ever had that had pads that went after 25k was my Benz in Germany, but I drove it at 120MPH and then stood on the brakes to stop when someone pulls in front of you. That really did them in.

If anyone knows about the procedure to change the pads without having SBC problems, please post it. It would be nice to know about.

Steven Aguirre

Mike F

15,00 is about what I got out of them. Damned SBC. I would love to change them myself but what can I do. Expensive proposition. Will MB use any other than stock pads? Maybe I can get more life from Ferodo or similar.

Iceman

I read somewhere that you could just disconnect the harness going into the ABS module under the hood. I did that, pulled a wheel off and got ready to tackle the job. Unfortunatly I backed out at the last minute because all I could think of was the cost involved if I screwed something up versus the cost of paying someone for the labor.

If anybody know of a way to easily service the brakes please let the rest of us know.

Dericious

"The caliper pistons move out when a door is opened, when the key is placed in
the ignition, or when your foot is on the brake pedal. If you are going to change
the brakes, close all the windows and lock the car, then put the key someplace
you know nobody will touch it. The brakes will then be safe to work on."

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...ight=brake+pad

alewifebp

I just heard back from my dealer that I needed both front and rear pads, this at 17,500 miles. At first I was only expecting that I may need the fronts, but that was not the case. Damn.

marc777

I have done 33,000 miles and still on same pads.

The car gets well driven as well. These are not motorway miles.

Marc

marksatex

Knock on wood-
I am at 28K miles and all was fine in last Service visit..... No pads or rotors yet.

Does the terrain perhaps play into the wear on the lower milage folks?

I am in a flat part of Texas. Well sorta flat....