Brakes Creating DUST??!?!?!
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2009
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2020 G63, 2021 E450 All-Terrain Wagon
Brakes Creating DUST??!?!?!
For the first time, I have seen a significant accumulation of brake dust over the past two days. The 2011 only has 5,000 miles. I told the dealer that the pads didn't make much dust before (my wheels looked sparkly clean literally up until now), but dealer said that over time, the pads become softer as they are worn-in, thus creating more dust...ARGHHHH. I loved it when my car's wheels weren't coated in black!
Has anyone had similar experiences? Has anyone had their E long enough so they have had to get pads changed? Was there dust on the new pads? Does anyone know who manufactures the pads and the serial numbers? I need answers!
How many miles until you started seeing brake dust accumulation?
Has anyone had similar experiences? Has anyone had their E long enough so they have had to get pads changed? Was there dust on the new pads? Does anyone know who manufactures the pads and the serial numbers? I need answers!
How many miles until you started seeing brake dust accumulation?
MBWorld God!
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: on my way
2012 CLS63
hmmm....I thought the dust settles after that amount of driving.....
I'm over 20K miles now, and they might be getting close..
but nah, no pads yet.....
I understand what you mean about the black wheels.
I see sooo many people in their nice cars with black, nasty
brake dust covering them, but I realize not everyone has time or cares about that.
It also blows my mind how much of the dust gets everywhere else too!!
wheels wells etc....
when it does come time I have been considering getting some better ones....or the fancy ones or whatever.....
not to be as much dust...
even having these black wheels, I can still see the dust and debris, just wiped them down today too, and they were plenty dirty.....
of course, tis the season....then we'll get hit with the pollen
I'm over 20K miles now, and they might be getting close..
but nah, no pads yet.....
I understand what you mean about the black wheels.
I see sooo many people in their nice cars with black, nasty
brake dust covering them, but I realize not everyone has time or cares about that.
It also blows my mind how much of the dust gets everywhere else too!!
wheels wells etc....
when it does come time I have been considering getting some better ones....or the fancy ones or whatever.....
not to be as much dust...even having these black wheels, I can still see the dust and debris, just wiped them down today too, and they were plenty dirty.....
of course, tis the season....then we'll get hit with the pollen
Junior Member
Joined: May 2011
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2011 E550, 2018 Land Cruiser, 1966 Vette
I've got 4K on my 2011 and have been amazed at how dust-free the wheels have remained. I wipe them down every other wash or so.
I had a 01 BMW that threw up some dust, requiring wheel cleaning with every wash, but that was nothing compared to the 97 Volvo, which generated clouds. I used factory pads so maybe aftermarket would have been better.
I had a 01 BMW that threw up some dust, requiring wheel cleaning with every wash, but that was nothing compared to the 97 Volvo, which generated clouds. I used factory pads so maybe aftermarket would have been better.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 599
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From: Maryland
2022 E450 Prior:2021 S580 2012 E350BT, 2013 GL350BT, 2009 ML320BT, 2006 E320CDI, 1987 260E
I am also amazed by the lack of dust on my '12 E 1000 miles in. I hope it remains the same. Our '09 M makes more dust but still very little compared to MBs and Volvo's we've had in the past. I thought maybe it was an SUV thing but hopefully the E will continue has it has been...
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Central Pennsylvania
2012 S350 Bluetec 4Matic, Diamond White, P2
A lot depends on how you brake and how long the car sits without being driven. With only 5k miles, I am assuming this car sits a good bit of time. This allows oxidation to form on the rotors. Not a problem at all, but, it is the oxidation that you are likely seeing as the brake pads "scrape" it off the rotors. I have 30k miles on my 2011. It doesn't sit still often, and, I have very minimal dust buildup on the wheels.
Junior Member
Joined: May 2011
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2011 E550, 2018 Land Cruiser, 1966 Vette
Anyway, to keep this on topic sort of, the wheels in that photo had not been cleaned recently
Now let's see some pix of your BlueTec
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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1953 300 Adenauer, 1971 300 SEL 6.3, 1975 600, 1978 450 6.9
A lot depends on how you brake and how long the car sits without being driven. With only 5k miles, I am assuming this car sits a good bit of time. This allows oxidation to form on the rotors. Not a problem at all, but, it is the oxidation that you are likely seeing as the brake pads "scrape" it off the rotors. I have 30k miles on my 2011. It doesn't sit still often, and, I have very minimal dust buildup on the wheels.
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Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2003
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There was a recent thread about the 2012 E-Class owners reported that their cars had virtually no brake dust:
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...rake-dust.html
My 2012 E350 (C207) has almost 3K miles on the odometer, and there is virtually no brake dust on the wheels. Mercedes might have done something or updated the brake pads on the 2012 models... I guess it might not be a bad idea to checking with the parts department at your dealer, finding the part numbers of the 2012 model brake changes, and seeing if the changes can be applied to the 2011 or prior models.
With best regards,
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...rake-dust.html
My 2012 E350 (C207) has almost 3K miles on the odometer, and there is virtually no brake dust on the wheels. Mercedes might have done something or updated the brake pads on the 2012 models... I guess it might not be a bad idea to checking with the parts department at your dealer, finding the part numbers of the 2012 model brake changes, and seeing if the changes can be applied to the 2011 or prior models.
With best regards,
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 783
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From: Murrieta, Southern California
Late Built 2005 W-211 E-320 CDI
Right You Are
With my old W-211, it has to be those factory pads. I cannot wait to when I need
to change them, but can't bring myself to do so until they are worn down.
Go to hear that possibly MBZ has finally come up with a proper pad that evidently does
not make ones wheels appear as if they have been sprayed with powered graphite.
Derrel
Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 117
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From: Montgomery, Alabama
2011 E-350
Yes, brake dust is directly related to the pads. European cars, especially BMW and Mercedes use a softer pad which deteriorates more, thus causing more brake dust. I have ceramic pads on my Vette (6 years now) and NO brake dust ever. When I mentioned the possbility of ceramic pads on the Mercedes, my technician gave me 100 different reasons why that was a bad idea. I am going to do it anyway after I get a few miles on it. I only have 1750 miles on mine right now.
If you are going to run autocross or do road course racing where you need a lot of brakes, then ceramic pads are not a good thing. However, for normal everyday spirited driving, ceramic pads will stop you on a dime and leave no dust. Lots of Vette guys use ceramic pads with success. Of course, they need to be seated properly, just as any other pad, to prevent brake squeeking, etc.
If you are going to run autocross or do road course racing where you need a lot of brakes, then ceramic pads are not a good thing. However, for normal everyday spirited driving, ceramic pads will stop you on a dime and leave no dust. Lots of Vette guys use ceramic pads with success. Of course, they need to be seated properly, just as any other pad, to prevent brake squeeking, etc.
Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 224
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From: New Jersey USA
2014 E350 4Matic/2011 E350 4matic / 2003 E500 /2000 CLK 430
5600 miles on my E3504M least amount of dust i have had compared to my W211 at least..
i also think that these wheels (sport) are so open that most of the break dust seems to wind up on the rear of my car around the tail lights...(yes its true) -
i also think that these wheels (sport) are so open that most of the break dust seems to wind up on the rear of my car around the tail lights...(yes its true) -
Out Of Control!!
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From: Earth
Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
Dammit, this is kind of bittersweet for me.
My 2010 E350 was so clean (wheels), you could drive cross country and then eat off of it. My 2011 350's wheels get definitely dustier. Not nearly as bad as my W211's did, but I'd say they get "moderate" brake dust now, not none, but not a lot, just a "moderate" amount.
My 2010 E350 was so clean (wheels), you could drive cross country and then eat off of it. My 2011 350's wheels get definitely dustier. Not nearly as bad as my W211's did, but I'd say they get "moderate" brake dust now, not none, but not a lot, just a "moderate" amount.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 599
Likes: 6
From: Maryland
2022 E450 Prior:2021 S580 2012 E350BT, 2013 GL350BT, 2009 ML320BT, 2006 E320CDI, 1987 260E
Dammit, this is kind of bittersweet for me.
My 2010 E350 was so clean (wheels), you could drive cross country and then eat off of it. My 2011 350's wheels get definitely dustier. Not nearly as bad as my W211's did, but I'd say they get "moderate" brake dust now, not none, but not a lot, just a "moderate" amount.
My 2010 E350 was so clean (wheels), you could drive cross country and then eat off of it. My 2011 350's wheels get definitely dustier. Not nearly as bad as my W211's did, but I'd say they get "moderate" brake dust now, not none, but not a lot, just a "moderate" amount.
Do the brakes differ based on tire size or sport vs. luxury packages?
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 771
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From: Waikele, Oahu, Hawaii
2011 GLK350 P1, Multi-media & AMG Pkg; 2010 E350 w/ prem 2; 2018 4Runner SR5 Prem. 4x4
The brake dust on my w212 is very minimal.
I've had a major brake dust issue with my old Touareg...the silver color front wheels were almost blackened from 2 weeks of daily driving.
I've had a major brake dust issue with my old Touareg...the silver color front wheels were almost blackened from 2 weeks of daily driving.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 47
Likes: 1
2012 GLK 350
For the first time, I have seen a significant accumulation of brake dust over the past two days. The 2011 only has 5,000 miles. I told the dealer that the pads didn't make much dust before (my wheels looked sparkly clean literally up until now), but dealer said that over time, the pads become softer as they are worn-in, thus creating more dust...ARGHHHH. I loved it when my car's wheels weren't coated in black!
Has anyone had similar experiences? Has anyone had their E long enough so they have had to get pads changed? Was there dust on the new pads? Does anyone know who manufactures the pads and the serial numbers? I need answers! How many miles until you started seeing brake dust accumulation?
Has anyone had similar experiences? Has anyone had their E long enough so they have had to get pads changed? Was there dust on the new pads? Does anyone know who manufactures the pads and the serial numbers? I need answers!
How many miles until you started seeing brake dust accumulation?
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
2015 E350 wagon
I have a 2015 E350 wagon and black dust has been appearing just behind the wheels on the car body for the last 1000 miles or so. The car has about 7K miles on it. It is driving me crazy. Is this brake dust? How can I stop this from happening? Thanks!
Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 110
Likes: 3
From: USA
11' E350 PP SP
Brake Dust for Lin Who loves Cats
Lin, a few shots of CRC-Brakleen Aerosol on both pads and rotors helps to remove day to day brake dust buildup. Brakleen will not totally eliminate the problem especially if you drive daily in B2B traffic-or have a tendency to ride or use the brake pedal a lot, this type of buildup is usually on the front wheels-not rear, even the road you drive on has accumulated tire and pad debris. Also Lin, if you have to replace your pads in say 5 years or so the ceramic pads are great, they dissipate heat faster, on F1's they are used to prevent expansion and maintain minimal clearance providing maximum millisecond braking needed to maintain steering control at high speed while preventing heat related rotor warp when a F1 pulls in to refuel and tire up. Try Brakleen first, it is the most economical approach to your issue based on your MB's low mileage and not driving a F1. Lin I love my cats 2.
