E550 Brakes and Rotors -- Front and Back
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 255
Likes: 36
From: Las Vegas
2012 E350 sedan
Most "warped" rotors are not warped
Update:
Front Brembo rotors and pads are not a suitable replacement for the W212 E550 since they start shaking again after awhile, in my case it was around 4k miles. We had to drive today and I could definitely feel and see the steering wheel shake under light braking, the worst feeling would be around 40 to 30 mph. I've also looked at the rotors themselves and there seems to be some sort of heat related little dots on their surface .I will be returning them to Autozone and try and figure out what to get next.
Front Brembo rotors and pads are not a suitable replacement for the W212 E550 since they start shaking again after awhile, in my case it was around 4k miles. We had to drive today and I could definitely feel and see the steering wheel shake under light braking, the worst feeling would be around 40 to 30 mph. I've also looked at the rotors themselves and there seems to be some sort of heat related little dots on their surface .I will be returning them to Autozone and try and figure out what to get next.
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 36
Likes: 2
From: San Antonio,TX
2011 MB E550 Sport Sedan
Truly warped rotors are very rare. What actually happens is that material gets fused to the rotors under heat, causes an uneven surface, and the shimmy. The dots are deposits from the braking process that fused to the rotor. I'd turn the rotors to get rid of the deposits and try a different brand of pad.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 1,053
Likes: 347
2011 E-350 4Matic Sport
Not a 550 but the basics are the same. I used R1 concepts and have been happy. There is nothing special about these brake systems, they are virtually the same as most other cars.
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...2011-e350.html
I also saw something about resurfacing drilled rotors. This is usually not feasible as it can chip the surfacing at the holes. Factory drilled rotors are often cast with the holes which are given a slight chamfer at the top. Aftermarket are often just drilled without a chamfer. Either way the grinding surface can nip at the surfacing at the holes and cause some damage. Just me, but other than looking nice I don't have a lot of use for drilled rotors on the street, thus my change to solid rotors on my car.
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...2011-e350.html
I also saw something about resurfacing drilled rotors. This is usually not feasible as it can chip the surfacing at the holes. Factory drilled rotors are often cast with the holes which are given a slight chamfer at the top. Aftermarket are often just drilled without a chamfer. Either way the grinding surface can nip at the surfacing at the holes and cause some damage. Just me, but other than looking nice I don't have a lot of use for drilled rotors on the street, thus my change to solid rotors on my car.
Last edited by Mud; Jan 6, 2018 at 10:18 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,056
Likes: 47
From: Orlando, Florida
E350 Sport/ML350RWD
Front rotors are around $100 each and the set of pads is around $70 for OEM parts if you order online. I have been told the brakes on the Mercedes are extremely easy to work on. It's sad that MB charges $1000 ($700 Labor).
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 377
Likes: 98
From: Savannah, GA
2010 W212 E550 4matic
Truly warped rotors are very rare. What actually happens is that material gets fused to the rotors under heat, causes an uneven surface, and the shimmy. The dots are deposits from the braking process that fused to the rotor. I'd turn the rotors to get rid of the deposits and try a different brand of pad.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,900
Likes: 210
From: Sacramento , CA
2010 e550 p2
Seemed like the problem was with the zimmerman rotors , i have had that back in the days with brand new rotors and pads that started squeeking and vibrating after maybe a week of driving.
went with centric premium rotors and duralast pads(more expensive ones from autozone) and everything is smooth for almost 2 years.
p.s. i wish i woulda went with pagid or textar pads (which are oem) but duralast keeps it cool and dust free so maybe next time.
went with centric premium rotors and duralast pads(more expensive ones from autozone) and everything is smooth for almost 2 years.
p.s. i wish i woulda went with pagid or textar pads (which are oem) but duralast keeps it cool and dust free so maybe next time.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 319
Likes: 28
2013 E550, 2014 GLK 350
$1,200 here to replace them under CPO warranty, meaning I complained on a 2013 that I bought CPO when I drove it home, they said it would go away, it didn't, they replaced them. Didn't have to pay but consistent with what others posted.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,107
Likes: 394
From: West Central Florida
2011 E550 P2 4M Sedan
Just got a quote from a local, respected indy. They prefer to use parts from their distributor which would mean the OEM equivalent (same manufacturer, just not from MB dealer). When I asked about using other pads/rotors, they said they prefer not to - they stand behind parts from their distributor but any issues with parts I purchase leaves me stuck between them and the vendor. At any rate, here is their pricing for my 2011 E550:
Front:
$115 pads
$260 rotors
$8 sensor
$95 labor
$478 plus taxes for total
Rear:
$70 pads
$230 rotors
$8 sensor
$95 labor
$403 plus taxes for total
Front:
$115 pads
$260 rotors
$8 sensor
$95 labor
$478 plus taxes for total
Rear:
$70 pads
$230 rotors
$8 sensor
$95 labor
$403 plus taxes for total
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,141
Likes: 1,293
From: Southern US
2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
Just got a quote from a local, respected indy. They prefer to use parts from their distributor which would mean the OEM equivalent (same manufacturer, just not from MB dealer). When I asked about using other pads/rotors, they said they prefer not to - they stand behind parts from their distributor but any issues with parts I purchase leaves me stuck between them and the vendor. At any rate, here is their pricing for my 2011 E550:
Front:
$115 pads
$260 rotors
$8 sensor
$95 labor
$478 plus taxes for total
Rear:
$70 pads
$230 rotors
$8 sensor
$95 labor
$403 plus taxes for total
Front:
$115 pads
$260 rotors
$8 sensor
$95 labor
$478 plus taxes for total
Rear:
$70 pads
$230 rotors
$8 sensor
$95 labor
$403 plus taxes for total
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,107
Likes: 394
From: West Central Florida
2011 E550 P2 4M Sedan
My expectation of a dealer or an Indy handling warped rotors are low after a few thousand miles have paased. Too easy to blame the driver. I'd prefer to try non OEM rotors that other have had good results with.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,141
Likes: 1,293
From: Southern US
2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
Yes, get good after market rotors, you just have to ding other than the Indy shop to put them on.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 1,334
Likes: 766
2020 GLS450 (wife) / 2024 Ford Bronco (mine) / 2014 VW Tiquan (son)
I replaced all rotors and pads roughly 12k miles ago with genuine MB parts. Drilled rotors in front. I did this when the car was at about 25k mikes shortly after I bought it CPO. The fronts are groaning under medium load, and getting the shutter a bit. Looked at them, pads have a ton of life left (mostly highway miles here), can see spots on the front rotor though. I’ll be ditching these drilled rotors soon and going with aftermarket solid instead. I think the problem has two causes. 1, I think crap gets into the drilled hole that eventually gets cooked on to the rotor and 2, I think the auto hold accelerates this if you don’t let the rotors cool for a second before using it. Meaning if you come to a marginally aggressive stop and immediate set the hold, then that spot cant cool for a second or two. I tend to come to a stop and then inch forward a foot or two to rotate the rotor before hitting the auto hold feature. But either way, I think these drilled rotors are nothing but looks and cause more issues than they’re worth.
I also think proper lug nut torque and sequence is very important. Seems like every time I get the car back from service that required a wheel to be removed (say rotating the tires), the torque is all over the place for the wheels. Like they just rapid fire the impact wrench with no regard to setting.
I also think proper lug nut torque and sequence is very important. Seems like every time I get the car back from service that required a wheel to be removed (say rotating the tires), the torque is all over the place for the wheels. Like they just rapid fire the impact wrench with no regard to setting.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,273
Likes: 129
From: Orlando, FL
2015 GL550 4matic
I'll vouch for the Centric premium drilled rotors on my 2012 E550. The ones with the black coating. I listed the part numbers in another thread. I think about a year now and no shimmy. Also used Centric ceramic pads I believe, this is for the front. On the rear I used cheap local parts store rotors and "platinum" ceramic pads, they work fine, but no rust preventative coating on those rotors, so they turn a nice brown color pretty quickly. Whole car all around new rotors and pads I think I paid less than $400 in parts with my own labor taking maybe 2-3 hours being methodical about cleaning and re-greasing where appropriate, cleaning the inside of the wheels, etc - things a repair shop would never do. Brakes are simple to do at home, just watch a couple of YouTube videos and you're an expert.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 34
Likes: 5
E550 4Matic, Toyota Tundra
Around here the local parts chains wanted more for their rotors than the MB dealers did. It was weird. In the end, I went with Brembo front rotors and Pagid pads. They dust like all the OE stuff. The work was stupid fast to do, even in the driveway, both sides in just over an hour. I bet book time is 1.5 hours per side, so $600 at the dealer; dealer pads $150, rotors 130 ea, so ~$1000.
None of the pads come with wear sensors for these that I have seen. VW has theirs integrated, therefore included. These have a pinhole for putting one into, presumably if it didn't make rotor contact you can re-use it. $10 ea locally, $5 online.
None of the pads come with wear sensors for these that I have seen. VW has theirs integrated, therefore included. These have a pinhole for putting one into, presumably if it didn't make rotor contact you can re-use it. $10 ea locally, $5 online.
Member
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 127
Likes: 13
From: GA
2018 S560
Understanding our brake issues
This article should give us all a better insight into the "warped rotor" issues.
http://www.stoptech.com/technical-su...nd-other-myths
http://www.stoptech.com/technical-su...nd-other-myths
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 18
Likes: 1
2014 Mercedes E550
I have a 2014 Mercedes E550 and replaced my front rotors at 50K. Now I’m at 70K and have a brake shutter. I bought a dial indicator and both my front rotors are warped by about 6 thousands of an inch. I went with Centric slotted the first time, this time I think I’m going to a solid rotor. I also think they do make these things cheap now. That’s why they don’t last and it’s hard to get them machined. I live in Colorado so the hot/cold expansion and contraction is crazy. I also drive about 35k a year and had some HARD stops which can also warp rotors.
Member
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 127
Likes: 13
From: GA
2018 S560
I have a 2014 Mercedes E550 and replaced my front rotors at 50K. Now I’m at 70K and have a brake shutter. I bought a dial indicator and both my front rotors are warped by about 6 thousands of an inch. I went with Centric slotted the first time, this time I think I’m going to a solid rotor. I also think they do make these things cheap now. That’s why they don’t last and it’s hard to get them machined. I live in Colorado so the hot/cold expansion and contraction is crazy. I also drive about 35k a year and had some HARD stops which can also warp rotors.
I too have the 2014 E550 tuned to 575/700. Installed Porterfield pads maybe 4,000 miles ago. Worth the money ($300.) over the MB stock pads, as they heat up they get gripper. However, today, as I was doing a couple of high speed, (85>100) slowdowns I got a wobble. So from here, maybe I'll do the rotors. As to the solid rotors you mentioned not sure where to purchase those, maybe here; https://brakeperformance.com/brake-r...nc-coating.php . An option I am very tempted to go to is here; https://www.racingbrake.com/Default.asp but 1100 bucks is a hit.
What's your thinking?
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 18
Likes: 1
2014 Mercedes E550
I like those sites thanks! I believe the only way to find a good rotor is to go with some sort of performance option. Depends on how much you drive and how hard you drive your car a guess. Are your pads semi-metallic, or ceramic? I’ve also considered going slotted instead of the drilled.
You got the tune huh? I’ve been thinking about it but have been told different things regarding the long term reliability. I literally drive about 40k miles a year so am worried a tune will hurt longevity of the engine/tranny? I met a guy online who is selling his 14’ E550 and said the tune he received doesn’t let the car start in 1st gear to protect the tranny. It seems the AMG’s use basically the same twin turbo V8 just slightly tuned with a few transmission variations, air intake, brakes, exhaust. Any thoughts on long term reliability/longevity?
You got the tune huh? I’ve been thinking about it but have been told different things regarding the long term reliability. I literally drive about 40k miles a year so am worried a tune will hurt longevity of the engine/tranny? I met a guy online who is selling his 14’ E550 and said the tune he received doesn’t let the car start in 1st gear to protect the tranny. It seems the AMG’s use basically the same twin turbo V8 just slightly tuned with a few transmission variations, air intake, brakes, exhaust. Any thoughts on long term reliability/longevity?
Super Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 818
Likes: 79
From: Vancouver B.C. Canada
2014 E550 4MATIC TUNED - Turbo Upgraded Stage 3
You got the tune huh? I’ve been thinking about it but have been told different things regarding the long term reliability. I literally drive about 40k miles a year so am worried a tune will hurt longevity of the engine/tranny? I met a guy online who is selling his 14’ E550 and said the tune he received doesn’t let the car start in 1st gear to protect the tranny. It seems the AMG’s use basically the same twin turbo V8 just slightly tuned with a few transmission variations, air intake, brakes, exhaust. Any thoughts on long term reliability/longevity?
Member
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 127
Likes: 13
From: GA
2018 S560
For JohnnyGrand
This is the shop where I had my tune done over a year ago https://www.pressertech.com/mercedes-tuning-blog/ Most importantly reliability of engine and transmission. This is a major concern for all of us. My tune is a stage 2 and the reliability of the engine and transmission will be dependent on how I treat my car and not on the tune. The tune is nothing more than allowing the vehicle to perform at the optimum power levels designed into the motor and transmission by MB. MB is a performance-focused builder of cars but in their worldwide markets they have to take into consideration their buyers are not all gear heads. Basically, they de-tune their motors. We have to keep in mind this brand is based in a country where there are roads without speed limits. Just go on U-tube and watch people pushing their E-cars above 150mph.
As far as not letting the car start in first gear I had not heard of that before. My tune has not changed any factory settings as to driveability. The first thing you will notice is in 60-70 mph passing. In stock sometimes it would downshift, now between the hp and torque it hardly downshifts unless I want to make a point of passing at an ungodly speed. In a nutshell, the first time I floored it entering the interstate on-ramp I had to back off immediately or hit someone. It was kind of scary and the wife is not into high-speed driving. If you keep your foot out of the radiator you may get better mileage, because the rpm's will drop with the increase in torque.
I maintain peak performance by changing the oil every 5K with Mobil 0-40 European, plug changes every 50K, clean filters every 5K, (using Green reusables) and that's about it.
Keep it between the lines and happy motoring.
This is the shop where I had my tune done over a year ago https://www.pressertech.com/mercedes-tuning-blog/ Most importantly reliability of engine and transmission. This is a major concern for all of us. My tune is a stage 2 and the reliability of the engine and transmission will be dependent on how I treat my car and not on the tune. The tune is nothing more than allowing the vehicle to perform at the optimum power levels designed into the motor and transmission by MB. MB is a performance-focused builder of cars but in their worldwide markets they have to take into consideration their buyers are not all gear heads. Basically, they de-tune their motors. We have to keep in mind this brand is based in a country where there are roads without speed limits. Just go on U-tube and watch people pushing their E-cars above 150mph.
As far as not letting the car start in first gear I had not heard of that before. My tune has not changed any factory settings as to driveability. The first thing you will notice is in 60-70 mph passing. In stock sometimes it would downshift, now between the hp and torque it hardly downshifts unless I want to make a point of passing at an ungodly speed. In a nutshell, the first time I floored it entering the interstate on-ramp I had to back off immediately or hit someone. It was kind of scary and the wife is not into high-speed driving. If you keep your foot out of the radiator you may get better mileage, because the rpm's will drop with the increase in torque.
I maintain peak performance by changing the oil every 5K with Mobil 0-40 European, plug changes every 50K, clean filters every 5K, (using Green reusables) and that's about it.
Keep it between the lines and happy motoring.
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 22
Likes: 4
R231 / C207/ x166/ W213
Zimmerman/brembo
Hi,
2013 e550 85 k.....
Replaced OE rotors at 44k due to shudder😭 , bought vented Zimmerman's and brembo pads. I have logged 40k ön them with no issues. All stop and go no racing or track use. They dust a fair bit but feels confident when hauling the speed down .
Just my two cents
2013 e550 85 k.....
Replaced OE rotors at 44k due to shudder😭 , bought vented Zimmerman's and brembo pads. I have logged 40k ön them with no issues. All stop and go no racing or track use. They dust a fair bit but feels confident when hauling the speed down .
Just my two cents
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,273
Likes: 129
From: Orlando, FL
2015 GL550 4matic
Hi,
2013 e550 85 k.....
Replaced OE rotors at 44k due to shudder😭 , bought vented Zimmerman's and brembo pads. I have logged 40k ön them with no issues. All stop and go no racing or track use. They dust a fair bit but feels confident when hauling the speed down .
Just my two cents
2013 e550 85 k.....
Replaced OE rotors at 44k due to shudder😭 , bought vented Zimmerman's and brembo pads. I have logged 40k ön them with no issues. All stop and go no racing or track use. They dust a fair bit but feels confident when hauling the speed down .
Just my two cents
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 51
Likes: 12
From: Colorado
2015 E350
I own a brake lathe and turn plenty of rotors. I measure them first. It is not unusual to have .010 runout. I have heard the argument that rotors don't warp, that it is just pad deposits. and I can't believe someone could say that with a straight face. Rotors warp like crazy, through no fault of the driver, although some drivers don't help their own cause.
I work for a Nascar team, and on a short track with lots of braking, the rotors will be warped by more than .010 after 2-300 miles.
Brakes take about 30-45 minutes per axle, and everyone should be doing their own. I don't even bother to put a car on my lift to do brakes. You have to learn to do this very simple maintenance item.
I work for a Nascar team, and on a short track with lots of braking, the rotors will be warped by more than .010 after 2-300 miles.
Brakes take about 30-45 minutes per axle, and everyone should be doing their own. I don't even bother to put a car on my lift to do brakes. You have to learn to do this very simple maintenance item.
