300SE1993

A friend of mine has a 2011 E350 4Matic that needs some work. I wanted to run this by you folks here on his behalf as a reality check. He was quoted $4000 for the following:

1. Replace all brake lines
2. Replace one front CV Axle
3. Replace front brake pads and rotors.

It sounds high to me, but I am not really sure the labor involved in the brake lines.

The Mercedes dealer had quoted $8K for this work, but that also included replacing the rear subframe. The indie said the rear subframe was fine.

Any thoughts appreciated.

alan_e550

sounds a little high to me. If your friend can, he should replace the pads and rotors himself as it not too complicated and he’ll save a considerable amount of $

kjb55

Why would all the brake lines need to be replaced? Unless just the flexible ends to the calipers are what is meant.

alan_e550

I’m assuming rust. I live in Massachusetts and I’m bringing in my 2011 e550 to get one of the brake lines replaced using copper to prevent rusting

up_too_late

Ugh, I'd have a hard time spending $4,000 on a car that has a questionable rear subframe.

KEY08

I have had to replace brake lines in the past on other older cars. It can be extremely expensive.

300SE1993

I have done the front brake/rotor job on a W212 before, but he is not mechanically inclined. I'd do it for him but he lives too far away. I do remember one lesson learned is that the brakes are way different if you have the AMG Sport package.

They rusted through to the point where you could see brake fluid on the ground and he got the red brake error

What will that cost you? Dealer or Indy?

I agree with you, but the Indie insists the rear subframe is good. The shop has a really good reputation and high reviews. I also talked to them and it sounds like they know what they are doing. I wish he wasn't so far away so I could get under there and poke around.

300SE1993

Is that mainly labor? I heard the fuel tank has to come out to get these lines out,

alan_e550

Indy. I got lucky with my labor and I pay next to nothing for top quality work so it most likely wont run me anything over $500

nc211

With all of that rust and the age of the car, spending $4k on something that probably represents 50% of the overall value of the car currently that is rusting out....well, I'd likely consider an alternative route.

But, I get it!

I replaced all of my pads/rotors about 2 years ago with genuine MB parts. Mine has the AMG sport appearance package (drilled front rotors). Total cost was slightly less than $500 for all of the parts via online. They came from a MB dealership in FL. Cost around $125 per wheel. Dealer wanted nearly $2k to do the job.

I've spent $4k this year on mine, which included all new mounts, fluids, plugs, repaired two leaking cam seals, 4 magnet solenoid covers...and two oil changes. That was from two separate indi shops.

If your friend moves forward with the repairs - tell him to replace the front diff gear oil while they have the front driveshaft off the car. Might as well. I think it's a sealed diff (mine is 2014), but I could be wrong. If sealed, now would be the time to do it.

300SE1993

Good tip on the front diff oil!

cetialpha5

I have the same car in Massachusetts. He's supposed to have the brakes bleed every two years but I guess if it rusted from the exterior he should have gotten the car washed after every snow storm. MB tends to go overboard whenever they see a little rust, they want to replace everything. You could probably just replace the brake line that has a leak and not do the rest depending on the condition. The brake parts you can get from FCPeuro, about $180 for the front rotors and $100 for the rear and $160 for Akebnono brake pads which I like because there's no brake dust. The CV axle is expensive but if it's the outer boot, you can just get a boot kit to replace the boot instead of getting a new axle. That's typically over $1000. You can get a boot kit on eBay for around $50 or so. I think MB used to just sell an outer joint kit, but I can't even find the part number now. The brakes are nothing special, anyone can do them, they're just regular brakes, only thing a little strange may be the bolts, MB likes to use Torx. Just be careful about getting an aftermarket axle, don't throw the original away as some aftermarket axles can cause a vibration, there's a right one on rockauto for $58 but usually it's the left that goes.