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W212 M276 DELA 30 ; W211 M113k, W126 M117, W126 OM617, W211 OM642 ; R107 M117 X2, Sierra 1500 LZ0
Originally Posted by mellonc
It's been 94K miles since installing stock brake pads on my car. My mechanic tells I have 60% left on the pads! Is this even possible? I use the transmission to downshift quite a bit when slowing down but something doesn't seem right to me.
How many miles have yon gone with your pads?
Old thread, but I've been running the same pair of ceramic brake pads on my W211 diesel for over 100K miles. The way the engine brakes when you let off the gas is a large reason I think.
As others have already said, brake pad/rotor wear is largely a function of driver use, but also a function of design. I have had no problem getting high mileage on our Volvo and Suburban (and my aircooled 911 driven daily and driven hard); lots of miles on one set of pads on all these. But other cars eat pads stupidly: had an old Odyssey that needed fronts at around 25k miles which is freakish! An acquaintance with a Tundra, and other with a Land Cruiser ploughed through fronts ...absolutely ridiculous IMO, yet unavoidable!
So on our 2014 e350, I'll echo the others: 118k miles in SoCal, so that's a lot of city driving but several long road trips as well. Original brake pads/rotors on our 2014 which we bought with 21k miles and still plenty left, though the obnoxious pedal pulsing on heavy braking has reared its head so when it's time, I'll be replacing rotors and going to Akebonos which have been great on our other cars. Good design is a big factor in longevity as some cars are clearly "under braked" from the get go.
Edward
Last edited by Edward993; Sep 14, 2024 at 12:02 PM.
W212 M276 DELA 30 ; W211 M113k, W126 M117, W126 OM617, W211 OM642 ; R107 M117 X2, Sierra 1500 LZ0
Originally Posted by DubVBenz
Old thread, but I've been running the same pair of ceramic brake pads on my W211 diesel for over 100K miles. The way the engine brakes when you let off the gas is a large reason I think.
I just realized I replied to this same thread 2 years and barely 11K miles ago for my E400. Still on the OEM pads on that car (63K miles), but looking forward to the akebono ceramics when they do go. My W211 with ~145ish and on it's second set of pads (akebono ceramics at around 50k) may be now experiencing warped rotors. On heavy braking it seems to be pulsing a bit, but that car only gets driven about 20-30 times a year, so they might just be rusty.
looks like I'm getting Brembo rotors & Ferodo pads. Hope they're comparable to the other options and less dust than stock and at least same brake performance . . .
looks like I'm getting Brembo rotors & Ferodo pads. Hope they're comparable to the other options and less dust than stock and at least same brake performance . . .
You don't need to install pads to find out.
The level of brake dust and friction is linked to pad composition: semi-metalic vs. "ceramic" class.
Metallic stop faster with more dust... soft rotors get grooved aggressively.
Last edited by CaliBenzDriver; Apr 7, 2025 at 07:27 PM.
I installed Zimmerman rotors, Ferodo semi-metallic front pads and ATE semi-metallic rear pads on my w204 4matic and after around 33k miles the pads appear around half worn. I am very happy with how long they are lasting. The brakes work perfectly in my opinion. Only complaint is the dust and im always cleaning the rims.
The rotors already have a noticable lip on them so I cant imagine not replacing them along with the pads when its time. The typical MB rotor wear limit is around 2mm anyways so i dont think they are really designed to be resurfaced.
When I looked for replacement pads up they have the same or higher friction codes than the original pads on the car.
Theres a bulletin on applying a zinc dust paint on rotors of cars parked for extended periods.
I changed my pads and rotors recently, car has 165k miles, the rotors were original, and I put ceramic pads on it when I bought it at 60k miles, to reduce wheel dust. So 165k miles on the rotors and 105 k on the pads, the pads were less than 50% worn and the rotors had plenty of material but there was a slight warp (had been there since I got it). I'd say 80% of my miles are in town. So, to answer your question 100k miles is quite achievable.
here waiting at the dentist . Walked out and took these to answer your question. Did the nail test, and there are no lips inside, or outside.
Finally replaced the pads, 107K miles on them. Still material left, but a bit too thin for some mechanics. No lips on either side of the rotors using the nail test, and a quick measurement shows minimal thickness difference compared to the new Zimmermans I got. Either the new ones are thin from factory, or the original barely wore out. I do not have a micrometer (though I should even as a collectible), so I may take them to be measured at different radii.
Indy told me I needed front and rear brakes. I did the front ones, and when I took off the rear wheels, I realized the pads are still about half life, so I left them there. The rear disk looks as good as the new Zimmermans in the front. I will not be replacing them for a while.
Finally replaced the pads, 107K miles on them. Still material left, but a bit too thin for some mechanics. No lips on either side of the rotors using the nail test, and a quick measurement shows minimal thickness difference compared to the new Zimmermans I got. Either the new ones are thin from factory, or the original barely wore out. I do not have a micrometer (though I should even as a collectible), so I may take them to be measured at different radii.
Indy told me I needed front and rear brakes. I did the front ones, and when I took off the rear wheels, I realized the pads are still about half life, so I left them there. The rear disk looks as good as the new Zimmermans in the front. I will not be replacing them for a while.
JC, I see you have the same "anti-noise" caliper springs I have on all 4x corners.
Heavy duty stainless steel super strong springs. ultra strong caliper spring
Next time you work on your brake pads, compare the thickness of INNER vs. OUTER PAD (front or rear).
If you notice a significant difference in pad wear... PM me.
You may find your calipers are actually prevented from sliding properly, regardless of well siliconed slide pins... stock setup.
Last edited by CaliBenzDriver; Nov 2, 2025 at 12:40 AM.
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. Walked out and took these to answer your question. Did the nail test, and there are no lips inside, or outside.
