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I just brought in my 2021 G63 for its 40K mile service this morning and was told by my service advisor that I'm going to need to replace the rear brake pads and replace the rear rotors and got a total quote installed with parts and labor for $3,433.51. Please see invoice below. I don't know anything about car repairs so I wanted to post the invoice here and check with you guys who are more informed before I give my service advisor the green light to move forward. Would appreciate any helpful input from those in the know. Thanks!
I agree ceramic brake pads from brake world are worth considering. They aren’t true ceramic brakes like on a Porsche but they are a lot less noisy and probably 95% brake dust reduction. I had them on my 2016 RR Sport.
The dealer won’t put them on though since they aren’t OEM, so you’d need to find a trusted tire place or Indy shop to change them out. Then they can also check out your rotors which I bet are still okay.
Dealers always want to change rotors out every time pads are replaced but I’ve found they are usually good for two sets of pads.
Those look like full on retail prices (and you are in Miami). Did you try looking for independent shops that work on Benzes/Euro vehicles? Brakes aren’t that difficult....
Take your G to an indy brake shop and have the pads (front and rear) measured. New thickness is 12mm. 4mm is when you need to begin saving for the job; 2mm is when you are absolutely due (wear sensors should trigger by 3mm). Rotors are good for another set of pads unless warped or scored, and even then can be resurfaced if not severely worn. I'm at 20K miles on my '19 G550, and my pads are just under 10mm front and rear, but I don't drive much stop and go.
Another option is to pickup a brake pad feeler gauge like this one at Amazon or Harbor Freight (about $12). You can usually fit the gauge through the wheel without having to remove it.
Take your G to an indy brake shop and have the pads (front and rear) measured. New thickness is 12mm. 4mm is when you need to begin saving for the job; 2mm is when you are absolutely due (wear sensors should trigger by 3mm). Rotors are good for another set of pads unless warped or scored, and even then can be resurfaced if not severely worn. I'm at 20K miles on my '19 G550, and my pads are just under 10mm front and rear, but I don't drive much stop and go.
Both front brake pads were at 8mm but both rear brake pads were showing at 3mm and the tech said they need to be replaced asap and the rear rotors were a little warped as well
Both front brake pads were at 8mm but both rear brake pads were showing at 3mm and the tech said they need to be replaced asap and the rear rotors were a little warped as well
Interesting that the front to rear wear is that uneven. I thought contemporary braking systems were better balanced for more even pad wear. Do you do much towing or hauling cargo in the boot?
Interesting that the front to rear wear is that uneven. I thought contemporary braking systems were better balanced for more even pad wear. Do you do much towing or hauling cargo in the boot?
I believe that the front brake pads were previously replaced before. The rear brake pads never were. I’ve been driving the car for over 3 years now. It’s a 2021 with 40k miles. I have never towed anything with the car.
I believe that the front brake pads were previously replaced before. The rear brake pads never were. I’ve been driving the car for over 3 years now. It’s a 2021 with 40k miles. I have never towed anything with the car.
Back to your OP, the pads and rotors are marked up a bit over what you can get them for online, but the prices quoted for the other piece parts are ridiculous. All these hardware parts are carried by fcpeuro dot com. I don't think even NASA pays $24.30 for a hex head bolt.
I would be very surprised if you ACTUALLY need rotors. I had about 35K miles on mine when I did all 4 corners myself. I bought the disc Italia pads, there is a link somewhere here on the forum to purchase. Way less brake dust, and like 95% of the bite and performance of the OEM pads. and 80-90% less dust than OEM. Theyre also MUCH quieter, and havent heard a squeal at all that I had on the OEM pads.
They'll tell you "we cant turn the those rotors" which is complete nonsense. And mine didn't even need to be turned. I had a quote for 7-8K for all 4. I bought a digital caliper and measured the rotors, they had PLENTY of life left in them. brake pads for set of 4 was about 500.00, installed myself in about 2 hours time. Saved myself 65-7500.00. LOL.
The original OEM rotors you should be able to get at least 55-65K miles out of unless you're really really hard on the brakes. At 35K I had plenty of life even if I turned them. But I didnt even do that, as ive found that crossdrilled and performance rotors sometimes do better with out turning them. The new pads will seat just fine as long as the rotors are not completely trashed to begin with.
From the other thread I posted: "I believe the allowable thickness is 36mm on the front, and 30mm on the backs. My 2019 is at 32k miles, and rotors measured 32.3 on the backs, and 38.2 on the fronts. and turning them is actually able to be done contrary to what the dealer tells you. and only removes .25/.5 mm or material when turning (some don't recommend turning them at all unless very deep grooving or warping)You can also source aftermarket rotors for a lot less $ than OEM. But thats also unnecessary unless your rotors measure below the thickness on stamped on the rotor itself."
Edit : Brakeworld.com is where I bought them. But if I recall you need to call them or email because they dont have them on their site. and here is the thread, I detail in there my procedure for replacing them: https://mbworld.org/forums/g-class-w...ds-21-g63.html
Last edited by ffejnotrom; 01-26-2024 at 12:39 AM.
I would be very surprised if you ACTUALLY need rotors. I had about 35K miles on mine when I did all 4 corners myself. I bought the disc Italia pads, there is a link somewhere here on the forum to purchase. Way less brake dust, and like 95% of the bite and performance of the OEM pads. and 80-90% less dust than OEM. Theyre also MUCH quieter, and havent heard a squeal at all that I had on the OEM pads.
They'll tell you "we cant turn the those rotors" which is complete nonsense. And mine didn't even need to be turned. I had a quote for 7-8K for all 4. I bought a digital caliper and measured the rotors, they had PLENTY of life left in them. brake pads for set of 4 was about 500.00, installed myself in about 2 hours time. Saved myself 65-7500.00. LOL.
The original OEM rotors you should be able to get at least 55-65K miles out of unless you're really really hard on the brakes. At 35K I had plenty of life even if I turned them. But I didnt even do that, as ive found that crossdrilled and performance rotors sometimes do better with out turning them. The new pads will seat just fine as long as the rotors are not completely trashed to begin with.
From the other thread I posted: "I believe the allowable thickness is 36mm on the front, and 30mm on the backs. My 2019 is at 32k miles, and rotors measured 32.3 on the backs, and 38.2 on the fronts. and turning them is actually able to be done contrary to what the dealer tells you. and only removes .25/.5 mm or material when turning (some don't recommend turning them at all unless very deep grooving or warping)You can also source aftermarket rotors for a lot less $ than OEM. But thats also unnecessary unless your rotors measure below the thickness on stamped on the rotor itself."
Edit : Brakeworld.com is where I bought them. But if I recall you need to call them or email because they dont have them on their site. and here is the thread, I detail in there my procedure for replacing them: https://mbworld.org/forums/g-class-w...ds-21-g63.html
I’m looking at the invoice they sent me now and it says “performed rear brake pads inspection and found 2mm of brake pad material remaining” and
“performed rear brake rotor measurement and found 32mm. Wear limit is 34mm.” So, that’s why the dealer recommended new rear brake pads and rotors.
I’m looking at the invoice they sent me now and it says “performed rear brake pads inspection and found 2mm of brake pad material remaining” and
“performed rear brake rotor measurement and found 32mm. Wear limit is 34mm.” So, that’s why the dealer recommended new rear brake pads and rotors.
2mm pad left is not a bad idea to change pads. But you still have a little life left in them.
I would definitely ask them to show you the rotors. Or do some research. It’s stamped right on the rotor what the allowable thickness minimum is. It’s not rocket science to see it. Takes a few seconds. And rotate the rotor to see the numbers stamped on the outside edge of the rotor. Will say “min 30mm” or “32”. But mine were well with in the acceptable range and didn’t need to turn them. I’ve since put about 5-6000 miles on the car and it’s been absolutely perfect.
The necessity of replacing the bolt fasteners is debatable, especially at the quoted price of 5x what they can be purchased for online. Best excuse I can think of is replacement saves the mechanic a bit of time cleaning up the threads and applying lock-tite. So you're paying someone for the convenience of not having to do something.
Rotors are easily machined at most auto stores with specialty lathes designed especially for brake rotors. Oreilly's will do rotors for $50 each, and each rotor takes less than 30 minutes. They check to make sure machining won't reduce thickness below the minimum spec. Easy to do if there's only a bit of surface scoring. Warp is sometimes not possible to machine if severe. But if you're not experiencing any shimmy, there's likely no warp. And as others have said, if the surface has no scoring, replacement or machining isn't needed.
My experience rule of thumb generally after owning more than 10 AMGs over the last 15 years is rotors can handle the wear of 2 sets of brake pads. Have not had one car require a new rotor after 1 brake pad was worn out but the exception could be very hard braking habits or over worn pads or scratched rotors. Rear brakes wear out before the front nowadays because of Lane Keep Assist which redirects the car by applying the rear brakes selectively.
Too bad you're not in SoCal. Pro tire and auto service on beach blvd replaced mine for $900
$900.00 for pads only i'm assuming, and maybe turned the rotors? on a 2019+ G63?
even aftermarket rotors and pads with aftermarket rotors on a 2019+ G63 will be a minimum of 3000-4000.00 for all 4 corners new rotors and pads, labor. 5-6500.00 for OEM, thats with getting a great deal on rotors.
2018 and below are a lot less $, and G550 are a lot less also.
If you're saying you got 2019+ G63 new pads and rotors installed for 900.00, even just rears, I call BS on that, even if aftermarket. Sorry. OP this is nonsense, without some further explanation regarding the actual install this person had done.
The cheapest aftermarket rotors are still 4-600.00 a piece, and pads are minimum 2-300.00 for just rears. Plus labor of at least 100-250.00 an hour for labor.
Realistically for a shop to do the work with aftermarket pads and rotors, rears only, the cheapest you'd find would be 1500-2000.00 easily. OEM parts you're minimum 2500-3000.00, thats installing yourself or by Indy shop. Unless you found some OEM parts on clearance or random eBay seller or something like that for the parts.
Just front and rear pads from brakeworld with labor for $900. My rotors were still good since my 22 G63 only had 5k miles at the time. It started making squeaking noise coming to a complete stop so I switch them out with brakeworld pads. I notice a lot less brake dust and much quitter.
Ok, yes, thats what I figured. Apologies, didn't mean to "call you out" just know I scoured and scoured everything when I did mine, and if that included rotors, I was about to stock up on them and re-sell them LOL. I used the same pads it seems, and I paid around 500.00 for the pads, I just installed them myself. but 3-400.00 for install sounds about right. at 2-3 hours, 150ish an hour for labor.
$900.00 for pads only sounds about right. It's the rotors that are between 1000-1500.00 a piece. Which is absurd for a steel rotor. My BMW M5 Comp rotors are less than 1/2 that per rotor, and they take WAY more abuse, and they're just as big.
No worries. Information and choices are why we're all here, so the crooks at the dealers don't take advantage. It's bad enough they mark our G's up in some cases as much as $175K (Newport Beach). I remember walking into House of Imports in July of 2021 and asked if the was a mark up on the G's they had on the floor and the salesman started laughing like I was CRAZY. I thought the reason dealerships were put in place so that the manufacturers don't take advantage us?
I thought the reason dealerships were put in place so that the manufacturers don't take advantage us?
Dealerships exist so manufacturers can focus on manufacturing, not managing dealer networks/sales along with all of the headaches and costs that come with it.
That being said, my dealership used to be owned/run by Mercedes Canada and Id much rather pay the brand directly than to scummy middlemen that offer little to no value to me.
FYI: Not sure if they make rear pads but I put these pads on a year ago on the front and the squeaking was eliminated and the brake dust is also way lower.
FYI: Not sure if they make rear pads but I put these pads on a year ago on the front and the squeaking was eliminated and the brake dust is also way lower.
Yes these are the same ones I ordered from Brakeworld I referenced above (maybe others did as well), and yes they make them for all 4 corners. And I experienced the same, much lower brake dust, and squeal is gone.
01-24-2024, 08:47 PM
