Brakes
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Joined: Jun 2006
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Brakes
I just found out after my Service B (I have 25,000 miles) that I had to replace my Front Brakes and Rotors $770 and rear pads $400. Has anyone had brake work, if so how much did it cost you?
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Joined: Jul 2003
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From: MBworld
bone stock E55 AMG
just buy pads and rotors from www.oempartsdirect.com and go to midas or equivalent and just pay for labor... should be much less than $1170
Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 118
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From: Seattle, WA
2008 GL 550
Took the GL in for service B at 36k and was told I need need rear pads and rotors (front ones are ok). When I asked why I also need rear rotor replacement the rep could not give me a good reason and in fact told me there is still some pad left and no metal on metal (rotor was not damaged by completely work out pad). Has anyone else been told they have to replace pads and rotors eventhough pads have not work out completely? And do you know why? BTW quote is about $600. Also strange that front ones are ok still...
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 287
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From: McLean, VA
2011 Audi A4, 2014 E63S Wagon, 2020 GLS 580
Do you tow? I had a Denali that I used to tow a race car trailer with and I would usually go through 2 sets of rear pads for every set of front pads. I'm not sure why but I assume it was the extra weight on the rear axle the worked the rear brakes harder.
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Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Las Vegas, NV
GL450 (Alabaster White/Black Interior)
I have replaced both my front and rear pads. The cost was $250 per axle. That is my dealership's standard pricing. I have not have to replace any rotors but I did relace my pads when I had about 30 percent or so left on them (per the dealer). I would think that rotors should be ok for the most part if there is still sufficient pad left.
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Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Seattle, WA
2008 GL 550
I do tow, but it looks like one of the mysteries is solved. I just got a call from the service rep who told me that he was mistaken and they actually changed the front set of pads and rotors. Given that he got this wrong, will wait to actually pick up the car before I post again in case they did not change the rotors...
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Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 292
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From: Las Vegas, NV
GL450 (Alabaster White/Black Interior)
My rear pads went before my front pads. This was discussed in a previous post but the cruise control activates the brakes (usually the rear) to control speed. The stability control also activates the rear brakes as well.
Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 118
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From: Seattle, WA
2008 GL 550
So they ended up replacing my front pads and rotors (have 37k miles on car). I was told that eventhough the pads were not completely worn down rotors needed to be replaced because current rotors are lighter weight, current pads are are semi-metallic, and that combination results in worn rotors that need to be replaced. I was told this is "normal" for first replacement and that these new rotors are more durable and should last several sets of pads. Have others heard this? Do you buy it? Total cost just under $700.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 287
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From: McLean, VA
2011 Audi A4, 2014 E63S Wagon, 2020 GLS 580
Pretty much any rotor should outlast several sets of pads. Even under racing conditions, you typically go through 2-3 sets of pads before you have to replace the rotors. Unless the rotor is cracked, gets badly overheated and warps, or the pads were worn down to the wear sensors and scored the rotor, the rotors should be ok. Generally, the two things that are measured to see if a rotor needs to be replaced are the rotor thickness, which will indicate a rotor that is worn or the trueout of the rotor surface to see if it is warped. If the rotor still meets the factory specified minimum thickness and it isn't warped, I can't understand why it would need to be replaced.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 292
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From: Las Vegas, NV
GL450 (Alabaster White/Black Interior)
I agree with ksalno's post and really don't understand why it would be "normal" to replace a set of rotors at 37,000 miles unless the pads were worn out or the rotors got warped. I also don't understand the concept that the new rotors are "more durable". What the heck does that mean? Aren't the new ones the same as the ones they took off? Are they telling you MB puts a short life rotor on at the factory so that you will have to replace it sooner?
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Joined: Feb 2010
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Mercedes GL 450
ksalno pretty much summed it up. If the dealer replaced your rotors at 37K, then the rotors must have been defective and should have been under warranty. I’m not saying it’s impossible for the rotors to wear out so quickly, I just think it’s highly unlikely. Out of the many cars I've owned, I've never had rotors wear as quick as pads and I usually average about three pad replacements per rotor replacement. I just replaced my GL front pads only at 43K miles and the rotors were fine. Cost me a grand total of $110.
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2008
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From: Fairfield county, CT.
2004 Ran SRT-10,2007 S550,2016 E400c
Im my experiance on average i see about 2 pad set on a rotor... rears can go longer. But in the end it all depends on driving and conditions.
If you tow, if you do all stop and go, if you have 5 kids. Also remember that your esp uses the brakes for your traction control !!!
Its hard to judge ive seen a 07 GL 450 that had 50k before it needed brakes and than i saw a GL 550 with 12k that needed pads and rotors ( rotors were groved abd over heated)
And another thing is if you buy the parts and have some one do it look for a good indy please dont bring your 70k car to a midas... I wouldnt trust them with a lawn mower
If you tow, if you do all stop and go, if you have 5 kids. Also remember that your esp uses the brakes for your traction control !!!
Its hard to judge ive seen a 07 GL 450 that had 50k before it needed brakes and than i saw a GL 550 with 12k that needed pads and rotors ( rotors were groved abd over heated)
And another thing is if you buy the parts and have some one do it look for a good indy please dont bring your 70k car to a midas... I wouldnt trust them with a lawn mower
