Bossnova3

Tell me about it, I think my truck was at another dealership in Florida and even though they said they had the car delivered by truck I think they drove it. The vehicle had 78 miles when I got it and when I asked of course they blamed it on the previous dealer. I've been trying to keep a good attitude but it's getting annoying.

UAG1

thank you for the pictures.
I passed the traffic light intersection line because the brake is so bad....
Can i base on that request a rotors change?

Bossnova3

Dealer just called front brakes replaced lets see....

sraza

i would definitely speak to dealer in advance that if u feel the slightest bit of vibration to replace rears as well -- sooner rather than later.. my 2cents

Bossnova3

Well my wife just picked up the GL today, according to her everything seems fine brakes don't vibrate. She read me the parts replaced on the invoice from the dealer and seems that they've only replaced the rotors, I really hope that the problems doesn't come back like I've read from others let's see...

JimBarnhart

Seems like you might want to PM Fabbris given his knowledge from the factory, and ask how he would recommend approaching your dealer.

Bossnova3

Believe me you can tell the dealer what ever you want, and they'll still do as what they see fit. The only reason he got what he wanted it's because the vehicle went twice for the same service. Every body will just get the rotors unless there's obvious damage to the pads.

Dalema

When I went in for my mine - I just said - you're doing rotors and pads - right? They said - absolutely.

Even if it weren't a contamination issue, you would never just replace the rotors - always both.

fabbrisd1

For X166 - MB will approve replacement of both rotors And PADS FOR "vibration" issues at low mileage IF BOTH ARE SUBMITTED by the dealer.

However - hold over from old school - "most" dealer techs/service departments will request rotors/only - under the misconception that the pads are OK due to low mileage, so those old school tech/dept's don't request approval for pad replacement.

The facts I have seen - with backup experience of the board - is that I have not seen 2nd occurrence if both rotors/pads are replaced - and I have seen 2nd reoccurrence that has happened if only rotors are replaced.

In the event of a 2nd occurrence - then MB will approve 2nd rotor replacement AND pad replacement.

The problem to me seems to be some type of contamination of the rotors prior to assembly of the GL - "bad" rotors have been sent back to Germany for analyis but there is no solid feedback from MB yet - on frequency, I have seen a problem ratio about 20% of my units sold both 550/450, none 350 so far - and overall 0% reoccurence so far when rotors/pads are replaced 1st round and/or 2nd round (and my guys have leaned their lesson).

The pad non-replacement has nothing to do with MB - if the dealer submit's for pad replacement at the same time as rotors MB approves - no problem upstream.

Seqway, I have seen similar situation on new SL's, and on my SL's it has been like 60% hit ratio, interestingly for me I have not seen any issue on 350 ML's - I only have 550/63 ML's out this year, none on that small number yet either.

Rotors and pads are being flown in weekly as stocking item at MB specifically as a result of this issue with X166.

Keep the beat !

Bossnova3

Believe me your preaching to the choir.... I told them that the pads should've been replaced, but according to the "master mechanic" at the dealer because the GL had less than 100 miles that wasn't necessary. Even me stating what's obvious to us here at a forum the reality is at the end of the day the dealer goes with the mechanics recommendations. I told them either way that if this were to happen again they were going to replace all four corners (rotors and pads). Anyways so far so good, I'll keep updating once miles start racking up.

Dalema

Good luck - hope it's smooth sailing from here on out.

Crazybob

The facts I have seen - with backup experience of the board - is that I have not seen 2nd occurrence if both rotors/pads are replaced - and I have seen 2nd reoccurrence that has happened if only rotors are replaced.

Not true. My first time in they replaced rotors and pads and it came back in 10,000 miles.

alx

Most bent rotors are user errors. No offense.

See a pothole? Don't drive through it at splash speed and press the brakes. This simple activity will bent most rotors short of ceramic ones.

Any hot metal rotor splashed with water will bent.

Dalema

I guess one should never expect to experience the two situations you describe whilst driving an SUV?

alx

oh, absolutely. but.. that does not change the simple law of physics.

if you want high performance and efficient brakes, you design high rate air pumping rotors (usually vented, slotted). unfortunately the same high air pumping rate turns into high water pumping rate when flooded by a splash which results in lots of water cooling quickly the metal. depending on the material you do this once or a few times- it will warp.

on the other hand simple heavy, thick, solid core rotors will almost never bend.. but you will smoke them in short order.

pick your brakes

said that - people that tend to drive more smoothly and do not apply brakes unnecessary tend to warp rotors less just because most of the time their rotors are not very hot. those people can get north of 50k miles on the pads that wear first (rears in our case). on the other hand aggressive brake-ers are more prone to maintaining high rotor temp (rotors cool off normally very slowly) and thus are more prone to warping. those same people will eat up the rears in 15k miles.

on a related thought- there is really no excuse to eat brakes on the gl trucks equipped with the 7g tranny. the 7g is an intelligent driver-adapting transmission that will slow down and go through the gears accordingly when the accelerator is not pushed. with some planning especially around town the brakes can be seldom used. not coincidentally in town is also where most water-filled potholes are...

Bossnova3

On a normal situation I would agree with this statement, but when you pickup a brand new vehicle that you haven't had in your procession for no more than 15 miles and the brakes are vibrating I think there's a bigger issue, specially if its happening to people with the same vehicle (year) left and right. It has to be a defect of manufacturing of the rotors.

sraza

i agree 100%.. though theoritically it makes sense- pot hole and water... never heard of warping this early on the 1st gen or any car for that matter- that happens if its continous abuse and improper driving over a long time- for that to happen in a few miles or even a couple thousand miles is unheard of and not expected on a car costing 80-100k..
i'm Confident this will get addressed- again in addition to old stock, prior exposure etc i honestly think this rotor material/pad is just not bonding well and if the replacements are the same - unsure how long before they warp....

hayel3000

hi, i have a 2012 Mercedes E500 sedan M278 tunned by Keemann. i would like to have better stopping power. what are the best brake pads or pads and rotors for my car.
thank you

Crazybob

I have been in contact with Mercedes about this situation and I will let you know what comes of it...

terp97

Having the vibration problem at 30-40 mph after i have driven about 30 minutes in typical rush hour traffic. Odd... will inquire with my SA and take in before road trip to beach next month.

only have 2k miles on it.. june delivery

sraza

got them changed today- though dealer had ordered all 4 rotors and pads, only fronts were approved-- but they have all documentation that even a little vibration rears will have to be changed.. lets see how long these last..

terp97

They replaced front rotors and pads. Smooth braking again.

UAG1

got front pads and rotors replaced today.
they refused to change the back.
How's the experience if only fronts are changed?

sraza

mine was ok initially but still felt slight vibration.. again, my dealer and service staff is awesome.. MBUSA called me and I told them only reason rears were not done was due to not being approved and my dealer service is by the book-- they immediately called them and gave the green to do rears.. i got it done last week.. all vibration gone..
in addition to vibration I told them how they justify changing only front on a car like this and that there will be uneven wear.. i mean if you have low miles, thats ok, but at 9-10K miles and only one side changed, it will never be appropriate wear.. MBUSA was extremely courteous and professional, i wanted to make sure my dealer didnt have issues by going ahead with a non-approved service.. in any case they did all 4..

hopefully no more warping/overheating rotors..

UAG1

I've got the car back today, MBUSA refused to change the back brakes.
Would you mind to post the updated part number of the rear rotors and pads?
I feel there is still some vibrations at the back. I would need to continue to push them.