350- How often to replace rotors and pads
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GLE350
350- How often to replace rotors and pads
My dealer is saying repeatedly that all GLE 350 owners should expect to replace rotors and pad every 20k miles. I'm super frustrated b/c I don't see any MB documentation that supports this. I contacted MB USA and they punted, refusing to say whether or not that's a reasonable expectation, and telling me to switch dealers if I didn't like their assertion. Has anyone else been told this and/or experienced it? Seems like a huge regular cost above and beyond what has been presented and what should be expected.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 765
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From: Los Angeles
2024 GLE63s, 2021 E63s, 2018 GLC43
Don't worry about it. It depends on your driving style. Front and rear brakes have wear sensors that will tell you when the pads are thin and needing replacement soon.
Replacement pads are inexpensive and any shop or DIY can replace them easily.
Typically rotors can go thru more than 1-2 sets of brake pads.
Replacement pads are inexpensive and any shop or DIY can replace them easily.
Typically rotors can go thru more than 1-2 sets of brake pads.
Last edited by taphil; Aug 20, 2024 at 05:23 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 641
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From: Charlotte, NC
2024 E450 AT Wagon, 2024 EQS450+ / Had: 2021 E350, 2019 E300, 2021 + 20 GLE350, 2019 E450 Wagon(s)
I had 36,000 on my 2021 GLE350 and hadn't replaced pads or rotors on it yet when I traded it. I don't think you should expect normal use to result in pads and rotor replacement every 20,000 miles.
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Joined: Sep 2018
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From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
My dealer is saying repeatedly that all GLE 350 owners should expect to replace rotors and pad every 20k miles. I'm super frustrated b/c I don't see any MB documentation that supports this. I contacted MB USA and they punted, refusing to say whether or not that's a reasonable expectation, and telling me to switch dealers if I didn't like their assertion. Has anyone else been told this and/or experienced it? Seems like a huge regular cost above and beyond what has been presented and what should be expected.
2. buy a cheap brake pad thickness gage, learn how to use it.
3. measure your pads with your new gage and call to schedule an appointment for new pads when the gage reads the first red step.
I got >40k miles on fronts and quite a bit more than that on rears on a W166. Probably going to get 30k or so on the Cayenne fronts but I drive it “differently” compared to the W166…
Last edited by chassis; Aug 21, 2024 at 10:40 AM.
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Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 259
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From: southwest US
2020 GLE 350 4Matic, 2016 E350
I just changed mine at 51K on my GLE 350. All depends on you driving style. I try to avoid hard braking on a 6600 lbs. vehicle. I would also ask the service manager to assign you to a different service adviser. 
Last edited by FireRx Captain; Aug 21, 2024 at 08:24 PM.
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Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2022
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GLE350 4Matic
if this dealer is located in NYC Metro, or Chicago where stop and go traffic is common, then 20k miles might be accurate.
However the OP didn't say where they are located at, so we don't know.
Not enough information provided to make an informed comment
However the OP didn't say where they are located at, so we don't know.
Not enough information provided to make an informed comment
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2024
Posts: 17
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From: Valley of the Sun (AZ)
2021 GLE 350 4MATIC
Would you replace rotors/pads at the MB dealer or at an indy shop with great google and yelp ratings?
Any material difference in your all experience with quality of work and/or price?
Any material difference in your all experience with quality of work and/or price?
Member
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 204
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From: Lower Westchester, NY
2018 s560v4
Any shop can replace them. No special parts from MB are needed. Just more $$$$ for greedy dealers. I actually changed all my brakes myself over the years.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 784
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From: SWFL
2024 GLE 450, 2009 SLK 300
Mercedes specifies a brake fluid flush and replace every two years or 20,000 miles. 20,000 miles on a set of brake pads sounds excessive (unless you drive like my sister. The only time her foot isn't planted on the accelerator is when she is hitting the brakes)
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From: Lower Westchester, NY
2018 s560v4
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Colorado
'21 AMG53 wDPP & ARC, 19 GLC300 - Former-03 C240,2 ML BlueTecs,20 GLE450 E-ABC,15 Cayenne D,17 Macan
Once it's in the car, it absorbs moisture continuously.
Which then corrodes a brake system.
The system is open to the atmosphere.
2 years is a good maintenance schedule. 3 years is pushing it.
The Dealer would make more money by NOT doing this maintenance. And it would cost the owner a LOT more.
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From: San Jose, CA
11 E550, 16 AMG GTS, 13 S550
I can cook brakes every 2-3 years so 30-40k. If you want to extend this, ceramic pads and fresh rotors although there are tradeoffs in cold torque
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2021 GLS580 | 2011 ML350 BlueTec | 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP
Only in an unopened brake fluid container.
Once it's in the car, it absorbs moisture continuously.
Which then corrodes a brake system.
The system is open to the atmosphere.
2 years is a good maintenance schedule. 3 years is pushing it.
The Dealer would make more money by NOT doing this maintenance. And it would cost the owner a LOT more.
Once it's in the car, it absorbs moisture continuously.
Which then corrodes a brake system.
The system is open to the atmosphere.
2 years is a good maintenance schedule. 3 years is pushing it.
The Dealer would make more money by NOT doing this maintenance. And it would cost the owner a LOT more.
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 6,987
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From: Colorado
'21 AMG53 wDPP & ARC, 19 GLC300 - Former-03 C240,2 ML BlueTecs,20 GLE450 E-ABC,15 Cayenne D,17 Macan
First indication is a line of corrosion forms right at the edge of the rubber piston seal, causing pitting. Which ruins the seal and requires refurbishment at the minimum.
I've honed plenty of wheel cylinders and replaced seals, but it's really only a temporary solution and not something I'd want to have on a car that I drive daily.
5 years and you're done is my experience. 3 years and you're on your way.
Edit for clarification:
Every time you press the brake pedal, a tiny portion of fluid is exposed to the air with its moisture content - at every Piston in every caliper, and at both master cylinder Pistons.
(With drum brakes, poorly adjusted brakes require more piston travel and therefore more moisture absorption. Drum brakes are inherently worse )
So a car that's hardly used will have less air/moisture getting absorbed into the fluid.
That doesn't eliminate exposure completely, because the entire system is vented, to allow for piston travel and any decrease in fluid volume.
Also, the humidity of your local environment affects moisture absorption.
A "cars and coffee" Car in Colorado might see 8 years before damage is seen, but a daily driver in Erie Pennsylvania might see the effects in 3 years.
Last edited by mikapen; Jan 7, 2025 at 03:28 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 775
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From: Pennsylvania
2024 GLE 450 4matic
Yes. Several cars.
First indication is a line of corrosion forms right at the edge of the rubber piston seal, causing pitting. Which ruins the seal and requires refurbishment at the minimum.
I've honed plenty of wheel cylinders and replaced seals, but it's really only a temporary solution and not something I'd want to have on a car that I drive daily.
5 years and you're done is my experience. 3 years and you're on your way.
First indication is a line of corrosion forms right at the edge of the rubber piston seal, causing pitting. Which ruins the seal and requires refurbishment at the minimum.
I've honed plenty of wheel cylinders and replaced seals, but it's really only a temporary solution and not something I'd want to have on a car that I drive daily.
5 years and you're done is my experience. 3 years and you're on your way.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 6,987
Likes: 2,187
From: Colorado
'21 AMG53 wDPP & ARC, 19 GLC300 - Former-03 C240,2 ML BlueTecs,20 GLE450 E-ABC,15 Cayenne D,17 Macan
