BACnMercedes

Ok, I'm currently on my 4th, fourth, count them 1...2...3...4!, set of front brakes. Why do I seem so mad about this? Well my GLE400 only has 40,086 miles on it! No I don't drive with my foot always on the brake. No I don't tow much (In reality I've only towed my boat about 6-7 times ever). I don't think I drive wild and even if I do, could I really go through 3 sets already? The first 2 sets were replace by an independent person that specializes and only works on MB's and he purchased the brakes from the local dealer. This last time, the 3rd replacement, the dealership did it and they commented that this was little above average but the GLE/ML really goes through brakes. The SA even said, "be thankful you don't have an S class, they go through them even faster." Really? If I had a $95k-$140k-$200k car that went through brakes, I'd be even more pissed than I am now.
So, does anyone else have brake problems?
I really like the vehicle but these brake problems, are an expensive expense if I'm keeping this thing.

RA112623

we had a couple early ML's. brakes and rotors every 12-15k. and we are light brakers. service said they were designed with softer rotors and increased brake assist. wasn't very pleased about that, but if it was true safety then i guess you get what you pay for.

when we bought the '16 i talked with my sales rep and he indicated that they have extended the life, but the engineering is still mostly the same. i'm over 20k now and things still good, so i guess they did make some changes.

now, if you are a hard braker, i believe the system will exponentially increase the force. i do see people coming up to stop signs and red lights and waiting for like the last 15 feet before braking (i exaggerate). ron

and the active lane and distronic may have an impact.

Jan AMG

BACnMercedes

I should have been a little more specific, rotors are getting replaced too every time and they don’t give those things away! Thanks for the responses.

ItalianJoe1

Not the 221, but the 222 does need brakes quite often. Every 10k for aggressive drivers, 20k is normal.

The cars get heavier, faster, something has to give. The brakes are soft to give great performance, the brake assist gives stronger pressure than the driver thinks to give better brake performance. If you hit the pedal quickly, the car applies the brakes harder to predict how much you actually should be stepping on the brakes.

In reality, what's a couple hundred bucks for brakes? They are literally the only thing that can slow your car down safely, you buy these big MB vehicles because of the way they drive, they consume wear items faster than a lesser vehicle, it's just part of the game at this point.

RA112623

i said brakes and rotors each time.

i'm not an engineer, but they may be sacrificial. kinda like a shearpin.

my escalade ext needed rear rotors at 30-40k. service said engineered to apply heavy rear braking to mitigate front end dive. seemed to be working that way on mine.

not to say, however, that there isn't something wrong anyway. i would want the techs to assure me that the pads are retracting correctly. good luck, ron

Isawelvis

I have a 2015 ML350 4 Matic with original brakes rotors and pad with 50,560 miles on it. Just had it serviced and no one mentioned I need new rotor or pads. I think there is a dash warning light that comes on when you need brakes serviced ( ie pads replaced). Are you getting that light or just having a mechanic telling you , that you need new brakes.?

BACnMercedes

Every time I stepped on the brake, I've seen less shaking than a James Bond medium dry martini. Especially when the brake was applied around 60-65 mph. No lights, warnings, or anyone "telling" me I need brake work. Well other than my wife

DanD.

I have ML350 BT 2014, which is W166.
75K miles on it. Still original front pads and rotors. Rears pads were replaced at 35K still original rotors. Im at PNW we have a lot of hills and mountains.

longslim

.I have 2017 GLE350 and last week at 10k miles I had to have my brake and rotor replaced by the dealership. Three brakes had 8mm of the pad and one was down to 3mm, They could give me no reason for the abnormal wear for the brake. It was fortunate my car had less than 12k miles when it happens it was under warranty. Because otherwise, I was two days over my one-year ownership marks, which was one of the other criteria for warranty replacement. So I go back at 11k miles to see if the new brakes are wearing unevenly. Never had brakes wear out this fast on any card I've had.

ItalianJoe1

Rear brakes? There's a bulletin for uneven pad wear.

They could have covered the rotors under the 24mo/24k miles coverage on them, and consequently the pads.