Short rear brake pad life
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 6
Likes: 2
From: Ohio
GLE 350
Short rear brake pad life
Hello,
I have a '17 GLE 350 which I really enjoy. The rear pads are only lasting 10-12k miles. I do tow a small travel trailer 6-7 times a year. So, is that short life to be expected? Is the braking on GLE rear biased? Both sides are wearing evenly.
Also looking for recommendations on good vendors for brake parts.
Thanks
I have a '17 GLE 350 which I really enjoy. The rear pads are only lasting 10-12k miles. I do tow a small travel trailer 6-7 times a year. So, is that short life to be expected? Is the braking on GLE rear biased? Both sides are wearing evenly.
Also looking for recommendations on good vendors for brake parts.
Thanks
Member
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 233
Likes: 92
From: Mitchell, SD, U.S.
2016 GLE 300d 4-Matic
I got 65000 miles out of the original rear pads on my GLE. I don't tow often, drive mostly in-town like a gramma, and don't have the active lane keeper or the distronic. My inner pads did wear much more than the outers, which seems to be "normal" for this model.
I have noticed that when slowing to a stop, there is additional braking automatically applied that starts around 15 mph or so. I think (but have no evidence to support) that this "feature" is what causes greater wear on the inside rear pads.
I have noticed that when slowing to a stop, there is additional braking automatically applied that starts around 15 mph or so. I think (but have no evidence to support) that this "feature" is what causes greater wear on the inside rear pads.
Last edited by John Ha; Oct 20, 2025 at 09:18 AM.
Member
Joined: Aug 2025
Posts: 104
Likes: 20
From: Texas
2015 ML350, 2020 BMW X7, 2005 LS430
I have a 2015 ML. Honestly I've been pretty negligent on the maintenance. My rear brake pads were last replaced in 2019 at 55k miles, and now the car is at 98k miles. The front brake pads and all the rotors are original. The car still brakes fine and I don't seem to hear any screeching. Is there anything that should be really concerning for me? Dealer said a year ago the fronts were at 4mm and somehow the rears are at 10mm?? That can't be right but I'll take it. Are the rotors supposed to last till 100k miles?
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2025
Posts: 12
Likes: 5
GLE 250 W166
There is an indicator built into the brake pads. When the pads are worn out, it will start to light up. When the indicator lights up, you need to change the brake pads. The discs have a prescribed minimum thickness that should be checked.
