Replace pads and rotors or just pads?
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Newbie
Joined: Sep 2020
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2018 GLE63s
Replace pads and rotors or just pads?
When I did my state car inspection recently, the guy told me the brake pads were really low. I'm at 45,000 miles and they are starting to squeal a little, so not really surprised. I haven't seen the warning light come on yet, so I'm wondering if 1. you'd recommend I just replace them now anyway before the light, and 2. do these cars require you to replace both the pads and rotors, or are just the pads replaceable? I was caught by surprise with an Audi S5 that I owned a number of years ago and since this is my first Mercedes, I don't want to be caught off guard when the time to replace comes along shortly.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2018
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From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
When I did my state car inspection recently, the guy told me the brake pads were really low. I'm at 45,000 miles and they are starting to squeal a little, so not really surprised. I haven't seen the warning light come on yet, so I'm wondering if 1. you'd recommend I just replace them now anyway before the light, and 2. do these cars require you to replace both the pads and rotors, or are just the pads replaceable? I was caught by surprise with an Audi S5 that I owned a number of years ago and since this is my first Mercedes, I don't want to be caught off guard when the time to replace comes along shortly.
Rotors don't need to be replaced with pads, if the rotors meet M-B specifications, your state's inspection requirements, and you don't experience vibration or shaking while braking.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2015
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W463 G550, C292 GLE63s
Replaced my brakes from here: https://www.fcpeuro.com/
Paid $629.30 for all 4 rotors/pads and $400 to install.
FCPEuro offers lifetime warranty - so once you need new brakes again, order the parts and warranty the old parts once taken off and they will refund you.
Price went up: https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/mer...0512kt#reviews
Paid $629.30 for all 4 rotors/pads and $400 to install.
FCPEuro offers lifetime warranty - so once you need new brakes again, order the parts and warranty the old parts once taken off and they will refund you.
Price went up: https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/mer...0512kt#reviews
Last edited by Anotherone; Oct 29, 2020 at 12:14 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Washington D.C.
2024 GLE63s / 2016 GLE63s (traded) / 2016 E63s / 2002 E55
Replaced my brakes from here: https://www.fcpeuro.com/
Paid $629.30 for all 4 rotors/pads and $400 to install.
FCPEuro offers lifetime warranty - so once you need new brakes again, order the parts and warranty the old parts once taken off and they will refund you.
Price went up: https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/mer...0512kt#reviews
Paid $629.30 for all 4 rotors/pads and $400 to install.
FCPEuro offers lifetime warranty - so once you need new brakes again, order the parts and warranty the old parts once taken off and they will refund you.
Price went up: https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/mer...0512kt#reviews
Member
Joined: Dec 2017
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GLE 63S
They are good pads but they don’t fit perfectly like the OEM pads and the bolts for the rears have too thin heads on the bolts to torque them easily. The front pads don’t have the stickers like the OEM pads that help make an easy and great fit.
The rotors are also slightly different, but I will keep them until they need to be changed. After 40 minutes on the track. I measured them and there was no change in thickness, even with my braking technique, which is very heavy to begin with and even heavier with this vehicle. They turned a the iron bronze color. The OEM ones never did that.
I changed the pads back to OEM very soon after. I couldn’t feel the bite that the OEM pads had. And it made me feel like I was driving an old Lincoln Navigator. Just took longer to stop. Not as tight as it could be.
if I had to compromise, because I got through so many Rear pads. I might try the race pads (instead of the normal pads they offer) on the back and the OEM on the front. But again, it’s not worth the trouble if you want to drive the car the way it was designed.
I am sure it’s great for normal every day driving. But not sure if someone buys an AMG, they wouldn’t need near design perfection.
Last edited by Twilighthan; Oct 30, 2020 at 09:52 AM.
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Only MBs - the best or nothing
I bought rotors and pads from FcpEuro. I won’t be returning them to get free pads as replacements.
The rotors are also slightly different, but I will keep them until they need to be changed. After 40 minutes on the track. I measured them and there was no change in thickness, even with my braking technique, which is very heavy to begin with and even heavier with this vehicle. They turned a the iron bronze color. The OEM ones never did that.
The rotors are also slightly different, but I will keep them until they need to be changed. After 40 minutes on the track. I measured them and there was no change in thickness, even with my braking technique, which is very heavy to begin with and even heavier with this vehicle. They turned a the iron bronze color. The OEM ones never did that.
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Member
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GLE 63S
They felt the same in weight mostly, but it's very clear the OEM design is much better. I never saw the overheating iron rust colors on the OEM rotors. I don't want to change out the rotors right now. They are too much trouble right now and I don't have any time this year.
The design of the mounting of the rear rotors were different from OEM and I busted a safety screw because of it after trying to ensure they were on there just right before tightening and torquing the safety screw. I think the Fronts fit properly as I recall.
Main question, do I find them inferior in terms for stopping power? I can say that I can't tell the difference currently in terms of feel. But sometimes even 1 foot in stopping power can make the difference between a million dollar law suit which last 3 years and will age you 20 years during that time.
I will never go non-oem again for AMG's unless no parts are available or it's very clear that the non-oem is suprerior, like the Racing Brake Fluids that can handle hire temps. I worked for a guy who had brake fad and crashed on COTA, so I won't risk that, especially with this heavy beast.
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GLE 63S
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From: Alberta, Canada
'18 GLE63S AMG /'19 PORSCHE TURBO S / '09 CORVETTE ZR1 /'14 LEXUS RX350/'16 RAV4 Ltd
I replaced with front = Centric 10512910 and rear = Bendix CFC 1630 both from Rockauto both for $120 CDN total...no issues
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Only MBs - the best or nothing
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Alberta, Canada
'18 GLE63S AMG /'19 PORSCHE TURBO S / '09 CORVETTE ZR1 /'14 LEXUS RX350/'16 RAV4 Ltd
I think Zimmerman but I would not hesitate to use these
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...440114&jsn=931
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...440114&jsn=931
MBWorld Fanatic!
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Only MBs - the best or nothing
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,267
Likes: 56
From: Alberta, Canada
'18 GLE63S AMG /'19 PORSCHE TURBO S / '09 CORVETTE ZR1 /'14 LEXUS RX350/'16 RAV4 Ltd
Just because parts are listed as OEM it does not mean their/some aftermarket equivalent are sub par...often superior
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Only MBs - the best or nothing
Sure, everyone (or just about) have used aftermarket wheels, including on 63s. And more and more of them are made in China (MB dealers are selling some of them at their parts department). Rarely have I heard of a problem.
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Alberta, Canada
'18 GLE63S AMG /'19 PORSCHE TURBO S / '09 CORVETTE ZR1 /'14 LEXUS RX350/'16 RAV4 Ltd
For example I changed my OEM rear pads Oct 12 , 2019...a year ago with 27000 kms, and today I have 47590 kms on the aftermarket pads I used from Rockauto and the service last week listed rear pads as good ! I suspect they will outperform the OEMs in mileage at a substantial cost savings.
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From: A.D., U.A.E
2000 (W202 C200) & 2000 (W202 C55)
As i know; "Brembo" is the only one who officially making "GL63/ML63", (390mm) Fronts & (345mm) Rears Rotors from "Aug/2011 till Nov/2019",
"Brembo/Jurid F600/66" who has contract with "GL63/ML63" pads, which is so great & reliable,
but unfortunately, MB replace them with "Textar T4411/EAC", on "Feb/2017", which is low grades (third party) pads..
,,
*Zimmerman Rotors are super quality indeed, tried the many times, you can go with them for sure ..
-;-ZAYED-;-
"Brembo/Jurid F600/66" who has contract with "GL63/ML63" pads, which is so great & reliable,
but unfortunately, MB replace them with "Textar T4411/EAC", on "Feb/2017", which is low grades (third party) pads..
,,*Zimmerman Rotors are super quality indeed, tried the many times, you can go with them for sure ..
-;-ZAYED-;-
Senior Member
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W463 G550, C292 GLE63s
OEM brakes should be around $1400 to buy versus aftermarket
https://www.ebay.com/itm/For-Mercede...gAAOSwCtJaAcPN
https://www.ebay.com/itm/For-Mercede...gAAOSwCtJaAcPN
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GLE 63S
MBWorld Fanatic!
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Only MBs - the best or nothing
Mercedes Benz of Warwick, selling on Amazon, undercuts these guys by about $200 +/-. I bought OEM front and rear pads from them for under $400 a year ago (I think it is a bit more now). Will consider OEM rotors from them for around $800 (MB of Coral Gable also sales for about the same or even a bit less on eBay), unless I'll buy Zimmermans from FCP for half that.
