rb23lb

Took the 2014 GLK in for the 20,000 mile Service B, aka the glorified oil change + the cabin filter replacement + the required brake fluid change (2014 models or newer).

Used a competitor coupon for the DEAL (sarcasm) price of $399 (dealer rack price is $649), which is $100 more than the $299 competitor coupon special for cars before 2015 that don't need the brake fluid change.

Anyhow - the GLK was noted as only having 10-15% pad life left for all four pads, and the dealer wanted to do it for $650.

I naturally declined, and am now looking to buy pads online and have them installed by a local mechanic.

Can anybody recommend a good site to buy replacement OEM pads? Also, if there are any aftermarket "upgraded", better performing pads that I should buy instead, any advice on these would be greatly appreciated as well.

BTW, the dealer prices I am quoting above are in Santa Monica, CA (W.I. Simonson stealership).

Thanks in advance!

Bob338

I get OEM parts from OE Discount Parts.

Their prices are right and they give good quick service. I use Akebono pads and they may have those also, or you can try a NAPA store. Tire Rack carries them. Ceramic and don't gunk up your wheels.

NYCGLK

I bought MB rotors and pads for $400. Brake job on GLK is the same as on any other car.

But 20k miles for new brakes is very suspicious. I have 65k miles with plenty of pad left. Take a look yourself. There are also sensors to tell you when pad is close to being done. In my case, the sensor failed at 45k, which is why I bought brake stuff to find out that the pads are at 50% or more. If I went to dealer I'm sure they would say to replace.

NYCGLK

I bought my brake stuff at ECS Tuning. $53 and $73 for the pads. 173 for pair of front and 95 for pair of rear rotors.

bop11

The original pads are soft and dusty but stop well. RockAuto has a good assortment. I have used Akebono and Centric ceramics on many cars and the Centric special harder disc's which have a coating on the center that keeps them black. Being ceramic, the stopping power is reduced slightly when cold. There are many threads on brake pads on this BB.
The original pads on the 2010 lasted 20k on the front and the original rear disc's wore out at 40k. My original sensors had a broken wire at 88k but they are only $2.98 each. The replacement Centric Pads and Disc's are still good at 88k with lots left on them as shown in the pictures. Replacing pads only takes about 1/2-1 hour per front or rear sets. Lots of threads and Youtube videos.

NYCGLK

My original pads at 60k miles look not far off from what you have in your pics. I was shocked to see how much pad is left in front on my GLK. I know i'm not the only one with long lasting pads, but also know that many had them worn out at 20-30k. That can't be all due to driving style.

cindyclk

It looks like the pads have a lot more than 10-15% left.
Autohauzaz will get you OEM pads for approx $150...rotors at 20K should not need replacement.

rb23lb

thanks for all the replies.

I am going to try to get courtesy warranty coverage first - I just read today that some people with worn out brakes at only 20K miles had the dealer replace the parts and just have to pay for the labor.

If this doesn't work, probably going to buy the ceramics from autohaus that were recommended here for around $150

Do the ceramics generally last longer than the OEM non-ceramic?

how is performance for stopping compared to OEM? The low brake dust is great on its own and probably the reason I will go ceramic, but good to know about stopping performance as well.

cindyclk

It's worth a try...have mt doubts but be sure to post what happens. Re: brake dust...all you need is any of the products like Meguiar's dust barrier...just spray on and brake dust does not stick...easy clean up if they get dirty.
I like the OEMs...quiet...for me, last 60K.

sblvro

These pads have 80% left not the other way around.

NYCGLK

This is a different guy posting his other pads.

cindyclk

my bad!

bop11

Yes they are about 20% gone after 60,000 miles on the fronts. The discs don't look bad either. I was surprised.

sethro1980

At 40,000 miles my front rotors were warped. I still had plenty of pad life; the shop told me they suspected the dealership where i bought my 2013 CPO swapped in new pads without changing the rotors at 20,000 miles, just before i bought it. I paid about $1300 for new pads and rotors all the way around with a brake fluid flush. The pads in front are Akebono ceramics, and they do a great job. The best part is I don't have black dust on my wheels anymore. I can wash my car without having to scrub the wheels by hand! The rear pads are OEM, but i have very little dust buildup on those.

sblvro

I always oem pads for durability. You will not believe I still have the stock rotors in my 2003 Honda Pilot. My 2009 ESCALADE hybrid, I didn't change the pads until it was 133k miles, still on stock rotors.

Bob338

I believe it! You just don't ride the brake with your left foot, brake through turns, and race from traffic light to traffic light! Though an aggressive driver, I don't do the above either and I get between 84K and 113K on my front brakes. Can't recall the last time I replaced rears!

Marek_Norway

Should I go this way and let mercedes do brake replacement for this price or should I buy rotors and pads from eshop and ask local shop to replace them? What brake producer do you recommend?

Bob338

Totally depends on you. If you have money to spare and don't want to bother with details, get it done by M-B. If you value intelligent handling of money, buy the parts and have it done by a competent mechanic. Brakes are brakes and are all basically the same. It's not rocket science.

cindyclk

totally agree with this. There is nothing mysterious about MB brakes. Most indie mechanics don't like you bringing in parts. They make profit on "parts". You'll need to find one that will and will probably charge you more for the labor than if he was also buying the parts wholesale and charging you retail.
If you are at all handy, it is an easy job and there are youtube videos of GLK brake jobs and the sep forums have pics DIY.