Can someone please explain to me how a car that is driven a 50/50 mix of city and highway can require front pads @ 16k miles? This is retarded...2001 ML320 driven by my wife and myself.

Another coolant leak this week...

Both cars are trying my patience...beyond the desire to keep either...

 

eating up brake pads. I understand it is because of the soft pad material MB uses on its OEM brand. You might want to try another brand like porterfield. I hear they last longer and create less dust. BTW, 16k is pretty good I only got 13k out of mine. Pete knows all about the ML brakes maybe he can guide you.

 

Re brake pads, on the 98 ML I had I changed the front pads at 40000 miles and the original rears were still on when I traded at 50000. You and/or your wife must have a heavy brake foot or perhaps drive with both feet. My mileage was 90 percent city. Re the coolant leak, most likely the lower right hose clamp and was due to the extreme cold. Had my ML500 rad hose clamps and PS hose clamps replaced by my dealer at N/C to prevent this when it became an issue.

 

Your experience is not normal.

Many, many folks have reported changing fronts around 20k and rears around 30k (or sooner).

 

i had my front pad replaced at 23K= miles and my rear pad maybe still good for another 2K miles.

yes, one of you is, driving while the left foot is on the break pedal. 16K is too early for ML320, I'm not surprise if your ML is 430.

 

Honesly, neither of us drives with the left foot, unless it is in my coupe or one of our track cars, thank you very much.

On further analysis, there was at least 20% left on the fronts, so I passed on replacement. I'll knock them out before my next service on my own, with a pad of choice. I pressed the service writer and my salesperson and both indicated most MLs are replacing front pads by 20k in our market, so they really didn't think mine was wearing more excessive than others. I still think that is unheard of, but if thats what the stock pads support, I'll live with it and try something else next time around.

 

Replaced my fronts at 20k on the advice of the dealer on my 99 ML320. I'm at 48k now and about due for a second set plus rotors. The rears are doing a little better. We don't put many highway miles on the ML plus we have a lot of hills here in Pittsburgh. Still, thats a lot less than I've experienced on other vehicles.

 

That's nothing

2000 ML430 31K miles

10K Front rotors Warped, replaced
19K Rear Pads & Rotors
21K Front Pads
31K Front Rotors and pads, Rear pads (not done, see below)

Dealer and MB says it's my wife's fault. She's been driving for 25 years, wouldn't I have seen this pattern B4?

Doesn't include the fuel pump failure, 2 nav systems, window switches, CD changer, wicked sticking valve every couple of days, "I'm Home" brake squeal in forward and reverse, hot or cold.

MB could care less.

I'm done with 'em after 15 years of 2 MB's in the driveway. Gonna eat the Ford like depreciation and make it all go away this weekend.

Sad to see MB make such a POS, and worse to see they could care less.

 

I'd hoped mine was one of a kind - same problem with MB USA as you though, they really couldn't care less....

No more MB's for me......

Total of 26 warranty claims for broken equipment, major ones as follows.

Fuel pump failed
Alternator failed
Battery failed
O2 sensor failed
Front power seat motor failed
Drivers window switches failed
MCS unit failed
Rear gas struts failed
Remote entry system failed (twice)
Entry keys failed
Rear seat came loose
Front passenger seat came loose
Auxiliary cooling fans failed
Leaky water reservoir
Rear brakes wore out at 16,000 miles, but no warning light
Continual brake squeal
Plus all manner of rattles and squeaks too numerous to mention.

 

Started making a complete list like yours, but simply decided to dump the POS B4 I finished.

Everyone has a bad day, and MB had a bad one when they assembled my ML. The frustration is no one will even simply appoligize for the inconvenience for the monthly stops at the dealer. "Just bring it back if anything else goes wrong"

My last stop (when they recommended the 4 wheel brake job) was caused when my 31,000 mile car failed the state emissions test. (MAF failed, again) I asked if they would consider getting it re-tested for me since it takes a couple hours out of my day to do so, and they would have to fill out some paperwork anyway. I got a look like "You gotta be kidding, who do you think we are? Lexus?".

The FSS said 1100 miles, asked if they could just do the "A" service now, but said I had to wait another 100 miles and inconvenience myself again next week. Pulled up the car and it was filthy. I stopped trying to call MB USA and Zone Rep, they obviously train the service writers on bad manners.

That was it. Sold the C43, Trading the ML, Bought a 2003 996TT (tough sacrifice) , buying an '03 LR Disco (at least I'll expect problems).

Sorry, had to get that last bit of frustration out.

 

I can't say that I am surprised about any of the comments above. Consumer Reports have been very critical of the ML Brakes giving them an average rating in '98 '99 -- the worst rating in '00 and OK average in '01 '02.

Another family member has a '98 ML and replaced the brakes at 30K. Quite scary. Did anyone have the work done at a Benz dealer or a third party shop like Midas? What did you pay?

 

Why does a family member's brake replacement scare you?