LVDell

Anybody have in input on buying Genuine MB pads at the dealer for $200 or Parts Store (Checker, Kragen's, etrc.) for better than half that.

Thanks for the input!
Dell

saturnstyl

Well, I am kinda biased and would only likely use MB parts or MAYBE a very high end aftermarket company like brembo or something. When you buy other brands you roll the dice so to speak.... Brakes are not something I want to screw around with.

LVDell

Totally agree, but the dealer here is wanting $400 ($200/ea.) for the front and rears. I am going to do the pad change myself but still would prefer not to drop $400 a set of pads and at the same time being handed a jar of KY.

saturnstyl

Buy em online from another dealer or source????

pointman

LV... what model and year is your ml? i can get you pads for FAR less.

LVDell

Thanks ahopeter, 2000 ML430.....

By the way, I found a compnay down around Phoenix (Germanstar) that stocks the pads, sensors as well as a ton of other stuff. Anybody deal with them? I think their website is germanstar.net

Thanks again for all your input guys!
-Dell

pointman

germanstar is very good LV. Let me see if i can come up with some better numbers than them... i'll let you know.

pointman

LV, go with germanstar...there price is very good. given, i do not know which brand pad they are selling... but their price is right.

LVDell

They said Mintex pads. Worth a darn?

Noscyr

On my last '98 ML i've used the Rotex Gold for over 30K miles and have been so happy with those that i ordered the same pads for my '01. I got them from brakeworld.com for $150 shipped.

Noredline

German Star! I saved over half the price from them for rotors and pads for my ML55 and my wife's CLK320.

LVDell

Good to hear. I think I am going to use them. By the way, still have your ML55 or did you move into the Pepper from the ML? I am shopping around for my ML replacement and haven't decided yet. I am between the Range Rover, G500 and Pepper S. I have been leaning toward the G500 since they are changing the body style and I really like that G look of old, but the Porsche dealer here and I have a great relationship (very valuable to have), and the Range Rover just really impresses me with all the features, room, and the BMW V8. Did you look at any of these?

By the way, thanks for the Germanstar input.

Noredline

I sold the ML55 to my sis-in-law in Cali. She told me if I ever wanted to sell it that she would buy it. So I got the Turbo Pepper back in July. I've had a few issues with it, but overall, it is an absolute MONSTER to drive. Lots of power and torque. We took it to Cali last week and had a blast on the mountainy, twisty 8 freeway, 90-100 mph in the turns and it was smooth as silk! You in Phoenix? Porsche of N. Scottsdale? That's where I bought mine. Sales person is my neighbor and has helped a number of us get into the P-cars. Still love MB though, not a traitor. In fact, the G is very cool, and if you like the style, grab it. Hard to compare the G to the S though, different styles altogether. Both great vehicles though. P car is gonna be quicker and more nimble, G would prolly be better off road. Depends on what you are gonna do with it. Dont care for the RR's, and the BMW dealer insisted that I run credit and agree to a price in order to drive the 4.8 X5, so I went next door and bought the fastest production SUV on the planet, at least till the new W164 comes out I'm sure the Bimmer has it's merits, but I could not share them with you on a first hand basis. Waaaaay to many X5's and now 3's on the roads.

My .02 Good luck, I'm sure you will make a good choice.

LVDell

totally true. X5's are a dime a dozen (as if the ML's aren't as well) which is why I am in the G, Pepper, and RR category. Leaning more toward the G since it is unique and the MB treats me quite well (as does the Porsche dealer which makes this a tough decision as to who to give my business to). But, the RR is LOADED as there are NO options (other than wheels and heated seats) that if I put them on the G they would send me over 100K. Not what I want to spend on an SUV...I save that kinda coin for my sports cars. If the G didn't nickle and dime me on options and had Bi-Xenon's this would make the decision so much easier!

By the way, I am not in PHX (I am down in Vegas), but I was visiting some family in Scottsdale a couple weeks ago and went by the P-Car dealer and WOW they had the most beautiful GT3 on the podium. Thought about trading in mine but the wife would kill me (she likes the CAB).

Thanks again for all the input!

Noredline

Yeah, they have a great inventory, they had two Carerra GT's on the floor, and a Ferrari too. Not to mention about 50 Cayenne's. They say they are the largest Cayenne seller in the west. Dunno for sure, but they had a butt load of them.