EB_1920

I thought you guys might be interested to know that the the ML550 topped FrugalMechanic.com's list as the most expensive car to maintain.

See the full report here: http://frugalmechanic.com/press/best...rs_to_maintain

sosh

Can't prove it by me and I am on my 4th ML the last 3 being ML500 or 550. Annual maintenence cost for me has averaged $300 bucks a year. I spend more on my classic Corvette and that only gets driven maybe a 1000 miles a year.

roadrutz

Some of those numbers look a little suspect. Example: ML550 brake disc: $235, ML63 brake disc: $163. Huh? And the cheapest five vehicles have brake discs from $21 to $25. Yeah, right. Plus they have the BMW 750 sparkplug for six bucks, which is horse feathers -- damn things are about $45 a piece.

I'm not suggesting the ML550 is cheap to maintain, but a bunch of FrugalMechanic's figures don't inspire confidence.

C230 Sport Coup

I just did the brakes on my GF's ML350, and she has the standard front brakes,
which are quite large. I have a C230 with AMG brakes and the size of the rotors is close.

The 550 and AMG 164's use a larger disk, and it's even more expensive.

Cost of doing the front brakes was 100 per disk from Annapolis MB (getmercedesparts.com) and I got the Akebono pads for about 100 also.

BUT with ceramics, it won't need to be done again for a lonnnnng time.

It's about the same price as my AMG C32 4 piston brakes,
and I'm also using Akebono's and have about 75K miles on those pads and still have a way to go.

It's stupid if all they count is the pads, air filters etc.
MB costs more because the brakes are better, over-engineered for better faster braking, and on these vehicle with a load.

But yeh, the 550 comes with bigger rotors. And they cost more for certain.

sosh

With the ceramics you will not get any significant more mileage from them and you will certainly need rotors again. I get 2 sets of pads to one Rotor with OEM. This is on my last ML500. I usually get about 35 to 40,000 miles on OEM pads. The only thing you accomplished by using the aftermarket pads is perhaps a little less brake dust.

C230 Sport Coup

Sorry to disagree, but I went through 2 sets of stock pads, which lasted 20-25K miles, before switching to Akebono ceramics.

Yes, I started with fresh rotors, and would do them on a 1 to 1 ratio,m
since yes, I now have over 75K miles, and they're only about 1/2 the way done, and yes, MUCH less dust.

sosh

Do not know much about the C Class as thats what you must be speaking of, the ML 350 and 550 are much heavier vehicles that use much more brake pads than a light C Class. I have had now 4 ML's one 320 2 500's and now a 550. The breaking experience I quoted earlier was from my personal experience with 4 ML's. I also have had 3 E Classes, a 01, 05 and now a 350, all 4 matic and I have keapt each one about 40000 miles and have never had to put brakes on any of them.

VelociRaptor

I dont think people buy Mercedes' vehicles because they are cheap to work on..

sosh

You are absolutly correct. Though it does seem that many used buyers in many cases try to do things the cheapest way in lieu of the correct way. There are also, like in any group, the ones that are "bottom feeders" who will "walk 12 miles to save a nickle" and make a big deal out of saving a quarter on a quart of oil.

GregW / Oregon

I'm not familiar with Akenobos, so excuse my questions. Are these Asian (not that it matters)? There's usually no free lunch with pads - I'm guessing that if the last longer and produce less dust the initial bite and ultimate stopping power are less. Any comparative test reports available? thanks

sosh

Greg, It makes sense that the harder the pad the lower the coefficient of friction and the more disc wear. I do not believe these aftermarket mfgers publish any substanciating data. Wonder why??. Believe its all hype.