Brake job
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2011
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'13 GLK350 4matic,'10 C207,'15 GLA250,'07 Honda Odyssey, '18 GLE 43, '24 EQS 580
Brake job
My ML350 just gave me a check pad wear warning on the dash. I only have 36,000 kilometers on the motor and that seems to be too early I think. Anyways I looked at my rear rotors and noticed that they are not cross drilled....and saw 4 MLs and 3 out of the 4 has cross drilled rotors. Then I went online on ebay and saw original brake sets that are cross drilled all four. So now I am thinking why is my ML350 have solid vented disk at the back? Can I use the cross drilled disk!? I have the AMG appearance package and have airmatic so I can't think of anything that should be different as the other cross drilled ML I saw did not have airmatic on it (peeked inside the car's window and saw no airmatic control on the console).
I almost got a heart attack as well when I called the dealer to get a quote for a complete brake job and I was quoted $4k + taxes for the job so freaking no way I will pay for that and I'll just buy the original parts on ebay and a trip to the Indi will get me 1/4 the cost.
One other thing there I have seen aftermarket rotors and the size at the front is 350 then at the back is 330 then there are 350 all four corners. What is the right size?
If I dont go original parts what can you guys recommend? I also want to get rid of too much brake dust as well.
I almost got a heart attack as well when I called the dealer to get a quote for a complete brake job and I was quoted $4k + taxes for the job so freaking no way I will pay for that and I'll just buy the original parts on ebay and a trip to the Indi will get me 1/4 the cost.
One other thing there I have seen aftermarket rotors and the size at the front is 350 then at the back is 330 then there are 350 all four corners. What is the right size?
If I dont go original parts what can you guys recommend? I also want to get rid of too much brake dust as well.
Last edited by shotgun_banjo; Jan 14, 2017 at 01:09 AM.
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From: NW
2018 GLC 4MATIC
Why do you want to replace rotors? and all 4?
Im sure your light indicate rear brake pads.
MB wants to replays all pads and rotors, but there is no point of doing rotors unless thickness not in the range.
Personally I prefers OME parts, but its not the point, I bought rear pads for 150$ replaced them at 37K miles and bought front for 165$ at 50K thinking they probably ready, but when I took the wheel off, front pads about 60% remaining so didnt do it.
Point is, its a very easy job to change brake pads, about an hour and half. Just make sure you watch the video, there is a trick how to put electric brake into s service mode.
Sorry is this is not what you asked.
Im sure your light indicate rear brake pads.
MB wants to replays all pads and rotors, but there is no point of doing rotors unless thickness not in the range.
Personally I prefers OME parts, but its not the point, I bought rear pads for 150$ replaced them at 37K miles and bought front for 165$ at 50K thinking they probably ready, but when I took the wheel off, front pads about 60% remaining so didnt do it.
Point is, its a very easy job to change brake pads, about an hour and half. Just make sure you watch the video, there is a trick how to put electric brake into s service mode.
Sorry is this is not what you asked.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 323
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From: Ottawa ON Canada
2015 ML350 Bluetec
Hi, and having just done some research into my brakes for the upcoming replacement, I can give you some pointers.... Mine is a 2015 ML BT(Canadian) & I too have airmatic w/sport package(20"amg). Front rotors drilled, rears solid. 1st off, call any MB dealer, give them your VIN, and ask for the part #s for the rotors(frt & rear) for your car. Google those #s, and you will have your proper rotor sizes (350 or 330), slotted, cross-drilled or solid. Now you can use the Internet armed with the proper info. For front pads, I will be using Akebono Ceramic (EUR1629) as they keep your wheels relatively clean, and actually stop! My previous GLK was equipped with Akebono, and they were great! The MB pads are good, just horrendously dirty!
Be very careful as some sites (most USA) won't recognize a 2015 3L diesel, as US2015 ml came with a useless 4cyl diesel-anchor. In that case use 2014 for choice.
my .02
Be very careful as some sites (most USA) won't recognize a 2015 3L diesel, as US2015 ml came with a useless 4cyl diesel-anchor. In that case use 2014 for choice.
my .02
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2013 VW Golf TDI, 2006 VW Jetta TDI, 2015 Ducati Monster
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'13 GLK350 4matic,'10 C207,'15 GLA250,'07 Honda Odyssey, '18 GLE 43, '24 EQS 580
Called a few local MB Indy shops and they all recommended the same thing. Zimmermann rotors and Textar pads. Just looked at the BMW forum and Audi forum and that combo had good feedback.
Has anybody used those before?
Has anybody used those before?
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Thread Starter
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'13 GLK350 4matic,'10 C207,'15 GLA250,'07 Honda Odyssey, '18 GLE 43, '24 EQS 580
One other thing. If I use aftermarket brake parts and try on planning on getting an MB extended warranty on the car would the dealer not certify it to qualify for the MB extended warranty. Reason for this is before they can sell you the warranty your car needs to be maintained by the book and they will have to check the car first before granting you to purchase the extended warranty. Maybe it is a ploy but who knows but certainly here in Canada that is how it works either get the extended warranty when you purchase the car or get it before the factory warranty expires but you need to get it certified first before can avail it.
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Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 323
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From: Ottawa ON Canada
2015 ML350 Bluetec
I would agree with above... besides, MB considers brakes as a normal wear item! Rarely would they replace them on their Dime, unless within the 1st 12 months, and they would need a pretty good reason.... Tech screwing up or something...
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'13 GLK350 4matic,'10 C207,'15 GLA250,'07 Honda Odyssey, '18 GLE 43, '24 EQS 580
I pulled the trigger for the zimmermann rotors / textar pads and I am happy with them. Great brake bite as far as I can tell same as the oem brakes I also get 2 years warranty on the brake job parts and labour.
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Joined: Dec 2009
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2002 S430
Good source for parts in Canada.
I ordered filters and a few other items of late.
https://order.germanparts.ca/
I ordered filters and a few other items of late.
https://order.germanparts.ca/
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2019 E300
We just had the dealer replace the rear brake pad and rotor on our 2014 ML350, the job cost $1025 with a $175 coupon. We also price out an indy shop which quoted us around $700. We try to get the dealer to resurface the disc, but they refuse, stating that the Mercedes rotors are very thin and there was a change it might crack if we do not replace it.
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From: The Great White North
W204 C63 Coupe, W166 ML350 BlueTEC, 928GT, Taycan GTS Sport Turismo, C5 Z06 & IS300 race cars
IIRC the min thickness on the 330mm rotors is 29.5mm (they're 32mm new... or maybe it was 19.5mm minimum and 22mm new). It has been a while since I checked and I could very easily be wrong.
$4K for a brake job on an ML is indeed very high. Unless they're servicing a bunch of other things, I would expect it to come well under $2K for pads and rotors. I would go with OEM though, both pads and rotors - or you are inviting trouble as the rotors will almost certainly warp if you use them with a hotter aftermarket pad. The ML is a heavy truck and the brakes are rather small for the mass... plus the rotors are made from relatively soft steel (to avoid brake squeal) and tend to wear out quicky as you have already found out.
$4K for a brake job on an ML is indeed very high. Unless they're servicing a bunch of other things, I would expect it to come well under $2K for pads and rotors. I would go with OEM though, both pads and rotors - or you are inviting trouble as the rotors will almost certainly warp if you use them with a hotter aftermarket pad. The ML is a heavy truck and the brakes are rather small for the mass... plus the rotors are made from relatively soft steel (to avoid brake squeal) and tend to wear out quicky as you have already found out.
Last edited by Diabolis; Jan 25, 2017 at 12:57 AM.
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2013 VW Golf TDI, 2006 VW Jetta TDI, 2015 Ducati Monster
OEM rotors and pads are Brembo?
also, does the sport package get larger rotors and drilled? I'm seeing different sizes for the front and solid and drilled both from Brembo on the GermanParts.ca site.
also, does the sport package get larger rotors and drilled? I'm seeing different sizes for the front and solid and drilled both from Brembo on the GermanParts.ca site.
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From: North East
07 TL, 05 350z, 08 MDX
I have a 2015 w sport package and just had my brakes done , rotors and pads, using all OEM parts. I'll try to look up parts list for you in case you have sane setup as me. Also $4k is way way too much. My dealer tried that w me too. I went to an Indy and paid much much less.
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'18 GLE63S AMG /'19 PORSCHE TURBO S / '09 CORVETTE ZR1 /'14 LEXUS RX350/'16 RAV4 Ltd
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From: North East
07 TL, 05 350z, 08 MDX
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ML 350
Just had my rear brakes done at Dealer. Pads and rotors for $785 and then received a $50 gift card. Price seemed ok. First visit to dealer in a year. I had been warned the year before that I would probably need brakes
