Break rotor replacement and alignment at the dealer?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1
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Break rotor replacement and alignment at the dealer?
Hi, I have a R350 year2006. My advisor told me is about time to replace my break rotors for all four. Is it better to do it at the dealer? I am also replacing my front tires at the Coscto. Is it better to do the alignment at the dealership or can I go to a tire store? Please advice!
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 279
Likes: 13
From: Western Canada
S320 GL350
Welcome Newbie. I too have a 2006 R. I went to Costco for Bridgestones on the Honda CRV we own. I'd advise, however, that you find Michelins or Continentals for your Merc or possibly the Bridgestones fitted on later models of the R. I'd stick only with the types recommended by MB (Latitudes for Michelins, Contact 4 x 4s for Continental, etc.). Tire technology varies widely as does the performance of the tires under the weight of the (relatively) heavy R class - especially at 150 km/hr!
The other thing that always annoys me is the relative lack of knowledge out there regarding Mercedes-specific mechanical work, including simple tire-mounting. They should use zinc sticky-weights, not lead ones, and no the lug nuts don't have to be re-torqued after a certain distance, and you should have them torqued to the proper N/m figure (I think it's 90 or less) and should you ever remove your wheels and put back on later (as in summer/winter sets) you need to pay attention to directionality (ie. the tires shouldn't be put on a different side of the vehicle than they came off-of). Jacking up your vehicle is also an area to be done carefully at the indentations for jacking. Mercedes knows all of this already.
The other thing that always annoys me is the relative lack of knowledge out there regarding Mercedes-specific mechanical work, including simple tire-mounting. They should use zinc sticky-weights, not lead ones, and no the lug nuts don't have to be re-torqued after a certain distance, and you should have them torqued to the proper N/m figure (I think it's 90 or less) and should you ever remove your wheels and put back on later (as in summer/winter sets) you need to pay attention to directionality (ie. the tires shouldn't be put on a different side of the vehicle than they came off-of). Jacking up your vehicle is also an area to be done carefully at the indentations for jacking. Mercedes knows all of this already.
Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 125
Likes: 1
From: Chicago
2007 GL450 2005 C55 2002 C32 sold 2001 ML320 sold
Super Y - I am on my 6th Mercedes and have only had one aligned and fitted with new brakes and tires at the dealer. Every other time I used Costco or discount tire for tires and independent German car specialists for the brake jobs.
In general, tire shops have better (newer) equipment for both mounting and balancing and aligning tires than the dealer. I have used costco and discount tire with no issues at all.
The one benefit with the dealer is they have the specs for the alignment, so as long as you confirm any shop knows the factory alignment for your car you should be fine.
In general, tire shops have better (newer) equipment for both mounting and balancing and aligning tires than the dealer. I have used costco and discount tire with no issues at all.
The one benefit with the dealer is they have the specs for the alignment, so as long as you confirm any shop knows the factory alignment for your car you should be fine.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 556
Likes: 4
2011 C300 4matic, 2015 Porsche Macan S, 2006 R500 (sold)
Hi, I have a R350 year2006. My advisor told me is about time to replace my break rotors for all four. Is it better to do it at the dealer? I am also replacing my front tires at the Coscto. Is it better to do the alignment at the dealership or can I go to a tire store? Please advice!
If alignment is really needed, I will stick with the dealer.
