Brakes & Rotors 'scam' on our S430
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Joined: May 2002
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From: NJ
S430, Porsche Boxster
Brakes & Rotors 'scam' on our S430
Our Benz S430 went in for a service yesterday. Apart from the fact that the sunshade is going down on it's own, the rear lights won't go off and the fuel gauge hasn't worked since we got it back, the service department in the dealership told us that the front brake rotors and the front and rear pads need to be replaced.
The car is leased. I read on another (separate make) forum that this is a common item that dealers use to pad the service bill, as it's not covered under warranty. All this after just 21,000 miles on a car that does mostly highway miles. On top of that, I got a brake inspection done by a local tire/wheel shop afterwards who told that me the rear pads were only 35% used. They weren't able to tell from the fronts as it's supposedly a very complex system and they were prepared to take it apart. I trust these guys and have been dealing with them for 12 years.
Does anyone agree that they're screwing us, or is it possible that these parts need to be changed? The car is not driven hard at all.
Also, the brake sensor light has not come on and the rotors look fine.
Thanks.
The car is leased. I read on another (separate make) forum that this is a common item that dealers use to pad the service bill, as it's not covered under warranty. All this after just 21,000 miles on a car that does mostly highway miles. On top of that, I got a brake inspection done by a local tire/wheel shop afterwards who told that me the rear pads were only 35% used. They weren't able to tell from the fronts as it's supposedly a very complex system and they were prepared to take it apart. I trust these guys and have been dealing with them for 12 years.
Does anyone agree that they're screwing us, or is it possible that these parts need to be changed? The car is not driven hard at all.
Also, the brake sensor light has not come on and the rotors look fine.
Thanks.
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From: Sri Lanka
not really sure what to tell you other than get a 2nd opinion from another dealer...do you have another MB dealer near you.. you might have them check it out and see what they say....
it is possible that it is a scam to milk money from you...
it is possible that it is a scam to milk money from you...
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Joined: Nov 2001
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The pads usually last between 20-30k miles. The rotors are suppose to be switched out every other time you change your pads.
So yea, I believe they are skimming money from you. I'm surprised that your rear pads are that worn down. If your rear pads are indeed down to 35% life, then your front pads need to be change. Front brakes make up for majority of the stopping power. I seriously doubt your front rotors need to be replaced.
Mercedes warranty does not cover "wear" items. I'm not sure if other companies cover the same thing, definitely not BMW.
Honestly, I would wait until the sensor comes on. There's a reason why it exists heh.
Actually, you should ask them why they suggest changing the brake pads but the sensor doesn't say so. I wonder what their answer would be.
Also, the front rotors are not that complex. I'm surprised your shop is having a hard time changing the pads.
So yea, I believe they are skimming money from you. I'm surprised that your rear pads are that worn down. If your rear pads are indeed down to 35% life, then your front pads need to be change. Front brakes make up for majority of the stopping power. I seriously doubt your front rotors need to be replaced.
Mercedes warranty does not cover "wear" items. I'm not sure if other companies cover the same thing, definitely not BMW.
Honestly, I would wait until the sensor comes on. There's a reason why it exists heh.
Actually, you should ask them why they suggest changing the brake pads but the sensor doesn't say so. I wonder what their answer would be.
Also, the front rotors are not that complex. I'm surprised your shop is having a hard time changing the pads.
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Joined: Dec 2001
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From: cali
2002 mercedes clk coupe
Re: jez
Originally posted by JamE55
Here's my $0.02 try taking the car to another MB dealer and see what they have to say. I think these guys were your taking your car too is trying to get some $$$$$ out of you.
Here's my $0.02 try taking the car to another MB dealer and see what they have to say. I think these guys were your taking your car too is trying to get some $$$$$ out of you.
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Southern California, USA
2003 CL55 AMG
Sounds like a possible scam to me.... If anything, I could believe that your pads are possibly worn, however, if your brake pad sensors have not lit up inside your cabin yet, they still haveu seable life to them.
Unless something is really abnormal, your front rotots should be fine. I have never heard of ayone going though front rotors with stock pads in 21,000 miles undern ormal conditions.
Unless something is really abnormal, your front rotots should be fine. I have never heard of ayone going though front rotors with stock pads in 21,000 miles undern ormal conditions.
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Joined: Dec 2001
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From: cali
2002 mercedes clk coupe
Originally posted by awiner
Sounds like a possible scam to me.... If anything, I could believe that your pads are possibly worn, however, if your brake pad sensors have not lit up inside your cabin yet, they still haveu seable life to them.
Unless something is really abnormal, your front rotots should be fine. I have never heard of ayone going though front rotors with stock pads in 21,000 miles undern ormal conditions.
Sounds like a possible scam to me.... If anything, I could believe that your pads are possibly worn, however, if your brake pad sensors have not lit up inside your cabin yet, they still haveu seable life to them.
Unless something is really abnormal, your front rotots should be fine. I have never heard of ayone going though front rotors with stock pads in 21,000 miles undern ormal conditions.
but i didnt pay anything for it
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CLK 430
i know this question doesn't belong in this forum but since you guys are talking about brake scams i thought i would give you my problem...
i have a 99 clk430 that has around 34,000 miles on it
i have never changed the brake pads or rotors but when i brought her in for a-service they told me that the front rotors and pads needed to be replaced....the brake light has never came on and when i asked about the representative at rusnak said that they can be used for a few more thousand miles but that eventually i would have to bring it and since i'm already here i should have it changed.....does this seem normal or have i been scammed.....i went ahead with the rotor and pad change and it cost me a little more than 500.....
thanks in advance for the advice
i have a 99 clk430 that has around 34,000 miles on it
i have never changed the brake pads or rotors but when i brought her in for a-service they told me that the front rotors and pads needed to be replaced....the brake light has never came on and when i asked about the representative at rusnak said that they can be used for a few more thousand miles but that eventually i would have to bring it and since i'm already here i should have it changed.....does this seem normal or have i been scammed.....i went ahead with the rotor and pad change and it cost me a little more than 500.....
thanks in advance for the advice
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,906
Likes: 1
From: cali
2002 mercedes clk coupe
Originally posted by Angel_Dust
i know this question doesn't belong in this forum but since you guys are talking about brake scams i thought i would give you my problem...
i have a 99 clk430 that has around 34,000 miles on it
i have never changed the brake pads or rotors but when i brought her in for a-service they told me that the front rotors and pads needed to be replaced....the brake light has never came on and when i asked about the representative at rusnak said that they can be used for a few more thousand miles but that eventually i would have to bring it and since i'm already here i should have it changed.....does this seem normal or have i been scammed.....i went ahead with the rotor and pad change and it cost me a little more than 500.....
thanks in advance for the advice
i know this question doesn't belong in this forum but since you guys are talking about brake scams i thought i would give you my problem...
i have a 99 clk430 that has around 34,000 miles on it
i have never changed the brake pads or rotors but when i brought her in for a-service they told me that the front rotors and pads needed to be replaced....the brake light has never came on and when i asked about the representative at rusnak said that they can be used for a few more thousand miles but that eventually i would have to bring it and since i'm already here i should have it changed.....does this seem normal or have i been scammed.....i went ahead with the rotor and pad change and it cost me a little more than 500.....
thanks in advance for the advice
u should know this better
watch some news
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,906
Likes: 1
From: cali
2002 mercedes clk coupe
Originally posted by Angel_Dust
sungulent...
what news about rusnak are you talking about???
sungulent...
what news about rusnak are you talking about???
they took the hidden cams there and showed how they lie to this client at the service department
