Brake job and battery
Member
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 224
Likes: 133
From: Colorado
2015 S550 4Matic, 2014 ML550
Last month had my rear brakes done for $1022 on my 2015 S550. Minus a $150 "Winter Service Discount" promotion.
And now a rant...
Warped rear rotors on a new CPO vehicle that I purchased out of state in November. This is something that the certification process should have caught. Personally, I think they screwed up. The tech doing the CPO cut corners by not measuring the rotors and recording the results as prescribed. He simply test drove it and made a judgement call about the condition of the rotors. I can only conclude he guessed wrong. First time I drove it after delivery I was shocked by how much it shuddered at speed with light braking. I've been back and forth with the dealership about this. I'm hoping the Service Manager steps up and fully reimburses me for the repair. So far they've offered me half with the excuse that brake shudder is such an subjective thing. (The service manager in Colorado that repaired it got a laugh out of that when he heard it.) I believe the dealership I bought it from should pay for the whole thing. Part of it's the money, but mainly it's the principle of the thing. I bought this car because it had gone through the "extensive" CPO process. And like most of us I grew up with the old: "Do your job and stand behind your work." End of rant...
Sorry Rhschnauss, not trying to hijack the thread. Just tired and frustrated.
BTW, the brake repair eliminated the shudder.
And now a rant...
Warped rear rotors on a new CPO vehicle that I purchased out of state in November. This is something that the certification process should have caught. Personally, I think they screwed up. The tech doing the CPO cut corners by not measuring the rotors and recording the results as prescribed. He simply test drove it and made a judgement call about the condition of the rotors. I can only conclude he guessed wrong. First time I drove it after delivery I was shocked by how much it shuddered at speed with light braking. I've been back and forth with the dealership about this. I'm hoping the Service Manager steps up and fully reimburses me for the repair. So far they've offered me half with the excuse that brake shudder is such an subjective thing. (The service manager in Colorado that repaired it got a laugh out of that when he heard it.) I believe the dealership I bought it from should pay for the whole thing. Part of it's the money, but mainly it's the principle of the thing. I bought this car because it had gone through the "extensive" CPO process. And like most of us I grew up with the old: "Do your job and stand behind your work." End of rant...
Sorry Rhschnauss, not trying to hijack the thread. Just tired and frustrated.
BTW, the brake repair eliminated the shudder.
Last edited by C Swenson; Jan 16, 2020 at 12:11 AM.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 378
Likes: 114
2015 S550, 2017 GLS450
1) Price of OEM parts at the dealer which is marked up. $$ for the dealer. So much better to get the same part from the OE manufacturer than the Mercedes branded part.
2) Price of skilled labor. Although brake replacement does not take that much know how except for the extra little details that will avoid squealing. Let’s hear it for ATE Plastilube.
And yes, AMG S63 front rotor pair would set you back 2000 bucks. It’s the most expensive wear part of the S63.
Rotor warp is easy to notice right off the lot. Any dealer worth his salt would fix the problem for you if the car is a CPO
2) Price of skilled labor. Although brake replacement does not take that much know how except for the extra little details that will avoid squealing. Let’s hear it for ATE Plastilube.
And yes, AMG S63 front rotor pair would set you back 2000 bucks. It’s the most expensive wear part of the S63.
Rotor warp is easy to notice right off the lot. Any dealer worth his salt would fix the problem for you if the car is a CPO
Last edited by bkdc; Jan 16, 2020 at 02:42 AM.
Trending Topics
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 287
Likes: 74
From: Colorado
2004 W240 Maybach 57
As an MBCA Member ($50/year) you would have saved 20% on Parts & Labor, or $300 on your $1,500 bill! Every little bit helps...
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,689
Likes: 824
From: Newcastle, WA
2019 S63 4Matic+, 2018 E400 Cabrio, wardens car.
I did my front brakes for around 500 bucks, with new Rotors, CC Pads, parts and fluids if I recall. Battery is readily available for around 200 bucks at Batteries Plus. Brakes on this car are pretty easy to do if you have a floor jack, some basic hand tools and can watch a youtube video. Battery is simple as well.
Member
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 224
Likes: 133
From: Colorado
2015 S550 4Matic, 2014 ML550
Guilty as charged. I bought my car sight unseen from a MB dealership 1000 miles away. Drove it for the first time after it was delivered to me in Colorado. After purchasing five Benzes over the last forty years in person, that was a first for me and I was a bit nervous. I did however do as much due diligence as I could from afar in every other respect with the car before purchase. Other than the rotors issue it actually worked out extremely well. I got exactly what I wanted and more. Missing the rotors was me relying too much on the MB CPO inspection and certification report and not anticipating that the CPO inspection is only as good as the service department tech doing it.
Last edited by C Swenson; Jan 16, 2020 at 01:49 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 1,350
Likes: 493
From: Birmingham, AL
2019 S560, 2022 Audi S8
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 4,834
Likes: 773
From: Venice Florida
2018 S560
Ya, I thought about a S63 but the more research I did, no thanks. I just bought a 2017 certified S550 with only 16K miles and the brakes look like new and are as smooth as silk. I can just tell this car lived a very pampered like.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 287
Likes: 74
From: Colorado
2004 W240 Maybach 57
From most USA/Canada M-B Dealerships, as described here Discounts on Parts, Service & Accessories at Participating Mercedes-Benz Dealers. I get 20% on parts & labor at M-B of Colorado Springs. Check with your local dealer for their policy.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 287
Likes: 74
From: Colorado
2004 W240 Maybach 57
Member
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 224
Likes: 133
From: Colorado
2015 S550 4Matic, 2014 ML550
As an MBCA Member ($50/year) you would have saved 20% on Parts & Labor, or $300 on your $1,500 bill! Every little bit helps...
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 378
Likes: 114
2015 S550, 2017 GLS450
HUGE MASSIVE ROTORS. Apparently, the cost of making massive disc rotors are exponentially expensive. They are over engineered for high performance abuse. But a lot of it is price gouging because there is little competition/choice when it comes to the AMG rotor. I don’t think Zimmerman makes a generic rotor.
When faced with the choice of a S560 org S63 and long term maintenance costs, it’s easy to choose the S560. Adequate performance. Much easier maintenance.
When faced with the choice of a S560 org S63 and long term maintenance costs, it’s easy to choose the S560. Adequate performance. Much easier maintenance.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,493
Likes: 254
2014 S550 AMG, 2017 XT5
HUGE MASSIVE ROTORS. Apparently, the cost of making massive disc rotors are exponentially expensive. They are over engineered for high performance abuse. But a lot of it is price gouging because there is little competition/choice when it comes to the AMG rotor. I don’t think Zimmerman makes a generic rotor.
When faced with the choice of a S560 org S63 and long term maintenance costs, it’s easy to choose the S560. Adequate performance. Much easier maintenance.
When faced with the choice of a S560 org S63 and long term maintenance costs, it’s easy to choose the S560. Adequate performance. Much easier maintenance.
They even replace used oil.... I cant make this stuff up...
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 378
Likes: 114
2015 S550, 2017 GLS450
FCP will give you FREE replacement parts at no charge as long as you have proof of payment from them. So, if you buy pads and rotors at a reasonable price from them, they will replace at NO CHARGE no matter what is wrong with them. No questions asked.... don't take my word for it, call them or look them up.... They even replace used oil.... I cant make this stuff up...
They even replace used oil.... I cant make this stuff up...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 1,073
Likes: 596
From: Florida
18 AMG GTC and 22 F150 Limited. Past owner 16 Maybach, 17 Brabus Smartcar, 06 Ford E150, and 22 G70
Rear brakes for my Maybach was about 100 dollars doing it myself. The rear rotors were in measurement tolerance so I did not have to replace them but I did take them off and scuff them up so they mated with the new pads.
Easy job.
Easy job.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,493
Likes: 254
2014 S550 AMG, 2017 XT5
Katie22, is there a rear and front diff on the 4matic? And/or Xfer case for front. Interested in doing fluids. Cannot find much info. Also on the transmission, looks like MB had 3 different overflow tubes depending on year, I think original was Black, then changed to green and white. I'm sure you have done yours already, you seem to be on top of things. I have 2014 W222 4Matic
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 1,073
Likes: 596
From: Florida
18 AMG GTC and 22 F150 Limited. Past owner 16 Maybach, 17 Brabus Smartcar, 06 Ford E150, and 22 G70
Nice Ride you got to spend less than 20 dollars on ebay and get a copy of Mercedes WIS and learn how to use it. Once you figure it out you will be getting directions custom tailored to your particular VIN number.
Now the v12 Maybach does not have 4matic but the v8 does. I did change the rear diff fluid on mine a while back. It was very easy. As far as the trans fluid change your directions will be in WIS for your car specifically. My car used the green overflow tube BUT you use a scan tool to do final fill. So the job entails buying a scan tool like icarsoft mb2 and a filler adapter and then finally a fluid change kit like here https://www.ebay.com/itm/ATF-Filter-...d/372228202974
On my car with the start stop feature it uses the ravnol M9FE fluid.
If you recall my car did not have the drain plug in the torque converter so I used only half the fluid that came in the kit so basically I am ready for another change out next time I do it fluid wise.
For your front differential you would have to look in WIS to see what service that entails.
Now the v12 Maybach does not have 4matic but the v8 does. I did change the rear diff fluid on mine a while back. It was very easy. As far as the trans fluid change your directions will be in WIS for your car specifically. My car used the green overflow tube BUT you use a scan tool to do final fill. So the job entails buying a scan tool like icarsoft mb2 and a filler adapter and then finally a fluid change kit like here https://www.ebay.com/itm/ATF-Filter-...d/372228202974
On my car with the start stop feature it uses the ravnol M9FE fluid.
If you recall my car did not have the drain plug in the torque converter so I used only half the fluid that came in the kit so basically I am ready for another change out next time I do it fluid wise.
For your front differential you would have to look in WIS to see what service that entails.
Last edited by Katie22; Jan 19, 2020 at 08:44 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,493
Likes: 254
2014 S550 AMG, 2017 XT5
Nice Ride you got to spend less than 20 dollars on ebay and get a copy of Mercedes WIS and learn how to use it. Once you figure it out you will be getting directions custom tailored to your particular VIN number.
Now the v12 Maybach does not have 4matic but the v8 does. I did change the rear diff fluid on mine a while back. It was very easy. As far as the trans fluid change your directions will be in WIS for your car specifically. My car used the green overflow tube BUT you use a scan tool to do final fill. So the job entails buying a scan tool like icarsoft mb2 and a filler adapter and then finally a fluid change kit like here https://www.ebay.com/itm/ATF-Filter-...d/372228202974
On my car with the start stop feature it uses the ravnol M9FE fluid.
If you recall my car did not have the drain plug in the torque converter so I used only half the fluid that came in the kit so basically I am ready for another change out next time I do it fluid wise.
For your front differential you would have to look in WIS to see what service that entails.
Now the v12 Maybach does not have 4matic but the v8 does. I did change the rear diff fluid on mine a while back. It was very easy. As far as the trans fluid change your directions will be in WIS for your car specifically. My car used the green overflow tube BUT you use a scan tool to do final fill. So the job entails buying a scan tool like icarsoft mb2 and a filler adapter and then finally a fluid change kit like here https://www.ebay.com/itm/ATF-Filter-...d/372228202974
On my car with the start stop feature it uses the ravnol M9FE fluid.
If you recall my car did not have the drain plug in the torque converter so I used only half the fluid that came in the kit so basically I am ready for another change out next time I do it fluid wise.
For your front differential you would have to look in WIS to see what service that entails.
Thanks Again.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 1,073
Likes: 596
From: Florida
18 AMG GTC and 22 F150 Limited. Past owner 16 Maybach, 17 Brabus Smartcar, 06 Ford E150, and 22 G70
I would NOT suggest any specific seller of wis I would only look for a 2019 version. As far as the oil change I would caution you that the new cars with the synthetic oil do not need the attention your giving the car with the sea foam stuff. Same goes for draining the pan. I did that the first several times and now have the vacuum tool that sucks it out. The tool also is great for doing brake fluid changes, diff fluid changes, anything where you have to suck out fluids or need a vacuum.
So if you want to see an example of what WIS click this link. https://mbworld.org/forums/amg-gt/66...intenance.html. You will see someone took the time to put all the services for the AMG GT (although NOT vin specific so there is some variations such as regular vs carbon ceramic brakes).
Note this is Just the maintenance directions for the car. WIS and the parts manual EPC and MSS go into great detail about service works and pretty much anything to do with any mercedes.
So if you want to see an example of what WIS click this link. https://mbworld.org/forums/amg-gt/66...intenance.html. You will see someone took the time to put all the services for the AMG GT (although NOT vin specific so there is some variations such as regular vs carbon ceramic brakes).
Note this is Just the maintenance directions for the car. WIS and the parts manual EPC and MSS go into great detail about service works and pretty much anything to do with any mercedes.
