Hello all, ever since I purchased my 2006 E500 4-Matic 3 years ago, the brake pedal has required a significant amount of pressure to modulate the brakes. After driving for a few hours my right leg hurts from all the stop and go in NYC. I always assumed its just how SBC feels, because I never experienced SBC brakes before purchasing this car. But I now know that's not the case.
Its also not easy to stop smoothly, as it just feels like I'm not able to modulate them the way I want. Also, there's a pulsation, but my brake pads are still very meaty. I have new rotors and pads in the box ready to install, but I want to fix the hard pedal issue first.
I work at an independent mechanic shop, and we don't specialize in Mercedes, but we have an expensive snap-on scanner. What should I look for to try to understand what's going on?
Thank you!

 

Pulsation is most likely from the warped rotors.

 

do you know if the SBC has been replaced under the recall?