My 2013 550 has 40K miles how will I know when its time to replace the brake pads what is the typical life of brake pads ?

Ed

 

Varies per driver, but at 40k I would definitely measure or at least have a look at the pad thickness.
Do the rotors have grooves?

 

These cars do also have brake wear sensors that should in principle alert you via a dash warning light before the pads get too thin. And also, if you have the original owner's manual and booklets, there should be a flat "tool" in there that you can stick between the wheel rims to measure the brake pad thickness.

 

Mine had brand new pads installed by the selling dealer when it went through the CPO process. Immediately after I took delivery I swapped out the pads for a set of carbon ceramics. Reduced the brake dust by about 90%. Also installed new wear sensors on all 4 wheels. A friend and I did the installation in his garage since he has a lift. Very pleased.

 

Do you recall what brand of carbon ceramics you used or would recommend, please?

 

PowerStop Z23-1688 Front
PowerStop Z23-1689 Rear
PowerStop SW-0505 Brake Sensors

Purchased from CARiD.com

 

Thank you! CARid.com no longer seems to stock them but they're available elsewhere. And... four sensors: one for each corner?

Thx.

 

Yes, as I recall there was a sensor on each wheel but I could be mistaken and there may be one for each axle. There are several vendors selling PowerStop. I used CARiD because I had a discount code and they had them in stock.

 

Just spent $760 in parts, RockAuto, for a complete brake job frt/rr. Pads/Hardware/Sensors/Rotors. Upgraded Dynamic Friction ceramic pads and high carbon rotors. Easy peasy 4 hours of labor in my garage.

Brake Pad Wear Sensor:
2x BECK/ARNLEY 0842081 (Standard Replacement) Front
2x BECK/ARNLEY 0841526 (Standard Replacement) Rear

Pads:
1x DYNAMIC FRICTION 1600168901 5000 Euro Ceramic; Includes Hardware Kit Rear; With AMG Sport Package
1x DYNAMIC FRICTION 1600168801 5000 Euro Ceramic; Includes Hardware Kit Front; With AMG Sport Package

Rotor:
2x DYNAMIC FRICTION 92063103 (High Performance) Hi-Carbon Alloy GEOMET Coated Rotor; Drilled Info Front; With AMG Sport Package
2x DYNAMIC FRICTION 92063102 (High Performance) Hi-Carbon Alloy GEOMET Coated Rotor; Drilled Info Rear; With AMG Sport Package

 

Before I took the plunge and put the AMG Ceramic Composite brakes on my SL450, I tried ceramic pads on the original system. I got them from Porterfield Racing Brakes in Costa Mesa, CA and they were great. Significantly less dust, excellent feel, no squeaking, etc. I highly recommend them.

 

Streamliner Are you saying that only the pads were upgraded to ceramic? No need for the sensors, rotors, etc. to be replaced? I'm hoping this is the case as I would much prefer this route vs having to replace the other parts! And, do you recall the approximate cost?

 

As I recall, they were around $350.00 for the set for all four wheels, but I can't remember for sure. I believe the sensors from the OEM pads were reused in the installation. I had an indy shop do the install and I really don't remember, only that the swap took like 30 minutes and that was it. Call Porterfield. They were very helpful. It's
a small, sort of an "old time" shop.

 

I did not replace my rotors as they were replaced by the dealer as part of the CPO certification. I only replaced pads and sensors. If your rotors are in good shape and your sensors and their wires are in good shape you can reuse them. The sensors are very easy to remove and replace and they are not expensive.

 

Streamliner Thank you very much, Sir!

 

rmorin49 Thank you very much, Sir!