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Hey all,
Been doing some reading on tires and brakes. I live in South West Florida so I don't need all seasons and I don't want RF's. My 2013 SL550 currently has Michelin Pilot A/S 3+ on them which seem to do the job fine but the backs are worn and they are 6 years old give or take (I just got the car in Nov 24 with 50K miles). My main question for those who have the experience is for wet traction, which is needed down here, are the summer Michelin PS 4S just as good in the wet as the A/S 3+? Trying to decide between the PS 4S or if I should go with the A/S 4 (assuming thats the replacement for the 3+).
Now for the brakes. I have replaced brake pads and rotors on Chevy's, Pontiacs, Nissan/Infiniti. Is it really much different? For $100 I can get Power Stop Z23 carbon/ceramic for the front and back. The dealership has a 'special' for over $500 for the front and over $500 for the rear to replace pads. The 'special' sounds like a special rip off! I know its a dealer and all but unless it requires a $500 tool how is it so expensive? I have a hydraulic jack and can get a jack block and do it if its not crazy different from other cars. Just making sure I haven't missed anything in my searches.
So glad this site is here to help people like myself! I appreciate all the advice I've gotten so far from everyone, even if you don't know you gave me any!
I put the Power Stops on my SL 5 years ago. Dramatic reduction in dust and good smooth braking with no squeals.
I also ditched the run flats for a set of staggered Continental DWS06+ but they're all seasons. Great tires.
I have to agree. I put the Continental DWS06+ on my car in December/23. 12,000 miles and still look great and ride even better.
I'm in the Atlanta area so no snow to deal with here.
No help on the brakes, I haven't had to change mine yet. Pretty straight forward on the change after you put them in service mode.
I'll be doing my own when the time comes.
Brawndo,
If you're replacing the rear brake pads/ rotors, you need to do some research on going into the menu and retracting the emergency brakes. It's real simple, all right there in there in the onboard menu. Incidentally, while you're there, FYI, you can flush the brake fluid in the R231 like old school. The pics attached are from recent work I did on my ML350. It has 44k on her, it didn't need brakes, I just was looking for something to tinker with as I'm an old MB tech/ restoration tech from many years ago. The pics are to motivate you, but don't go by what you see, I work on everything as if it's going into the Smithsonian Museum. All new brake parts were OEM ATE brand from Autohaus AZ that now ships from multiple locations.
Thanks for the replies all. I went with the Pilot Sport AS 4 and power stops. Found a local guy that came out to the house to swap tires and had him do the brakes while he was here. Worked out great. So far the power stops are quiet and so much less dust!
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
Mercedes brakes are much easier than something like Audi/VW or Saab. Mercedes still uses the drum-style parking brake, so no special tool required to retract the rear brake piston. You just need to put the brakes in service mode, as mentioned by @THORGOD .
Jetta,
Your statement ,"Mercedes still uses the drum-style parking brake", is incorrect. The parking/emergency brake is applied by the discs, this is why you have to retract the piston before attempting any brake work.
I have to agree. I put the Continental DWS06+ on my car in December/23. 12,000 miles and still look great and ride even better.
I'm in the Atlanta area so no snow to deal with here.
No help on the brakes, I haven't had to change mine yet. Pretty straight forward on the change after you put them in service mode.
I'll be doing my own when the time comes.
It’s been awhile, but I drove in snow, in Atlanta, driving home from work in downtown. I was heading to the powers ferry/Vinings area right about where the chattahoochie crosses I-75. About a foot of powdery snow, that packed down to about 3-4 inches of soft pack that was sticking doggedly to the road.
Maybe the quality of snow drivers in Atlanta has improved since then, but if it hasn’t, I would recommend not driving in those conditions, in Atlanta, with Atlanta snow drivers, for safety’s sake.
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
Originally Posted by THORGOD
Jetta,
Your statement ,"Mercedes still uses the drum-style parking brake", is incorrect. The parking/emergency brake is applied by the discs, this is why you have to retract the piston before attempting any brake work.
Thor
Not true for my C-class or my SL-class. They both use drum parking brakes. (They are notemergency brakes and I doubt the electric parking brakes could even be used as such.)
Not true for my C-class or my SL-class. They both use drum parking brakes. (They are notemergency brakes and I doubt the electric parking brakes could even be used as such.)
When I replaced my F&R pads about 5 years ago all I did for the rear is release the parking brake to remove the pads and install the new ones.
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
CORRECTION/CLARIFICATION
Apparently, cars with Electric Parking Brakes do use the disc brake calipers to hold the car in place, where cars with manual parking brakes use the drum-style parking brake.
My 2004 SL500 had the mechanical parking brakes with brake shoes and a drum.
Emergency braking
The vehicle can also be braked during an
emergency by using the electric parking brake.
X While driving, push handle : of the electric
parking brake.
The vehicle is braked for as long as the handle
of the electric parking brake is pressed.
The longer the electric parking brake handle
is depressed, the greater the braking force.
Parking 149
Driving and parking
I just tried applying the parking brake while driving. It definitely engaged. Warning comes on to release the parking brake. DUH! I guess it could be used in the event of hydraulic pressure failure.
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