SLR/C199/R199/Z199: Well just wanted to let you all know
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
Well just wanted to let you all know
that after only 3 weeks in the ownership of an 06 SLR MB north america is sending someone out to look at the brakes of the SLR.
The ceramic brakes of the SLR make way WAY too much noise. I have used full on race pads on my E46 M3 and they didnt make as much noise as the SLR. The techs at our local dealership said that its just the nature of ceramic brakes but we brought our carrera GT in with ceramic brakes that dont make a peep and showed them how they should act. MB of NA responded by putting their SLR specialist on a plane from New jersey. If the brakes arent fixed soon the car will be lemoned.
Just wanted to let all the SLR owners out there know that the noise from the pads is NOT normal. We have cars with ceramics and they dont make noise at all. One tech even suggested going 180mph on the freeway and doing hard braking to stop the squeeling for a small amount of time.
The ceramic brakes of the SLR make way WAY too much noise. I have used full on race pads on my E46 M3 and they didnt make as much noise as the SLR. The techs at our local dealership said that its just the nature of ceramic brakes but we brought our carrera GT in with ceramic brakes that dont make a peep and showed them how they should act. MB of NA responded by putting their SLR specialist on a plane from New jersey. If the brakes arent fixed soon the car will be lemoned.
Just wanted to let all the SLR owners out there know that the noise from the pads is NOT normal. We have cars with ceramics and they dont make noise at all. One tech even suggested going 180mph on the freeway and doing hard braking to stop the squeeling for a small amount of time.
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Let me know what they decide
We took ours in after about 2 weeks for the exact same thing. After about 4 days and many phone calls from the local tech to Germany, they decided that it's just designed that way!
You're right though, it squeals like no other car alive! And I don't car what you compare it to. Sometimes it drowns out the radio with the windows up, and still makes you hold your fingers in your ears.
Interestingly enough, when it's really, really cold (like 15F), they don't squeal much.
Also, if there's some mist in the air at warmer temperature, they don't squeal much either.
We've always found that on a normal day, just after starting the car, it doesn't squeal for about 5 minutes. Then it begins to get worse and worse, until you'd swear the tornado sirens are going off everytime you hit the brakes. And as for that 100 Mph stomp on the brake thing... forget it. It does stop the squealing for about 1 minute, then the squeal comes back.
Haven't had the chance to drive it in hot weather, though.
So, what we usually do is race up to stoplights, and stomp on the brakes! No squeal when you do that. However, you tend to get nauseated after a few stops!
We won't trash the car (don't have a GT to fall back on), but something MUST be done!
You're right though, it squeals like no other car alive! And I don't car what you compare it to. Sometimes it drowns out the radio with the windows up, and still makes you hold your fingers in your ears.
Interestingly enough, when it's really, really cold (like 15F), they don't squeal much.
Also, if there's some mist in the air at warmer temperature, they don't squeal much either.
We've always found that on a normal day, just after starting the car, it doesn't squeal for about 5 minutes. Then it begins to get worse and worse, until you'd swear the tornado sirens are going off everytime you hit the brakes. And as for that 100 Mph stomp on the brake thing... forget it. It does stop the squealing for about 1 minute, then the squeal comes back.
Haven't had the chance to drive it in hot weather, though.
So, what we usually do is race up to stoplights, and stomp on the brakes! No squeal when you do that. However, you tend to get nauseated after a few stops!
We won't trash the car (don't have a GT to fall back on), but something MUST be done!
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
yeah it seems like the front brakes squeel like
hell for us too. It also happens after about 5 minutes of driving the car when the car is at normal operating temperatures.
Having driven on the track with race pads It might be that the pads arent bedded in right but im not gonna go and bed in twenty thousand dollar pads!
The slr specialist is coming from NJ and if he says that its normal we are gonna give him a ride in the CGT straight to our lawyers office.
I understand that this is a high performance car and that there should be some tradeoffs of comfort for performace, but if you put in an auto transmission and market the car as everyday grand tourer supercar the owners of the car shouldnt drive the car with their hands over their ears in both pain and shame!
Having driven on the track with race pads It might be that the pads arent bedded in right but im not gonna go and bed in twenty thousand dollar pads!
The slr specialist is coming from NJ and if he says that its normal we are gonna give him a ride in the CGT straight to our lawyers office.
I understand that this is a high performance car and that there should be some tradeoffs of comfort for performace, but if you put in an auto transmission and market the car as everyday grand tourer supercar the owners of the car shouldnt drive the car with their hands over their ears in both pain and shame!
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 627
Likes: 1
From: The Earth
Mercedes all the way!
i believe it isn't the ceramic brakes, or at least not just that. IMHO SBC is likely to be the real culprit. even on E-classes, the brakes squeel sometimes - i have not been able to pinpoint when that actually happens, but it is never persistent. my personal guess is that the calipers engage too suddenly. perhaps having ceramic brakes exacerbates the problem - but again, i'm only guessing =)
do let us know how it goes!
do let us know how it goes!
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Some people don't understand the magnitude of the squeal...
I appreciate comments from people like Ruykava, but people don't seem to understand how freakin loud this really is. We checked the other day (just for fun), and I can genuinely hear the car stopping 1 mile away!!!
It IS embarrassing when people crack up when you stop. Shouldn't be that way in ANY car, much less one of this magnitude.
I'm dying to know what the MB guy says. Keep us informed!
It IS embarrassing when people crack up when you stop. Shouldn't be that way in ANY car, much less one of this magnitude.
I'm dying to know what the MB guy says. Keep us informed!
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 261
Likes: 1
From: Toronto, Canada
Mercedes
I know what you guys mean, a friend recently got one and when we went riding in it just when there was about 200clicks on the car stopping at an interesection was embarressing. The reactions were so odd because you'd never think a nicer high end car doing such a thing, but once your going and the brakes aren't squeeling its just priceless.
Trending Topics
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 570
Likes: 0
From: Northeast
2002 MB E55 AMG
"The slr specialist is coming from NJ and if he says that its normal we are gonna give him a ride in the CGT straight to our lawyers office."
Betcha he looks something like this -
Betcha he looks something like this -
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: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,098
Likes: 0
From: Lawrence, KS (USA)
S500/W220/2000
While waiting for my car to be serviced a month or so ago, one of the sales guys told me they had an SLR in the shop at the time, waiting for factory techs to arrive because the brakes squealed and they couldn't fix the problem. This was a major MB dealer w/ an excellent shop full of their own techs, so the problem must be very serious, and apparently chronic, across most SLRs. This was in KC, MO (Aristocrat Motors). It would be interesting to know how many owners DO NOT have this problem...
Almost a Member!
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Long Island NY
FORD F350 PICK UP
Originally Posted by quickburn
that after only 3 weeks in the ownership of an 06 SLR MB north america is sending someone out to look at the brakes of the SLR.
The ceramic brakes of the SLR make way WAY too much noise. I have used full on race pads on my E46 M3 and they didnt make as much noise as the SLR. The techs at our local dealership said that its just the nature of ceramic brakes but we brought our carrera GT in with ceramic brakes that dont make a peep and showed them how they should act. MB of NA responded by putting their SLR specialist on a plane from New jersey. If the brakes arent fixed soon the car will be lemoned.
Just wanted to let all the SLR owners out there know that the noise from the pads is NOT normal. We have cars with ceramics and they dont make noise at all. One tech even suggested going 180mph on the freeway and doing hard braking to stop the squeeling for a small amount of time.
The ceramic brakes of the SLR make way WAY too much noise. I have used full on race pads on my E46 M3 and they didnt make as much noise as the SLR. The techs at our local dealership said that its just the nature of ceramic brakes but we brought our carrera GT in with ceramic brakes that dont make a peep and showed them how they should act. MB of NA responded by putting their SLR specialist on a plane from New jersey. If the brakes arent fixed soon the car will be lemoned.
Just wanted to let all the SLR owners out there know that the noise from the pads is NOT normal. We have cars with ceramics and they dont make noise at all. One tech even suggested going 180mph on the freeway and doing hard braking to stop the squeeling for a small amount of time.
Rick
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
yeah sorry been busy here is what they did
the tech came in and looked at the car and said that the brakes needed to be properly bedded in. They didnt change anything but properly heat cycled the brakes so that they perform and dont squeel as much.
They did say that it might have to be done once in a while to limit the squeel.
THE RESULT: The car still squeels but its 60% better. Its not as loud or annoying and definetley not as embarrassing as before.
Apparently the boys in germany are looking for a permanent solution but who knows if its for real or not.
Anyways i reccomend anyone who hasnt done this to have the dealer do it for them. It requires many above speed limit emergency stops so dont risk your liscence let your dealer take care of it.
If it gets worse again the car is going back to the dealership. They have 2 more times to fix it then we are declaring the car a lemon and they can keep it.
Hope this helps all the SLR owners out there.
They did say that it might have to be done once in a while to limit the squeel.
THE RESULT: The car still squeels but its 60% better. Its not as loud or annoying and definetley not as embarrassing as before.
Apparently the boys in germany are looking for a permanent solution but who knows if its for real or not.
Anyways i reccomend anyone who hasnt done this to have the dealer do it for them. It requires many above speed limit emergency stops so dont risk your liscence let your dealer take care of it.
If it gets worse again the car is going back to the dealership. They have 2 more times to fix it then we are declaring the car a lemon and they can keep it.
Hope this helps all the SLR owners out there.
ON PROBATION
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,024
Likes: 0
That's why I haven't suffered unduly with 'the problem' ! -- I always bed-in my brakes ( or I know that's where the squeeling is comng from and then bed them in).
I have alot of cars, exotics as well as sedans and roadsters. I usually have to re-bed them every three to six months, as well, if I use the car for just cruising into and around town any fair amount (as the bedding wears off at lower speeds/heat use).
There's a place called Stoptech, or maybe it was at APracing or Porterfield, where they give a great discussion on bedding-in, the techniques and reasons -- if you're interested in understanding it better....
I have alot of cars, exotics as well as sedans and roadsters. I usually have to re-bed them every three to six months, as well, if I use the car for just cruising into and around town any fair amount (as the bedding wears off at lower speeds/heat use).
There's a place called Stoptech, or maybe it was at APracing or Porterfield, where they give a great discussion on bedding-in, the techniques and reasons -- if you're interested in understanding it better....
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
Oh I understand it because I regularly track
my m3 with race pads that I usually bed in myself. The slr is my my father's car and he doesnt want me doing emergency from 100 mph on public roads. Thats why he let the dealer do it and its the stoptech website that has great intructions on how to bed you breaks in properly.
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Hate to say it but....
Been there, done that! That's exactly what they came up with here, and after doing several high speed stops, the problem got a 'little' better for about a couple of days. All you need then is some slow city driving on a cold day, and it's back with a vengeance!
We've never had a chance to drive ours in the heat of summer (got it in November), so I wonder if the problem is better when the temperature is about 80 degrees outside?
For now, we try to pretend that it's cool to have screaming brakes!
I also love the fact that the cellular phone cradle only handles a Motorola V60 phone (non-GSM). So basically it's obsolete on delivery! Go figure.
We've never had a chance to drive ours in the heat of summer (got it in November), so I wonder if the problem is better when the temperature is about 80 degrees outside?
For now, we try to pretend that it's cool to have screaming brakes!
I also love the fact that the cellular phone cradle only handles a Motorola V60 phone (non-GSM). So basically it's obsolete on delivery! Go figure.
ON PROBATION
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,024
Likes: 0
Well apparently this is a problem for a bunch of owners -- and not a problem for others. Too many variables? Manufacturing differences? Ambient temperature? I know a guy in MA/NY who doesn't have the problem either.... So let's hope MBZ solves it or you get new rotors.
And the phone thing? I wouldn't ever go with the V60 and so I don't have hands-free in any of my MBZ's..... Lame-*** on their part, but I suppose it is some kind of marketing agreement or something.....
And the phone thing? I wouldn't ever go with the V60 and so I don't have hands-free in any of my MBZ's..... Lame-*** on their part, but I suppose it is some kind of marketing agreement or something.....
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,875
Likes: 4
From: Tallahassee, Florida
2006 SL600, 2001 S500, 1996 SL320
?
Heat cycled or bed-in brakes what does this mean and what exactly are you trying to do, I know you are trying to get the brakes to stop their loud noises?
Almost a Member!
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
It's doing repeated full-braking stops from high speed (150+km/h) to clear off any film that may be on the brakes. You usually have to do this to new cars with carbon ceramic brakes (Challenge Stradale, CGT, SLR) as they have a film on them that comes from the manufacturing process.
I think Enzos were delivered with their brakes already broken in courtesy of Fioarano
.
I think Enzos were delivered with their brakes already broken in courtesy of Fioarano
.
ON PROBATION
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,024
Likes: 0
With metal rotors and regular 'friction' pads it is also a matter of evenly distributing a thin layer of brake pad material on the rotor surface. Usually takes say 10 repeated 80mph to 20 mph 'stops' in a row without stopping and without sitting at a standstill with the brake pads clamped on the rotor (which would leave an uneven 'hump').
Especially important when going to the track to lay down that layer, and especially if one switches to a different pad material for the track.
Normal driving around town usually wears off any layer (not enough heat but just as much friction).
I am not sure that it is the same for ceramics, which use less friction and more heat transferance ability because of the ceramics?
Ther is also the matter of breaking in the actual rotors themselves, which means getting them up evenly to high temperature and then giving them time to properly cool down.
With new pads there is also the matter of heating up the pad material to the point that any chemicals/moisture(?) inherant in the manufacturing of them is gassed off.....
Actually you are supposed to get your tires up to temp (say 20 minutes on the freeway) and then park your car for at least 48 hours to let the long-chain carbons bond (but who can do that with either a new car or new tires?!!!!).
And yes you can buy both rotors and tires that have been pre heat-treated....
Especially important when going to the track to lay down that layer, and especially if one switches to a different pad material for the track.
Normal driving around town usually wears off any layer (not enough heat but just as much friction).
I am not sure that it is the same for ceramics, which use less friction and more heat transferance ability because of the ceramics?
Ther is also the matter of breaking in the actual rotors themselves, which means getting them up evenly to high temperature and then giving them time to properly cool down.
With new pads there is also the matter of heating up the pad material to the point that any chemicals/moisture(?) inherant in the manufacturing of them is gassed off.....
Actually you are supposed to get your tires up to temp (say 20 minutes on the freeway) and then park your car for at least 48 hours to let the long-chain carbons bond (but who can do that with either a new car or new tires?!!!!).
And yes you can buy both rotors and tires that have been pre heat-treated....
Last edited by ClayJ; Dec 24, 2005 at 12:07 AM.
