rotor mileage

The brake lining wear indicator just came on in my CLK. I called the dealer to book an appt. In talking with the tech, he tells me that it will probaby need rotors. I was a little surprised at this, as this I am still on the original pads. There is no indication the rotors are warped.
I was a mechanic for years, and did hundreds of brake jobs, so I some knowledge of the workings etc.
I will want them to do an inspection of the rotors, and to check for thickness, runout, etc.
He also mentioned they do not turn rotors anymore.
Then he said that I was lucky to get 60,000 KILOMETERS out of the pads. Most only make to 40-50. I found that hard to believe.

Does anyone have the specs so I can be prepared for the inspection. I would be less than impressed to have to buy new rotors for a 1999 MERCEDES that has only 60k on it. I have had chevys that I drove MUCH harder than this car do far better than that.

[stevebfl]

I don't have the specs handy but brakes on MB are definitely a different maintenance item than many cars. Their pads often only last 20-30k and its most common to need a set of rotors at the second set of pads.

Both items are especially cheap by comparison with other cars and are basically disposable. They are not designed with the extra weight (thickness) to be remachined (most manufacturers now note that the best/least brake effort comes from worn rotors - they have the smoothest surface - the roughness of the standard machine cut reduces braking significantly).

This brake philosophy produces excellent brakes that constantly are renewed through life and are light enough to facilitate the marvelous suspensions MBs use. Unfortunately if you want truck brakes you will probaly need a truck suspension to do it right.

Don't feel bad the parts are probably cheaper than most Hondas and Hondas have some real brake problems.

[blackmercedes]

He's right. I got 60,000 kilometers out of my pads, and the front rotors. The rear rotors had lots on them, so I left them on.

My dad's 98 C230 had the rear's done at 50K, and the fronts at 60K, including rotors.

On most late model W202-derived cars (C220/230/280 and CLK) the brakes seem to last a maximum of about 60,000 kilometers.

Don't turn the rotors. Why bother? It usually runs $30-35 to resurface them. Don't know about parts prices for the CLK, but my front rotors were about $60 each.

At Weber, a brake job for my car is:

4 hours labour = $320.00
Front pads = $100.00
Rear Pads = $60.00
Front Rotors = $120.00
Rear Rotors = $90.00
Total = $690.00

Weber offers at least 10% off labour and parts, and 15% on brake jobs.

$690.00 x .85 = $586.50 for all four corners, parts and labour included. Seems fair to me. Rotors for my Acura were $150 EACH. For our 'ol 626 they're about $80.00.

BTW, our E-Class is at just over 50K, and last time I looked the fronts looked to be at 25% or so.

MB brake parts just don't last very long. At least they're cheap (compared to other import cars) and I think that it's worth it to have such good brakes.

[Ali Al-Chalabi]

A lot of it also has to do with driving environment and style.

My car now has 79k miles on it. All 4 rotors are still original. The front pads were changed at 48k miles and still have about 60% remaining. The back pads are the original ones, but will need a change in another 10k-15k miles.

Parts are (FRONT):

Pads $65.00 + Sensors

Labor $ 85.00

Total $ 150.00
---------------------------------
Pads and rotors $265.00 +Sensors

Labor $ 185.00

Total $ 450.00

Price seems to vary between dealers.

[joel]

yep, mb rotors are not turned or re-surfaced. it is either
warped or smooth. i've got 40k on my pad/rotor combo.

[blackmercedes]

Originally posted by trent
Price seems to vary between dealers.

Yup! I priced a combination interior air-filter and got prices ranging from $30 to $70 for the same part #.

Do you normally go to Hyatt or Lonestar?

[pilot2000]

I recently did the brake job on my MB (W140) The dealer wanted $1150 to do new pads, rotors, and sensors all around. I purchased the stuff and managed to keep my cost under $450.

I took my time doing them and made sure all is OK. I don't trust the dealer no more. But about turning the rotors, I have read many times that the MB rotors can't be turned, they are made of a softer metal than conventional brakes to give them lighter weight and they wear with the pads to give a much smoother surface, which helps you stop better. The car is well engineered, I found it easier to do brakes on the MB than on all of my other cars I owned in my lifetime. I am young but I owned a few, however this is my first Benz

Good luck