I was analyzing this over the wknd. Stealership recommends brake flush, here I have read brake flush every two years... etc. Not sure what MB recommends or what is in my svc book in reference to this.

Why if Mercedes supposed to be such a sturdy and durable car, does it require this and has other little quirks that other cars don't have?

I was comparing my former car, 1974 Pontiac... that car's odometer has rolled over twice, so it has about 180K miles, wait rolled over once.. so yeah 180K miles.... Its been in the family for about ten years and never have we changed the brake fluid... wtf? And yeah I agree on the other fluid changes (tranny, rear , oil, coolant, etc.)...

is it a manufacturing deficiency that our brake systems have that require this ? Or?? thanks

__________________
1995 E320 smoke silver / parchment

These cars can be expensive to own - depending on your financial situation.
deal with it and please stop complaining. if the 1974 pontiac is so good, just drive that one and leave us alone. so maybe the brake system isnt the best in the world. who really cares? just do the flush, and forget it.

thanks.
peter

You need to flush the brake system to remove moisture and other debris that can accumulate over time. This is a good procedure for ANY car, not just M-B.

I wouldn't want to see what the wheel cylinders look like on that Pontiac....

just my $.02,

Wes

The brake flush should be done on all cars every couple years to insure you get the longest life out of the calipers as possible.

__________________
Jim

Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed today, LOL You didn't really give us any positive input... so why do we have to change every 24 mths? Tell us......:p :p :p "leave us" ? Hmm... didn't know the forum had changed ownership over the wknd.. LOL

the boiling point of brake fluid decreases over time because it absorbs moisture. new fluid may boil at 400 degrees, while the fluid in your pontiac would probably boil at 220. if you were descending down a mountain road, your pontiac fluid would boil and you'd fly off the mountain, while the benz with new fluid would be fine. fluid costs like $10 for the good stuff (ATE) and you can get a vacuum or pressure bleeder for $20-45.

__________________
2005 Mercedes C230k sport sedan, 6 speed
1987 Porsche 924S - 968-engined track car

Not causing waves or anything, but I asked someone else who was a mechanic for a few decades (not mercedes) and he said he never has had to flush brake fluid just for the flushing.... like an oil change... I mean that master cylinder is sealed tight, if not your brakes would not hold pressure, so how could moisture leak in? If it does, then you have a bigger problem, no?

We're not talking about it being an issue of money, so please don't read between the lines. Just durability, I guess. Complain? Now that I have a 95 E320 , that is the best car in the world, tommorrow when I have somethign else THAT will be the best car in the world, LOL... I have no complaints, just like spearheading good and bad.... I am not like most "enthusiast" owners of any make that scoot deficiencies under the rug mat

You do not need have to flush out every 2 years, it is just a recommendation.

But brake fluid is hygroscopic in that it will absorb moisture (via the breather hole in the reservoir) over time, the more time the more moisture. Now moisture has 2 bad effects in the brake system, it will encourage corrosion - pistons and cylinders which will be a problem in the medium to long terms. But right now that wee bit of moisture could prove to be a killer - you see if you are using the system hard and system temperatures rise (as they do!!) that moisture turns to vapour which means you foot will go flat to the floor and in the worst case you (and others ) may end up totalled. The hydraulic principle relies on the near incompressibility of liquids once you have vapor then it will compress rather than move pistons and pads.

Your choice at the end of the day. It is a relatively straight forward procedure to do yourself. The guys your side of the pond favour a power bleeder. A search on this forum should turn it up.

NormanB

__________________
NormanB
230 TE (W124) 1989 with 153,000 miles on the clock - hoping for at least another 100K

The brake reservoir is at atmospheric pressure at all times and just provides a small head to the master cylinder where the pressure is developed. The piston being moved to develop this pressure is actuated by your boot and amplified by engine vacuum in the 'booster'.

Have fun.

__________________
NormanB
230 TE (W124) 1989 with 153,000 miles on the clock - hoping for at least another 100K

sorry - yes, youre right, im not in a very good mood today. as for positive input, i dont know a lot about brakes, but it seems that any recommended service should probably be done. i know it gets expensive (ask me, im a college student), but it seems that the risks outweigh the annoyance.
i probably dont read all of your posts, but the ones i have read all have something negative to say about these cars. ill be the first to admit that im not always extremely happy with my car, but overall i think they are quite good and nice to drive.
now, back to the actual technical advice...

sorry again
peter

The master cylinder is not sealed tight and it doesn't have to be from the standpoint of having a system that stops the car. You can leave off the cap and the brakes will work as they should until the fluid sloshes out and/or the fluid abosrbs enough moisture to make it useless.

You do what makes you comfortable. It seems everyone except the folks who write owner's manuals say to change oil every 3000 miles. You choose who you want to believe.

Are you next going to jump on MB for recommending power steering fluid flushes when few if any other manufacturers or independent mechanics agree? Is it ludicrous to have a power steering fluid filter?

BTW, I hope SteveB doesn't see this thread.

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

yosshimura, it's your car and you can do the manufacturers maintenance or not, but I tend to trust the folks in the white lab coats in Stuttgart over "Al" or "Larry" down at the local garage working on Pontiacs. Any mechanical device will benefit from regular and thorough maintenance, perhaps that would explain why my 19 year old W201 is still a joy to drive.

MB's have historically been engineered and manufactured with the idea that each car will run safely and soundly for 10 years or more, certainly more. The quality is pervasive, and most likely a big part of why we all like them so much. MB's are also mechanical devices with many moving parts. In order to keep this mechnical device operating safely and soundly for the ages, routine maintenance is a necessity, as it is with any mechanical device. Brake fluid, power steering fluid, etc. are all part of the equation.

Kudos to MB engineers and management to recommend maintenance items that other manfacturers choose to ignore. It speaks highly of their opinion of MB owners.

For cars built of lesser quality, it may not matter if the power steering fluid is changed, for instance. Given the limited life span of most cars on the road today, there may only be a marginal benefit to peforming such maintenance. However, in order to maximize the quality inherent in an MB vehicle, such maintenance is time and money well spent.

__________________
2004 E320 Wagon
1989 300SE
1998 Range Rover 4.0 SE

I'd say the 'normal' mode of operation for most people is to simply wait until some brake component fails, forcing the matter of a flush. Heck, many treat their gearboxes and transmissions, and cooling systems like that too. I'd say at least most folks are aware of motor oil changes...

The thing is, given a reasonable flushing interval, brake components can last indefinitely.

IMO, the flush will save you money in the long run, and keep you ON that mountain road...

__________________
1986 300E 5-Speed 240k mi.

The brake flush keeps you from having to replace calipers in my opinion.

__________________
Jim