That it would cost so much to do the brakes, I would've done them earlier.

Here's a good lesson to learn. Bought car, PO said, oh I just changed the brakes. Believed him. Brake squeals a little when I bought it. No biggie, probably just new.

Fast forward a couple of months. Brake really squealing now. Car feels a little 'loose' when braking hard. I don't drive too fast, so it doesn't bother me much. Drive over to Bens Lover's house. We have a look, decide that it looks bad. Pads are good on back, but rotors are shot, front and back. Front bads are at their service limit. OK I go hunt for pads and rotors.

So today, drove over to Bens Lovers house. Take everything apart, and discover that the caliper pistons are seized. Won't budge even a millimeter even with C-Clamps. Rush over to the local parts store. Pick up a pair of reman front calipers. $263!! Yegods! Back at BLs house, put everything back together and drop the front.

Raise the back, took off the right rear, and ...yaaay, the piston slides back in like a hot knife through butter. Don't even need C-clamps when the channel-lock will do. Take the left rear apart and the bloody piston is jammed. Tried everything. Run to parts shop. The guy's closed already, but we see him in the parking lot and collar him. He makes a call. And runs somewhere to pick it up. He delivers it to us (in his 190E, of course) And tells me, 'pop by the shop Monday. we'll work something out'. Ouch that sounds expensive .

Lesson learnt: If I had just changed the rotors and pads when I first got the car, I could probably have saved the calipers.

Moral of the day: Shop around. Never buy when you have no choice. Its probably cheaper.

Special thanks to Bens Lover, who gave up his entire morning, afternoon and a good part of the evening. Couldn't have done it without you buddy...man, you're a treasure trove of wisdom and experience. Thanks again!

__________________
1987 300TD
1984 300D
755,000 KM and going strong
BC Canada