W124 300D Rotor/Pad Life Span - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

JamesDean · #1 10-28-2014, 10:03 AM

Morning All,

Past few days I've been getting--what feels like to me--rotor warp brake pedal vibration.

Based on my records I've got about 35K on the front rotors and pads. Balo/Pagid.

Does this sound like normal wear for ~35K?

shertex · #2 10-28-2014, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesDean

Morning All,

Past few days I've been getting--what feels like to me--rotor warp brake pedal vibration.

Based on my records I've got about 35K on the front rotors and pads. Balo/Pagid.

Does this sound like normal wear for ~35K?

Obviously depends on amount of braking you do over that 35k miles. But yes, with exact same car, pads, and rotors, that's about what I expect; if I get 30k on fronts, I'm happy. FWIW I do 50/50 hwy/city on that car.

JamesDean · #3 10-28-2014, 11:22 AM

I dont do a whole heck of a lot I mean....I do 130 miles a day, mostly highway.

vstech · #4 10-28-2014, 11:37 AM

it depends on what conditions you drive in.
lots of water spots, or hot hard braking, can warp rotors in a hurry...

JamesDean · #5 10-28-2014, 11:42 AM

Hmm I do brake pretty hard. I'll put a new set of rotors on my list of things to do before the winter hits.

dieselbenz1 · #6 10-28-2014, 02:18 PM

Winter has hit in my part. I run the same pads and rotors pads seem about right but rotors I get close to 100 k miles but seldom do I brake hard only in a panic.

engatwork · #7 10-28-2014, 03:57 PM

When was last time wheel bearings were serviced?

dieselbenz1 · #8 10-28-2014, 04:11 PM

Checked 2x per year full repack service every 4 years.

JamesDean · #9 10-28-2014, 04:20 PM

Hrmm. I'd have to check the records. I just had my 190's re-packed.

The 300D....I personally have not done...I bought it in '12. Records might show PO did it but not sure. Would have to check.

Its due for a transmission service in another 1000 miles. I'll just have them check it when I have them to the tranny. Its about due for a pre-winter check over anyway.

winmutt · #10 10-28-2014, 06:41 PM

Might as well upgrade to 4 pots while you are in there

JamesDean · #11 10-28-2014, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by winmutt

Might as well upgrade to 4 pots while you are in there

Well...I do have a set of 4-pots sitting in my tool box here...

They've just been sitting there though, not sure what kind of shape they are in. They were rebuilts purchased in like 2011 or something.

PaulH · #12 10-29-2014, 02:11 AM

Through the 27+ years that I've owned my 300SDL I've found that balo rotors and textar pads give me the best service. The textars don't dust as much as the others that I've tried. Anyway, in the Wash DC area, with heavy traffic and interstate highways, my brake pads last about 24,000 -28,000 miles and I replace the rotors every other time that I replace the pads. The rotors could be used longer, but I use the brakes hard at times, so I think that it's cheap insurance to have thick rotors. Never had any uneven braking.

t walgamuth · #13 10-29-2014, 07:03 AM

After you have changed them a few times after 30K you may learn to brake easier as I have.

I always keep my brakes tip top but only brake hard in a pinch.

PaulH · #14 10-29-2014, 09:22 AM

With the crazy drivers in the DC area, one needs to brake hard just to stay in one piece. By the way, I asked the dealer service manager at the MB dealership how long the brakes should last in this crazy driving area. He said that I would be lucky to get 20,000 miles on pads and maybe 40,000 on the rotors. This was when the car was new. And, this manager, who had been a mechanic, is a friend of mine, so I do not think that he was B S'ing me. By the way, the MB pads and rotors lasted about that long and that's when I went hunting for longer lasting parts. I ended up with balo rotors and textar pads after trying various brands. On the DC beltway, you will be going 70-75 mph just to keep from getting run over, then the next min, everyone slows down to maybe 35 mph or even stops! Stay in the midwest and enjoy your driving...

t walgamuth · #15 10-29-2014, 09:43 AM

There is truth in your statement but allowing a bigger following distance allows easier braking.

I always find it hard in these big urban areas to take all the people diving into my following distance but I don't wish to tailgate and risk rear ending someone.