Break Disk and Pads

[tristand]

Hi There,

Recently had my E250 CDI(C207) sport serviced at a main dealer. They informed me that the front disks and pads needed replacing. As no light had lit yet, I questioned what was left in the disks and pads, they estimated 2000-3000Km.

I did a search on the forum, doesn't seem to be much discussion on disk and pad replacement. I have seen that sports models have bigger break disks, so an associated higher cost.

They quoted me €860(£720) for parts an labour, is that reasonable? Would I be better off getting an indie sourcing the parts and doing the work, would it make much of a saving?

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

It does seem pricey. Under £500 should be your target IMHO, maybe even £400. Here's what I do.

1. Call the parts department (not service department) and ask them for prices - they're often competitive on a supply only basis (no fitting). Then ask fir a discount.

2. Try Eurocarparts and GSF - punch your registration number into their website, and you'll probably see options from different aftermarket brands.

3. Ask a few local garages for prices to fit (and you'll supply parts).

Choose the combination that you like best.

As you provided prices in Euros, then I'm guessing you're in Ireland or further afield. If in England though, you should contact the specialists who have a superb reputation on this forum, eg MSL (Birmingham), Mercland (Nuneaton), PCS (Portsmouth), Wayne Gates, etc.

 

[Paparazi]

Around £310 for you parts (Pigid discs and pads which are reasonable quality) and about 2.2 hours labour...done.

All things considered, Mercedes don't make their own brakes so the trick is to find the original manufacturers parts but supplied by a motor factors...that's if you want Mercedes quality but not their prices.
Personally I would be happy with ATE/Brembo but there are other brands that I would consider like PAGID.

Martin

 

[tonyc280]

Jesus christ. how much to replace at main dealers. More than my cars worth . Hahhh

 

[neilrr]

They quoted me €860(£720) for parts an labour, is that reasonable? Would I be better off getting an indie sourcing the parts and doing the work, would it make much of a saving?

No.

Yes.

Yes.

 

[timwood2000]

My MB dealer lost my business last service when they said I needed new discs and pads all round - they went a bit quiet when I pointed out to them they THEY had changed them (at great expense to me) less than 9 months ago!

This must be a classic dealer scam, as who wants to drive round with sub standard brakes.

They also said I had a 'corroded sump' which they couldnot elaborate on. I also declined their kind offer to replace the oil sump. When that car was brought round to the front, it was by the mechanic who had worked on the car and I asked him exactly what a 'corroded sump' meant and rather sheepishly he said that the sump was a bit corroded, but there was not leak or problem as such.

I now take the view that I will wait for the warning light to appear first for the brakes.

Shame for the dealer as they lost not only my service business, but also any chance of the new car purchase from them.

I now wouldn't trust them with anything.

 

[tristand]

Thank you all for your advice, had a feeling that the quote was a bit high, but didn't know the premium a dealer would add. I might call them and get a breakdown of the cost of the pads, discs and labor and see if they can justify the higher cost.

Bobby Dazzler, yes I'm in Ireland, so unfortunately I'm going to pay that bit more, the market is not as competitive as the UK.

timwood2000, your experience is interesting. When the main dealer rang me shortly after dropping it in for service saying that the disc and pads needed replacing (and the calipers might also need to be replaced, but he couldn't say for sure until they started the work on the discs), I questioned it as a warning light has not come on yet. They then said that there were 2000-3000Km in it before replacement was required. I do hope it was them being cautious rather than anything else.

Next step is to post looking for recommendations for an indie in the Dublin area.

 

[markjay]

When my car had 20K miles on the clock the brake pads warning light came on, so I took it to the dealer for pads replacement.

The dealer said that the discs were '1mm above minimum thickness" and recommended replacing them as well.

I did not actually go over to measure the discs... and BTW '1mm' is quite a lot as far brake disc thickness goes.

But rather than challenging the dealer's integrity I thought that at 20k miles a new pair of discs would do the car no harm.

Now at 46k miles, and the MB-fitted discs are still going strong...

From memory the cost (in London) was about £400+. My car is a basic C180K, no upgraded sports brakes, etc.

 

[dubsR33]

wheres the best place to buy cheap replacement front and rear brake pads?
cheers

 

[tonyc280]

wheres the best place to buy cheap replacement front and rear brake pads?
cheers

Euro Car Parts. T.

 

[dubsR33]

Thanks mate


Great price front and rear Eicher Brake Pads posted for £51.24


done

 

[Paparazi]

Shame......I know this is a retrospective comment but Eicher brand are pretty poor. If you have an option to swap, then please, please ditch them for the PAGID parts which are only a few quid more.

Sorry mate....

Martin

 

[dubsR33]

im not too bothered mate tbh even super cheapest of the cheap pads for how i drive will be fine.

 

[BlackC55]

Until you have to do an emergency stop.....

 

[dubsR33]

in every daily runner I've ever had since I've been driving i just replace pads with any old cheap ones and I've never ran into any problem even with the rare emergency stop etc so I'm just going by my experience.

Don't get me wrong i know the importance of decent brake pads, my 515hp skyline which I've had for 8 years now I've never cheaper out on - but my daily.. not needed

 

[mercmanuk]

I once took a c class into Mercedes whitefield for its second service with 8 k on the clock,was told it needed new pads on the front,sold it 6 years later with 40k on the clock on the same pads.

 

[Piff]

Number 1 son has just had the dashboard warning light for brake pads come on in his A Class. Rears were done at last service so this will be fronts.
Approx how many miles has he got to get it sorted?

Car has done about 30k miles and I've warned him that most garages will try to make him change the discs too.
Whats the normal expected life span of discs?

 

[Paparazi]

Replying to those comments: Of course the Eicher disc's/pads will stop you, that's NOT the issue at all. However, expect brake squeal, judder or brake surge within 6 months.
They really are that poor....of course ECP will offer to exchange them so you can do the whole job again. Unfortunately the next time you try to return them your original invoice will be over 12 months old so you will be stuck with surging/squeeking or juddering brakes...Horrible to drive with.
In reply to Piff....what you will find is at 30K the discs will be above minimum and so still usable and likely will last till the next pad change.
You probably have several thousand miles before metal to metal contact occurs but don't leave it that long or the disc's will be ruined.

Martin

 

[Piff]

In reply to Piff....what you will find is at 30K the discs will be above minimum
Martin

Do you have access to the minimum measurement? It would be good for him to have the info when he takes the car in - it is an A150 09 plate.

 

[Paparazi]

Do you have access to the minimum measurement? It would be good for him to have the info when he takes the car in - it is an A150 09 plate.

Point is: as a reputable garage, they shouldn't just be telling you that they need replacing, they should be quoting the 'measured' thickness of the old discs and pads and the Mercedes minimum allowed thickness.
If the discs are even slightly over minimum they are re-usable. The difference between brand new and minimum thickness might only be 2 - 3mm (depending on model) For example : some of the E classes use 28mm vented discs with a minimum thickness of 25.4mm so only 2.6mm from new to worn out.
Pad (friction lining minimum) is usually around 2mm but any garage worth it's salt will recommend replacement at anything less than 5mm.
Put your Reg number into a Euro Car Parts search, enter brake discs then open up the specs for front discs.
Again....a reputable garage will even take you into the garage and show you ...trouble is, do you know how to read a micrometre? lol.


Martin