Front brake pads and discs need changing

[EClassy]

I needed front discs and pad at 37,000, I thought that was a bit early then!

Almost certainly a 'scam'

The main dealer made me change my pads at 26000 miles and I complained to HQ.

Had my car from new and at every service the pads would show to be worn in incrementsbof 10%

At my 4th service, they told me pads were worn and I agreed to change them. On reflection after going through my previous paperwork I realised I had been scammed.

Yr 1 - 10% worn
Yr 2 - 20% worn
Yr 3 - 40% worn
Yr 4 - Achtung! Change pads.

How was this possible when I do the same amount of miles every year with almost identical journeys? I am the only driver too!

 

[DSM10000]

Almost certainly a 'scam'

The main dealer made me change my pads at 26000 miles and I complained to HQ.

Had my car from new and at every service the pads would show to be worn in incrementsbof 10%

At my 4th service, they told me pads were worn and I agreed to change them. On reflection after going through my previous paperwork I realised I had been scammed.

Yr 1 - 10% worn
Yr 2 - 20% worn
Yr 3 - 40% worn
Yr 4 - Achtung! Change pads.

How was this possible when I do the same amount of miles every year with almost identical journeys? I am the only driver too!

How did the dealer "make you" change your pads?

Pad wear can increase as pad material is worn down, i.e. it is not always linear.

 

[EClassy]

How did the dealer "make you" change your pads?

Pad wear can increase as pad material is worn down, i.e. it is not always linear.

When my 'trusted' garage tells me to change my pads, I dont expect them to be lying so I authorize their recommendation. I dont expect them to try to illegally drum up business over the dull Xmas period. I am sure the pads were truly worn out which is why they gave me a £100 voucher towards my next service.

Pad wear go from 40% wear to 80% over 12 months and 5000 miles and driven by the same driver in the same style on almost identical journeysbover the preceeding years?

I guess all the other examples in this thread and other forums cant be all true of scamming main stealers.

 

[DSM10000]

When my 'trusted' garage tells me to change my pads, I dont expect them to be lying so I authorize their recommendation. I dont expect them to try to illegally drum up business over the dull Xmas period. I am sure the pads were truly worn out which is why they gave me a £100 voucher towards my next service.

Pad wear go from 40% wear to 80% over 12 months and 5000 miles and driven by the same driver in the same style on almost identical journeysbover the preceeding years?

I guess all the other examples in this thread and other forums cant be all true of scamming main stealers.

So to clarify:

Your "trusted" garage recommend something you believe to be required and you "are sure the pads were truly" worn out" and therefore authorise them to carry out the work but then again due to your own calculations you do not believe pad wear can go from 40% to 80% over 5000 miles but you give them approval anyway?

 

[EClassy]

So to clarify:

Your "trusted" garage recommend something you believe to be required and you "are sure the pads were truly" worn out" and therefore authorise them to carry out the work but then again due to your own calculations you do not believe pad wear can go from 40% to 80% over 5000 miles but you give them approval anyway?

My 1st post in this thread clearly gives the wear percentage year on year and I clearly stated I only noticed this anomaly when filing away service paperwork. I authorised the change of pads because they called me while my car was with them and told me it was required. They also had me for adjustment of the self levelling headlights and a few others but I didnt fight those cause there was no proof.

I took my car in, happy in the fact that I was on a service plan and wouldnt have to pay a dime. The barsteward stealers still had me for over £500!

Garage technicians are like the doctors for cars and I would take what my doctor tells me as gospel as he is the expert. Same way I used to take the stealers technicians recommendations as gospel. But not any more. On my next service, I will tell them not to call me and just write down any recommendations in the advisory. I will then go somewhere else to get a second opinion.

Fool me once.........

 

[markjay]

It's one thing when the garage lies... but quite another when you are simply not happy with their prices.

And it is not reasonable to compare the cost of discs from ECP after forum discount and replaced DIY, with the cost of MB-branded items replaced at an MB mechanic at an MB dealer.

And yes, the owners invested heavily in premises, equipment, and staff in order to turn a profit, shock horror....

 

[nb_racing]

My 1st post in this thread clearly gives the wear percentage year on year and I clearly stated I only noticed this anomaly when filing away service paperwork. I authorised the change of pads because they called me while my car was with them and told me it was required. They also had me for adjustment of the self levelling headlights and a few others but I didnt fight those cause there was no proof.

I took my car in, happy in the fact that I was on a service plan and wouldnt have to pay a dime. The barsteward stealers still had me for over £500!

Garage technicians are like the doctors for cars and I would take what my doctor tells me as gospel as he is the expert. Same way I used to take the stealers technicians recommendations as gospel. But not any more. On my next service, I will tell them not to call me and just write down any recommendations in the advisory. I will then go somewhere else to get a second opinion.

Fool me once.........

So basically, you've agreed to have work done, and now slating the the motor trade as "scammers" and "illegal" on a public forum because you feel afterwards, with hindsight, that you made a bad decision.

Please don't give the motortrade a bad name like this. Why not just admit that, with hindsight, you'd have been happier had you had a second opinion. I don't think anyone in the motortrade, who operates morally, would object to that.

Clearly you have monitored brake wear, which is great, so did you not think when they told you you needed new brakes, it might be a bit premature? And you are perfectly entitled do ask for your old parts back so you can see for yourself.

In addition, as has been mentioned previously in this thread, it can be expected to see an exponential brake wear rate, due to the ever decreasing amount of pad and disc material to disapate a constant amount heat.

And, as I've spoken about before, had they not mentioned your brakes were worn (excessively or otherwise), then say, for example, you'd gone for some new tyres at a tyre shop, and they noticed your brakes were worn, would you complain that either the dealer missed it (cue a slating) or complain that the tyre shop was tying to rip you off (cue a slating). A no win situation for the motor trade!

And, what makes you more informed than the main dealer technician?

With all due rescpect, if you're not happy with the running costs of (what I will hazard a guess at is) an E Class Mercedes, may I politely suggest something with lower servicing a maintanence costs?

 

[C43AMG]

My S-Class is at Olly's ( PCS ) having a very large "B" Service done,which includes new Discs and Pads all round.

I have had the car since new Jan 2008 and have covered 110,000 miles. I have had the pad changed three times in that period and this is the first set of new Discs I have had.

 

[219]

....it is not reasonable to compare the cost of discs from ECP after forum discount and replaced DIY, with the cost of MB-branded items replaced at an MB mechanic at an MB dealer.

And yes, the owners invested heavily in premises, equipment, and staff in order to turn a profit, shock horror....

I think it is perfectly fair to make that comparison - the choice is open to any motorist as to whether he prefers to do the work himself and save some money ( knowing that the job has been done right because he has done it himself ) or whether to pay someone else to do it for him , and take the risk that it might not be done correctly ( main dealers of any marque are not immune from this ) .

While MB can in many cases match the prices of the aftermarket for parts sold over the counter , and in some instances I will buy only genuine MB parts , there is the counter argument that buying , for instance , a set of brake pads or discs from MB is something of a lottery : one day you might get ATE parts , the next day Pagid , another day Textar supplied items . While , in theory , all of these items have to meet MB specifications and should therefore be of equal quality and performance , many of us have our own preferences borne out of years of experiences , both good and bad , and I , for one , prefer to buy branded items of known origin .

I also have developed , over the years , a healthy distrust of garages , having seen too many bodged jobs , and will , wherever possible , do the work myself , knowing I have done it correctly . At the same time , I am the first to recognise if a job is beyond me , and will defer to one of a small number of places I have grown to trust through experience ( usually following recommendation by others ) .

 

[nb_racing]

I think it is perfectly fair to make that comparison .

What about time spent? One mans day spent avoiding a £200 labour bill could be very costly, or prove very beneficial.

 

[renault12ts]

So basically, you've agreed to have work done, and now slating the the motor trade as "scammers" and "illegal" on a public forum because you feel afterwards, with hindsight, that you made a bad decision.

Please don't give the motortrade a bad name like this. Why not just admit that, with hindsight, you'd have been happier had you had a second opinion. I don't think anyone in the motortrade, who operates morally, would object to that.

Clearly you have monitored brake wear, which is great, so did you not think when they told you you needed new brakes, it might be a bit premature? And you are perfectly entitled do ask for your old parts back so you can see for yourself.

In addition, as has been mentioned previously in this thread, it can be expected to see an exponential brake wear rate, due to the ever decreasing amount of pad and disc material to disapate a constant amount heat.

And, as I've spoken about before, had they not mentioned your brakes were worn (excessively or otherwise), then say, for example, you'd gone for some new tyres at a tyre shop, and they noticed your brakes were worn, would you complain that either the dealer missed it (cue a slating) or complain that the tyre shop was tying to rip you off (cue a slating). A no win situation for the motor trade!

And, what makes you more informed than the main dealer technician?

With all due rescpect, if you're not happy with the running costs of (what I will hazard a guess at is) an E Class Mercedes, may I politely suggest something with lower servicing a maintanence costs?

So, my 80 year old mother leaves her car in to have a window regulator replaced. During which time the main (Renault) dealer did a free health check. Amongst other unneeded items ( I know about cars), they said she needed new wipers, and they'd do them fitted for £80.

My mum is 80, but not stupid. She went next door to Halfords and bought and fitted them herself (yes, female and 80) for £18.

Now tell me the motortrade don't very often deserve the reputation.

 

[nb_racing]

How was that £80 broken down?

 

[nb_racing]

And I should say that well done to your mum for using her head and saying no thank you!

 

[219]

What about time spent? One mans day spent avoiding a £200 labour bill could be very costly, or prove very beneficial.

That is an equation each person must work out for themselves .

However , at M-B dealer rates £200 would equate to a couple of hours labour , maybe less , so not that big a job .

When I did her ladyship's Golf the other week , the front discs and pads were seen to in an hour or so - fairly straightforward . When I came to the stuck calliper , I probably wasted another hour or so trying to free it off , before deciding it was a lost cause and replacing it , beyond that I probably spent another couple of hours building up the back brakes and bleeding the whole system . Although I was jacking up each individual wheel on my drive , I don't think I was all that slower about it than anyone else would've been ( even having a hoist to lift the whole car on ) so I guess a dealer would have charged somewhere from £300-£400 labour for that , even given that they probably wouldn't have wasted any time on the calliper .

While I don't earn £100/hr ( neither do M-B mechanics ) my time can be charged out to clients at more than that ( and has been in previous employments ) . Even for those who do earn more than that , they most likely don't work with spanners but may well have a real enthusiasm for their cars and find such jobs quite therapeutic ; moreover , it is often people who can easily afford to pay labour bills who have the greatest sense of economy and reluctance to spend unnecessarily .

For myself , I quite enjoy pottering about with my cars and , for the most part , working on them is a pleasure ( except when things don't go to plan ) which I am not about to pay someone to take away from me .

 

[nb_racing]

That is an equation each person must work out for themselves .

However , at M-B dealer rates £200 would equate to a couple of hours labour , maybe less , so not that big a job .

When I did her ladyship's Golf the other week , the front discs and pads were seen to in an hour or so - fairly straightforward . When I came to the stuck calliper , I probably wasted another hour or so trying to free it off , before deciding it was a lost cause and replacing it , beyond that I probably spent another couple of hours building up the back brakes and bleeding the whole system . Although I was jacking up each individual wheel on my drive , I don't think I was all that slower about it than anyone else would've been ( even having a hoist to lift the whole car on ) so I guess a dealer would have charged somewhere from £300-£400 labour for that , even given that they probably wouldn't have wasted any time on the calliper .

While I don't earn £100/hr ( neither do M-B mechanics ) my time can be charged out to clients at more than that ( and has been in previous employments ) . Even for those who do earn more than that , they most likely don't work with spanners but may well have a real enthusiasm for their cars and find such jobs quite therapeutic ; moreover , it is often people who can easily afford to pay labour bills who have the greatest sense of economy and reluctance to spend unnecessarily .

For myself , I quite enjoy pottering about with my cars and , for the most part , working on them is a pleasure ( except when things don't go to plan ) which I am not about to pay someone to take away from me .

An interesting breakdown. I'd probably fall into the same catagory in many ways. I stumped up a big bill on my golf in january as I know that I still probably wouldn't have got around to it 6 months on....! :fail


I think "pottering" is the best way to describe it. Anything else and it becomes a chore..

 

[EClassy]

With all due rescpect, if you're not happy with the running costs of (what I will hazard a guess at is) an E Class Mercedes, may I politely suggest something with lower servicing a maintanence costs?

What an extremely dumb and immature thing to say. So complaining about being ripped off by a stealer who I am 'happily' paying double what I would at an independent for servicing means I cant afford an annual service?

You wouldnt happen to be a technician at one of these main stealers would you?! Becaue they gave me that same "exponential brake wear" excuse and tried to hush me up with a £100 voucher.

If this didnt happen at the stealers so often why is the internet full of this same stealer trick. I doubt all these other people are as broke as me.

 

[nb_racing]

I can assure you that "expontential brake wear" is a fact, not just an excuse!

I'm sorry if I have touched a nerve. Just trying to be helpful.

 

[sssammm]

Ran my Brabus E class till the discs and pads were copulating, its easy to see into the caliper the pad thickness, just had new discs and pads fitted today and I know for certain they were shagged.

£349.00 inc vat from Waterhouse Mercedes Chelmsford, impeccable service

 

[merc85]

Re quote
With all due rescpect, if you're not happy with the running costs of (what I will hazard a guess at is) an E Class Mercedes, may I politely suggest something with lower servicing a maintanence costs?

Isn't the above abit harsh? There must be quite a few people out there who have there car serviced by a Mb specialist instead of a MB Main Dealer because they tend tobe cheaper, or even doing the work themselves if they are mechanically minded.

I do most of the work on my own cars, i am also lucky enough to have access to Oe quality parts at cost so it doesnt cost me that much to keep said cars.

On the flip side if anything ie SBC pump for instance does give up im not one to moan either as you have said in your own way if you drive a Mercedes or similar Mark you shouldnt be surprised at how much some of the up keep can be.

 

[optimusprime]

fch mate if you were close to me i would change the for free 15mins work at the most .You dont need to be a brain doctor to do this job .Go on to youtube watch the video on how easy it is to do. Any good member close would have offerd to help you ,its a sorry world. Goog luck mate.