W204 Brake Wear

[lwpautz]

Hello All.
I've got a facelift w204 C220 cdi estate and I've covered 30k miles now. The brake wear warning has popped up on the dash this week. Merc say I need new pads as well as new discs. Can it be that the discs only last as long as the pads do? I was hoping I'd get at least 2 sets of pads worn out before the disc did.

 

[AndyPCD]

Did mercedes give you the measurements they took of the discs to verify you needing new discs

 

[st13phil]

The chance of needing disks at 30k miles on the first set of pads is somewhere close to zero. Go to another dealer.

 

[artyman]

Mines now done 35k on what I presume are the original pads and I haven't had any warning come up on mine yet. Mind you I don't brake much I try and anticipate to save fuel.

 

[geraldrobins]

I would be very dissapointed at needing pads at 30K. Im hoping for 70-80K which is what Im used to

 

[Auto-mobile]

Is it a newer model ie 2010/11-? Believe it or not I have done several (inc blue efficiancy) that have needed disks at 24-30k with there first set of pads, I don't know if they have changed the compound/supplier but the wear on the disks was horrific.

 

[lwpautz]

Sorry, just realised this is in the wrong section, if a mod could move it I'd much appreciate it.

It is a 61 plate, so it's only a couple years old. I am a very fuel conscious driver, but I haven't owned it from new, it had 10k miles on when I bought it at 6 months old. The dealer claim that the discs have a lip and they recommend that I should change them.

 

[Bacchus]

i have the pre-blue efficiency W204 C220 and i am still on the original pads and discs at 80k advisory at last service/mot in Nov was 70% worn.

 

[Chrishazle]

As Bacchus above, my 08 C220 had about 65k on it at last service last March, advisory from MB Ashford that pads were 70% and front and rear pads and discs needed replacing. I've driven 6k miles since then, still no warning light on the dash - and brakes still work fine! Will see what my local garage says when I have her serviced in March - MB want well north of £300 for the B service, even though only the oil filter needs changing (others have been done, not needed for another year or 3!!).

 

[Auto-mobile]

i have the pre-blue efficiency W204 C220 and i am still on the original pads and discs at 80k advisory at last service/mot in Nov was 70% worn.

I'd imagine you do mostly motorway?

As Bacchus above, my 08 C220 had about 65k on it at last service last March, advisory from MB Ashford that pads were 70% and front and rear pads and discs needed replacing. I've driven 6k miles since then, still no warning light on the dash - and brakes still work fine! Will see what my local garage says when I have her serviced in March - MB want well north of £300 for the B service, even though only the oil filter needs changing (others have been done, not needed for another year or 3!!).

Early w204 seem to wear quite well in comparison to later models.

 

[geraldrobins]

Its not just motorway driving thats saves brake wear its also anticipation and not braking too late. But people can drive like that if they wish.

 

[lwpautz]

I'm 41 years old now, my boy racer days are long behind me, not that I had any of those days anyway.
85% of my mileage is the commute into Manchester town centre and home again in rush hour, my 10 mile journey takes me almost an hour so I can assure you I don't do any hard braking, and even if I did, it's only from a speed of 10 mph haha. I'm a very sedate driver these days so I'm concerned by the brake wear tbh, especially the discs.

 

[geraldrobins]

I hope you get better mileage on your replacement set.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

The dealer will recommend that they're replaced and if you challenge them they will say it's because they're a safety item. If you challenge again they'll say that they may not last until your next scheduled visit and so it's for your convenience. If you challenge again then they will say the cost of fitting is almost the same so it's worth doing doing disks and pads together to save money.

Of course they're right in all three statements but that doesn't mean that you need to replace the discs now. If you're tight for money at the moment then just do the pads, or find someone who can replace the lot for less - there's nothing that a competent DIY or professional mechanic would struggle with. I suspect you're using Mercedes-Benz of Manchester, part of Mercedes-Benz Retail and the most expensive dealer group around in my experience, so there's scope for reduction.

The main dealer PARTS COUNTER is usually up for negotiating, or you could try Euro Car Parts and use the MBCLUB25 discount code to price up your pads, and discs. You should be able to find a mechanic who can swap them for £100-150 without too much effort.

I would be surprised if the discs don't last the life of your second set of pads, but only you can make that decision.

Edited to add: Mercedes-Benz of Tamworth are also part Mercedes-Benz Retail, and in 2004 quoted me about £1100 for discs and pads on our ML270 when it was 12 months old, recommending that both be changed. I bought the pads (only) for probably £100 or so and replaced them myself. The discs lasted for the life of the second set of pads.

 

[lwpautz]

Well, it turns out that the dealer was right, the discs had reached their wear limit. I'm still a bit disappointed that the pads seem to have lasted longer than the discs have. Admittedly, the pads are very close to their wear indicator, but I still would have thought the discs would outlast the pads. I've never had a car that eats discs in only 30000 miles. The Merc dealer insists that this is normal, they normally only last between 18000 and 25000 miles so I have done well apparently.

 

[The _Don]

Well, it turns out that the dealer was right, the discs had reached their wear limit. I'm still a bit disappointed that the pads seem to have lasted longer than the discs have. Admittedly, the pads are very close to their wear indicator, but I still would have thought the discs would outlast the pads. I've never had a car that eats discs in only 30000 miles. The Merc dealer insists that this is normal, they normally only last between 18000 and 25000 miles so I have done well apparently.

A friend required new discs and pads on a 2011 w204 at 28k miles.

 

[MDC250]

Eeek, I drive hard on my brakes and expect to replace pads accordingly. Not discs though! Surely discs should last 2-3 sets of pads minimum?!

I'm going to get MO parts and have them fitted by an indie when the time comes no way I'm paying full hit if they don't last the course.

 

[c63chris]

Just had new pads and discs on the front of mine at 29k. Was thinking of selling the car but having had that done and a B service seems a waste of money to move it on.

 

[timskemp]

Most of my driving is motorway, and my W204 (2007 320cdi) used to be pads every 35k, discs lasted two sets of pads.

W212 is showing pad warning now at 40K.

My Volvo was discs and pads every 25-30k, until I changed to Brembo discs...

 

[MDC250]

Just had new pads and discs on the front of mine at 29k. Was thinking of selling the car but having had that done and a B service seems a waste of money to move it on.

That's always the problem though isn't it...spend a bit of money and then keep the car as it owes you, but then something else happens.

I had to buy new discs and pads on my last car Auris SR180 and a week later PXd it. Thems the breaks (no pun intended) certain consumable parts you can't do without.