Why onn earth do MB main dealer charge so much for brake pads and or discs?

[gassygassy]

I had some work done at a main MB dealer in France. I sat in the reception and looked at their prices for discs, pads, exhausts and so on and I was quite surprised how cheap they were. I thought "I would pay those prices" although I have serviced and built cars since 1970.
On getting the invoice I was once again surprised. They broke the job down to intervals of 0.1 of an hour, charging different labour rates for different skills. The most expensive labour rate was €80 per hour and the cheapest €60 per hour. Compare that with a flat £180 per hour at my local dealer. Apparently it is French law that they have to charge different labour rates according to the skill, and they have to charge in units of 0.1 of an hour.
Conclusion:
If you want some work done, pay £200, get on a ferry and have a pleasant couple of days in France and get your car worked on there.

 

[OneForTheRoad]

I had some work done at a main MB dealer in France. I sat in the reception and looked at their prices for discs, pads, exhausts and so on and I was quite surprised how cheap they were. I thought "I would pay those prices" although I have serviced and built cars since 1970.
On getting the invoice I was once again surprised. They broke the job down to intervals of 0.1 of an hour, charging different labour rates for different skills. The most expensive labour rate was €80 per hour and the cheapest €60 per hour. Compare that with a flat £180 per hour at my local dealer. Apparently it is French law that they have to charge different labour rates according to the skill, and they have to charge in units of 0.1 of an hour.
Conclusion:
If you want some work done, pay £200, get on a ferry and have a pleasant couple of days in France and get your car worked on there.

Or simply do it yourself like I did and had 2 weeks in Zante.

 

[BlackC55]

It’s funny how people like to simplify work that others do for them, whether that be mechanics, builders, plumbers, dentists or whatever - but are often not willing to do it themselves (and in some cases, spend many years studying and/or gaining experience, investing in tools/equipment/facilities etc.

Fair enough this is a brake pad job, but still not many people are willing to get their hands dirty and work in the cold etc for the sake of an hour’s worth of their time of whatever!

And will they be fitted correctly with the correct high temp brake grease (not copper slip). Torqued up to the correct torque? Cleaning the hub back to bare metal? Greasing the sliders?

We get asked to fit cheap discs and pads sometimes. We buy ECP's budget pads and discs and crack on. What we notice is that the pads wont fit that well. The brake feel is average. They will be noisy or squeal at some point. They do work but not quite as good as the proper parts.

I fit 90% genuine Mercedes discs and pads. They fit first time. They fit properly. I have no need to worry they are good quality etc etc.

Pay ya money. Take ya choice.

 

[esscee]

Really not worth taking risks with brakes, far too important a system on your car!

 

[ALFAitalia]

Hmmm.... well as far as I know Mercedes make no brake parts at all... so what exactly are Genuine Mercedes parts?...
But I will say that some cheaper pads need treatment to fit well and slide in the caliper as they should....often by filing away the overly thick paint! Personally I'd use any of the big brands without issue.

 

[MSG2004]

Really not worth taking risks with brakes, far too important a system on your car!

I had Brembo pads fitted front and rear just under a year ago - no problems - I also saved hundreds of pounds in labour by not going to MB

 

[Petrol Pete]

Brembo discs all round for me , not supplied by MB , and Akebono carbon ceramic pads , all installed by yours truly with zero complaints.

Oh, and ZERO brake dust.

 

[Skd884]

Brembo pads on the 180 - perfect.

 

[markjay]

Hmmm.... well as far as I know Mercedes make no brake parts at all... so what exactly are Genuine Mercedes parts?...

It's a part that's guaranteed to be manufactured to MB's specifications.

For most people, it eliminates that head-scratching while wondering if Meyle is the same as Mahle and Febi is the same as Bilstein and Eibach is the same as Eicher, or if INA is a Chinese brand, etc etc.

Of course, if you're familiar with the industry, then you'll know what's what and you can buy a quality product without requiring MB's seal-of-approval.

 

[Will]

And will they be fitted correctly with the correct high temp brake grease (not copper slip). Torqued up to the correct torque? Cleaning the hub back to bare metal? Greasing the sliders?

We get asked to fit cheap discs and pads sometimes. We buy ECP's budget pads and discs and crack on. What we notice is that the pads wont fit that well. The brake feel is average. They will be noisy or squeal at some point. They do work but not quite as good as the proper parts.

I fit 90% genuine Mercedes discs and pads. They fit first time. They fit properly. I have no need to worry they are good quality etc etc.

Pay ya money. Take ya choice.

And of course whatever parts you choose to fit, the labour cost (or time to yourself!) is the same regardless.

It can be a bit of a gamble buying non-original parts, sometimes you can get lucky or if you have done your homework but I can totally appreciate from a professional’s point in view it’s really not worth the hassle when you consider the risk of comeback - squeaks, rattles, something not lasting as long as expected etc.

 

[markjay]

We do the same at work - we only supply business-grade laptops from top-tier brands with long onsite warranties (it's a B2B business). If the customer want a cheapo we won't supply it - not worth the hassle when things go wrong and the manufacturer's support is poor, and our guys get grief from the customer who wants the laptop fixed pronto.

 

[Will]

Hmmm.... well as far as I know Mercedes make no brake parts at all... so what exactly are Genuine Mercedes parts?...
But I will say that some cheaper pads need treatment to fit well and slide in the caliper as they should....often by filing away the overly thick paint! Personally I'd use any of the big brands without issue.

Isn’t it a bit like the notion that well known brands sometimes make budget-friendly lines for discount suppliers.

Whether that be loaves of bread or baked beans in a supermarket, or unknown budget tyres that are supposedly part of a well known tyre group. It does not mean you are getting like for like at a lower price.

There will be many parts that are no doubt identical with different packaging and/or slightly different numbers stamped or printed on, but also no doubt there are a lot of items made to different specifications - you don’t take that gamble with genuine parts.

And sometimes, it’s surprisingly not much more expensive to buy the real deal if you shop around too - general wear and tear/service parts can be quite reasonable from MB

Don’t get me wrong, I have used OEM and alternative parts over the years, but you need to know what you’re buying and do your homework to make an informed decision - not everyone is able to do that and/or has the time

 

[Rgrwynne]

My S400d is on a service plan and has full MB dealer history. I have developed a good relationship with my local main dealer. I used a local independant to change a parking sensor and while in there , 2 years ago, they advised my discs and pads needed changing, so I asked for a quote. Fast forward to now and I am still on what I believe are the original discs, which I know will need replacing next month at 58,000 miles.
I do know that if you have a service plan main dealers will give you discount on consumables, so I asked for a price. I was immediately offered 20% discount and told if I could find it cheaper they would see what they could do. When I looked at the independent price from 2 years ago the main dealer with the discount was about on par. I think the moral is that if you have a good relationship, you can often negotiate, plus I get peace of mind .
Irrespective of who services, my preference is to always use OEM parts, mainly to guarantee source, but of course when you find copy parts from China have infiltrated the aviation and military and defences industries , it does make you think.

 

[geoffus]

Sounds like you got a good deal.

 

[Railwayman]

I feel many people over estimate the competence of folk in the trades, be it plasters, plumbers, car mechanics etc. Whilst there are many who are skilled and go the extra mile to produce good work there's a lot more I wouldn't let change a tap washer. Just because they earn their living at any particular thing is no indication of competence.

I do DIY in many fields, whilst no expert by taking my time (I'm slow) can produce a decent job. Plastering and laying a house brick I cannot do the save my life so I use "professionals" with very mixed results.
Basically I have a deep mistrust of tradespeople which has built up over the decades, the last car repair I did was to my daughters Nissan Micra, two drop links which my local mot garage wanted £194 + parts to do, It cost me £42 and 45 minutes of my time, a no brainer really.

 

[OneForTheRoad]

I feel many people over estimate the competence of folk in the trades, be it plasters, plumbers, car mechanics etc. Whilst there are many who are skilled and go the extra mile to produce good work there's a lot more I wouldn't let change a tap washer. Just because they earn their living at any particular thing is no indication of competence.

I do DIY in many fields, whilst no expert by taking my time (I'm slow) can produce a decent job. Plastering and laying a house brick I cannot do the save my life so I use "professionals" with very mixed results.
Basically I have a deep mistrust of tradespeople which has built up over the decades, the last car repair I did was to my daughters Nissan Micra, two drop links which my local mot garage wanted £194 + parts to do, It cost me £42 and 45 minutes of my time, a no brainer really.

Very true . Most even go as far as to rip off pensioners . I just did my own brakes and saved over £600.

 

[markjay]

Circumstances vary, but in many cases, servicing at the dealer under a service plan, and all other repairs (brakes etc) done at a trusted indie using genuine MB parts, is the optimal solution.

 

[FLYPOGGER]

I got my 250d gLE brand new in April 2016. It was a step up from my previous 180k C class Mers


Around 2014 I do recall paying MB 250 for pads and discs to the front and felt it was reasonable. I did not seek other quotes
as I worked, therefore busy.

Moving on to this month, car went in for a service - charged almost 350 quid for an A service - fair enough as I want their breakdown cover
peace of mind and the car has FSH by MB

I knew the rear brake pads were going about 3mm left as a warning light came on the other day and booked with a fast fit for next week - driven the
car about 160 miles since the warning light for pads came on

Yesterday i was advised that i need to change the rea pads and as there is a lip on the discs (21000 miles on the car by me a gentle driver)
the pads and disc need to be changed - I did not say anything but felt, you jokers, as the lip is less than half a mm.

Anyway, the price for rear pads 387 & for pads and discs 655

Fron pads 485 and pads and discs 840

I thought WTF, WTFingF (I do not swear out aloud.

Reading the 'suspension and brakes forum here - a member posted about his classic SL AMG and I think the front pads & discs were 2300 and the rear set 25000

Yes, buying a merc, you are expected to pay high prices, but for ruddy pads and or discs - why do they charge so much other than some of us falling for it as I did years ago?


My GLE - fast fits quoted pads to rear 210 to 250 I think and an Indy was 280

Brembo or Bosch pads, can be bought for 68 quid at ECP and a lot cheaper online - wear sensor about 7 quid. I think you have to do something to the settings via the dashboard before changing the rear pads as linked to the electric handbrake - but MB prices? (Changing rear pads is the dashboard always conslted set up to change rear pads or does MB use their computers to do the pre-change setup up etc?

Is it very time consuming etc?



Up until about 25 years ago I changed the pads myself

Friend works for Audi main dealer. £300 for rear pads and fitting. He said he sits in the car with the laptop or whatever device they use. Hits the button and can hear the pistons screwing back into the caliper
Technology isn't always good

 

[OneForTheRoad]

Friend works for Audi main dealer. £300 for rear pads and fitting. He said he sits in the car with the laptop or whatever device they use. Hits the button and can hear the pistons screwing back into the caliper
Technology isn't always good

Mb lets the owner do this process via the steering wheel buttons.