2015 ML 250 - Rear Brakes

[zak]

I have owned this bluetec diesel since new and am approaching 90K miles.
I average about 100 miles per day with 90% being high speed hi way driving.
It is my daily driver and I drive it spiritedly so I am not surprised that the truck eats up brakes.

But the odd thing to me is that I have had to replace the rear brake pads and disks twice and the front pads and disks only once. My experience has always been that the front brakes wear first because that was where all the stopping pressure is, but that has not been the case here.

Also, this is the very first time that the brake pads and disks wore out at the same rate.
Usually the brake disks lasted at least 2 brake pad changes.

Is this the new normal now? Or am I off base on this?

jz

[dpreston Virginia]

I think you have posted your question to the wrong Mercedes site.
This is the site for this question:
https://mercedesforum.com/forum/

[MikeSimon]

I think you have posted your question to the wrong Mercedes site.
This is the site for this question:
https://mercedesforum.com/forum/

O.K., he may get an answer faster there, but at least..this section here says:

Other cars
Discuss all other cars here...

[MikeSimon]

O.K. I will give it a shot..

zak:
I had the same issue on my Audi Q5 and the dealer service rep sent me this:

Another factor that has accelerated brake wear (especially rear brake wear) in certain late model vehicles is the change to electronic brake proportioning. The proportioning valve that normally reduces hydraulic pressure to the rear brakes has been eliminated so the rear brakes will handle a higher percentage of the brake load and be more aggressive. The antilock brake system performs the job of brake proportioning by keeping an eye on how the rear brakes are behaving. If the rear brakes start to lock up when braking hard, the ABS system kicks in and cycles pressure to the rear wheels to prevent them from skidding.
 
This approach helps the vehicle stop in a shorter distance, but also increases rear brake wear dramatically.  This means the rear brakes will often wear out before the front brakes.

What did your service guy tell you?

[Chris_ATL]

Another thing to add...

Rotor tech hasn't really evolved a lot, but brake pads HAVE... whereas it was common to change pads frequently, and they were 'sacrificial', now they last 50,000 to 100,000 miles, which wears rotors more. Another reason to swap out both is cost... Rotors are cheap, and it's a quick swap when doing pads, vs adding hours of labor... On my Audi i believe the OEM rotors were only around $30 a pop

[stickandrudderman]

The rear brakes are often used to control stability/traction so if you're a "spirited" driver this will increase rear brake wear.

[zak]

Thanks gentlemen for the info on rear brake performance, stability and longevity. It makes sense to this cheapskate!
Yes the brake disks are surprisingly cheap, but somehow my MB dealer charged over 1000 bucks for rear brake pads and rotors install.

The ML is actually a hoot to drive and a superb all around daily driver.
But I can't wait for spring to start driving my Pagoda.

Thanks again.

jz

[Benz Dr.]

Thanks gentlemen for the info on rear brake performance, stability and longevity. It makes sense to this cheapskate!
Yes the brake disks are surprisingly cheap, but somehow my MB dealer charged over 1000 bucks for rear brake pads and rotors install.

The ML is actually a hoot to drive and a superb all around daily driver.
But I can't wait for spring to start driving my Pagoda.

Thanks again.

jz

Holly #$@*&^% a thousand bucks for that job!  How much is their hourly rate?

[zak]

My apologies, Dan.
I didn't see your comments.

The total cost of the brake job for rear pads and disks was  $ 1082.
Disks were  315.
Pads were  190.
Misc parts were 90.
Labor was  387.
tax 100.

Their labor cost is $ 143 per hour.
This is an MB dealer in NJ.
I know I could have gotten it cheaper from my indie mechanic. But he 40 miles away and doesn't have loaner cars so I would have to have my wife follow on both drop off and pick up etc. A bit of a hassle. The MB dealer however provides free loaner MB's. This year alone I got to drive a brand new GLC, C Class and an E300. Last year they even lent me a G550.
That in itself is an interesting plus for an MB guy.

jz