Brake wear on 2003 ML

[oigle]

My rear brakes started to give a wear warning recently, when on a trip away. Pulled the pads out and the inner pads were badly worn and needed replacement. The outer pads had quite a bit of meat left on them and, as a consequence, I didn't damage the little sensors that sit in the pads, and was able to reuse them. I have kept the outer pads for spares, in case I can't get a set in an emergency. Expensive little beggars too - AUS$250 for the set.
When I got home, I checked the front pads and they were less than half worn. I was surprised as usually brakes have worn fairly evenly in other vehicles I have had. The vehicle has done 42000km and I am an easy driver on brakes. I tow a 1600kg caravan quite a lot - it has electric brakes.
My concern led me to contact my MB service consultant. He told me this has become a common issue since ESP has been added to the vehicle. It seems that the system is applying the rear brakes when the vehicle sways about (as they do), particularly around corners. It - the braking - isn't noticeable to the driver. Towing makes the situation worse as the 'van pushes the rear of the car a bit on corners and makes the ESP think the car is getting out of control. It isn't of course - I don't drive that fast with a 'van on the back.
My thinking on ESP is that it is basically there for very slippery conditions and for people that need all the help they can get to stay on the black stuff. As an ex rally driver, I think I can keep the thing on the road without that help!!I have adopted the principle of turning it (ESP) off when on any long trips or when I am towing. Unfortunately, it needs to be deactivated every time one starts the car as it automatically resets to default "on". Hopefully, this will reduce the pad wear.
Anyone else had any experience in this area?

 

[psmart]

Just had the complete Front Disc/Pads, Rear Disc/Pads/Shoes replaced, as Im a heavy braker ... 2/3rd of the cars life was spent on Autobahns over 100mph, and with the general standard of driving being 'pull out into the next lane with out looking', you can see why brakes are worn. Im suprised about tyres though, relatively very little wear/tear.

The cars covered just short of 100,000km and the rear discs are original. As mentioned in your post, the inner side rear discs are very worn and serated, much more than the visible side (otherwise Id have replaced them earlier). The other suprising thing was brake shoes for the parking brake. Im not a great believer in the parking brake, so rarely use it, but the brake shoes had completely disintigrated, requiring the inner section, where the brake shoes are applied, to have needed skimming if I hadnt of replaced the discs.

Pictures paint a thousand words.... so just adding these photos:

 

[Sprint'n'Go]

My thinking on ESP is that it is basically there for very slippery conditions and for people that need all the help they can get to stay on the black stuff. As an ex rally driver, I think I can keep the thing on the road without that help!!I have adopted the principle of turning it (ESP) off when on any long trips or when I am towing. Unfortunately, it needs to be deactivated every time one starts the car as it automatically resets to default "on". Hopefully, this will reduce the pad wear.
Anyone else had any experience in this area?

I agree that for 99% of the time a good driver can drive to the limits without needing electrical intervention but there will always be times when the electrics have faster/better reactions than us. JBerks recently gave a good example of this. He was driving in torrential rain on the motorway when someone pulled out right infront of him. This is one of those 'brown trouser' moments. He said the car went 'light' then the orange ESP light flashed and the car ran straight as a die.

In my opinion unless you are going out to play the ESP should be left to do it's thing

 

[oigle]

Just had the complete Front Disc/Pads, Rear Disc/Pads/Shoes replaced, as Im a heavy braker ... 2/3rd of the cars life was spent on Autobahns over 100mph, and with the general standard of driving being 'pull out into the next lane with out looking', you can see why brakes are worn. Im suprised about tyres though, relatively very little wear/tear.

The cars covered just short of 100,000km and the rear discs are original. As mentioned in your post, the inner side rear discs are very worn and serated, much more than the visible side (otherwise Id have replaced them earlier). The other suprising thing was brake shoes for the parking brake. Im not a great believer in the parking brake, so rarely use it, but the brake shoes had completely disintigrated, requiring the inner section, where the brake shoes are applied, to have needed skimming if I hadnt of replaced the discs.

Pictures paint a thousand words.... so just adding these photos:

Those discs look awful!!! I'd say they were well and truly overdue for replacement. Unusual bit re park brake. They must have somehow become badly overheated to disintegrate like that. Maybe, with all the rust around, they jammed partially on without your knowledge.

 

[oigle]

I agree that for 99% of the time a good driver can drive to the limits without needing electrical intervention but there will always be times when the electrics have faster/better reactions than us. JBerks recently gave a good example of this. He was driving in torrential rain on the motorway when someone pulled out right infront of him. This is one of those 'brown trouser' moments. He said the car went 'light' then the orange ESP light flashed and the car ran straight as a die.

In my opinion unless you are going out to play the ESP should be left to do it's thing

I agree that electrical intervention can be of benefit, particularly with ABS - very few drivers, if any, can brake as well as a good ABS system in slippery conditions. I have benefited from the accurate steering available under heavy braking myself. ESP - This is the first vehicle I have driven with such a system. Have driven many hundreds of thousands of kilometres in other vehicles - SUV's and sedans - without needing such a system. As I said, electronic intervention in this area can be a very good aid to those who have little sense of car control but I think it is a waste on competent drivers. Should be a mandatory feature in all new cars because the manufacturer hasn't a clue as to the competency of the drivers involved. At least they have the sense to make it switchable. I think they recognise that not all drivers want such intrusion.