Expected life of brakes and exhausts

[99clk02Ebreak]

I'd be interested in some feedback from other long standing/experienced owners of MB. I'm particularly interested in an "expected" shelf life for these parts on a CLK and E Break. I know it's not an exact science, but what type of mileage/time elapse would your typically expect from :-

(i) Exhaust
(ii) Brake pads/discs (Frnt/Bk)

I tell you why, I've had the original brake pads/discs on a 7/99 CLK (apprx 40k miles), recently inspected and was told they are fine. Whereas the 2002 E Break, already had new pads allround after 25k miles. Might it be to do with the fact I drive the CLK and the Missus drives the E class ? Maybe the CLK had old hard pads and the E Class newer soft ones ?

Secondly as I intend keeping the cars long/long term, I intend fitting stainless exhausts on both and was wondering when I might have to replace. Any recommendations/experience of this ?

Thanks in advance

 

[mjtray]

My old 1993 E280 was still on the original exhaust, as was my 1995 C280 and my recently acquired 1988 E300D only just had the original exhaust replaced last year....thats 15 years!

If your getting 40,000 out of your pads on your CLK...I would say thats pretty good....the pads on the E220CDi I used to have were replaced every 25-30k.

 

[jberks]

40k would be great

Hi,
Mercs,(in my experience before you all jump on me!) being heavy and auto tend to eat their brake pads unless they are motorway miles. My C220 petrol had them replaced after about 20k of heavy traffic driving. Its now 8 years old and just had the cat replaced - exhaust is still going strong - not sure about the pads. My current E240 had the front pads replaced around 23k (I think) and is about to have all 4 sets replaced again at 42k (light's not on yet but they're down to a few mills and the service is due) - again mostly heavy town driving. I've started to do a lot of motorway work so I expect a lot more out of them from here on. Its 4 1/2 years old so I don't expect any exhaust bills for some considerable time. I suspect they fit stainless steel at the factory, given the longevity we all seem to get out of them ! Anyone know ?
HTH,
cheers,
Julian

 

[mjtray]

Merc exhausts are just well designed and well built using heavy duty quality mild steel.

My 300D now wears a full stainless steel system which cost £376 and comes with a life time guarantee....the old boy who owned it before me incurred the cost, but £376 for a full stainless system seems pretty good to me and the build quality looks more than acceptable.

I have the details of the company that made it if people are interested...downside is that they are based in Devon, which may be a bit of a trek for most people.

 

[OlafMaxwell]

W210 Estate E320CDI. Second set of pads replaced at 83k. First set about 36k. still on original disks. I know of many people only getting 20-25k from pads and replacing front disks at 40-50k. Depends on how much stop and start driving you do and driving style.

Exhaust replaced at 83 k for MOT test, was defective from new but MB Main Dealer was a cowboy and did not replace it inside warranty and MB would not help. Their warranty manager was 'unable to telephone the dealer'.

Hope that is some help.

 

[OlafMaxwell]

W210 Estate E320CDI. Second set of pads replaced at 83k. First set about 36k. still on original disks. I know of many people only getting 20-25k from pads and replacing front disks at 40-50k. Depends on how much stop and start driving you do and driving style.

Exhaust replaced at 83 k for MOT test, was defective from new but MB Main Dealer was a cowboy and did not replace it inside warranty and MB would not help. Their warranty manager is 'unable to telephone the dealer'.

Hope that is some help.

 

[Richard Murray]

Life of pads/exhausts

Hi

You should be getting at least two changes of pads on the same discs. If your pads give you on average 25k miles then you're doing okay. However a lot is dependant on braking and driving style. A full brake strip-down and reassembly will help every two years (when brake fluid is changed), to check overall condition and highlight future problems such as heat spots on discs (sticky pistons).

Regards exhausts, I would have thought a Mercedes would easily turn in over 100k or 10 years before looking at a full replacement. Normally the back-box will have at least three skins. A lot is dependant on driving style, how the vehicle is kept, weather conditions, etc.

Richard

 

[numbnuts]

Re: Life of pads/exhausts

Hi

You should be getting at least two changes of pads on the same discs. If your pads give you on average 25k miles then you're doing okay. However a lot is dependant on braking and driving style. A full brake strip-down and reassembly will help every two years (when brake fluid is changed), to check overall condition and highlight future problems such as heat spots on discs (sticky pistons).

Regards exhausts, I would have thought a Mercedes would easily turn in over 100k or 10 years before looking at a full replacement. Normally the back-box will have at least three skins. A lot is dependant on driving style, how the vehicle is kept, weather conditions, etc.

Richard

Why would you think a Mercedes exhaust would last ten years they are made of metal just like any other car they are not stainless steel although you would think they were with the price of them

 

[landover]

Re: Life of pads/exhausts

Hi

You should be getting at least two changes of pads on the same discs. If your pads give you on average 25k miles then you're doing okay. However a lot is dependant on braking and driving style. A full brake strip-down and reassembly will help every two years (when brake fluid is changed), to check overall condition and highlight future problems such as heat spots on discs (sticky pistons).

Regards exhausts, I would have thought a Mercedes would easily turn in over 100k or 10 years before looking at a full replacement. Normally the back-box will have at least three skins. A lot is dependant on driving style, how the vehicle is kept, weather conditions, etc.

Richard

I think you should change you signature . People will think you are an idiot standing outside a mb dealer with a board like a prat .

 

[Richard Murray]

Exhausts

Numbnuts

As mjtray mentioned - they're made using decent quality heavy duty mild steel. I also said 'before looking at replacing a full system.'

Undoubtedly - gaskets fail, as will the back box which tends to be the most vulnerable.

I know my wife's A-Class has a plastic under-body protector as does my 80 Avant TDi which is great for deflecting roat salt, water spray etc.

Part of my theory is basy on assumption. My assumption is - if the car is driven regularly so that the exhaust system heats up, and I don't just mean sitting in traffic, but proper A to B driving for say half an hour, then that's beneficial and efficient. Because the system is hot - it will evaporate any vapour which causes some of the internal damage.

That's my tuppence worth!

Richard