W221 Genuines MB Discs & Pads looking dangerous within less than 3,000 miles - what is the potential issue?

[DSK]

I had new brake pads and discs fitted by MB Centre independent specialists on the W221 towards the end of last summer 2022. I have only covered 2-3,000 miles since until now. The parts used, as I was told were genuine MB parts. Now, looking at the pictures below of how these genuine MB parts look in such little time is concerning. (I have covered 1.6 million miles of driving to date and never had this on any car, even the ones that get tracked!)

O/S/F

There is a noticeable lip on the outer edge of the disc, as well as a lip on the inner edge around the hub, plus all that shown in between.

N/S/F

This looks better than the other side but far from healthy.

Before I go back to MB Centre with raised eye brows, on this I am clueless and I would like some input from those who may haver an idea of where the fault lies, such as workmanship, questionable parts quality, problem elsewhere etc. The wear and the inconsistency of it looks shocking/horrific. Interestingly there are no vibrations or pulling under braking but, they are audible, a bit like a wheel bearing (which themselves are fine) as the car slows and stops. A bit annoyed as I have fitted brakes myself over the years, never caused any issues, have tracked cars and not had this happen, rather they look amazing and to pay circa £1,000 for this.... leaves a lot to be desired.

Edited - to add a picture of the rear brake disc (its fitted about 2 weeks later than the fronts but covered near identical miles)

 

[daveenty]

To be honest there doesn't seem to be an awful amount of wear from what I can see, more rust than anything, which will be be more evident due to the low usage the car's getting. This would also account for the noise you're getting, They get wet, then doesn't do any braking to dry the rain water off, leading to an accumulation as seen. I had a Golf a while ago had an MoT advisory on "Discs pitted/corroded" which was purely due to lack of use.

I think the first thing that I'd be doing would be to take it out for a good run, using the brakes perhaps a little more "enthusiastically" than normal to try to clear the surface. Mercedes discs, along with many other manufacturers, are not made of the high quality steel which prevailed many years ago so rust quite quickly.

 

[Wighty]

I think that looks pretty bad , so I went to check mine on the E class , Brembo with 20k on them . I don’t think the lip looks that different to yours ?
Will the disc hub have MB stamped on it if you take the wheel off to check the make .

 

[Benz17]

I think that looks pretty bad , so I went to check mine on the E class , Brembo with 20k on them . I don’t think the lip looks that different to yours ?
Will the disc hub have MB stamped on it if you take the wheel off to check the make .
View attachment 81568

Wighty, if no stamp, would it have a Mercedes part number.

 

[Blobcat]

To be honest there doesn't seem to be an awful amount of wear from what I can see, more rust than anything, which will be be more evident due to the low usage the car's getting. This would also account for the noise you're getting, They get wet, then doesn't do any braking to dry the rain water off, leading to an accumulation as seen. I had a Golf a while ago had an MoT advisory on "Discs pitted/corroded" which was purely due to lack of use.

I think the first thing that I'd be doing would be to take it out for a good run, using the brakes perhaps a little more "enthusiastically" than normal to try to clear the surface. Mercedes discs, along with many other manufacturers, are not made of the high quality steel which prevailed many years ago so rust quite quickly.

Agreed, looks like lack of usage to me.

I've just checked my SLK spreadsheet and the front pads and disks were fitted 55,000 miles ago in May 2019 -

The rear pads or discs haven't been changed in my ownership (~71K miles)

 

[EmilysDad]

I think that looks pretty bad , so I went to check mine on the E class , Brembo with 20k on them . I don’t think the lip looks that different to yours ?
Will the disc hub have MB stamped on it if you take the wheel off to check the make .
View attachment 81568

I'm surprised at you Wighty .... that wheel looks filthy!

 

[DSK]

Well one of my a Volvos is on ate and ferodo ds pads, is not driven much in comparison but that looks ace after a quick run getting rid of any unsightly build up. No issues at all. Same for the other with after market a Brembos .

The w221 is used weekly, a trip to Warwickshire every Saturday and a few school runs, grocery trips etc during the week. On occasions it’s driven briskly too. I have other cars used far less that are perfect every time. In fact it’s used the same as the CLS which, is on aftermarket Brembo discs and pads but they look far superior but I have my doubts on the authenticity of those too.

I am glad the parts quality not being up to scratch has been mentioned as this would be more logical from my experience, perhaps minor build up destroying the so called over hyped quality.


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[KennyN]

For discs that are less than a year old with around 3k miles on them they look in a shocking state , just look at the rust on the hub.

I have fitted loads of genuine + aftermarket discs over the years and none have looked i such poor condition over such a short period of time and minimal mileage.

If they are OEM then i will be more than surprised.

K

 

[Droverunner]

I'm of the opinion DSK's wear isn't what I'd expect from the brand, age and mileage of these discs.

I've photographed the two cars that happen to be on the drive currently. The first image is the front disc (Pagid discs and pads) on a Ford, by chance also fitted 6 mths ago and it's covered 2.5k mls since. That's what I'd expect, no heavy or irregular wear. The second image of the drilled discs is a CLK (OE MB discs and pads), these have been on 4.5yrs and covered a modest 22.5k mls so low use and often going a week without moving off the drive. Their even wear and modest wear rate is what I'd expect.

DSK's look to have been poorly bedded in and used hard but even then they're far worse than I'd expect.

 

[Wighty]

I'm surprised at you Wighty .... that wheel looks filthy!

Both cars are filthy buddy ! I’ve set myself standards and failed to keep them !
Hopefully I’ll be allowed to remain on the forum .

 

[Larkone]

Lack of use leading to sticky/slow callipers or brake master causing a slight binding/dragging of the brake pads possibly? Jack up, apply brakes, release and see if the wheel spins freely afterwards.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

These are genuine MB discs and pads (bought by myself from the dealer) now on 18k miles:

The car does stand quite a bit nowadays hence the slight pitting

 

[DSK]

I have edited the original post to show a picture of the rear by some comparison, appreciating its on the rear so less stress etc.

I appreciate the replies and comparisons. I've bedded them in correctly on my part but cannot comment on how they may have been treated after initial replacement on a 'test drive'. I have known mechanics to bed brakes in, incorrectly over the years but never had an issue myself. Also I did notice odd wear and noise, quite soon after fitment, perhaps within a week or two but, I have too much in life going on at present and thought ‘fcvk it, I'll just get it done again'.

 

[Wighty]

I had new brake pads and discs fitted by MB Centre independent specialists on the W221 towards the end of last summer 2022. I have only covered 2-3,000 miles since until now. The parts used, as I was told were genuine MB parts. Now, looking at the pictures below of how these genuine MB parts look in such little time is concerning. (I have covered 1.6 million miles of driving to date and never had this on any car, even the ones that get tracked!)

O/S/F

There is a noticeable lip on the outer edge of the disc, as well as a lip on the inner edge around the hub, plus all that shown in between.

N/S/F

This looks better than the other side but far from healthy.

Before I go back to MB Centre with raised eye brows, on this I am clueless and I would like some input from those who may haver an idea of where the fault lies, such as workmanship, questionable parts quality, problem elsewhere etc. The wear and the inconsistency of it looks shocking/horrific. Interestingly there are no vibrations or pulling under braking but, they are audible, a bit like a wheel bearing (which themselves are fine) as the car slows and stops. A bit annoyed as I have fitted brakes myself over the years, never caused any issues, have tracked cars and not had this happen, rather they look amazing and to pay circa £1,000 for this.... leaves a lot to be desired.

Edited - to add a picture of the rear brake disc (its fitted about 2 weeks later than the fronts but covered near identical miles)

The rear seems to have none of the top edge rust that the fronts have . Different supplier than the fronts ?

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

Definitely appear more worn than they should what interests me more than anything is that MB spray the whole disc with grey paint (presumable to stop them rusting on the shelf) which of course wears off the braking surfaces immediately but should stop the hubs going rusty. Mine were like this when bought and I painted the hubs and outer edges of the discs with Hammerite smooth before they were mounted.

 

[mioba]

I'm surprised at you Wighty .... that wheel looks filthy!

He is busy doing an oil change. Cut some
slack!

 

[DSK]

Thanks for all the input and opinions. Stupidly I know I should have reported it within the first week or two but, I had more important priorities on my shoulders.

I will email MB Centre expecting nothing but blame to be passed onto me. Anything better will be a bonus. I’ll keep this updated as to how I get this fixed and with what but, either way I will insist the car is not driven and I will bed the brakes in myself.


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[mioba]

If you can whip of a wheel look at the pads for manufacturer and same with the disks.

Thats a-lot of scoring and lip on the disk already it seems (maybe the angle of camera).

I replaced the pads and disks on my W251 last year. they still look brand new 7k.

never been a fan of MB centre. found thier prices on par with dealers and Roger/Nate at Mercserve are top men.

 

[DSK]

The stuff that comes off end of life on my other cars looks amazing just low material after miles of use and track.

I’ll have a closer look to see if I can see any markings without having to whip a wheel off but, I’ll ask for the old parts to be put in the car whenever I get it changed so I still double check.

MercServe look after the CLS and they are nice guys but, sometimes I just expect better. They failed to advise all my front ball joints were shot when I asked for it to be checked. I also find their rates quite high generally speaking. Just seems like they can do with extra hands and I know the owner is having personal issues of his own at present.

MB centre have been ok with me to date and their labour rates have been quite reasonable too. I don’t doubt these are genuine as I had to put a down payment on the parts upon booking.

Hopefully by the end of the year I will have time to do DIY again.


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[Benz17]

Would they have not allowed you to supply pads/disk, that way you know for certain what parts have been used.

I have read some don’t allow it, due to customers getting wrong parts, and some because they are losing out on profit they will make on getting trade discount.