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

[DSK]

I’m glad I can share something new lol! Wowzers is an understatement! In 1.6 million miles and several brakes changes and track use, I’ve never seen anything like this either and never had any issues other than one time many years ago a mechanic unknown to me fitting apex discs and pads to my Volvo T5 and also damaged the calliper in the process. Other than that my braking life has been perfect.

Different brakes have different bedding in procedures but, for standard stuff, in this case, I generally take it easy as you describe and build it up progressively over the miles. This is why, just because someone is a mechanic, I won’t rule out poor bedding in procedure. Sadly the reality is, there are very few very diligent persons and the world largely accepts a ‘fvck it that will do it’ attitude even for simple jobs. No mechanic will care for my cars the way I do or be overly bothered about perfection which is why my stuff is maintained between TWR racing and a few chaps down Chippenham and Westbury as much as possible.


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[malcolm210]

Looking at the state of the discs the disc material appears to be missing some hardening ingredients and I suspect the pad condition is a result of that are you 100% positive they are MB if so I’d take them back if only to show them there is a production problem

 

[DSK]

Yes genuine MB (as were the rear which are fine). Callipers etc were said to be fine etc, low mileage is disproved, so it can only be a combination of material quality and/or workmanship.

MB centre are adamant its corrosion due to a lack of use . I was hoping they would send them back to MB, but, for me I will not buy MB brakes again and just need a safe working car at present. However, if that’s quality then people need to be aware as it could happen to them!


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[Botus]

I have not seen this post before - if they are one year old disks that's impressive rusting - I would say that looks more like 3 years

as for the back they look a lot better than my vented ones.
the fronts are heavily scored through normal abuse, and I'd feel a bit irritated about it - my new 5 years back, front's look a bit like that on the inside face (not as bad) . I'd just drive it, so long as no funny feel on the pedal or vibrations there is no issue other than cosmetic

criticality comes with a feel on the pedal and or when the diameter is clearly the wrong side of manu wear spec (for the width at the bit the pads clamp to)

I think the metal is bit cheaper and nastier these days - they can be got (if the main dealer parts guy will do a deal) at unbelievably low prices like 60 quid each - not the 300 they want idiots to pay

- On another forum someone raised a frown over the severe rusting of front wheel hub I put up a picture of - so I posted this reasoning yesterday

UK is a deliberate mess stealing from those with less - the latest one they have introduced in the last 3 years is to lay road salt a thick as you like whenever they can - even if its going to be bone dry and above 4C they do it - makes all the cars vanish which is the game - it also makes the roads so greasy as the salt absorbs any moisture and helps the road filth mix in to a dangerous slime that stays for weeks, so if not rusting they are crashing

I was surprised how bad the hub was - and that's after I wash under the arches with fresh water (frequently and try not to drive) when they have put salt down in the winter

then the UK is in bed with google and with everyone using their mapping, they build in deliberate fake road works on good routes or the other short cuts - so where once 20% of drivers smoothed out the flow - now the government can deliberately gridlock the entire road system

then they have rushed out fibre broadband - so they can spread covid and make you pay to watch netflix

there's a reason I'm a grumpy git

 

[DREAMER NO2]

Power washing will help them to rust . I never use a hose to wash off my wheels .

 

[DSK]

I have 1.6 million miles of driving experience and have always changed discs and pads like I change car service items. Never had anything like this.

Let’s be clear, washing, usage, parked outside is fully disproved, at the simplest level by the fact the rear brakes, subject to the same brand, within a week or so of fitting time, use and conditions are fine and, to this day, still look like their original photo.

The fronts were showing signs as soon as I got it home, pedal didn’t feel great, never has, but this car was new to me so didn’t have any baseline but after a week i mentioned it via phone and swing by and was told the same verbal bull crap.

The new brakes look and perform great after the weekend run.

So based on that, the issue can logically only be a material defect and/or fitting.

Interestingly, walking past the back of Harrods I saw another w221 with faint scoring like mine had. I guess that’s on original MB discs and pads too. Just be mindful as my genuine front MB brakes could have at worst caused a disaster.


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[EmilysDad]

I have 1.6 million miles of driving experience and ....

You've kept that quiet!

 

[Botus]

I now think V8s (or V6 / V12) engine design makes this wear and tear more likely

My last omeba was afflicted by the inside face of the front discs going black and horrible - it wouldn't clean off no matter how hard you drive, it just made the disc fall apart - and I couldn't get why - no other car I've had ever did it

and now I'm seeing my V8 Merc is doing the same thing (yet the cooler running engine of my father's v6 tractor doesn't seem to have the issue and it gets very little use in the last 6 years) - I was asking a local Jag garage about what they think causes it and they said lack of use, but mostly the heat from the engine...

So I guess you do a run in our damp miserable country - on a normal car nothing happens - but with a Vee engine'd car you get enough heat on the inner wings to react with the cool damp ambient air and it does weird things making ideal rusting conditions - all nicely out of sight...

 

[EmilysDad]

...

My last omeba was afflicted by the inside face of the front discs going black and horrible - it wouldn't clean off no matter how hard you drive, it just made the disc fall apart - and I couldn't get why - no other car I've had ever did it

....

My V6 Omega did the same (they didn't actually fall apart though)

 

[DSK]

Interesting theory but, that would then not apply to a relatives Lexus IS250 which they eek every penny out of and the brakes do show irregular wear. On some M5s and Bentleys I have sourced, this has not been the case.


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[Botus]

all the holes on the drilled OEM front discs on mine where totally blocked in less than 20k miles of use - I drilled then all out one by one the other day, (I think with a 7mm drill - on the front and rear face)

I guess this crud splintering off would likely leave a debris pattern of score marks if unlucky

 

[rf065]

UK is a deliberate mess stealing from those with less - the latest one they have introduced in the last 3 years is to lay road salt a thick as you like whenever they can - even if its going to be bone dry and above 4C they do it - makes all the cars vanish which is the game - it also makes the roads so greasy as the salt absorbs any moisture and helps the road filth mix in to a dangerous slime that stays for weeks, so if not rusting they are crashing

I was surprised how bad the hub was - and that's after I wash under the arches with fresh water (frequently and try not to drive) when they have put salt down in the winter

then the UK is in bed with google and with everyone using their mapping, they build in deliberate fake road works on good routes or the other short cuts - so where once 20% of drivers smoothed out the flow - now the government can deliberately gridlock the entire road system

then they have rushed out fibre broadband - so they can spread covid and make you pay to watch netflix

there's a reason I'm a grumpy git

If no-one else is going to comment on this, then let me. Not even Trump could come up with something as crazy as this!

 

[Woodleigh]

then they have rushed out fibre broadband - so they can spread covid and make you pay to watch netflix

 

[ajlsl600]

There is something about the MB vented disks that aren’t right, like I said earlier I’m on my third set that have warped and the scoring is just as you have had @DSK , I can’t even say it’s down to MB Centre either, because they haven’t done all the changes I can’t see two separate indies both messing something up as simple as a disk and pad change. Like you I’ve never had this problem with any other cars including MB, so I really do believe it’s got to be something with their parts on this one

Likely pad material.. Not if as recc by brembo. Ask them. If issue. I do know discs are now a made of butter story, I had my Ford esc ghia and audi quattro never changed discs. I will prob change ml discs after Xmas 66k + miles 10.2 Yr old and I am a GENTTLE Braker...

 

[ajlsl600]

I’m glad I can share something new lol! Wowzers is an understatement! In 1.6 million miles and several brakes changes and track use, I’ve never seen anything like this either and never had any issues other than one time many years ago a mechanic unknown to me fitting apex discs and pads to my Volvo T5 and also damaged the calliper in the process. Other than that my braking life has been perfect.

Different brakes have different bedding in procedures but, for standard stuff, in this case, I generally take it easy as you describe and build it up progressively over the miles. This is why, just because someone is a mechanic, I won’t rule out poor bedding in procedure. Sadly the reality is, there are very few very diligent persons and the world largely accepts a ‘fvck it that will do it’ attitude even for simple jobs. No mechanic will care for my cars the way I do or be overly bothered about perfection which is why my stuff is maintained between TWR racing and a few chaps down Chippenham and Westbury as much as possible.


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Ur bases chippenham?

 

[ajlsl600]

I have 1.6 million miles of driving experience and have always changed discs and pads like I change car service items. Never had anything like this.

Let’s be clear, washing, usage, parked outside is fully disproved, at the simplest level by the fact the rear brakes, subject to the same brand, within a week or so of fitting time, use and conditions are fine and, to this day, still look like their original photo.

The fronts were showing signs as soon as I got it home, pedal didn’t feel great, never has, but this car was new to me so didn’t have any baseline but after a week i mentioned it via phone and swing by and was told the same verbal bull crap.

The new brakes look and perform great after the weekend run.

So based on that, the issue can logically only be a material defect and/or fitting.

Interestingly, walking past the back of Harrods I saw another w221 with faint scoring like mine had. I guess that’s on original MB discs and pads too. Just be mindful as my genuine front MB brakes could have at worst caused a disaster.


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My cash is on material being shite.

 

[V6Matty]

Likely pad material.. Not if as recc by brembo. Ask them. If issue. I do know discs are now a made of butter story, I had my Ford esc ghia and audi quattro never changed discs. I will prob change ml discs after Xmas 66k + miles 10.2 Yr old and I am a GENTTLE Braker...

Same, previous 211 had the disk for ~95k before I finally decided to change them and never an issue with the new ones that were fitted either, I’m sure the new ones are just cxxp material