I bought my 03 S430 with 18000 miles on it. At 29K,the "I need brake pads" light came on and the local dealer told me that I needed pads AND ROTORS to the tune of almost $1300. Now at 49K, yet another $1300 brake job for pads and rotors. Although under warranty, the maintenance bills are astronomical and disgusting. I love my S but that BMW maintenance plan is sure looking mighty good. Any comments on the brakes and rotors is appreciated. Am I being taken advantage of or is this normal? As many years as I've owned American Automobiles including Corvette's (notorious for bad brakes), I've never bought a rotor. I've always had them "turned". Thanks
Ed

 

Replace them yourself its easy and saves lots of money!!!

 

Ed,
My S430 went 50,000 miles and the sensor had not been hit yet (light didn't come on) so they weren't worn down that far. This was much highway driving where the brakes aren't used much. I changedthe pads myself and paid about $50 for them at a "Foreign Car Parts" store. I didn't touch therotors because they looked fine. Isee or feel absolutley no difference using non Merceds pads and not changing or even turning down the rotors.
Guess I would suggest that you talk to a private shop that does brakes and ask if they can just change the pads. It will probably cost you $100-$150.

 

Oops, also should say that I only changed the front pads. The rears were only worn about 20% so I never touched them.

 

I tried to do mine but the calipers looked odd with the bolts on the inside requiring me to put my head in the wheel well (I prefer to reduce the risk of a squished gord). I got an Indie to do it for $120 labor (4 wheels), no rotor turn, I only do that if they are warped.

 

MB rotors are pretty thin, most of the time it is cheaper to replace them rather than trying to cut them. I would try and find a good "indi" shop.

 

Save money.. D.I.Y (Do it youreself) or find else where for the parts..... brakes and rotor for 1,300.00 ??

Thats ripping you off...!

 

Auto Parts Warehouse has Akebono front pads for your model for around $70 and rear pads for around $50. Front Power Slot rotors run around $135 each for the front and $115 each for the rear.It doesn't take long to change them and it's MUCHcheaper than $1300!!!

Good luck

 

for $1300 you would think they were cross drilled Brembo's

 

We bought a s430 (2001) two years ago with only 19K miles. Needed a new brake job and new rotors on the front at 22,750 miles. I was blown away that a car needed brakes (and rotors) at that mileage. Biggest problem was a LOUD squeal EVERY morning backing it out of the garage.

Had an indie do it for $540 and brakes still squealed after a couple of months. Took it back three times and he finally ended up taking it to MB dealer. They put some kind of "beanbags" in there and now it only squeals "sometimes".

I love driving this car, but I hate this car!