AMG ceramic brake lifetime?
Discussion
WHAT!?! Thats a load of rubbish - we're talking proper ceramic brakes here, right? A number of OEM's use brakes made by the same manufacturer (Brembo) so there shouldn't be a huge difference whether they're fitted to a Merc or an Aston. The discs for normal road use should last the life of the car (or at least a good couple of hundred thousand miles). The pads also last a decent time - probably around 40k miles if the wear SLS is anything to go by - it's on 20k miles and the pads aren't even halfway worn.
The only time you should need to replace carbon discs is if they get damaged - they are quite fragile so this is far more likely than them wearing out. For instance, if you get a stone get jammed in the calliper and it scores the disc, you'll need a new disc. Or if you take a wheel off and accidentally chipping some off the disc off, you'll need a new disc. But otherwise, for normal road use they should be more durable than steel discs by far.
The only time you should need to replace carbon discs is if they get damaged - they are quite fragile so this is far more likely than them wearing out. For instance, if you get a stone get jammed in the calliper and it scores the disc, you'll need a new disc. Or if you take a wheel off and accidentally chipping some off the disc off, you'll need a new disc. But otherwise, for normal road use they should be more durable than steel discs by far.
No, this is for real. We're talking about a 1 year old SL 63 AMG with the optional performance package including factory fitted ceramic brakes. Mercedes in Ascot informs that Mercedes UK does not consider the (four) faulty discs under warranty (the car went in for the first service due to its first birthday at less than 10,000 miles of normal road use). Mercedes tells me that such is life and brake discs are not under warranty. Funny thing is that the pads are fine and they are the softer of the two. Obvious to most that the harder part will only be the single failing one if subject to some sort of manufacturing issue. There's no way that I am to blame for damaging four ceramic discs around the Tesco parking lot while the pads are fine!
This is an expensive issue, but that's not an excuse for Mercedes. I have asked Mercedes UK to confirm things in writing as other buyers should know what they are in for if they get AMG ceramic brakes.
This is an expensive issue, but that's not an excuse for Mercedes. I have asked Mercedes UK to confirm things in writing as other buyers should know what they are in for if they get AMG ceramic brakes.
king outrageous. PM if you need help.PositronicRay said:
What's actually wrong with them? I've known ceramics to "craze" after a dunking in a water-splash whilst hot.
Was going to be my very next question, because unless they're damaged (chipped, cracked etc) I just can't see how they'd have worn in such a short time. Only if they are 'damaged' would I then understand MB washing their hands of this.If they are ceramic then the disc itself should not really wear due to normal use...... ever! The pads are what take the heat / hit and at that they will last far longer than their cheaper 'regular' AMG alternatives. Audi had issues with discs cracking back in the early days but they happily replaced under warranty.
I fear either you haven't given the full story or MB are dodging a bill. My recent experience makes me think the latter and MB are pulling a fast one. Strong words to MB customer services may help your cause but don't expect an easy ride.
Eddie
I fear either you haven't given the full story or MB are dodging a bill. My recent experience makes me think the latter and MB are pulling a fast one. Strong words to MB customer services may help your cause but don't expect an easy ride.
Eddie
Hi
I am sorry to hear about this.
I have composites on my C63, and was told, after only 20k miles, that the discs needed replacing.
I politely pointed out that cracking must surely be a warranty issue....after a lot of phone calls and usual no one getting back to me I was eventually told "Sorry, our mistake Sir, you discs are fine"
The discs did need replacing, as did the pads (cracking, not wear) and AMG Germany, Mercedes UK and the local (useless) dealer refused to pay or even contribute, so I went my own way.
If I could be bothered I would have gone to court.
Good Luck!
Gareth
I am sorry to hear about this.
I have composites on my C63, and was told, after only 20k miles, that the discs needed replacing.
I politely pointed out that cracking must surely be a warranty issue....after a lot of phone calls and usual no one getting back to me I was eventually told "Sorry, our mistake Sir, you discs are fine"
The discs did need replacing, as did the pads (cracking, not wear) and AMG Germany, Mercedes UK and the local (useless) dealer refused to pay or even contribute, so I went my own way.
If I could be bothered I would have gone to court.
Good Luck!
Gareth
Hi, and thanks for all the input. Very kind, everyone.
I made contact directly with AMG in Germany and have sent them pictures for their expert evaluation of what this really is about and what should be done. With the number of high end cars being fitted with ceramic brakes as standard, issues such as mine are to be solved immediately under warranty or buyers should stay away from the ceramics. Doing the school run and occasional visit to Tesco should not wear out AMG ceramics in less than a year.
Quite sure that the sales guys in the dealership will not inform customers that expected lifetime is less than a year and less than 10,000 miles, as I was told a bit too late.
I made contact directly with AMG in Germany and have sent them pictures for their expert evaluation of what this really is about and what should be done. With the number of high end cars being fitted with ceramic brakes as standard, issues such as mine are to be solved immediately under warranty or buyers should stay away from the ceramics. Doing the school run and occasional visit to Tesco should not wear out AMG ceramics in less than a year.
Quite sure that the sales guys in the dealership will not inform customers that expected lifetime is less than a year and less than 10,000 miles, as I was told a bit too late.
And here's the end of the story: AMG has confirmed that the discs are actually not damaged; it's just surface mosaic patterns that are normal. That just saved me 8,000 pounds. I was not keen on ceramic brakes in the first place - this has not improved the experience. The lesson learned is that Mercedes will turn away from the warranty if the parts involved are within the definition of "wear parts", completely ignoring that wear parts may indeed be faulty as any other part may. Next time you buy a car with ceramics, ask to have confirmed that they won't brake for many years. The car sales guys will of course have to confirm this and you're much better off against the warranty department next year if things go bad.
Thanks for all the input.
Thanks for all the input.
Pleased for the OP, I would be deeply concerned if my discs, steel or ceramic, were not covered after a relatively short time or mileage. I know plenty of people who think ceramics are the last word, but I still don't get it for road use as the temperature needed to extract the performance advantage makes them a bit of a nonsense IMO. Others talk about increased disc and pad life making them more economical, but I don't keep a car longer than a couple of years and in any event I don't think they've been in common use long enough to tell.
Eric Sor said:
Next time you buy a car with ceramics, ask to have confirmed that they won't brake for many years. The car sales guys will of course have to confirm this and you're much better off against the warranty department next year if things go bad.
Even if you get this, you're still at their mercy when it comes to replacement due to damage.I'll be steering clear of ceramics for a couple more years until real world life is better understood.
Can see them being an issue for residuals as cars equipped with them get a bit older.
I'd be having an argument with the dealer about why they said they needed replacement when they didn't and what confidence should you have in them with any other work on your car. Trading standards would have a field day over a back street garage fleecing £300 from an old biddy for work that didn't need doing. What they've just done is daylight robbery
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