Mercedez E350 Cab - Rusty Callipers!
Discussion
In March I bought a new Mercedez E350 Cab. In the short amount of time I have had the car the brake callipers have rusted. I have approached Mercedes about this and they are telling me that I will have to pay to have them replaced. Given the how new the car is I am really surprised at their response as the callipers are literally orange. I was wondering if anyone else has experienced this problem too?
Really... 
I've seen this topic come up a few times and amazed about how people get so bent out of shape over something that's not hard to cure if it's a problem, or that honestly.. not really a problem.
Unless you've had them painted, the calipers and disc hubs will tend to go rusty, but to no determent of performance over some time.
As noted, the car wash bays use a mild acid to clean the brake dust off wheels, but this in turn can react to the coating on the calipers.
Given also, that this part of the car tends to get rather HOT, when in use repeatedly. most paints / coatings don't last forever and will eventually degrade and fall off.
For the sake of ascetics, there's little to no point having the calipers replaced since performance wise, there's nothing wrong with them, unless you fancy blowing £3-500 per time.
I'd say, go to a local motor factors and ask about some brake caliper paint and either do it yourself and give them a lick of paint if it's that big of an issue, or ask the garage to do this for you (IF they will that is).
I've seen this topic come up a few times and amazed about how people get so bent out of shape over something that's not hard to cure if it's a problem, or that honestly.. not really a problem. Unless you've had them painted, the calipers and disc hubs will tend to go rusty, but to no determent of performance over some time.
As noted, the car wash bays use a mild acid to clean the brake dust off wheels, but this in turn can react to the coating on the calipers.
Given also, that this part of the car tends to get rather HOT, when in use repeatedly. most paints / coatings don't last forever and will eventually degrade and fall off.
For the sake of ascetics, there's little to no point having the calipers replaced since performance wise, there's nothing wrong with them, unless you fancy blowing £3-500 per time.
I'd say, go to a local motor factors and ask about some brake caliper paint and either do it yourself and give them a lick of paint if it's that big of an issue, or ask the garage to do this for you (IF they will that is).
They are Zinc passivated. It is a sacrifical coating but not a particularly durable one as you have found out, Sally.
Do you have the car cleaned at one of these hand car washes? The cleaning products and detergents they use are quite harsh and accelerate the break down of the sacrificial coating. Also, if you leave brake dust on the calipers and use the car in the rain, this too accelerates the break down of the coating.
Do you have the car cleaned at one of these hand car washes? The cleaning products and detergents they use are quite harsh and accelerate the break down of the sacrificial coating. Also, if you leave brake dust on the calipers and use the car in the rain, this too accelerates the break down of the coating.
In the past calipers and other ferrous components were plated quite thickly with cadmium, this is not permitted anymore due to environmental concerns.
The thin coating of Zinc applied these days (another poisonous heavy metal) is not very durable and will certainly not withstand harsh wheel cleaning chemicals.
Simple answer, paint them HTH.
The thin coating of Zinc applied these days (another poisonous heavy metal) is not very durable and will certainly not withstand harsh wheel cleaning chemicals.
Simple answer, paint them HTH.
I think it slightly grates.
The calipers have the pads 'on show' and stamped with Mercedes Benz which is clearly visible in white text so obviously meant to be seen in a similar way that brembo lettering is on brembo calipers. It follows then that they shouldn't look like scrap metal after only a few months.
The calipers have the pads 'on show' and stamped with Mercedes Benz which is clearly visible in white text so obviously meant to be seen in a similar way that brembo lettering is on brembo calipers. It follows then that they shouldn't look like scrap metal after only a few months.
Hi Sally, i have a similar problem with my E-class, new 1st march this year & done around 7000 miles. Front callipers absolutely covered in rust, rears not as bad.
What bothers me the most is that also in march, 5 people i know bought new cars. 2 mercedes,1 alfa,1 vauxhall & 1 VW, i've studied the brakes on all those cars & they are all in perfect condition (all done between 6000 & 12000 miles)
Perhaps it sounds a little petty but when the car is nice & clean it really spoils the way it looks with horrible rusty brakes.
Still waiting for my dealer to call back.
What bothers me the most is that also in march, 5 people i know bought new cars. 2 mercedes,1 alfa,1 vauxhall & 1 VW, i've studied the brakes on all those cars & they are all in perfect condition (all done between 6000 & 12000 miles)
Perhaps it sounds a little petty but when the car is nice & clean it really spoils the way it looks with horrible rusty brakes.
Still waiting for my dealer to call back.
richard james said:
Perhaps it sounds a little petty but when the car is nice & clean it really spoils the way it looks with horrible rusty brakes.
You'd think they'd be concerned about their cars looking crap.Black B post trims on my car bubbled - dealer offered to sell me new trims so I've left them as they are.
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