Unless MB have modified the laws of physics, it is nothing short of foolish, for a Mercedes dealer to offer that explanation for rusty brakes.
ABS and ESP engage only in rare and dangerous situations. Under normal braking, the brakes on each axle will absorb energy in equal amounts - otherwise, the car would routinely swerve or pull to the side which has the greater braking effect.
Braking is intentionally greatest on the front wheels. A front wheel drive car has a front weight bias, and the front wheels are also responsible for steering and traction. Therefore, the front brakes can be expected to wear faster than the rear brakes and similarly, the front tires can be expected to wear faster than the rear.
I suggest the rusty brake problem is possibly a combination of insufficient lubricant during the manufacturing process and insufficient braking force applied during normal driving with a gentle driving style. If this is the case, then a little brake lube combined with generous application of the brakes in normal driving, should solve the problem.
If you use the B every day, there should be no problem.
But for many of us, that's not always the case and the resultant problem, because the car was parked for a while in a humid environment, is there.
I would love to see a metal analysis of the rear disks compared to the Audi which is subjected to similar parking times(and longer), but with little rust.
I hate the idea of changing my driving style because of this rust.
If you use the B every day, there should be no problem.
But for many of us, that's not always the case and the resultant problem, because the car was parked for a while in a humid environment, is there.
I would love to see a metal analysis of the rear disks compared to the Audi which is subjected to similar parking times(and longer), but with little rust.
I hate the idea of changing my driving style because of this rust.
Believe me i have changed my style the last two weeks and i hate it!!! I drive like a very nervous person accelerating and braking all the time to keep the brakes clear!!! grrr... maybe i will try the brake lube option to see if i have any difference because for my car also the use is about once a week.. and all the other days its resting on humid enviroment....
It's the fact that it seems to be happening just on one wheel, in some cases, that concerns me.
This was also one of my first thoughts.. as from the side that happens to me is the exhaust system and i have noticed that every time i park i can feel much more heat at this point so i believe much more steam if i have passed over water..(in winter)... BUT.. the other guy here who mentioned the same problem, is on the other side (left) ... so there is no standard side of this problem
If you do not drive your car for days or even weeks in a damp climate, you can expect the disc brakes to show signs of surface rust ( not deep, pitted rust ) - about the same amount of rust on all four wheels - and this would be normal for any metal exposed to moisture.
If only one of your brake discs shows rust then that brake is probably not functioning normally and the pistons may be stuck due to rust or lack of lubrication or lack of use.
I am not recommending any drastic change of driving style. You do not need to drive it like you have just stolen it; but, you do not need to baby it either. These cars are designed and built for Euro stop and go traffic and days of Autobahn ( floor-it) driving. So, I suggest you just drive it, drive it frequently and do not baby it.
Please try just driving it like this for a few days and let us know if there is any difference in the rusting of the disc brakes.
I agree with what you've said Robert.
A very light rust does clear itself quickly on the B. But leave it for a week or two and it just doesn't want to clear.
The Audi is parked for even longer and clears right away and is much slower to rust up.
I would love to see a little more braking from the rears. At least feel them get warm some time.
Both cars are still on original pads and showing little wear with mostly gentle driving.
When our car arrived at the dealer earlier this week there was significant surface rust on the discs, but it virtually all cleared up with the small amount of driving done today (18km). We are unlikely to leave the car parked for a week, but will advise if we notice unusual rust.
I agree with Derek's comment on Audi - neither of the two I have owned have ever had noticably rusty discs.
My new rear discs are as rust-prone as the old ones. The dealer changed them (warranty) for no reason. Oh well, they have 6000 fewer km on them than the originals did.
When our car arrived at the dealer earlier this week there was significant surface rust on the discs, but it virtually all cleared up with the small amount of driving done today (18km). We are unlikely to leave the car parked for a week, but will advise if we notice unusual rust.
I agree with Derek's comment on Audi - neither of the two I have owned have ever had noticably rusty discs.
My first Audi had front inboard brakes and rear drums. The front brakes never needed any servicing (other than pads) but all the components in the rear rusted and had to be replaced bi yearly. My first front wheel car and very fun to drive in snow, as it had a very high ground clearance, and would go anywhere.
So far have noticed little signs of rust, but lucky for us we have terrible traffic congestion and the brakes are on all the time. Do not think we will ever get the high gas mileages posted by some.
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