So I just took the ML350 in for an oil change and shocker - they have a laundry list of things that should also be taken care of. I'm not complaining, I'm glad they check things over - but it never fails that everytime I take a vehicle to a dealership, there's always more work that "needs" to be done. But enough of my grumbling, on with the questions....

My rear pads are apparently getting on the thin side, but they want $189 plus labor to replace them. I've changed pads on numerous foreign and domestic vehicles since I was old enough to drive - how much different are ML350 brakes? I have HD sets of both Alan wrench & Torx socket sets, so unless there's a special instrument/device, I should be good to go for tools.

Secondly, I don't believe the spark plugs have ever been replaced so I'd like to take care of that since gas isn't getting cheaper. Is this something I can do myself? Again, I've done this many times before, but never on my truck. Anything special involved in getting to them? I'm sure they're buried under the air-intake and other things, but how much else needs to be removed? They want over $500 to do it (12 plugs x $17ea + 3.5hrs labor = $$$) so there's definitely incentive for me as a DIYer.

Any tips/advice/recommendations/etc are greatly appreciated.
TIA,
-JMUBuzz