Given the high interest in this I will plan to try some hard braking this weekend and will report back on both the dust and braking power.
Go on the freeway and set cruise for say 15 min. Then without touching the brake first brake hard like a panic stop. If they are going to do it this will make it happen.
It will feel like they aren't biting initially. As soon as they get hot they will bite like normal.
Go on the freeway and set cruise for say 15 min. Then without touching the brake first brake hard like a panic stop. If they are going to do it this will make it happen.
It will feel like they aren't biting initially. As soon as they get hot they will bite like normal.
Oh gosh no. Carbon pads mated to a steel rotors require a lot of heat to bite vs using a carbon rotor. Nothing to do with bedin.
I am not positive but I think it has to do with the % of carbon in the pad. That's the big feel difference between steel and ccb is the bite. With ccb you need very little pedal pressure vs steels
Oh gosh no. Carbon pads mated to a steel rotors require a lot of heat to bite vs using a carbon rotor. Nothing to do with bedin.
I am not positive but I think it has to do with the % of carbon in the pad. That's the big feel difference between steel and ccb is the bite. With ccb you need very little pedal pressure vs steels
Yes - spent some time this weekend testing them more thoroughly on side streets and the highway with a lot of hard braking. My thoughts are as follows:
1) Definitely less brake dust but there is still some dust - it doesn't eliminate it entirely. My unscientific guess would be it eliminates half to two-thirds of the dust. However, for some reason it seems easier to wipe off than the OEM dust - a quick wipe with a rag seemed to eliminate it quite quickly, vs the OEM dust which was really caked on. Would have liked them to eliminate more of the dust, but certainly a big improvement
2) The pads do need a bit of warming up to be more effective, as other commenters have noted. Not that they won't stop you when they are cold, but you feel a difference, need to put some extra pressure. After 5ish minutes of normal braking they seem to be good. I don't think it would be noticeable in every day driving, but perhaps in extreme cases it wouldn't be ideal (e.g. avoiding an accident after a long period of not braking). I don't see this as a concern for me.
3) Once warm, they are quite good. Hard to say if they are better than OEM, but certainly equally as good. Final verdict will come next time I go to the track (I tested the OEM ones at Lime Rock a few weeks ago, TBD when I'll be back) but very happy that there is no performance loss.
Ultimately the final bill was $1200 for all four pads plus the labor to change them. If the brake dust continues to be much less, with little downside on effectiveness (and possibly some upside), then I think this is a viable and cost effective alternative to full CC rotors + pads at $9k. I'm happy with my decision.
Yes - spent some time this weekend testing them more thoroughly on side streets and the highway with a lot of hard braking. My thoughts are as follows:
1) Definitely less brake dust but there is still some dust - it doesn't eliminate it entirely. My unscientific guess would be it eliminates half to two-thirds of the dust. However, for some reason it seems easier to wipe off than the OEM dust - a quick wipe with a rag seemed to eliminate it quite quickly, vs the OEM dust which was really caked on. Would have liked them to eliminate more of the dust, but certainly a big improvement
2) The pads do need a bit of warming up to be more effective, as other commenters have noted. Not that they won't stop you when they are cold, but you feel a difference, need to put some extra pressure. After 5ish minutes of normal braking they seem to be good. I don't think it would be noticeable in every day driving, but perhaps in extreme cases it wouldn't be ideal (e.g. avoiding an accident after a long period of not braking). I don't see this as a concern for me.
3) Once warm, they are quite good. Hard to say if they are better than OEM, but certainly equally as good. Final verdict will come next time I go to the track (I tested the OEM ones at Lime Rock a few weeks ago, TBD when I'll be back) but very happy that there is no performance loss.
Ultimately the final bill was $1200 for all four pads plus the labor to change them. If the brake dust continues to be much less, with little downside on effectiveness (and possibly some upside), then I think this is a viable and cost effective alternative to full CC rotors + pads at $9k. I'm happy with my decision.
Appreciate this...alot
Im not sure yet if I am going to pull the trigger personally but this seems like all will be ok.
Yes - spent some time this weekend testing them more thoroughly on side streets and the highway with a lot of hard braking. My thoughts are as follows:
1) Definitely less brake dust but there is still some dust - it doesn't eliminate it entirely. My unscientific guess would be it eliminates half to two-thirds of the dust. However, for some reason it seems easier to wipe off than the OEM dust - a quick wipe with a rag seemed to eliminate it quite quickly, vs the OEM dust which was really caked on. Would have liked them to eliminate more of the dust, but certainly a big improvement
2) The pads do need a bit of warming up to be more effective, as other commenters have noted. Not that they won't stop you when they are cold, but you feel a difference, need to put some extra pressure. After 5ish minutes of normal braking they seem to be good. I don't think it would be noticeable in every day driving, but perhaps in extreme cases it wouldn't be ideal (e.g. avoiding an accident after a long period of not braking). I don't see this as a concern for me.
3) Once warm, they are quite good. Hard to say if they are better than OEM, but certainly equally as good. Final verdict will come next time I go to the track (I tested the OEM ones at Lime Rock a few weeks ago, TBD when I'll be back) but very happy that there is no performance loss.
Ultimately the final bill was $1200 for all four pads plus the labor to change them. If the brake dust continues to be much less, with little downside on effectiveness (and possibly some upside), then I think this is a viable and cost effective alternative to full CC rotors + pads at $9k. I'm happy with my decision.
thank you so much for the honest feedback! HUGE question though: what color is the new brake dust? OEM dust is cinnamon colored which for me is probably the worst part as it turns black wheels brown within a 10 mile drive!
Yes - spent some time this weekend testing them more thoroughly on side streets and the highway with a lot of hard braking. My thoughts are as follows:
1) Definitely less brake dust but there is still some dust - it doesn't eliminate it entirely. My unscientific guess would be it eliminates half to two-thirds of the dust. However, for some reason it seems easier to wipe off than the OEM dust - a quick wipe with a rag seemed to eliminate it quite quickly, vs the OEM dust which was really caked on. Would have liked them to eliminate more of the dust, but certainly a big improvement
2) The pads do need a bit of warming up to be more effective, as other commenters have noted. Not that they won't stop you when they are cold, but you feel a difference, need to put some extra pressure. After 5ish minutes of normal braking they seem to be good. I don't think it would be noticeable in every day driving, but perhaps in extreme cases it wouldn't be ideal (e.g. avoiding an accident after a long period of not braking). I don't see this as a concern for me.
3) Once warm, they are quite good. Hard to say if they are better than OEM, but certainly equally as good. Final verdict will come next time I go to the track (I tested the OEM ones at Lime Rock a few weeks ago, TBD when I'll be back) but very happy that there is no performance loss.
Ultimately the final bill was $1200 for all four pads plus the labor to change them. If the brake dust continues to be much less, with little downside on effectiveness (and possibly some upside), then I think this is a viable and cost effective alternative to full CC rotors + pads at $9k. I'm happy with my decision.
Thank you for this report. What amazes me is that Mercedes knows this is an issue yet continues to put 'dust pads' on cars in the factory, irritating every single customer.
Yes - spent some time this weekend testing them more thoroughly on side streets and the highway with a lot of hard braking. My thoughts are as follows:
1) Definitely less brake dust but there is still some dust - it doesn't eliminate it entirely. My unscientific guess would be it eliminates half to two-thirds of the dust. However, for some reason it seems easier to wipe off than the OEM dust - a quick wipe with a rag seemed to eliminate it quite quickly, vs the OEM dust which was really caked on. Would have liked them to eliminate more of the dust, but certainly a big improvement
2) The pads do need a bit of warming up to be more effective, as other commenters have noted. Not that they won't stop you when they are cold, but you feel a difference, need to put some extra pressure. After 5ish minutes of normal braking they seem to be good. I don't think it would be noticeable in every day driving, but perhaps in extreme cases it wouldn't be ideal (e.g. avoiding an accident after a long period of not braking). I don't see this as a concern for me.
3) Once warm, they are quite good. Hard to say if they are better than OEM, but certainly equally as good. Final verdict will come next time I go to the track (I tested the OEM ones at Lime Rock a few weeks ago, TBD when I'll be back) but very happy that there is no performance loss.
Ultimately the final bill was $1200 for all four pads plus the labor to change them. If the brake dust continues to be much less, with little downside on effectiveness (and possibly some upside), then I think this is a viable and cost effective alternative to full CC rotors + pads at $9k. I'm happy with my decision.
thank you so much for the honest feedback! HUGE question though: what color is the new brake dust? OEM dust is cinnamon colored which for me is probably the worst part as it turns black wheels brown within a 10 mile drive!
Dust seems to be more black than OEM, so just takes the shine off my black wheels vs. turning them to brown. Definitely an improvement in that respect.
Dust seems to be more black than OEM, so just takes the shine off my black wheels vs. turning them to brown. Definitely an improvement in that respect.
Dust seems to be more black than OEM, so just takes the shine off my black wheels vs. turning them to brown. Definitely an improvement in that respect.
wow! Worth it alone for that! Any chance you could snap a pic in the sun when the wheels are dirty?
Yes - spent some time this weekend testing them more thoroughly on side streets and the highway with a lot of hard braking. My thoughts are as follows:
1) Definitely less brake dust but there is still some dust - it doesn't eliminate it entirely. My unscientific guess would be it eliminates half to two-thirds of the dust. However, for some reason it seems easier to wipe off than the OEM dust - a quick wipe with a rag seemed to eliminate it quite quickly, vs the OEM dust which was really caked on. Would have liked them to eliminate more of the dust, but certainly a big improvement
2) The pads do need a bit of warming up to be more effective, as other commenters have noted. Not that they won't stop you when they are cold, but you feel a difference, need to put some extra pressure. After 5ish minutes of normal braking they seem to be good. I don't think it would be noticeable in every day driving, but perhaps in extreme cases it wouldn't be ideal (e.g. avoiding an accident after a long period of not braking). I don't see this as a concern for me.
3) Once warm, they are quite good. Hard to say if they are better than OEM, but certainly equally as good. Final verdict will come next time I go to the track (I tested the OEM ones at Lime Rock a few weeks ago, TBD when I'll be back) but very happy that there is no performance loss.
Ultimately the final bill was $1200 for all four pads plus the labor to change them. If the brake dust continues to be much less, with little downside on effectiveness (and possibly some upside), then I think this is a viable and cost effective alternative to full CC rotors + pads at $9k. I'm happy with my decision.
Just some friendly advice, be super careful on the track, super super careful. In my experience with ccb pads mated to steel rotors they work well on the street once warmed up as you have found out. However there is an operating window temperature wise where they bite well. I have been racing for 28 years so tons of experience at the limit on a track. With that said i blew off the track in turn 2 at chuckwalla. I hit the pedal like normal (not deep braking) and there was zero bite so off into the desert I went. Tore up the car a bit but nothing too bad.
Will yours do that? I don't know but seriously take it easy as I had zero warning. In track conditions the brake temp goes well above the operating temperature where they function well. Remember, there is a reason no manufacturer sell a car with this set up. For street once you get past the cold brake/no bite issue they are pretty good. I would hate to see you post that you totalled your car, i would feel horrible.
There are 2 reasons i went full ccb on mine. The above scenario and then i wanted zero brake dust. I have ccbs on most of my cars so unfortunately i have grown accustomed to no brake dust.
Just some friendly advice, be super careful on the track, super super careful. In my experience with ccb pads mated to steel rotors they work well on the street once warmed up as you have found out. However there is an operating window temperature wise where they bite well. I have been racing for 28 years so tons of experience at the limit on a track. With that said i blew off the track in turn 2 at chuckwalla. I hit the pedal like normal (not deep braking) and there was zero bite so off into the desert I went. Tore up the car a bit but nothing too bad.
Will yours do that? I don't know but seriously take it easy as I had zero warning. In track conditions the brake temp goes well above the operating temperature where they function well. Remember, there is a reason no manufacturer sell a car with this set up. For street once you get past the cold brake/no bite issue they are pretty good. I would hate to see you post that you totalled your car, i would feel horrible.
There are 2 reasons i went full ccb on mine. The above scenario and then i wanted zero brake dust. I have ccbs on most of my cars so unfortunately i have grown accustomed to no brake dust.
Thanks for the advice - will take extra precautions at the track until I understand how they behave at different temperatures. I would also feel bad if I totaled my car!
Yes I'll try to take a before and after this weekend.
here’s a reference shot, where it shows how horrific the brown color is. This was a perfectly fully cleaned wheel 15 miles prior! Would love to see a shot of your wheels in this lighting condition to see the color of the dust
here’s a reference shot, where it shows how horrific the brown color is. This was a perfectly fully cleaned wheel 15 miles prior! Would love to see a shot of your wheels in this lighting condition to see the color of the dust
And whats even worse is this is the rear wheel ...
