Rick

I'm using Porterfields on all my cars. The truck only has 19k miles, so it won't need brakes for a while....but when it does....you guessed it.
Low noise, low dust and great fade-free wear.
You may beat the price, but you can't top the value.

Newtigger

I wont change my pads too unless the sensor lights is on or I really feel the brakes isnt working well. Btw, I have Mintex pads now on my front brakes but I wont recommend it cos I am not happy with it.

Good luck

maecclass

thank you guys for your input this is my first mb ive only own vw's and audi's so when my service advisor told me that life span on brakes for mb's is 9000k to 15000k i was shocked

drexappeal

They're full of it. My stock pads lasted me 25K (and still had some life left) before I replaced them. And I drive up and down hills 5 days of the week for a daily commute so I'm on the brakes consistently more than the average daily driver on flat streets.

benze-ply

seems like the porterfields are available for 2005 (copy/paste):

Porterfield R4S Pads available for Mercedes C230K Sport series

Vehicle
Mercedes
2004.5-2006
C230K Sport
With Sport Package

Front Pads Price: $275
Rear Pads Price: $89
Front & Rear Price: $364 ($275 + $89)


expensive, but the porterfields are what people usually get from browsing the forum. how much are the stock pads? Pagids up front at ~$90? and Jurids in the back for ~$55? At least I think those are the OEM types.

drexappeal

Wow, that's great! I didn't realize that they finally made them available. I had to buy the C32 pads for the front and the 230 pads for the rear.

MB-BOB

Way full of it.

My stock Lucas pads lasted 32,000 miles before the sensors warned, and I drove it another 800 miles before changing the pads.

W Cole

I bought mine direct from porterfield. They are located in Costa Mesa, CA.

benze-ply

is the price any cheaper direct from Porterfields in Costa Mesa?
I forgot to mention the prices for the Porterfields is from the ForMyMercedes website.

razorfish228

Just to let you know that I was working with Jerry on the brakepad project. Porterfield did not have them and my car was the first to test the pads on an 05. They created the template and send me a sample of the pads without a metal back plate. I had to drill a hole to put the sensor in with a dremel. They do not have an official pad and its not final. I have been using these new pads for about 2 weeks or so and have been working great with minimal brake dust. But the stopping power is not as good as the OEM because its still breaking in.

drexappeal

Thanks for filling everybody in, razorfish. That's important information to know. It's great that someone took the lead and is trying to get it accomplished! I am glad that you had Jerry's help, as well. He's developed a good rapport with customers, so it definitely helps the process.

Don't worry about the break in period. I thought the same thing when I first got them on, but once they were broken in, I had to re-adjust my breaking style. It'll be worth it in the long run.

I like it when people shut their mouths and just step up to the plate.

BIGjohnny

I'd stick with the OEM brake pads. I am at 50,000 miles now and on my third set of brake pads. Average aroound 20-21 thousand miles before changing new brakes.

Rear should last up to 60-70 thousand miles. I changed my rear at 40,500 miles. Once i removed the rear, about half was remaining.

W Cole

When you say the stopping power is not as good you mean it takes more peddle pressure to brake? I've noticed this too.. and my pads are well broken in. But I'm sure as long as the brakes can lock the rotors your getting max stopping power; this is obviously the case with the porterfields.

My foot slipped off the pedal the other day during a hard stop when the pads were cold... kinda dangerous.

Buellwinkle

When my brakes go i'm putting in the Akebono ceramic pads from Tirerack as they get great reviews from people on the C32 and SLK32 forums. I have a 2004.5 so it's the same 4 piston brakes used on the C32, don't know if they have them for the 2005's yet. My biggest gripe on the Porterfields is that no matter what I did, they squeeled for the first 2 months. Also, while they dusted a lot less than my 2002 with the single piston calipers, they do dust more than my 2004.5 with factory pads. I put them on my kid's Mustang and they dusted a lot more than the OEM Ford pads and were not constructed as well. Also, they don't grab as well as factory MB pads when cold but grab slightly better when hot.

W Cole

Dust MORE than the stock 2004.5 pads? Were there multiple types of stock pads? I would say my porterfields dust about 1/2 as much as my stock pads did...

razorfish228

The PorterFields that I am using has absolutely no squeal but yes to the question that I have to apply more pedal pressure to stop versus the OEM pads.

I really like them alot since I don't have the brakedust issue anymore versus the OEM which makes so much breakdust on every little trip that I make around town.

I'd like to see more companys making brakepads for out 2005 model but I guess its not going to happen. The folks that use the C32 Front Pads are very lucky that they have more choices.

drexappeal

OEM pads for me had a little bit more dust, but not a significant amount more. I have to say that I love the Porterfields compared to the OEM's.

I do agree with Buellwinkle that the Porterfields have a tendancy to brake better once they've warmed up, but not while cold.

Buellwinkle

What year car do you have? You have to keep in mind that my 2004.5 is unique, it's not like a 2004 or 2005, it's more like the C32.

C230 Sport Coup

So far so good with the Akebono pads from Tirerack.
Very little dust, but I can't speak as to the wear yet since
they were just replaced recently. But my last set of OEM stock
front pads only lasted one year! No freakin' good!

So, no squealing, very good response, and and no messy black stuff everywhere!
I read up on Akebono, and they are supplying many automakers with pads,
especially the ones who warranty the brakes along with everything else!

They have a big plant in the US, so don't let the funny sounding name
fool you. They've been working on ceramic brake tech since the 80's.

I paid about 105 with shipping for the C32 pads...
but then I did see them elsewhere after for like 80 + ship...
but now I can't find the link.

dnasty8305

anyone know what the dealer charges for brake pads? (front)

rlee02135

Herb Chambers in Somerville wanted $580 to do front rotors and pads.

If you're talking about just buying the pads, i think its like $80

Buellwinkle

Stealerships around me charge about 125% of list price for most parts. If you are looking for MB pads you may want to try Duval Motors in Florida. Their online website shows list price and their discount price. If you want them installed, just pads, nothing else, it's probably 2 hours labor so figure $300 installed around where I live. If you do them yourself, pads are about $60, sensor is about $6, rotors can be turned for about $25-30 for the pair but rotors are cheap, you may want new ones.

dnasty8305

i already have cross drilled and slotted rotors i just want new pads

MJ50

get aftermarket pads that are less dustier...

Vivid

You can always ask for discounts at the dealer.

I went to the dealer 2 days ago and got a part. I asked if they honor the Mercedes club discount and he said "Sure!".

I totally made that up and I got 15% off.