look above at my link, the only ones that i find that 'say' fit our cars (the 2-piston setup) and are not that much $$ are the ones from kragen, but i dont see anyone that has used them. im thinking of giveing them a try, some other guy used autoparts ones somewere on this forum, but he has the single-piston setup.

FYI, the c350/c32/2004.5 use the larger 4-piston setup, do a search there is a whole thread on this even with pics

from what i've read, the older formula pads from EBC were hard on rotors. Although I've read mixed reviews online, the EBC Redstuff was recommended by someone else on this forum.

so its seems that no brick and mortar store sells pads for the 2-piston setup, unless you buy OEM i guess. everywere else you have to order. is this about right? or has someone found a place that sells them?

Drex,

I put in Akebonos in my kid's SLK230. They are fantastic. Zero dust, much less than the Porterfields I used on my 2002 C230K. The manager at the MB car washed asked why I was bringing the car in when it's so clean, haha, the car wasn't washed in a week... I have the original pads on my 2004.5 C230 with 31K miles and I still have a bit to go. They dust about the same as Portefields, certainly not as much as my 2002 C230K or 1998 SLK230 did with factory pads. I think it's because Brembo uses Pagid pads which dust less than the pads used on other MB calipers.

I think I'm gonna be the guinea pig and try the Akebono's for the 2004.5. Since I'm not doing a brake upgrade just yet, I can give some feedback on these. They are a great pad for JDM's, so why not and especially if they work for your kid's SLK.

Now, it's just a matter of choosing the rear rotors (Stoptech or Zimmerman).

I thought I read a thread some time ago that says a brick and mortar auto parts store does carry pads for the C230, but it may not be a brand covered here, and may not have the same performance (bite, fade resistance, low dust).

You won't be first, many on the C32 forum use them.

Excellent. That's good news. I'll have to look through the posts in the AMG forum.

Hmmm...A lot of the places that I found online only sell these in 4 packs. I guess I'm gonna have to buy a set for the C32 and a set for the 230 and then just sell a set to another 2004.5 owner that needs pads...

I got a single set from Tirerack for the SLK230 with sensors for about $80. I may get the rears as now I can't stand the dust on the rear wheels, haha.

yeah i checked on autozone, but when i enter my car etc, and i click brakes this is what i get:

http://www.autozone.com/N,14401233//...eResultSet.htm

if it doesnt come up, it says:

Application:
Except Sport package
Note:
Semi-metallic

uhmmm..what? arent all 2005 c230's (in the USA at least) SPORT models? and it seems they dont have them in their stores.

ok, so out convenience and necesity, i did the brakes at the dealer, ordering would have taken too long, and i didnt have time. had to leave town, couldnt go on almost gone brakes. well...it was kinda pricey...(well for me at least) they did rotors, front pads and service A. $750 with tax. thats including at %10 off my service guy gave me, because he felt bad it was getting up there. ok i know were to get pads for next time..what about rotors? just buy the OEM or get something else? what do u guys recomend?

I plan on replacing my rotors with OEM ones when the time comes. they're already cross drilled and they're not that expensive so I don't see the point in hunting down aftermarket ones.

crazy price

costs no more than $250 in parts

this is true, mostly labor i saw the invoice. thats were the dealers gets u, labor. because parts ur right, not that much. under warranty they replaced the buttons on my steering wheel (they were pealing) replaced front passenger side speaker, i was complaining that it was vibrating-oh well, it wasnt the speaker, its the enclosure~!!-replaced both srs plastic covers from the doors-dont know why-and replaced both license plate light bulbs. bleh, still 750,

Im looking to get front pads once again for my C320 01' have new rotos im looking to get Ceramic pads this time. what do u guys recommend and how do find them. hope they last longer since OEM are soft wear fast
THX

So far so good with Akebono Ceramics.
http://www.akebonobrakes.com/aftermarket/index.html

Akebono only makes ceramic pads for 2004.5 and up models. They do not make pads for 01-04 W203's.

The 2 main choices for ceramic brake pads for 01-04 owners are:

1. Hawk Ceramic
2. EBC Redstuff Ceramic Pads

I have heard pretty good feedback on the the Hawk Ceramic Pads. I have heard a lot of mixed reviews on the EBC. I am going to order some Hawk Ceramic pads myself pretty soon. The brake dust has been KILLING me since the day I bought my car.

You should give Red stuff a try, I have EBC sport rotors and red stuff. I love them!! Less brake dust and more stopping power~

Here's my original post

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...ight=ebc+brake

I just bought a set of Red Stuff pads today, and I'll be doing the swap this weekend.

Pictures and swearing to be posted shortly thereafter... :-)

2005 c230 sedans are a pain to get pads for...Hawk nor Porterfield make them for our car!

Oh and if anyone wanted to know the Pad Shapes are:

Front: D1121 and Rear: D876

So what do i get other then OEM?

Akebono makes a great ceramic pad for 05 C230's (check TireRack). I would buy Akebono's for my car if they made em, however I'm left to Hawk or EBC.

Are Akebono good pads though? How is the noise and brake dust? I checked tirerack and they don't have them for my car either =\

Yeah what's the deal with TireRack, they only list Brembo BBKs for our car?

I have read through all 8 pages of posts and cannot find the answer to my "Q"
I wanted to order new brake pads for my 2002 C240. The web site shows one part number, do the front and rears take the same size or part number on a 02 C240? Well I did find my answer, two different part numbers, however no company makes both front and rears that I have found.

I appears that I will have to use two different brands on a 2002 C240. HAWK ceramics on the front and AKEBONO ceramic on the rears.