Brakelabs Powersport DRILLED Rotors... don't buy
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 28
Likes: 1
From: Pompton Lakes, NJ
2K5C230SSMR
Brakelabs Powersport DRILLED Rotors... don't buy
Hey guys, just a heads up. I ordered a set of 4 rotors for my 2005 C230 Sport Sedan complete with pads from Brakelabs on ebay. The picture in the ad shows 4 directional cross drilled rotors, see for yourself.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/400728418785?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_from%3DR40%26_sacat%3D0%26_nkw%3D400728418785%26_rdc%3D1
Unfortunately what i received was a set of directional rear rotors, but two of the same rotor in the front, so that the drill patterns and vent veins swoop in opposite directions. When I called to find out if there was a shipping error, they said that it was not an error. Mercedes only offers 1 part number/rotor for the c230 sport, its the same rotor for both sides.
Well I verified this myself by looking it up online, they were correct, so I can not fault them there. But you should know that if you do plan to order Brakelabs rotors for your C230 (possibly other models), you will have 3 rotors on your vehicle that all swoop in one direction, with one of the fronts in the opposite direction.
What i don't get is while the car comes stock with 1 rotor front, it also comes stock with blank rear rotors. Ok, But if your going to manufacture custom directional drilled rotors for the rear, why would you not offer a matching complete front set? If its about money and tooling, then why not discontinue one of the rear directional rotors? Then that way both wheels on one side of the car at least swoop in the same direction, even if the two sides are different?
Can't return them now, they're already mounted
http://www.ebay.com/itm/400728418785?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_from%3DR40%26_sacat%3D0%26_nkw%3D400728418785%26_rdc%3D1
Unfortunately what i received was a set of directional rear rotors, but two of the same rotor in the front, so that the drill patterns and vent veins swoop in opposite directions. When I called to find out if there was a shipping error, they said that it was not an error. Mercedes only offers 1 part number/rotor for the c230 sport, its the same rotor for both sides.
Well I verified this myself by looking it up online, they were correct, so I can not fault them there. But you should know that if you do plan to order Brakelabs rotors for your C230 (possibly other models), you will have 3 rotors on your vehicle that all swoop in one direction, with one of the fronts in the opposite direction.
What i don't get is while the car comes stock with 1 rotor front, it also comes stock with blank rear rotors. Ok, But if your going to manufacture custom directional drilled rotors for the rear, why would you not offer a matching complete front set? If its about money and tooling, then why not discontinue one of the rear directional rotors? Then that way both wheels on one side of the car at least swoop in the same direction, even if the two sides are different?
Can't return them now, they're already mounted
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,848
Likes: 15
From: Orange County
2005 C Wagon (No snickering please!)
I have always thought that drilled rotors on a street car is simply a fashion statement. You will find cracks in almost any drilled rotor on a Mercedes car. The cracks in most cases are cosmetic and pose no threat braking. Who needs this?
The only mod to brake rotors that is helpful to street cars is to slot the rotor. The slots will perform as a lapping tool for the pads and keep them flat. High end aftermarket rotors often offer slotted rotors for cars that had flat disc's from the factory. ATE and Bosch have offerings in their premium replacement line ups.
Truthfully I have never examined a car on the road to see if the hole pattern swoops in a particular direction. I would not lose any sleep over it.
The only mod to brake rotors that is helpful to street cars is to slot the rotor. The slots will perform as a lapping tool for the pads and keep them flat. High end aftermarket rotors often offer slotted rotors for cars that had flat disc's from the factory. ATE and Bosch have offerings in their premium replacement line ups.
Truthfully I have never examined a car on the road to see if the hole pattern swoops in a particular direction. I would not lose any sleep over it.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 408
Likes: 40
From: Hawaii
2017 GLA 250, 2011 C63 P31 (p30 w/ lsd) (in repair), 2005 C230 Sport Eurocharged, 2003 C320~sold
no and if you run cryo rotors are supposed to help the longevity too for both the pads and rotors. I like what Frozen Rotors has to say so will be going with them. They also partner with StopTech and have other types (drilled/slotted/both/black finish etc) available than what is only on their site.
dimeified that sucks man
A few other brands do the same thing and I will not buy from a company that only manufactures 1 rotor for both sides just because of the venting benefit let alone looks on a drilled/slotted one. Too bad they just used a generic pic stating "photo may vary from actual product" 
dimeified that sucks man
A few other brands do the same thing and I will not buy from a company that only manufactures 1 rotor for both sides just because of the venting benefit let alone looks on a drilled/slotted one. Too bad they just used a generic pic stating "photo may vary from actual product"
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 28
Likes: 1
From: Pompton Lakes, NJ
2K5C230SSMR
I have always thought that drilled rotors on a street car is simply a fashion statement. You will find cracks in almost any drilled rotor on a Mercedes car. The cracks in most cases are cosmetic and pose no threat braking. Who needs this?
The only mod to brake rotors that is helpful to street cars is to slot the rotor. The slots will perform as a lapping tool for the pads and keep them flat. High end aftermarket rotors often offer slotted rotors for cars that had flat disc's from the factory. ATE and Bosch have offerings in their premium replacement line ups.
Truthfully I have never examined a car on the road to see if the hole pattern swoops in a particular direction. I would not lose any sleep over it.
The only mod to brake rotors that is helpful to street cars is to slot the rotor. The slots will perform as a lapping tool for the pads and keep them flat. High end aftermarket rotors often offer slotted rotors for cars that had flat disc's from the factory. ATE and Bosch have offerings in their premium replacement line ups.
Truthfully I have never examined a car on the road to see if the hole pattern swoops in a particular direction. I would not lose any sleep over it.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,434
Likes: 4
From: Raleigh, NC
2005 C230K, 2019 Honda CR-V, '74 Lotus Europa
Sorry about your problem, dimeified. For future reference, I would only trust a "real" picture of the actual part on ebay. I would ignore any picture like the one in the ebay ad you referenced. I would also tend not to get parts like that from ebay. I just feel more comfortable getting stuff like that from someone like rmeuropean or autohaus.
Glad they are working for you.
Glad they are working for you.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,067
Likes: 11
From: Westwood, NJ
2004 Civic Si. FWD for the Win!
Mercedes brakes tend to be over and above what is necessary, especially if you're not doing any track or autox events, so I'm not surprised that the old drilled rotors held up fine.
I'd have to agree with crawfish on buying parts on ebay.
Good luck with the new parts, and as has been said, don't sweat the small stuff on the rotor work.
I'd have to agree with crawfish on buying parts on ebay.
Good luck with the new parts, and as has been said, don't sweat the small stuff on the rotor work.
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Super Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 544
Likes: 22
From: Texas
13's550/2000's430/13'gl63/'13's550/10's63
wow moviela, so amg's have crossdrilled rotors for looks, really! cross drilled help in cooling the rotors under heavy breaking, they are not for show they have a function.
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