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I got 55,000 kms on my 2012 C300 . Today got warning message "Check the brake pads".
I suspect that front pads are very close to be changed. Need to take off wheels to verify.
Now looking for new pads and trying to get an opinion how original OE pads compare with ATE brand? Anyone has experience with ATE brake pads?
ATE produces quality parts. Other mfrs make "oe formulation" pads. See Rock Auto for dozens of choices.
Personally, I've been fitting the semi metallic pads from Centric. Reasonable dust, tremendous stopping power under normal driving, quiet and long life. I'm fitting a new set today to our W204. We don't race the car or "track" the car.
I saw there are ceramic ATE brake pads which are about 10-15% more expensive than the regular pads. Can these be fitted with a metal disc or the discs have to be replaced with ceramic discs?
I'm also considering replacing my brake pads (Front and Rear)
I've never replaced them on Mercedes, so don't take my advise without double checking with a more experienced person.
Are the OEM MB brand brake pads and rotors the best to be used ? Are there aftermarket products that are better then OEM ?
What type of grease should be used to coat the hub after the brush cleaning?
What are the torque specs for the caliper bolts and its frame ?
I saw there are ceramic ATE brake pads which are about 10-15% more expensive than the regular pads. Can these be fitted with a metal disc or the discs have to be replaced with ceramic discs?
Ceramic pads can be used on traditional rotors. Just be aware that your braking characteristics can change quite a bit with ceramic pads.
what is the best, i.e. original MB brand pads or other brands ?
Also what is the best to have , the original MB brand rotors or the other brands ?
Best?
There are tons of choices out there in terms of pads and rotors. Who knows what is best?
Last weekend I fitted fresh Pagid rotors to the front of our C300 and semi-metallic Centric pads at all four corners. I've been having really good luck with these pads. Fitting them to all our cars. Terrific stopping power under normal driving.
Premium rotors would be Zimmerman, which are often OE, and Brembo. However, there are many other good choices. Just do a search on Rock Auto and review all the options. Huge spread in pricing.
There are tons of choices out there in terms of pads and rotors. Who knows what is best?
Last weekend I fitted fresh Pagid rotors to the front of our C300 and semi-metallic Centric pads at all four corners. I've been having really good luck with these pads. Fitting them to all our cars. Terrific stopping power under normal driving.
Premium rotors would be Zimmerman, which are often OE, and Brembo. However, there are many other good choices. Just do a search on Rock Auto and review all the options. Huge spread in pricing.
Well, there is an easy way to determine which is best. Measure stopping distance with each set of pads/rotors, but let's be blunt here, no one will do that.
Yeah, I'm slowly removing the OE ceramic pads fitted to our various cars. I basically hate them, pedal effort is just absurd trying to get the car to stop - - virtually no initial bite.
The only good things: Quiet, extremely clean and seem to be e-z on the rotors.
If you're gonna do the ceramic pad experiment, I'd recommend Akebono.
"Best" to me wouldn't necessarily be shortest stopping distance under power braking. I'm more focused on long-term lack of issues and good stopping performance under normal driving.
Thank you, guys.
I read allot of opinions and they are split 50/50 between OEM and premium aftermarket.
I'm inclined to purchase the original OEM pads and rotors. If this is not the right decision, then please by all means stop me.
I compared OEM parts prices between Pelican and MB dealership and the difference is just $37CAD. So tomorrow I'm planning to visit MB dealership.
One more question: for lubing the brake caliper guide pins , has anyone used Mag1 Marine grease (it's lithium base but doesn't say if it is safe for the rubber boots) ?
If not, then what is the proper lubricant for this application?
Guess I'll jump in here..as far as supplier, FCP Euro can supply you with OEM or Brembo/Zimmerman rotors and they'll warranty them with their "return the old ones, get new ones for free except for shipping" lifetime. OEM MB pads are great..Porterfield RS-4S pads have better initial bite and wear forever with street use.
thank you again for quick responses
I got additional 15% discount from MB today, it will ends up being cheaper then from FCP Euro or Pelican.
Looks like quality-wise and price-wise it definitely make sense for me to purchase OE set from the dealer.
What are the torque specs for the caliper bolts and its frame ?
What type of anti-seize grease should be used to coat the hub after the brush cleaning?
I've changed the front rotors and brake pads. Since I didn't get the torque specs for bolts , I just hand tighten them all.
When I removed the aluminum decals (with "Mercedes Benz" writing on it) in order to be able to remove the retainer clip, they both broke at the same spot (lower pin lost it's strength due to overheating and broke off).
MB dealer doesn't sell these decals as a separate part.
At the backside of these decals there is TRW logo and their part number 32337198.
I just read several old threads here on forum , that other people trying to find these decals. Somebody even suggested to get stickers on eBay. But that will be a temporary thing until the next brake pads change time (cause its on the way of the retainer clip).
I wonder if by now someone found a supplier for these aluminum decals?
I've changed the front rotors and brake pads. Since I didn't get the torque specs for bolts , I just hand tighten them all.
When I removed the aluminum decals (with "Mercedes Benz" writing on it) in order to be able to remove the retainer clip, they both broke at the same spot (lower pin lost it's strength due to overheating and broke off).
MB dealer doesn't sell these decals as a separate part.
At the backside of these decals there is TRW logo and their part number 32337198.
I just read several old threads here on forum , that other people trying to find these decals. Somebody even suggested to get stickers on eBay. But that will be a temporary thing until the next brake pads change time (cause its on the way of the retainer clip).
I wonder if by now someone found a supplier for these aluminum decals?
I got genuine pads all around and some High temp mercedes benz stickers, I will post when everything is painted and installed.
do you have the original decal/plate still attached to your caliper?
Yes I kept the plate original black with the red calipers but the mercedes logo is all chipped and the plate can use a nice coat of black paint. I will just be restoring the plates with the white decals.
Re; The original question about ATE brake pads. On the non-sport model cars, MB uses ATE brakes in many applications. I'm pretty sure that the pads are also sourced by ATE. However, the friction materials used in the MB pads are selected for the friction coefficient and braking performance that MB wants. The aftermarket pads may or may not meet their specs. I have had two rather bad experiences where after market pads had a lower friction coefficient than the MB supplied pads. If you go with ATE, you may want to order them from a supplier that carries the European parts which are required by law to have at least the same stopping performance as the original equipment. I'm pretty sure that EBC and Brembo will already meet this requirement. I'm not sure about Akebono parts sold in the US.
Thanks. I already purchased from MB dealership the brake pads and rotors.
BTW , these so called original pads are actually manufactured by TRW (their logo can be found on each brake pad)
Now after the install I’m trying to find the replacement decals that attaches on calipers. Ironically this decals are also manufactured by TRW.
03-03-2018, 05:26 AM
need advice on type of brake pads
