Ceramic Brake pads
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,221
Likes: 11
From: Sydney, Australia
W203 slightly modified
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,221
Likes: 11
From: Sydney, Australia
W203 slightly modified
yo guys, this has probably been covered before, but if you guys don't have the ceramic brake pads on your car, you need to get them immediately! besides improved feel and no fade- I CAN DRIVE MY CAR, HARD, FOR A WEEK, AND MY WHEELS DON'T GET BLACK. F'ING AMAZING.
got mine on tirerack for 100 for the fronts. didn't do the rears yet, but will next time they need it.
unbelievable!
got mine on tirerack for 100 for the fronts. didn't do the rears yet, but will next time they need it.
unbelievable!
Seriously, if you can afford a Benz you can afford someone to clean your rims. On top of which if the pads are hard then you will eat your rotors.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2005
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C32 AMG
Seriously, I agree that dust production should be a secondary concern to stopping power; but I don't think you give up any stopping power with ceramics when compared to OEM pads. I've had both (OEM, ceramics, new ceramics, non-ceramics), and the OEMs were the highest dust with the lowest stopping power. So, if performance is equal, why not favor low dust?
PS: Not only do I clean my own wheels, but I change my own brake pads AND rotors!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,001
Likes: 37
From: NY
2014 E350 4Matic
I agree with Fifth Ring. These ceramics are as good if not better than OE and produce far less dust. Had mine on for two weeks and couldn't be happier.
Installation is a breeze and should not take more than 30 minutes in the driveway with a jack, pin, hammer and long screw driver.
Regards,
Installation is a breeze and should not take more than 30 minutes in the driveway with a jack, pin, hammer and long screw driver.
Regards,
Almost a Member!
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
hey guys, so when ordering the pads, the 2004 C32 amg fronts are exactly the same pads as the ones were are running on the 2005-2006 C55's right? well what about the rears? Are the 2004 C32 amg REAR pads the exact same as the 2005-2006 C55 AMG REARS? ~Regards
MBworld Guru
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 22,058
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From: Diamond Bar, CA
W206 PHEV AMG
yes and yes
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Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Summerville, SC
2003 C32 AMG
I have had my set of EBC red stuff Ceramic Pads (sounds like I am the only one using these pads) on for quite some time (20,000 miles) and I can say that I will never go back to regular pads. I simply love them and would highly recommend them to anyone. I do live in South Carolina and do not see much a winter but I do drive my car in the winter and have never experienced any problems with stopping power when cold and if I am racing the car I always make sure I get them warm before going all out and I believe the car stops better with them.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,513
Likes: 0
C32 AMG
I have had my set of EBC red stuff Ceramic Pads (sounds like I am the only one using these pads) on for quite some time (20,000 miles) and I can say that I will never go back to regular pads. I simply love them and would highly recommend them to anyone. I do live in South Carolina and do not see much a winter but I do drive my car in the winter and have never experienced any problems with stopping power when cold and if I am racing the car I always make sure I get them warm before going all out and I believe the car stops better with them.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 617
Likes: 1
From: Burnaby
2002 CL203
I used EBC Redstuff Ceramics for a good while and recently switched to EBC Yellowstuff which is not ceramic. The redstuff is awesome for street use and some track work, but I found that they gradually lost bite if they got overheated, and the loss of bite was permanent. The Yellowstuff is supposed to be more track-worthy. Of course, as a non-ceramic, they throw off a lot of dust.
Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 207
Likes: 1
From: Redondo Beach
Z06, M3, Mini Cooper S. Sold: C55
I know a few people have said they like the R4S's, but I tried them on my C55 and they sucked! Sure the dust was lower, but so was the friction. It took slightly more effort to brake & the pads were so soft they basically turned to dust after one weekend of hard use. If you're a mild driver they are probably OK, but the C55/32 are kinda heavy & fast for these pads, but they do work great on slightly less powerful & lighter cars.
I put R4 on after that (for a track wknd) and much better friction level & heat resistance. You just can't use them as daily driver pads as they squeal like a stuck pig. Worse than my Hawk HP+ did.
I've tried the EBC Red Stuff ceramics on a 545 sport and they work OK. Slightly less bite than factory pads, slightly less dust, but are harder on rotors. No squeal yet. Don't track it or drive it as hard so no real comments on ultimate high temp performance.
I put R4 on after that (for a track wknd) and much better friction level & heat resistance. You just can't use them as daily driver pads as they squeal like a stuck pig. Worse than my Hawk HP+ did.
I've tried the EBC Red Stuff ceramics on a 545 sport and they work OK. Slightly less bite than factory pads, slightly less dust, but are harder on rotors. No squeal yet. Don't track it or drive it as hard so no real comments on ultimate high temp performance.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,513
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C32 AMG
I had no noise with Redstuff once they were bedded in. For the first week or so there was some squealing as I rolled to a stop.
As to how the Redstuff treats rotors, it should be noted that EBC changed their formula for Redstuff and the current Redstuff is an entirely different substance. The older Redstuff had a reputation for eating rotors.
Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 207
Likes: 1
From: Redondo Beach
Z06, M3, Mini Cooper S. Sold: C55
I agree on the squeal, but they do dust some. Also they sure ate the rotors on the 545 after only a few thousand miles. The factory ones were on for twice as long & the rotors looked practically untouched. The rotors are visibly grooved now with the Red Stuff on for 3-4k. Maybe these are the old formula as stated above, I dunno. I bought these in Dec.
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: LONDON
C32 AMG
Did "spr" get a new screen name?
Seriously, I agree that dust production should be a secondary concern to stopping power; but I don't think you give up any stopping power with ceramics when compared to OEM pads. I've had both (OEM, ceramics, new ceramics, non-ceramics), and the OEMs were the highest dust with the lowest stopping power. So, if performance is equal, why not favor low dust?
PS: Not only do I clean my own wheels, but I change my own brake pads AND rotors!
Seriously, I agree that dust production should be a secondary concern to stopping power; but I don't think you give up any stopping power with ceramics when compared to OEM pads. I've had both (OEM, ceramics, new ceramics, non-ceramics), and the OEMs were the highest dust with the lowest stopping power. So, if performance is equal, why not favor low dust?
PS: Not only do I clean my own wheels, but I change my own brake pads AND rotors!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,513
Likes: 0
C32 AMG
It might be that the ceramic formula needs a little heat in order to generate clamping force. As to brake lines, I think that all they will do, if anything, is make the brake pedal firmer. Theoretically, they do no expand under pressure as much as OEM brake lines, so when you tromp on the brake, they direct the pressure direct to the caliper/piston with less "ballooning" of the lines. Some people have tried it and found no difference at all.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,342
Likes: 11
From: PA
S600, GL450, GLC 43
It might be that the ceramic formula needs a little heat in order to generate clamping force. As to brake lines, I think that all they will do, if anything, is make the brake pedal firmer. Theoretically, they do no expand under pressure as much as OEM brake lines, so when you tromp on the brake, they direct the pressure direct to the caliper/piston with less "ballooning" of the lines. Some people have tried it and found no difference at all.
Yeah, I had them on my 91 Stang, with 13" discs, and they made ABSOLUTELY NO difference. Keep in mind, that you need to purchase DOT apporved lines for inspection and your insurance company if you are ever invovled in an accident
AS far as cermaics, these I have not used for racing as of yet. Yes I like the no dust issue, and two cars at the track on Monday just switched to them , ceramics, with VERY good results. Both had used Hawk pads before and suffered from brake fade near the end of the 20 minute session. I believe it was from the pad transfering too much heat to the backing plate, hence boiling the fluid at the piston. With their ceramics, they had NO fade at all
FYI
See yeah
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,513
Likes: 0
C32 AMG
Hey Fifth Ring:
Yeah, I had them on my 91 Stang, with 13" discs, and they made ABSOLUTELY NO difference. Keep in mind, that you need to purchase DOT apporved lines for inspection and your insurance company if you are ever invovled in an accident
AS far as cermaics, these I have not used for racing as of yet. Yes I like the no dust issue, and two cars at the track on Monday just switched to them , ceramics, with VERY good results. Both had used Hawk pads before and suffered from brake fade near the end of the 20 minute session. I believe it was from the pad transfering too much heat to the backing plate, hence boiling the fluid at the piston. With their ceramics, they had NO fade at all
FYI
See yeah
Yeah, I had them on my 91 Stang, with 13" discs, and they made ABSOLUTELY NO difference. Keep in mind, that you need to purchase DOT apporved lines for inspection and your insurance company if you are ever invovled in an accident
AS far as cermaics, these I have not used for racing as of yet. Yes I like the no dust issue, and two cars at the track on Monday just switched to them , ceramics, with VERY good results. Both had used Hawk pads before and suffered from brake fade near the end of the 20 minute session. I believe it was from the pad transfering too much heat to the backing plate, hence boiling the fluid at the piston. With their ceramics, they had NO fade at all
FYI
See yeah
I always wondered why there was so little actual circulation of brake fluid. You would think that would help keep it cool. I flush my own brakes, and the fluid up in the canister and upper brake lines is like new. It's the stuff by the caliper that gets toasted.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,342
Likes: 11
From: PA
S600, GL450, GLC 43
I've never heard/read that ceramic pads insulate the calipers from heat; but it's possible that this may be the case. It could all be a question of wording, but when I think of "fading" I think of brakes that are not decelerating the car as much, with everything else being the same (pedal feel ,etc.). But whatn fluid boils, the symptom is not fade, but rather a loss of pressure in the system and a soft pedal. Once pressure is pumped up, the brakes work find.
I always wondered why there was so little actual circulation of brake fluid. You would think that would help keep it cool. I flush my own brakes, and the fluid up in the canister and upper brake lines is like new. It's the stuff by the caliper that gets toasted.
I always wondered why there was so little actual circulation of brake fluid. You would think that would help keep it cool. I flush my own brakes, and the fluid up in the canister and upper brake lines is like new. It's the stuff by the caliper that gets toasted.
I meant that the Hawk, NON CERAMIC, pads transfered the heat to the caliper. When they switched to the ceramics they had no problems
See yeah
PS: Yeah, I would kill to have a circulating system, as you pointed out, its always at the caliper that is black
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2005
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From: Bloomfield Hills, MI
W203, W211, W219, W212
Bought a set of Akebono for my front wheels from autopartswarehouse.com for $88.30, no tax, no s/h. It's cheaper than the price on their website, but you have to place the order by phone. It's pretty easy and quick to install, definitely a DIY as long as you don't mind getting your hands dirty.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,255
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From: Bloomfield Hills, MI
W203, W211, W219, W212
I just returned from a trip to Aspen to see fall foliage colors, and I'm happy to report that the Akebono break pads worked flawlessly on my car during the 450-mile trip. Pedal feel was improved, and I definitely felt safer when braking. On top of that, I didn't see any dust at the end of the trip. Recommended !
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,052
Likes: 1
CLS55 Designo 030
Just wanted to bump this up and give you guys the latest price on Akebono brake pads.
As per 360_iti recommendation, I called Auto Parts Warehouse and bought all four corners for $135.90 w/ free shipping and no tax.
As per 360_iti recommendation, I called Auto Parts Warehouse and bought all four corners for $135.90 w/ free shipping and no tax.
