ghiaguy

Hey all, I am changing the brake rotors soon on the beast and wanted to ensure I'm not screwing the pooch. I did a bunch of forum reading and still wanted to clear some stuff up.
Anybody have experience with Centric rotors on their C55? I want them drilled like stock and can't find much else around that price point. I've attached a photo of the model I am looking at for the fronts.

I'm pretty set on the Akebono Euro Ceramics as far as pads because of their effective performance and low dust.

Any suggestions on rotors, or pads for that matter, are greatly appreciated!!

Viper98912

I just went with the OEM brand rotors and Akebono's, I'm satisfied

aussie e55

love my akebono pads front & rear no noise / almost no dust which is light grey not black great pads

Accidental L8 apex

I just went with Zimmerman's and OEM pads as they have a new compound that gives off almost zero dust. Tons better than the old compound.

ghiaguy

nice, i appreciate the feedback. I will have to price OEM rotors and Zimmermans for sure. Nothing much different here than a normal brake job right?- my only modern eurocar experience is with E36, E39, E46 Bimmers

Viper98912

OEM rotors have a rust coating on them from the factory. Nothing special with changing brakes on the W203

Gramma_Benz

yeah, I heard the Zimmermans are good, but will always look rusty. Here's an example and a solution:

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=209536

mgiannetto

I have centric premium rotors and centric semi-metallic (low dust) pads in mine. Very pleased. They feel same as OEM with very little dust.

I just installed full set of centrics in my Lexus last week.

I also have centric rotors and pads in my Saab and my wife's Range Rover.

I guess you could say I am pleased with them. I do not track my car though. For street use they are perfect.

ghiaguy

Great, its good to see I have a lot of options- Thanks again for all the info guys

rlddlr53

On my clk55, I went with akebono pads and was able to get Optima rotors ( was told they are german ) for $55 each. Same as oem ( drilled/vented)

Accidental L8 apex

Mine are coated from Zimmerman and for the life of me, I can't remember with what?

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsc...e-surface.html

That's a set of coated Zimmerman non-drilled, but you get the idea.

ghiaguy

Is there any reason I should stay with drilled rotors, other than esthetics? I like the look, but if I can save money with a quality smooth one...

maverik259

you wont save all that much on a smooth rotor from a good company, they typically don't change the price...and i wouldn't stick with too many other brands than OEM, zimmerman(sometimes), or brake performance (offer lifetime warranted against warping!)

ghiaguy

yeah, that brake performance website has free pads and free shipping ending today! That is too good to pass up with the warranty against warping

RLx02

I got OE rotors for cheap and have had no issues and am very happy with my akebono's as well. No brake dust at all.

pointman

Stock pads are a new part now. ZERO dust.

maverik259

which pads, ceramic?

speed7

I did OE everything from getmercedesparts and total for pads and rotors was 330 shipped.

No dust on the fronts now.. before they would get black now they stay pretty clean. Until RLx02 mentioned it I didn't give it much though. And to be honest $330 is cheap.

2034210912 Rotor left
2034210912 Rotor right
2115401717 pad sensor
0054209520 pads

Sub Total $282.19
Shipping method - GROUND Shipping $48.87
Handling Fee $2.00
--------------
Total $333.06

maverik259

is that just the new OEM pads, or a low dust variant?

or are you just saying that you've simply been getting very little dust from the non special OEM pads you put on

xxaarraa

At 40k, I changed to Balo rotors and Akebono pads. At 47k now and they are working great.

Accidental L8 apex

Plain old new OEM Merc pads now are no dust. The old rear OEMs now leave as much dust as the new "low-dust" front OEMs. Feel the same too, warm or cold.

PC Valkyrie

I can also confirm now that stock OEM Mercedes brake pads for our C55 AMG have very low dust. I did notice, however, that the inital bite of these new pads is not as high as before when I was tracking the car earlier this past summer.

speed7

Interesting comment about the bite. I too noticed the same thing and having 97k on the clock figured I just needed new brake lines and a flush.

While I am fine with them I wanted a little bit more aggressive brakes so I may have to switch over to some other pads.

speed7

I've heard good things about akebono from others. I'll give those a try. Also I will mention that the new OE pads don't squeak. The old ones didn't either but I've seen service bulletins for the C55's that squeaking is normal. Or at least it has been reported a bit.