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You can absolutely do pads and rotors yourself. I've used OEM pads, but I'm nearing end of life on rotors for the first time and another set of pads. CARiD has PowerStop rotors for $140/pair vs. +/- $140 rotor OEM (fronts). I've used PowerStop on my old A4 and one of my Hondas with perfectly fine results. Curious if anyone else has has ever used them though.
Edit: PowerStop, not StopTech
Last edited by RichardCranium3; 09-17-2020 at 10:08 AM.
I've liked EBC rotors/pads in the past, they have different levels for your needs(dust vs braking power vs squeal).
I typically do not like OEM pads but haven't pushed the stock setup yet. How is the fade?
Following up - ordered a full set of Powerstop rotors and a new set of rear pads last week (already had a set of OEM MB front pads in the garage). Ordered everything through CarID for $322 delivered. Arrived yesterday, well packaged and clean in the box. Had nothing going on, so I installed the fronts...so easy! Took about 90 minutes or so. Only real challenge was getting the calipers re-mounted since the two bolts are on the rear face and there's no way to see if you have the calipers and mounting holes are aligned. Just have to wiggle it in until it goes (TWSS).
I went out and performed the bedding sequence Powerstop (and others recommend) - 5 aggressive stops 40-10mph no complete stop, 5 moderate stops 35-5mph no complete, 5 minutes of light cooldown driving. The first two stops were noticeably and expectedly lacking. Third and fourth were getting better, then the fifth bit like I hit a wall and the stopping power was back. Continued the next round and definitely smelled that burning hot brake smell.
I still had about 4-5mm left on the front pads, but rotors had a significant lip. I don't have a thickness caliper so I couldn't precisely tell where they were on thickness spec, but they had to be close.
Following up - ordered a full set of Powerstop rotors and a new set of rear pads last week (already had a set of OEM MB front pads in the garage). Ordered everything through CarID for $322 delivered. Arrived yesterday, well packaged and clean in the box. Had nothing going on, so I installed the fronts...so easy! Took about 90 minutes or so. Only real challenge was getting the calipers re-mounted since the two bolts are on the rear face and there's no way to see if you have the calipers and mounting holes are aligned. Just have to wiggle it in until it goes (TWSS).
I went out and performed the bedding sequence Powerstop (and others recommend) - 5 aggressive stops 40-10mph no complete stop, 5 moderate stops 35-5mph no complete, 5 minutes of light cooldown driving. The first two stops were noticeably and expectedly lacking. Third and fourth were getting better, then the fifth bit like I hit a wall and the stopping power was back. Continued the next round and definitely smelled that burning hot brake smell.
I still had about 4-5mm left on the front pads, but rotors had a significant lip. I don't have a thickness caliper so I couldn't precisely tell where they were on thickness spec, but they had to be close.
bedding procedure is so important. How many miles were you able to get out of the OEM ones?
bedding procedure is so important. How many miles were you able to get out of the OEM ones?
Just ticked 49,400mi on original front pads and all rotors. I had to change rear pads at around 30k IIRC, so the rear pads I just took off this morning still had plenty of meat left, but I wanted to get fresh at all four corners.
appreciate the response but is there anywhere to confirm that? Every website that has a confirm fitment with this model number says those models do not fit a 2017 c43 amg.
I couldn't get anyone on the phone to confirm so I ended up going with R1 ceramics but please, once you get them fitted, confirm size is right. I intend to go with red stuff next and can then see which I think is better.
Have any of you installed both front and rear rotors, I noticed the front one is a one piece without flow for power stop but the rear is much like oem, let me know if theres any vibrations while breaking or any brake performance loss compared to the oem thanks !
Hello, I have installed Powerstop front rotor and pads. Rears are OEM, still had life in them. Rotors are slotted, drilled, and directional, with cooling veins, single piece design.
At first, the brakes were a bit mushy and did not have much bite. Follow the bedding procedure and let the material set. The next day after, the brakes performed similarly to OEM albeit with a slightly softer initial bite (due to being ceramic pads); but they did have less brake fade after constant use. Have not excessively pushed them to the limits on the street and no track use yet. All-in-all, I would rate them to be an OEM replacement. The performance may be slightly WORSE than OEM for total braking power but it works well for street use in urban areas. For example, I drive in stop-and-go traffic a lot, and with the bad brake cooling on the C43, it helps a lot with brake fade.
The brake dust shedding is about 50-60% of what OEM was, still very high surprisingly. But the main difference is it is silver/metallic in colour so it doesn't coat your wheels in poop brown.
Important note: These are heavy cast iron rotors, they are not perfectly finished either. Definitely economic materials and manufacturing methods, do not expect performance-level quality. Also, the rotor hats are THICKER than stock for structural reasons due to the single piece design and choice of materials. The difference is about 3-4mm (do not quote), but it means that you will NEED extended lug bolts as it reduces the number of turns by 1.5 - 2.
My rear pads are going but still have life in the rear rotors. Planning on getting the same Powerstop Carbon Ceramic pads for the rear next.
Would recommend the brake kit as a replacement due to it being cheaper and providing similar performance to OEM. It includes all accessories needed for the job, even a brake wear sensor! Make sure you install correctly. Definitely want to compare its performance with EBC and Porterfield in the future.
Last edited by jonathan358; 12-02-2020 at 10:57 AM.
Reason: adding more details
09-17-2020, 07:46 AM
