Non-OE Brake Pads
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From: Chicago (Palos Park)
2023 CLA 250, 2021 GLC43, 2003 CLK320
Another vote for Akebono pads, much better stopping with virtually no break dust 
what not to love?
http://www.tirerack.com/brakes/brake...ar=&perfCode=P
what not to love?http://www.tirerack.com/brakes/brake...ar=&perfCode=P
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From: Toronto, Ontario
W209 55
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From: Chicago (Palos Park)
2023 CLA 250, 2021 GLC43, 2003 CLK320
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
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From: Witness Protection Program
06 CLK350 -SOLD! 2010 Cadillac SRX Premium Turbo
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CLK 240 - 2003
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NO LONGER ACTIVE
I'm getting ZERO noise from the Akebonos. The pedal is slowly but surely feeling better as they bed against the rotors. I had to buy a new wear sensor, so I plan to put that on this weekend (while I have it on jacks for a tranny fluid change, assuming my damned fluid pump comes in!!!) and I'm going to bleed the system again just to make sure I don't have any air in the lines since I did a fluid change, too.
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NO LONGER ACTIVE
I have Posi-Quiet ceramic pads on the C240 and they are great. On that vehicle, along with Centric D&S rotors, the system has a much more firm and sold feel than OEM. And of course zero dust. I very much recommend them - especially on price. both axles, pads and rotors, were around $250 on the W203
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From: via Mulholland
2024 GLE63s
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Not all friction materials suite all applications.
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From: Milton/Westport, MA USA
me: 2015 SL400 & 2015 ML400; wife: 2022 GLC Coupe; daughter: 2017 GLC SUV
I have Posi-Quiet ceramic pads on the C240 and they are great. On that vehicle, along with Centric D&S rotors, the system has a much more firm and sold feel than OEM. And of course zero dust. I very much recommend them - especially on price. both axles, pads and rotors, were around $250 on the W203
EDIT: just figured out that StopTech is a Centric line, $76 each for drilled ones on TireRack; I may do the R1's again, $206/pair.....
Last edited by eddieo45; May 31, 2012 at 04:40 PM.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
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2004 CLK320
As an update, I decided for the MB rotors and pads. I bought all the parts plus 2 brake sensors for $575 CAN (tax included, 15% dsicount).
The rear was changed last week and I will change the front later, probably with the next oil change, in another 5-6K KM.
The rear was changed last week and I will change the front later, probably with the next oil change, in another 5-6K KM.
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Joined: Jan 2010
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From: chicago
Firemist O5 CLK55 Cab Silver 05 CLK55 Coupe Tanzanite 06 CLK500 Coupe
EBC reds
Have been awesome for me on the fronts. 8k miles and my brembos are smooth as glass.
Ceramic posi's on the back are just fine.
Ceramic posi's on the back are just fine.
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From: via Mulholland
2024 GLE63s
I've had the Redstuffs on the front for about 1000 miles now and they are better than the Ake's and the OEM. The bite and feel are excellent. They are low dust, but not as low as the Ake's - id say they have about 20% more dust than then the Akebonos (which was at near zero) but there is no comparison when it comes to stopping power. The reds are a noticeable improvement. Now it stops like a car with 4 pot calipers and 13 inch rotors!
I'm going to change out the rears next.
I'm going to change out the rears next.
Member
Joined: Jan 2010
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Mercedes CLK280 2007
I switched to Akebono couple of months ago, along with new OEM rotors. I got absolutely zero noise and dust, but I did feel reduced bite. Braking power felt the same in normal city driving conditions, until 3 days ago when I had to brake in emergency from 60mph, and crashed into an Escalade (that had crashed into a truck in front of it) badly. I dont know if its just me over thinking the accident or not remembering the moment clearly, but I keep feeling I would have been able to stop in time if I had the OEM pads. Needless to say the car is in the shop and the first thing I'll be doing is reverting back to OEM pads. I do not want to sacrifice braking power for aesthetics anymore.
Just my two cents.
Just my two cents.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 563
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From: The Villages, Florida
2006 E320 CDI
So, can you tell us if your abs functioned? If it did, then no matter what kind of pads you were using, it would not make a difference. Now, if the abs did not kick in, then the Akebono pads are junk (in that you cannot activate the abs). Please tell us if the abs kicked in or not.
Thanks!
Mike T.
Thanks!
Mike T.
I switched to Akebono couple of months ago, along with new OEM rotors. I got absolutely zero noise and dust, but I did feel reduced bite. Braking power felt the same in normal city driving conditions, until 3 days ago when I had to brake in emergency from 60mph, and crashed into an Escalade (that had crashed into a truck in front of it) badly. I dont know if its just me over thinking the accident or not remembering the moment clearly, but I keep feeling I would have been able to stop in time if I had the OEM pads. Needless to say the car is in the shop and the first thing I'll be doing is reverting back to OEM pads. I do not want to sacrifice braking power for aesthetics anymore.
Just my two cents.
Just my two cents.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 724
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'05 CLK55, '04 CLK320
I've had the Redstuffs on the front for about 1000 miles now and they are better than the Ake's and the OEM. The bite and feel are excellent. They are low dust, but not as low as the Ake's - id say they have about 20% more dust than then the Akebonos (which was at near zero) but there is no comparison when it comes to stopping power. The reds are a noticeable improvement. Now it stops like a car with 4 pot calipers and 13 inch rotors!
I'm going to change out the rears next.
I'm going to change out the rears next.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 380
Likes: 28
From: via Mulholland
2024 GLE63s
I switched to Akebono couple of months ago, along with new OEM rotors. I got absolutely zero noise and dust, but I did feel reduced bite. Braking power felt the same in normal city driving conditions, until 3 days ago when I had to brake in emergency from 60mph, and crashed into an Escalade (that had crashed into a truck in front of it) badly. I dont know if its just me over thinking the accident or not remembering the moment clearly, but I keep feeling I would have been able to stop in time if I had the OEM pads. Needless to say the car is in the shop and the first thing I'll be doing is reverting back to OEM pads. I do not want to sacrifice braking power for aesthetics anymore.
Just my two cents.
Just my two cents.
I suggest that you try the EBC RedStuff pads. I had them on my R32 as well and I really like them. They bite better than stock with lower dust. Break in and bed in is crucial, google "EBC brakes bed in procedure" and follow it and you will be surprised at how well they stop. The website says they can stop 20% better than stock and I'm a believer.
http://www.ebcbrakes.com/troubleshooting.shtml
The Akebonos braking performance seemed to get worse the longer I had them on.
I got my pads and both H&R sway bars from www.propartsusa.com. Everything went well and the price was good.
.
