E5550C Brake rotors/pads advice
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 35
Likes: 2
E5550C Brake rotors/pads advice
Greetings,
I bought a 2012 E550 Cabriolet last June. Love love love the car. When I bought it there was a slight pulsation in the brakes. The (non-MB) dealer resurfaced the rotors for me and it has been fine until recently. Now, after about 9k miles, it has the pulsating brakes. I was going to replace the rotors and pads to something better, and bead the pads/rotors using the repeated 55-10 mph braking technique. I have had good luck doing that over the years.
To my question, which pads and rotors are considered good upgrades from OEM? I did a search and didn't find anything recent. The older threads suggested Centric rotors and Stop Tech pads. Is that still considered the best option these days? It's a daily driver.
Many thanks!
Edit: One more question. Is the little set screw that holds each of the rotors down a phillips or ?
I bought a 2012 E550 Cabriolet last June. Love love love the car. When I bought it there was a slight pulsation in the brakes. The (non-MB) dealer resurfaced the rotors for me and it has been fine until recently. Now, after about 9k miles, it has the pulsating brakes. I was going to replace the rotors and pads to something better, and bead the pads/rotors using the repeated 55-10 mph braking technique. I have had good luck doing that over the years.
To my question, which pads and rotors are considered good upgrades from OEM? I did a search and didn't find anything recent. The older threads suggested Centric rotors and Stop Tech pads. Is that still considered the best option these days? It's a daily driver.
Many thanks!
Edit: One more question. Is the little set screw that holds each of the rotors down a phillips or ?
Last edited by txjeep; Mar 1, 2016 at 02:43 PM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 35
Likes: 2
Thoughts?
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 269
Likes: 4
From: New York
03 SL500(Sold), 09 C300, 11 E550
Centric Rotors and Akebono Pads. Any Ceramic Pad will do really but i've used Akebono for about 10 years now and have never had a bad experience. 0 brake dust, 0 squeaking, great pedal feel and lastly they last much longer than stock metallic pads
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 31
Likes: 1
e550 coupe
I replaced my original brakes with OEM rotors and pads. The inner original rotor surface on both sides was badly eaten up at 30,000 miles and pads were a good 40-50%. Brake pulsation was quite bad and you would visibly see the steering wheel go back and forth under braking. About 20,000 miles later on the OEM rotors and pads the pulsating has reappeared thought not as severe yet.
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Socal
'14 E550C
I've been unlucky with my brakes as well. My 2014 E550 coupe front brakes went out at 8k, since it was under 2yr, it was replaced under warranty. At 15k, my rear brakes went out, beyond 2yr, so i replaced it with OEM parts but at an independent shop. Parts was around $300 + $80 for labor. MB wanted ~$800.
Last week, I experienced pulsation again
. this time it was the front brakes again. The dealership looked at it, confirmed the front were warped again but said they couldn't do anything about it, quoted me $1100 for the job.
Given my front brakes (OEM parts) went out twice in 18k, I decided to go aftermarket. I wanted R1 concept premium rotors but they're out of stock. I ended up with stoptech premium drilled rotor:
http://www.autobrakecenter.com/front...8-p-22992.html
I also wanted porterfield or akebono pads, but both said they don't make front pads for the E550, though they do have rear pads...so I ended up with these:
http://www.autobrakecenter.com/front...0-p-27437.html
total parts was ~ $330 + $80 for labor. With rotors/pads, pulsation is gone, brake is smooth once again. the stoptech/posiquiet feels pretty good. initial bite is a little bit less compared to OEM, but stopping power increases more as you press the pedal harder. Once i got used to it, works just fine. Can't complain for fraction of costs compared to OEM/dealership cost. Let's hope it holds up over time...
Last week, I experienced pulsation again
. this time it was the front brakes again. The dealership looked at it, confirmed the front were warped again but said they couldn't do anything about it, quoted me $1100 for the job.Given my front brakes (OEM parts) went out twice in 18k, I decided to go aftermarket. I wanted R1 concept premium rotors but they're out of stock. I ended up with stoptech premium drilled rotor:
http://www.autobrakecenter.com/front...8-p-22992.html
I also wanted porterfield or akebono pads, but both said they don't make front pads for the E550, though they do have rear pads...so I ended up with these:
http://www.autobrakecenter.com/front...0-p-27437.html
total parts was ~ $330 + $80 for labor. With rotors/pads, pulsation is gone, brake is smooth once again. the stoptech/posiquiet feels pretty good. initial bite is a little bit less compared to OEM, but stopping power increases more as you press the pedal harder. Once i got used to it, works just fine. Can't complain for fraction of costs compared to OEM/dealership cost. Let's hope it holds up over time...
Last edited by E550Clubz; Mar 1, 2016 at 03:37 PM. Reason: clarify
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Joined: Sep 2015
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2010 E350-totaled 8-5-15
See my thread in w212 e550 thread... Similar issue(s). Sounds like you're going with aftermarket? Are you replacing yourself or is MB or third party? Advice appreciated in advance. Thanks.
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Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 269
Likes: 4
From: New York
03 SL500(Sold), 09 C300, 11 E550
AKEBONO
PARTSGEEK has the correct front pads from Akebono for the coupe and convertible. If i remember correctly it is the same model as what is found on the sedan
Akebono Brake Pad Set - Front
2011 Mercedes E550
#W0133-1911681
EURO Ultra-Premium Ceramic - With Shims
I believe the akebono designation is: fronts Eur1342 and rears Eur1341
Akebono Brake Pad Set - Front
2011 Mercedes E550
#W0133-1911681
EURO Ultra-Premium Ceramic - With Shims
I believe the akebono designation is: fronts Eur1342 and rears Eur1341
Last edited by Late; Mar 2, 2016 at 04:39 PM.
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Super Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 574
Likes: 7
From: Hawaii, (Texas:business)
'12 E550C, Sierra Denali
PARTSGEEK has the correct front pads from Akebono for the coupe and convertible. If i remember correctly it is the same model as what is found on the sedan
Akebono Brake Pad Set - Front
2011 Mercedes E550
#W0133-1911681
EURO Ultra-Premium Ceramic - With Shims
I believe the akebono designation is: fronts Eur1342 and rears Eur1341
Akebono Brake Pad Set - Front
2011 Mercedes E550
#W0133-1911681
EURO Ultra-Premium Ceramic - With Shims
I believe the akebono designation is: fronts Eur1342 and rears Eur1341
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 35
Likes: 2
I will check your thread. Thanks.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 35
Likes: 2
One last question:
Do I need to buy brake pad sensors or can the old ones be reused?
Never mind. I ordered a set. I also went with the Stop Tech parts.
Do I need to buy brake pad sensors or can the old ones be reused?
Never mind. I ordered a set. I also went with the Stop Tech parts.
Last edited by txjeep; Mar 3, 2016 at 12:20 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 40
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2010 E350-totaled 8-5-15
I just picked GG up from Mercedes Benz of El Cajon (CA)- they completed the following and I walked away paying nothing. Thanks to my SA, Michael Cain for following up on brakes a bit more throughly.
1. Replaced both front pads and rotors (with sensors, nuts and bolts- oh, and "brake paste".
2. Replaced both front rod bushings
3. Reportedly found no issue with moonroof. But they reset/retaught the computer what to do.
4. Replaced steering wheel trim (it was peeling a wee bit).
As per my original post, I was initially told my front rotors were warped and pads were fine so MB wanted to consider this normal wear and tear. I questioned my SA and explained that brakes were replaced prior to my purchase (but I still don't know if it was just brake pads or rotors as well-my bad, just glad this problem is fixed- fingers crossed). I asked how he got this covered and he said the pads were new "time of purchase, 7k miles ago. And rotors were still under performance warranty (? Term).
Will see how they performs in the weeks/months/years. Come on, I can be hopeful!
Overall happy with this. I originally went in for all items listed above except #4. This is e of the reasons I like CPO. Although I guess it's still under factory warranty(?).
1. Replaced both front pads and rotors (with sensors, nuts and bolts- oh, and "brake paste".
2. Replaced both front rod bushings
3. Reportedly found no issue with moonroof. But they reset/retaught the computer what to do.
4. Replaced steering wheel trim (it was peeling a wee bit).
As per my original post, I was initially told my front rotors were warped and pads were fine so MB wanted to consider this normal wear and tear. I questioned my SA and explained that brakes were replaced prior to my purchase (but I still don't know if it was just brake pads or rotors as well-my bad, just glad this problem is fixed- fingers crossed). I asked how he got this covered and he said the pads were new "time of purchase, 7k miles ago. And rotors were still under performance warranty (? Term).
Will see how they performs in the weeks/months/years. Come on, I can be hopeful!
Overall happy with this. I originally went in for all items listed above except #4. This is e of the reasons I like CPO. Although I guess it's still under factory warranty(?).
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
2010 E350-totaled 8-5-15
Posted on a separate thread:
I just picked GG up from Mercedes Benz of El Cajon (CA)- they completed the following and I walked away paying nothing. Thanks to my SA, Michael Cain for following up on brakes a bit more throughly.
1. Replaced both front pads and rotors (with sensors, nuts and bolts- oh, and "brake paste".
2. Replaced both front rod bushings
3. Reportedly found no issue with moonroof. But they reset/retaught the computer what to do.
4. Replaced steering wheel trim (it was peeling a wee bit).
As per my original post, I was initially told my front rotors were warped and pads were fine so MB wanted to consider this normal wear and tear. I questioned my SA and explained that brakes were replaced prior to my purchase (but I still don't know if it was just brake pads or rotors as well-my bad, just glad this problem is fixed- fingers crossed). I asked how he got this covered and he said the pads were new "time of purchase, 7k miles ago. And rotors were still under performance warranty (? Term).
Will see how they performs in the weeks/months/years. Come on, I can be hopeful!
Overall happy with this. I originally went in for all items listed above except #4. This is e of the reasons I like CPO. Although I guess it's still under factory warranty(?).
I just picked GG up from Mercedes Benz of El Cajon (CA)- they completed the following and I walked away paying nothing. Thanks to my SA, Michael Cain for following up on brakes a bit more throughly.
1. Replaced both front pads and rotors (with sensors, nuts and bolts- oh, and "brake paste".
2. Replaced both front rod bushings
3. Reportedly found no issue with moonroof. But they reset/retaught the computer what to do.
4. Replaced steering wheel trim (it was peeling a wee bit).
As per my original post, I was initially told my front rotors were warped and pads were fine so MB wanted to consider this normal wear and tear. I questioned my SA and explained that brakes were replaced prior to my purchase (but I still don't know if it was just brake pads or rotors as well-my bad, just glad this problem is fixed- fingers crossed). I asked how he got this covered and he said the pads were new "time of purchase, 7k miles ago. And rotors were still under performance warranty (? Term).
Will see how they performs in the weeks/months/years. Come on, I can be hopeful!
Overall happy with this. I originally went in for all items listed above except #4. This is e of the reasons I like CPO. Although I guess it's still under factory warranty(?).
