Brake dust
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
From: AZ
LS430, GL450, SL550
Brake dust
Anyone who ever owned a MB automobile is familiar with the brake dust problem. It is a classic example of the arrogance of MB that such a problem could go on for decades without them wanting to do anything about it. My Lexus cars have no such problem, and they stop just fine. My new E320 wagon's wheels require cleaning every two or three days. I had a l995 S500 with the problem, but not this bad, as I recall. In that case I solved it by getting chromed wheels (something the factory opposes, I'm told by my dealer, although all the dealers sell chrome wheels). I could do this on the E320 wagon, although I like the look of the stock wheels better than the same wheels chromed. Other fixes that I am aware of are brake shields sold for the purpose and installation of different brake pads. I am wondering if there is anything that can be sprayed on the wheels that will give the same effect as the chroming does. What is the latest thinking about how best to solve the brake dust problem?
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 564
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From: New Jersey
2006 E500 4matic Wagon
Yeah, I hate brake dust. I hate what it represents: every time you brake, your brake pads slough off some of their carbon material. Here's the kicker: right now, my 2000 E430 4matic with 54k miles on it needs brakes bad; since it needs both pads and rotors, there is actually very little dust being generated! Go figure. I don't think it has anything to do with MB's arrogance. Look at Bimmers and Audis, they have the problem too.
Anyway, I have found that if you wax your wheels with a fine coat of turtle wax or the like, you can lengthen the time between wheel washings. We used to put after-market dust covers on our older Benzes, but we stopped doing that, and I'm not quite sure why, I think because nothing really helped.
Like poor AM reception, I have come to realize that the dust is just something you have to live with.
Anyway, I have found that if you wax your wheels with a fine coat of turtle wax or the like, you can lengthen the time between wheel washings. We used to put after-market dust covers on our older Benzes, but we stopped doing that, and I'm not quite sure why, I think because nothing really helped.
Like poor AM reception, I have come to realize that the dust is just something you have to live with.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 464
Likes: 20
From: long island , ny
2016 G63 ; 981 boxster GTS
i've used kleen wheels on several vehicles with no ill effect , and i put a set of ebc green pads on my last benz (99 w202) when orig rotors had about 30k on them, rotors went bad after 10k more, but i cant tell you if thats from ebc pads or just stock rotors that were ready to go anyway . fwiw ,the ebc's kept wheels very clean too.
good luck , j.
good luck , j.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
From: AZ
LS430, GL450, SL550
The kleen wheels web site says that they aren't available for 2002 E320s, but they are available for earlier years. That's strange; I wouldn't think there'd be anything different about the 2002s
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 879
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From: Toronto
SLK 350 '05
actually...this problem has been on forever...since my families first benz which was over 16 years.
and up till now...my E500 only 3rd day in use..the front and back wheels are already starting to gather brake dust on them. but they stop great! unlike the LS400 which is a farther not secure reach imo.
and up till now...my E500 only 3rd day in use..the front and back wheels are already starting to gather brake dust on them. but they stop great! unlike the LS400 which is a farther not secure reach imo.
