MikeyE430

OK, someone out there has got to know the answer to this. I am looking for a set of Brembo DRILLED sport replacement rotors for my 2000 E430. I am searching the Internet high and low.

Several sites (including MercedesShop) list a set of FRONTS. Some sites list REARS, but no fronts.

I go to the Brembo Web site, download their catalog and search it. It appears that they DO NOT list a set of FRONT drilled rotors for my car. They list a set that fits most E-Class cars except mine (part #35486).

They DO list a set of rears (part #35205 or RD00053?). I want a set of 4 front and rear Brembo drilled rotors. What is up with this mis-information? DOES ANYONE OUT THERE HAVE BREMBO DRILLED ROTORS ON THE FRONT OF THEIR E430?

ima55r2

Drilled Brembo rotors do not always mean drilled rotors by Brembo. Precision drilling can be done on smooth Brembo blanks by a lot of machine shops.

Richard Galing

Well...previously had the front & rear set, but now sold. I still do have the original box in the storage, will check tomm.

But, if my memory severs me correctly:

Fronts - FD00091 (FD-front drilled)
Rears - RD00053 (RD-rear drilled)

For the slotted version: use FS or RS

Hope this helps

Mayor Bloom

I Purchased front cross drilled brembo rotors for $144 including shipping off ebay. I Installed them and they look sweet!

MikeyE430

Richard, I would appreciate if you would check that FRONT part number. I know the rear number is correct. Did you use factory calipers on them? They fit your 2001 E430 OK? Funny that Brembo doesn't list a front drilled rotor for the 00-02 W210 in their catalog.

Richard Galing

MikeyE430,

I checked on the original packaging and the part # I stated above are in fact correct, also confimed the proper info with my local Brembo tech master distributor Race Technologies and they are readily available within (2) days. The retail price is as follows:

Fronts - $219 pair
Rears - $199 pair

I'll sent you his contact info via PM, and you can discuss any further ques. w/ him.

And, yes I used the factory calipers with the Brembo sport drilled rotors...no issues with fitment.

MikeyE430

Thanks Alex, I sent you a PM about the Zimmermans.

ima55r2

The last time I looked into the zimmermans there was the same model number for the front left rotor and for the front right rotor. If the drill pattern is directional then it will be reversed on the other side. If the vanes were directional then cooling on one rotor would be compromised.

MikeyE430

WHY is this so hard? I am trying to find a decent set of drilled factory replacement rotors for a 5 year old Mercedes. Some say they make Brembos for my car, some say they don't. Some swear by Zimmermans, some say they are junk.

Why is there not more equipment out there for my (our) cars? You would think something as simple as a brake rotor would be readily available.

MikeyE430

The saga continues.......

Now, I am being told by one vendor that the "gold colored" drilled Brembos being sold by most vendors in US are made in Mexico, not Italy. They said that the part number given to me by Race Technologies for the fronts (FD00091) are for SMALLER than stock rotors. I know my E430 has 316mm diameter rotors. I have been told by this vendor that the FD00091 rotors are only 300mm diameter.

This vendor gave me Italian drilled rotor part numbers that are much more expensive than the FD00091 and RD00053.

FRONT: 09.7808.10
REAR: 08.7211.10

Going to call Race Technologies again today to see what they say.

MikeyE430

By the way, the Brembo drilled rotors on eBay are Brembo blanks drilled by whoever is selling them. NOT drilled by Brembo.

oldlarry

I called tirerack and they said the part number FD00091 is not supposed to be used with the 430, so whoever this racetech place is i would not trust them..

MikeyE430

Race Technologies is supposed to be the largest Brembo distributor in US. Going to call them again and get more details.

I also phoned the M-B dealer parts manager and he said he listed the same front rotor for all W210 (except diesel and AMG). The key thing here is if the Brembo FE00091 is 316mm, not 300mm.

MikeyE430

OK, after still more phone calls, e-mails, and research, the Brembo FRONT drilled rotors for E430 (FD00091) is 300 mm in diameter.

Now, here is the strange part. I have always been told by vendors, forum guys, etc. that my front factory rotors are 316 mm in diameter. Well, guess what, I just measured them and they are only about 293 mm (11.5").

Does anyone out there have any solid specs on the diameter of front rotors for the E-class (W210)?

Air Marshall Eldritch

Mickey, please keep updating what you find. I too am interested in this topic.

ima55r2

Mexico could have bad steel, after market drilling could weaken the rotor, and a generic rotor could be thinner or smaller. There are a lot of questions about aftermarket rotors, but keep at it and you’ll be able to make a good decision for your driving needs.

For me, getting crossdrilled and slotted rotors on the ML was for appearance only since it would never be tracked or go thru other hard driving ...and getting new pads also reduced dusting.

In everyday driving, a smooth rotor actually provides the greatest surface contact area for the pad for that one braking situation. Drilling for off-gassing is not a concern except on road courses and there I’ve seen the NASCAR guys use slotted rotors.

Try David for some good info. http://www.zeckhausen.com/Mercedes/E55_W210.htm

michakaveli

How do the Zimmerman rotors compare then?

I see they are available in x-drilled for front and rear.

MikeyE430

I asked the Brembo distributor about the difference between Mexican and Italian rotors. He said nothing except Mexican labor is cheaper than Italian labor and the shipping is cheaper since they do not have to come overseas. Supposed to be the same product. They drill them on CNC machines in Mexico as they are manufactured.

As far as Zimmermanns, I have looked at them too. They are German-made, but are not plated like Brembos so they will rust like stock ones. Also, the holes are not drilled in directional pairs. The same rotor fits on the left and the right side. This supposed to not be a problem, just a looks thing.

Alexbenz

had Zimmermanns on the car before the bbk and it sucked, rust everywhere and probems with braking and also noise and shaking when braking.......stay away from Zimmermanns......... my 2 cents

MikeyE430

Here is a kick in the ***. After being told by every vendor that sells Brembo that the FD00091 drilled rotors will NOT work on my car, here is why:

Most specs call for E430 front rotors at 316mm diameter. I phoned M-B North America and asked them. They confirmed this, HOWEVER, they stated that some early cars were built with the 300mm E320 rotors. So, apparently I have one of those cars. Therefore, the 300mm Brembo FD00091 WILL work OK on my car (I hope).

I also phoned the dealer parts manager and he measured some E430 rotors at 300mm.

Who knew? Going with the Brembos!

Air Marshall Eldritch

So if I have 316mm, what are my options?

MikeyE430

If you want factory-sized drilled rotors, you are basically SOL. Zimmermann makes a sport cross-drilled rotor also that everyone says will fit the E430, but it is my understanding that THEY are also 300mm in diameter. I had a vendor who sells both Brembo and Zimmermann measure one and the Z was 300mm, even though the listing says it will fit an E430. YES, it will fit, but you are actually installing a smaller rotor than factory.

In my case, since I have 300mm rotors from the factory, the Brembos or Zimmermanns will (should) work fine.

Unless you go with a complete big brake system, say from Brembo or StopTech, I really do not know where you can find 316mm drilled front rotors. I am not sure they exist.

My problem is that I originally wanted a complete 332mm Brembo Gran Turismo kit, but the calipers will not clear my aftermarket wheels.

MikeyE430

OK, after months of research, phone calls, e-mails, Internet searching, reading forums, here is what I have bought:

Brembo drilled rotors
Axxis Deluxe Plus pads
StopTech Braided Brake Lines

Installation to come. Will keep you updated and post some pix.

aaaaa5star

after contacting several retailers i found one that has the 316mm rotors try these guys.http://www.brakeworld.com

sbarsap

ALL Please DO NOT BUY the 316mm front rotors for any 00+ W210 Non AMG's.

I learned the hard way, I ordered a set from brakeworld.com in the 316mm size and when I went to get them installed they were bigger than my stock 01 E430 rotor size. All our cars have the following sizes:

300mm Front
290mm Rears

All this confusion started with Brembo listing the sizes wrong in their catalog for 00+ W210's.