Wanted: The Truth About Brembo Drilled Rotors
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?
Last edited by MikeyE430; Sep 8, 2004 at 06:33 PM.
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
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.
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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.
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.
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.
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)?
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
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.
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!
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.
Brembo drilled rotors
Axxis Deluxe Plus pads
StopTech Braided Brake Lines
Installation to come. Will keep you updated and post some pix.
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.


