bob2011

Hey guys, so I have been going through some threads lately and finding that people are installing akebono ceramic break pads, and that they are loving them. I have heard they are brake dust free. Which is awesome because then I wouldn't have to clean my wheels every 2 days. Plus I everytime I stop, my brakes squeal, I don't know why either as my SA said they were at 60% now for the love of me, I could not find out of installing these brake pads could have any warranty implications. What do you guys think?

1guitar

You asked about any possible warranty issues as respects using after market parts in your MB E class. That's an easy one, MB has only one viewpoint regarding the use of non-MB parts and your warranty, they don't mix. I have heard dozens of stories regarding MB denying warranty coverage whenever someone tried to save $10 or $25 by buying aftermarket parts that failed. The owner than says, "Well that was a brand new part" and MB says, "Was it a genuine MB part, no it wasn't, sorry it's not covered under your warranty. Take a quick poll of folks on this site that have heard those words before. Save yourself a big headache, use MB genuine parts.

porksoda

I cannot comment on MB's stance on warranty on Akebono brakes but i can say that i have it on my 5 and they are amazing brakes. Zero dust and they grip in a very interesting way, they are not twitchy but the harder you squeeze the harder they grip, which is probably a product of increase friction and heat.

belarus27

had a squeling in my 550 , and also was looking at Akebono , buuuuuuut when with oem ones , been a lil over a month... so far so good.
but i heard from a lot of people that Akebonos are real good. if you try them , pls do let us know ))

aeroconfigs

I put them on my 350 4matic and they're fine. I'm out of warranty so I'm not worried about that. I haven't noticed much dust either way, with the OEM or the akebono pads.

They feel good, definitely still have good braking with them. Sometimes there's a small squeal in the few seconds after starting up if the car has been sitting in the rain. Nothing while driving. Overall I'm happy with them.

Chris.dumpson

where did you buy the pads and did you get them for the rear as well?

aeroconfigs

Amazon and eBay. I got both front and rear. I can't remember the model number for the front pads but the rear pads I got were EUR 986.

rediesel

I put them on my W211 and they were great. Pads and Rotors aren't covered by warranty in the US so use what you like.

Mud

I have used Akebono on all our vehicles - way more than what's listed in the sig - over many thousands of miles with very good results. When the time comes for pads on the Benz that's what it's going to get.

Sgooter

I concur with rediesel's comments above.
I had an indy put Akebono's on my '06 SL500 and '08 E350 because of the OEM brake dust problem. As the indy worked on the brakes, I was nearby cleaning the wheels inside and out. The Akebono's were 99% dust free with very good braking. Bought them online at Place for Brakes.

bob2011

Thank you for the advice good sir. Very well said!

bob2011

Compare to OEM brakes, would how would you rate the performance?

bob2011

Definitely will give you guys an update if I do go for them!

bob2011

Wow, I'm quite jelly. The brakes on my car squeal at almost every stop I make. It's honestly quite embarrassing. Now compared to OEM, how do you feel about the the akebono brakes?

bob2011

Honesty I'm worried about the whole distronic and lane keeping assist. I don't want them saying what the reason my distronic isn't stopping the car is because of the aftermarket brakes, or some other ridicules reason that could jeopardize my warranty. And I do get that installing after market stuff that is not OEM is always grounds for warranty dismissal, but sometimes the aftermarket alternate is a clear and better choice.

bob2011

Any issues with the brakes? Did you have any warranty issues with any of your cars?

bob2011

The brake dust on the OEM brakes is just HORRENDOUS. I seriously think MB needs to go back to the drawing board with the brakes they use. Now with you akebono brakes did you have any issues with them? Any problems with warranty after you installed them?

Sgooter

I had zero issues with the Akebono brake pads, so the question of warranty coverage never came up. To my knowledge, MBUSA will not honor warranty claims/repairs for brake-related issues if non-OEM brake parts are determined to have caused the need for the repair. That said, brake pads and rotors are wear and tear items not covered by the MB warranty anyway, so I chose to go with the dust free Akebonos. When I later sold the two MB's with the Akebono brakes, the new owners were fully informed about the brakes and there were no concerns or issues affecting the re-sale of the cars, one of which was under a CPO extended warranty with MBUSA. I recall researching the Akebono pads in the past, and somewhere read the claim that certain MB models were equipped at the factory with Akebono pads as OEM.
Interestingly, my '14 E350 has no dust problems with the OEM brake pads; not sure whether MBUSA has chosen to use a different OEM pad. Good luck.

Mud

No and No

chrisvr6

Are you guys not changing the rotors? I assumed that would be mandatory as they are not to be cut? If so, which rotors did you go with. I love the cross drilled look and plan adding some in back.

squid23

I put 4 of them into my e46. No more squeal, and the characteristics of braking were much smoother. No dust anymore.

It takes a bit to get used to at traffic jam speeds since that sudden jerk to a halt when using the brake at walking speed is gone.

aeroconfigs

I did the front rotors after a rock or something got into the caliper and gouged one of them. I got some cheap duralast ones from autozone or advance auto, but they've been alright. They had the holes. I wish I had painted the hubs though because they got rusted right away and it looks bad with the open rims.

chrisvr6

Wouldn't akebono rotors be ideal for akebono pads?

MBSebas87

when time comes...akebono it is!!

chrisvr6

I can't find matching front and rear cross drilled rotors anywhere. Is this normal since the fronts are only cross drilled?