Brake and Rotor Recommendations?
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Super Member
Joined: Nov 2014
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From: Toronto & California
2015 ML400 4MATIC, 2016 C300 4MATIC, 2014 E350 4MATIC (Totaled), 2006 E350 (Sold)
Brake and Rotor Recommendations?
Have a 2014 E350 with the sports package. And i’m just having trouble deciding what rotors and pads to get. My rotors are warped, and have been wondering if I should get genuine rotors or try something else with better performance. Thoughts?
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1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
Brake rotors are cast iron and there can't be much difference in quality between cast made in Beijing or Stuttgart.
Sure some rotors will have nicer paint on them, but for me rotors are lifetime item and the only time I replace them is when newly purchased car had them scored badly.
For brake pads, Akebono and nothing else.
Sure some rotors will have nicer paint on them, but for me rotors are lifetime item and the only time I replace them is when newly purchased car had them scored badly.
For brake pads, Akebono and nothing else.
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From: San Diego, CA
2016 E350 Sport; Mom Wrecked the 2008 E350; sold the 2002 C320
I can assure you that there is definitely a difference in cast iron quality from one brand to another. This is especially relevant with the use of ceramic pads that are harder and cause more wear on the rotors than semi-metallic pads and perhaps the added combination of the aggressive pressure of the W212 brake system.
I have had a generally good experience with factory and Brembo rotors. I have also been pleased with rotors from Napa on other vehicles but I haven't tried them on any of my Mercedes
I have had a generally good experience with factory and Brembo rotors. I have also been pleased with rotors from Napa on other vehicles but I haven't tried them on any of my Mercedes
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2011 E-350 4Matic Sport
Solid blanks instead of the drilled versions, zero issues since July 2017 installation.
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...2011-e350.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...2011-e350.html
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From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
No package, but I got the Zimmerman from Fcpeuro and also the Akebono pads. No dust. No issues. Lifetime warranty, what's not to like. Aside from the bill for shipping back used rotors...
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2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
Let me also recommend a package from FCP. Get Akebono pads and the Zimmerman rotors - I've used Zimmerman on all of my Benz cars and they are just as good or better as the OE rotors.
That's what I plan to do next time mine needs a brake job.
That's what I plan to do next time mine needs a brake job.
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Joined: Aug 2014
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From: Las Vegas
2012 E350 sedan
I've not needed to do brakes on my E350 yet. I've used Zimmerman or EBC rotors on my Audis for 20 years and have been happy with both. Zimmerman is an OEM supplier for Audi. There are stories on the internet of cross-drilled rotors cracking but it is very rare with quality rotors. Virtually every high performance car comes with cross-drilled these days so I assume the auto engineers know what they are doing. Cross-drilled reduces the likelihood of warping since they are designed to cool the rotors quicker. It is very difficult to "warp" a rotor. Most cases of supposed warping is actually a build up of pad material on the rotor. Once material gets fused to a spot on a rotor, it builds up at that spot over time. Having the rotors turned to clean the surface solves the problem.
I agree with the posters who like EBC red. Better initial bite, less dust, no noise.
For the best prices on EBC pads and rotors check on Amazon. Then call EBC with the price and they will match it. That way you insure you do not get counterfeit parts at the best price.
I agree with the posters who like EBC red. Better initial bite, less dust, no noise.
For the best prices on EBC pads and rotors check on Amazon. Then call EBC with the price and they will match it. That way you insure you do not get counterfeit parts at the best price.
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From: Southern US
2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
Brake rotors are cast iron and there can't be much difference in quality between cast made in Beijing or Stuttgart.
Sure some rotors will have nicer paint on them, but for me rotors are lifetime item and the only time I replace them is when newly purchased car had them scored badly.
For brake pads, Akebono and nothing else.
Sure some rotors will have nicer paint on them, but for me rotors are lifetime item and the only time I replace them is when newly purchased car had them scored badly.
For brake pads, Akebono and nothing else.
In general I think your opinions in this forum have been helpful but this one went under the bar bad.
With cast iron parts especially for parts required to maintain dimensions under different heating conditions it is very easy to make errors. Casting process and the result of the part quality had tons of variabilities that can be made wrong during the process.
Dimensional stability of a brake rotor depends on how it handles the “heat treatment” coming from applying brakes. If casting stresses are not relieved correctly when the rotor is made it will change shape that you can experience as what a warped rotor does. And this is almost the only real reason for pulsating brakes.
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'11 E350, '11 E550, '98 M3, '95 E320
Reliability? Jurid, Pagid, Textar all OE/OEM brake pad suppliers... what you'll get is a Mercedes OE style pad which has good initial bite, low-noise and lots of dust. Granted lots of dust, but its very easy to clean, some pads leave nasty dust.
I've only used Akebono ceramics once on my M3... this was probably 10 years ago, super-hyped "new" pad. Initial bite was not as good and they still dusted. Granted it was a "lighter" grey and not black, but within a week or so it was noticeable. Maybe formulation has improved since then.
I've only used Akebono ceramics once on my M3... this was probably 10 years ago, super-hyped "new" pad. Initial bite was not as good and they still dusted. Granted it was a "lighter" grey and not black, but within a week or so it was noticeable. Maybe formulation has improved since then.
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From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
Been using Akebono lately. No dust. Get them from FCP Euro which has the lifetime warranty, otherwise only 30 days from other vendors. They're ceramic pads so the bite isn't as strong as OEM pads, but they're still pretty good. If anything, the initial bite of OEM pads is higher than what I'm used to on other cars so the Akebono make them seem like normal brakes instead of super sensitive MB brakes.
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2020 GLS450 (wife) / 2024 Ford Bronco (mine) / 2014 VW Tiquan (son)
I am ordering new rotors and pads for the front today via FCP Euro. I have the OE drilled (2014 sport edition sedan). I don't want drilled anymore.
Question - the Zimm's on FCP, show as two options. Drilled and blank. Any difference between the two other than the holes? I suspect not as a doubt a difference sizes between the sport edition and luxury edition of the car, correct?
I want to match with the Akebono ceramic pads. Any issues with ceramic to solid rotor on this set up? I am thinking to leave the rear setup the way it is as those rotors and pads are fine.
thanks guys!
Question - the Zimm's on FCP, show as two options. Drilled and blank. Any difference between the two other than the holes? I suspect not as a doubt a difference sizes between the sport edition and luxury edition of the car, correct?
I want to match with the Akebono ceramic pads. Any issues with ceramic to solid rotor on this set up? I am thinking to leave the rear setup the way it is as those rotors and pads are fine.
thanks guys!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 6,190
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From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
I am ordering new rotors and pads for the front today via FCP Euro. I have the OE drilled (2014 sport edition sedan). I don't want drilled anymore.
Question - the Zimm's on FCP, show as two options. Drilled and blank. Any difference between the two other than the holes? I suspect not as a doubt a difference sizes between the sport edition and luxury edition of the car, correct?
I want to match with the Akebono ceramic pads. Any issues with ceramic to solid rotor on this set up? I am thinking to leave the rear setup the way it is as those rotors and pads are fine.
thanks guys!
Question - the Zimm's on FCP, show as two options. Drilled and blank. Any difference between the two other than the holes? I suspect not as a doubt a difference sizes between the sport edition and luxury edition of the car, correct?
I want to match with the Akebono ceramic pads. Any issues with ceramic to solid rotor on this set up? I am thinking to leave the rear setup the way it is as those rotors and pads are fine.
thanks guys!
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2015
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From: San Diego, CA
2016 E350 Sport; Mom Wrecked the 2008 E350; sold the 2002 C320
Drilled/Slotted rotors are designed to more efficiently dissipate gases created while braking. The reality is that they don't make a difference in average driving conditions, as pads don't create enough gases until they reach extremely high temperatures that normal or even spirited driving don't achieve. However if you race or track your car (or perhaps often drive down very steep hills), they become a must. Otherwise they are just a cool looks factor for the rest of us.
Although slightly more expensive than solid rotors, they're not going to wear or warp any sooner or later than standard solid rotors
Although slightly more expensive than solid rotors, they're not going to wear or warp any sooner or later than standard solid rotors
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2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
I don't understand the theory of the drilled rotors being worse than solid, either. All of my Benz cars have had drilled rotors and I've never had an issue with them that I didn't have in cars with solid rotors. It is merely an appearance item, as noted, on the W212. If you drive it so hard you need the drilled holes, you're probably going to ruin the rotor and you'd also ruin a standard one, too.
I really hope it's just the brakes for @nc211 but I have this sense/fear that he's about to run headlong into the reason I always recommend RWD and avoiding 4Matic if at all possible.
I really hope it's just the brakes for @nc211 but I have this sense/fear that he's about to run headlong into the reason I always recommend RWD and avoiding 4Matic if at all possible.
Last edited by LILBENZ230; Mar 20, 2021 at 03:54 PM.
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From: Dallas-Ft.Worth,TX
2016 E350 Sport
I experimented all that I intend to do with my 2001 C-Class. I gave up on factory pads due to the dust, and Pagids weren't much better. I've used Akebonos of late, on plain (non-slotted or drilled) rotors. The ceramic Akebonos work fine. Akebono is now OEM on some Mercedes. (I thought they were standard on W212s?)
I've been told not to drive any car for an hour, then straight into a carwash, or handwash at home. Makes sense with cold water on frying pan hot rotors. When I can, I change lanes to avoid standing water ahead, too.
I've been told not to drive any car for an hour, then straight into a carwash, or handwash at home. Makes sense with cold water on frying pan hot rotors. When I can, I change lanes to avoid standing water ahead, too.
Last edited by DFWdude; Mar 20, 2021 at 05:38 PM.
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2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
I can tell you I have never followed that rule and it has never caused a problem. I see how that would make sense but the materials are tough.
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From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
I experimented all that I intend to do with my 2001 C-Class. I gave up on factory pads due to the dust, and Pagids weren't much better. I've used Akebonos of late, on plain (non-slotted or drilled) rotors. The ceramic Akebonos work fine. Akebono is now OEM on some Mercedes. (I thought they were standard on W212s?)
I've been told not to drive any car for an hour, then straight into a carwash, or handwash at home. Makes sense with cold water on frying pan hot rotors. When I can, I change lanes to avoid standing water ahead, too.
I've been told not to drive any car for an hour, then straight into a carwash, or handwash at home. Makes sense with cold water on frying pan hot rotors. When I can, I change lanes to avoid standing water ahead, too.
