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I have a 2014 Mercedes Benz GL350, it's the 4Matic diesel and I am doing rotors and pads, but I can't seem to figure out which rotors and pads to get. I looked at Zimmerman rotors, the cross-dilled vented and my car has the AMG styling package, so I'm pretty sure the code is P31 for this car with 375 x 36 fronts and 345 x 26 rears.
Looking at Akebono brake pads, it doesn't mention whether the brakes pads are for the non AMG package or with AMG package, so I'm confused here. The zimmerman rotors also I can't seem to get the right part number.
Anyone can lead me in the right direction or am I better off buying straight from the dealer?
I have a 2014 Mercedes Benz GL350, it's the 4Matic diesel and I am doing rotors and pads, but I can't seem to figure out which rotors and pads to get. I looked at Zimmerman rotors, the cross-dilled vented and my car has the AMG styling package, so I'm pretty sure the code is P31 for this car with 375 x 36 fronts and 345 x 26 rears.
Looking at Akebono brake pads, it doesn't mention whether the brakes pads are for the non AMG package or with AMG package, so I'm confused here. The zimmerman rotors also I can't seem to get the right part number.
Anyone can lead me in the right direction or am I better off buying straight from the dealer?
In the US (do not know about rest of the World) only GL63 is equipped with 345x26 rear rotors, the rest of the US GL lineup is equipped with 345x22 rear rotors.
For the front 375x36 rotors, Zimmerman p/n is 400.3684.20 and Brembo p/n is 09.A960.21.
For the rear 345x22 rotors, Zimmerman p/n is 400.3688.20 and Brembo p/n is 09.A961.21.
I have a 2013 GL350 and also have the P31 package. I'm in Canada and the rotors and pads for my vehicle were as follows:
Zimmerman Rotors (buy from germanparts.ca - They have a sale on right now (Ends Aug 11) for 10% off, flat rate shipping all the time and ship within 2-3 days)
- Front - 375mm Vented - 1664211600 (Zimmerman Part # 400 3684 20)
- Rear - 345mm - 1664230212 (Zimmerman Part # 400 5501 20) Mine were solid and not vented but the vented is the same 345mm - 1664230312 (Zimmerman Part # M63660)
Brake Pads (I bought Brembo from Rockauto - Even with shipping and customs still cheaper than in Canada)
- Brembo Front - P50102N
- Brembo Rear - P50099N
- Akebono Front - EUR1636
- Akebono Rear - EUR1630
Search with the part numbers above for the front and rear pads on Rockauto as what they listed in the year/make/model is not reliable, you can compare especially for front pads. You want to make sure the profile on the front pads are straight on the inside and not curved. If buying Brembo pads you will need to buy the sensors as it does not come with it, Akebono pads comes with sensors.
Finally, last advice, remove the wheel and measure rotors to make sure you have the right diameter rotors. Observe the front pads in regards to the straight profile (you will know what I mean when you look at the inside part of the pad). The inside pad that is curved is for the 350mm front rotor.
I'll be going with the Zimmerman vented rotors paired with Akebono brake pads. I checked Rockauto and the prices are fairly cheap compared to other sites, any idea why? Germanparts has the Akebono pads listed for almost 2x the price of Rockauto ($96 at Rockauto and $174 at Germanparts). However, I got the Zimmerman rotors from Germanparts, just wondering why the prices at Rockauto are much lower.
Not sure why the price discrepancy but I've bought Akebono in the past from them and they work great with the Zimmerman rotors.
In my opinion, Brembo pads I find generates more brake dust but wanted to try them out. Will more than likely go back with Akebono when the time comes to change.
Not sure why the price discrepancy but I've bought Akebono in the past from them and they work great with the Zimmerman rotors.
In my opinion, Brembo pads I find generates more brake dust but wanted to try them out. Will more than likely go back with Akebono when the time comes to change.
I've not been impressed with Brembo pads on my GL550 (2013) and GLS63 (2017). I've had much better results with EBC Redstuff pads. I've not tried Akebono, but have seen several positive reports in this forum.
Zimmerman rotors have been great. Brembo rotors are OK, but no better than Zimmerman.
I do not see the point in paying for Mercedes-branded pads and rotors when Zimmerman and EBC components perform better for less cost.
I know a buddy who has used the Brembo pads on his C63 and they started to squeak after a while even with a ton of compound left. I’ve also read that Brembo’s are usually a hit or miss so I’m trying to avoid that. I’ve never tried the Akebono’s and they are also pretty well known.. so gonna go with those this time around.
I’ve dealt with Textar pads as well in the past, those were pretty good.
Going to go with the Zimmerman paired with Akebono pads.
Still crazy how Rockauto has relatively low prices for a lot of the pads and parts in general. Will order from them anyways and report back.
Not only are Rockauto prices usually cheap, you can ALWAYS get a 5% discount too. Either use the code they emailed you after your last purchase, or just google "Rockauto discount" and there will be a number of sites that you can copy the discount from. I've used Retailmenot a bunch of times. 5% isn't much for little stuff, but when you're spending a couple hundred then it's worth a couple minutes to get the discount.
Not only are Rockauto prices usually cheap, you can ALWAYS get a 5% discount too. Either use the code they emailed you after your last purchase, or just google "Rockauto discount" and there will be a number of sites that you can copy the discount from. I've used Retailmenot a bunch of times. 5% isn't much for little stuff, but when you're spending a couple hundred then it's worth a couple minutes to get the discount.
I’ll definitely take a look into the discounts. Better than nothing.
I have a 2013 GL350 and also have the P31 package. I'm in Canada and the rotors and pads for my vehicle were as follows:
Zimmerman Rotors (buy from germanparts.ca - They have a sale on right now (Ends Aug 11) for 10% off, flat rate shipping all the time and ship within 2-3 days)
- Front - 375mm Vented - 1664211600 (Zimmerman Part # 400 3684 20)
- Rear - 345mm - 1664230212 (Zimmerman Part # 400 5501 20) Mine were solid and not vented but the vented is the same 345mm - 1664230312 (Zimmerman Part # M63660)
Okay, so I’m pretty sure we have the same spec’d or very similar spec’d GL’s. I just checked mine and the front rotors are indeed vented, and the back ones are plain, which just looks odd after finding this out. Never really took a good look at them before.
Now I’m wondering, can I order the vented rotors that you mentioned and replace the plain ones? They’re the same size 345mm.. don’t think there would be any issues.
Okay, so I’m pretty sure we have the same spec’d or very similar spec’d GL’s. I just checked mine and the front rotors are indeed vented, and the back ones are plain, which just looks odd after finding this out. Never really took a good look at them before.
Now I’m wondering, can I order the vented rotors that you mentioned and replace the plain ones? They’re the same size 345mm.. don’t think there would be any issues.
In post #2 above, the rear part numbers provided are for the cross drilled rotors, which were optional on some early GL models with P31.
Non-AMG GL's rear rotors are 345x22, not 345x26. To fit 345x26 requires replacement of rear brakes, and while calipers are the same, pads must be specific to 63 (which are 2mm lower per pad to account for 4mm thicker rotor).
Also it needs to be said that replacing MB stock pads with any after market ceramic pads results not only in reduction of dust but also in (sometimes significant) reduction of initial braking byte (I will live with brake dust but would not give up initial biting force).
In post #2 above, the rear part numbers provided are for the cross drilled rotors, which were optional on some early GL models with P31.
Non-AMG GL's rear rotors are 345x22, not 345x26. To fit 345x26 requires replacement of rear brakes, and while calipers are the same, pads must be specific to 63 (which are 2mm lower per pad to account for 4mm thicker rotor).
Also it needs to be said that replacing MB stock pads with any after market ceramic pads results not only in reduction of dust but also in (sometimes significant) reduction of initial braking byte (I will live with brake dust but would not give up initial biting force).
Got it. I’ll probably order the plain rotors for the back since it came that way from the dealer. Not sure yet since either will fit, 345x22.
How noticeable is the initial braking from other pads compared to ceramics? Akebono is pretty well known for their ceramic pads. Let’s say if we compare Brembos to Akebonos, not too sure which to go with now.
I use stock MB pads with Brembo (replacement) rotors and/or Zimmerman rotors. Both are much cheaper than OEM while retaining identical performance. OEM pads can be purchased on-line at many MB online dealers for about 30% off list price. Combination of stock pads and Brembo rotors reduces brake dust by about 50% (which implies that stock rotors are as much to blame as stock pads for stock setup brake production). Combination works identical (other than production of brake dust) to full OEM setup.
Would not use any replacement Brembo labeled CN made pads (not to be confused with superior stock OEM IT made Brembo pads used by AMG models). Textar is a good closest to stock aftermarket choice for rear pads (since they are OEM supplier for the rears for all X166/W166) at significant discount to stock. Do not know who makes OEM pads for your specific car.
Okay, so I’m pretty sure we have the same spec’d or very similar spec’d GL’s. I just checked mine and the front rotors are indeed vented, and the back ones are plain, which just looks odd after finding this out. Never really took a good look at them before.
Now I’m wondering, can I order the vented rotors that you mentioned and replace the plain ones? They’re the same size 345mm.. don’t think there would be any issues.
My recommendation is to stick with the plain rear rotors if that is what you currently have. Akebono pads are my recommendation as well.
So, a quick update. I ended up with Zimmerman rotors paired with Akebono pads and I noticed yesterday that the rear rotors are not wearing evenly on either side. Is it normal for the rears to rust up easily compared to the fronts? Something clearly seems off, but there is no issue in braking or any weird noise. Any ideas what could be causing this?
My recommendation is to stick with the plain rear rotors if that is what you currently have. Akebono pads are my recommendation as well.
Might I ask why? I have a 2015 GL and need to replace rotors. I prefer the look of the cross-drilled. Anyone have any idea why this wouldn't work as a replacement for my vented non-cross-drilled rotors currently installed?
Most of my research concludes they were made for the GL450 and GL550s that were produced for like the first six months before Merc decided to suddenly switch to non-cross drilled rotors on the back and have stuck with them ever since.
My opinion only as that was what originally came with the vehicle, so I kept it as is. I did debate changing the rears to the cross drilled but opted to keep it non-cross drilled in the rear.
I'm sure you can switch to the cross drilled but as you mentioned based on your research, Merc changed to the non-cross drilled rotors on the rears. I can only guess it was done due to performance or cost related. Perhaps someone else has further insight.
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