Just coming back 3 years after parting with my 2003 SL500...got to old to climb in and out......
I put aftermarket Akebono ceramic pads in it and had wonderfule service, and better yet.....NO STINKING DUST......the car always looked clean and the polished AMG wheels were always shining......
I also had them on a 2000 BMW 740i......on my prior MB's and BMW's I used the dust covers...bad news, but since I do not stop down from 120 it never presented a problem....
If anyone has replaced the oringinal pads with ceramics on this model your feedback would be appreciated.....
I bought a CPO 2015 s550 in February with 16,700 miles. The ride quality is phenomenal. I've put about 3k miles on it so far. I still like my nimble c250 for around-town driving, but the s550 is an awesome luxury car on the highway or if I drive it in the city. The s550 rolls brake dust as I have never seen before! How do you all feel about dust covers for the wheels? I use the ArmorAll repellant which works well till I get caught in the rain, then it washes away. Anyone using a wheel wax? Has anyone tried putting a ceramic coating like for the paint on the wheels? Those of you that have installed Akebono ceramics, do you experience and squeaking at all? I have read in the archives that will cure my dust problem. Thanks for any input on my many questions!
Been wanting to say something here that no one has mentioned. Take a look at POWERSTOP Brakes ....the ones that combine ceramic and metallic in one pad. They use these for racing but they have them for street use as well. I put them on the rear of my S550 4matic and they are great....very little dust if any and really stop with no noise. Since the front brakes are of original make I can compare the two, as the fronts really produce the dust.
I put Porterfield Racing ceramic pads on my new SL and the dust was greatly reduced, but do not think any pad will eliminate dust entirely. The only cars that have no brake dust are the AMG cars equipped with the Carbon Ceramic Brake option. Why MB doesn't make these fabulous brakes available on all their higher end cars is a mystery to me. They are in the parts bins, they simply "bolt on," and could be an additional money maker for the company. I believe Porsche will put them on any of their sports cars, if not the entire range, just check the box and pay the bucks.
Brembo makes ceramic pads for the S550 AMG sport package cars. I put a set on a few thousand miles ago and my dust is pretty much gone. No squeals and they work just as good as factory.
Brembo makes ceramic pads for the S550 AMG sport package cars. I put a set on a few thousand miles ago and my dust is pretty much gone. No squeals and they work just as good as factory.
really?? great to know. I have them on my x5 and although they do stop fine, and way less dust than terrible before I find them not as good as akebonos as far as dust.
Ok....I was actually referring to "carbon ceramic brake pads" from POWERSTOP. And we are talking about WEAR components so no effect on any warranty here. And by the way, it was the M.B. dealer that installed them . I found the cost for both the pads and the installation VERY inexpensive. The car brakes perfectly.
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
