Front Brake Pads
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 165
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'05 SLK55, Obsidian, black/red, light and premium pkg., COMAND with nav, airscarf, Sirius
Front Brake Pads
Has anyone here tried non Mercedes front pads to try to reduce the amount of brake dust ending up on the wheels? Which pads did you use? Were you happy with the results? Thanks in advance...
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Frisco Colorado, USA
2024 GLB35 AMG, 2020 S560 Coupe
Pad Replacemtne Procedurel
Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 77
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From: CA
2005, E500 Designo
I have an E500 and changed my front pads to Porterfield RS-4 there is a very noticable difference between the dust on the front wheels with the RS-4 pads & the stock rear pads. The rears are black and the fronts are 90% cleaner. Oh yea, best of all and main reason for changing NO SQUEEKING when I stopped.
I don't race or lock up the brakes just normal street driving. I also changed the front rotors to ones that are drilled.
The difference was noticable but not monumental, not like putting stainless steel brake lines.
I don't race or lock up the brakes just normal street driving. I also changed the front rotors to ones that are drilled.
The difference was noticable but not monumental, not like putting stainless steel brake lines.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 165
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'05 SLK55, Obsidian, black/red, light and premium pkg., COMAND with nav, airscarf, Sirius
Follow Up
It's been 8 months since I posted this, and I thought I would ask again as more '55 owners are likely getting to the mileage where they need new front brake pads. Porterfield doesn't seem to list brake pads for the '55 (although their website claims they can custom make them for any car), buybrakes.com shows Axxis front brake pads that fit (the website says you need to call for pricing), drivewire.com shows MB OEM pads for $160.03, and partstrain.com shows EBC pads for $133.67 as well as Posiquiet semi mettalic pads for $52.85However, price is not my first concern...I would like to find aftermarket pads that throw off significantly less dust than the OEM pads. Anyone have any experience with after market pads on their '55? I've become tired of cleaning my front wheels, especially when my wife drives the car (yikes)...she is "heavy" on the brakes.
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SLK55
I replaced my pads after a couple of heavy track sessions. When they are red hot they are subject to deformation. I stuck with the OEM because they seem to be a bit softer which may save the rotors from being replaced next time around.
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Joined: Oct 2004
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'05 SLK55, Obsidian, black/red, light and premium pkg., COMAND with nav, airscarf, Sirius
Hi Fred, long time, no talk. I noticed that some of the pad manufacturers claim their ceramic pads through off far less dust and are at the same time easier on the rotors (discs). Is that marketing hype, or do we just not know? I certainly would rather be changing pads than rotors as I saw the price on the rotors...yikes!
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Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2004
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SLK55
Without doubt other pads will have less dust, probably because of increased hardness which could wear the rotors. I've had good success with mintex on my modified TT but even the eisenmann rotors are relatively inexpensive to replace (VW parts bin)
ps do you know of anybody running pilot cup sport 265's on our OEM 18" rims?
cheers
ps do you know of anybody running pilot cup sport 265's on our OEM 18" rims?
cheers
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: sac, calif.
'06 slk55
I too would prefer less dust. I have yet to replace my front pads but I keep looking for a solution nonetheless. I love the performance of the OE pads. Never experienced brake fade... never! Then again, I've never experience little brake dust 
I guess I want it all.
Fred, I thought the primary reason for less dust from brake manufacturers is the composition of the brake pad and not necessarily the hardness.
I guess I want it all.Fred, I thought the primary reason for less dust from brake manufacturers is the composition of the brake pad and not necessarily the hardness.
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From: Bay Area/ NY
07 SLK55, 08 R32
I had ceramic brake pads on my BMW I swapped out the font ones and left the rears stock to see if there was a difference it brake dust and there was! People said that ceramic brake pads squeak a lot but i really didnt notice it
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Joined: Mar 2005
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From: sac, calif.
'06 slk55
Yeah, my wife has a BMW X3. If you think MB pads are dusty, they're nothing compared to BMW.
