Light just came on the dash for brake wear. Pads are looking very thin. I've always replaced pads and rotors together, but on a car like this it seems some people replace just the pads. My rotors do look pretty worn, but they dont pulse or anything under braking. Should I replace just the pads or pads and rotors? Any specific brand recommendations? This is my daily driver, looking for low brake dust and no squeeking.

You should replace the rotors as well. They don't pulse now but they most likely will if you just slap new pads on. It's also not recommended to resurface the rotors.

I would use a caliper to measure the run out of your rotors. Stamped on your rotors is a minimum thickness allowable indicator.
If you are even close to that minimum, I would replace. But since E55 rotors are cheap as hell, I would replace them regardless.

I typically tend to be ok to go through two sets of pads on one set of rotors myself

Since rotors are fairly cheap on this car, replace everything. No headache you’ll be good to go for a couple years...

Pagid rotors and akebono pads are my favorites.

These rotors are robust enough to go thru 3 sets of pads, provided that they aren't under the minimum thickness. But I two go thru at least two sets of pads before replacing the rotors.

Just gonna do the rotors as well. There is a groove in the rotors so its probably time, and as mentioned, looks like they are pretty cheap. Half of me wants to spend the $600+ for the upgraded 390mm rotors!

Are you referring to the two piece rotors that come on the E63?

Depends on how old the rotors are.

I replaced both of mine earlier this year with Akebono pads and Zimmerman rotors.

I still get a squeak sometimes. Not sure why. I think it's the dry climate.

yes

The cheapest, that I've seen were about $350 per rotor. I picked up mine in 2018 for $700 even from eBay of all places. Now RockAuto has them for sale, at about the same price that I paid.
My last set lasted thru two set of pads, I then remove the friction rings and sold the aluminum hats for $150. I discovered that Coleman Racing can manufacture a replacement set of directional rotors for about $350 per rotor.
They can even slot them if you choose. I do advise PowerStop Carbon/Ceramic pads to eliminate any brake squeal.

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It's totally worth it, especially when you upgrade the caliper to the 6 piston caliper as well.

For brake squeal and optimal braking performance you need​​​to go through the process of brake bedding. Only then will the pads under temperature lay an ideal layer on the rotor and make smooth contact with it. I followed the brembo instructions and did 25 brakes from 100 to ~50 kph in a remote area. I use brembo 390mm rotors and Jurid pads from the 6 piston caliper.

I agree with FCP Euro for brakes. I got the Brembo 2 pc rotors for the front replacements for my w213 E63s. Too bad they don't carry the rear rotors. I used Porterfield brake pads(R4-S). Great pads, low dust.

Hi guys,

New to the forum and I've got the similar questions here and would like to ask for your advice. Since the brake pad is running out and I'd like to upgrade the original 2013 ML350 (W166) brakes to the 6pot amg version and I managed to find the amg calipers from a wrecked 2013 ML63 in the market.(photos as below)



Is it a good idea to get the calipers and I purchase the oem rotors says Brembo to fit my car? If so, Should I go for 375mm or 390mm rotor to fit into the amg calipers? or I should just go for the whole new amg BBK?

Thanks

Going with a smaller or larger rotor requires a different caliper mounting bracket. So, if the calipers were off an ML63, then I would go with the rotor size that came on the ML63, that way you've ensured the that rotors and calipers will fit one another.