I just changed to EBC RED stuff Ceramics,I really like the initial bite, the dust is about 60% less than stock and they make zero noise,I had them on there for a few hundred miles so far so good, they also have a pre bedding coating so you don't have to do high speed pad bedding ,well they don't recommend for the first 1000 miles.

 

I had Rado dust free ( low ) pads and they were awesome. The bit and the fact I didnt have to wash the wheel for around 2 weeks vs. 1-2 days.

 

 

 

Not quite as black as OEM. However, I have not had mine on long enough (1 week) to know just how much dust yet

 

 

I have a MY17 S63 and will be replacing the OEM pads for the Rado pads once I need replacement. The bit is noticeable better than OEM on the E63 and they are not much more than OEM and when you factor in the amount of time you need to spend wash the wheels its well worth it in my opinion.

Here is the tread:

http://www.world-motorsports.com/rad...rake-pads.html

 

 

I used to have EBC Red Pads in my E55 and they were much better than oem regarding dust.

I will replace the same in my E63 when the pads need replacing.

 

I cant speak for EBC because never tried it, but Rado's imo is the best and that I"ll be getting it for my S63 when its time. Something that I had notice on the E63 was that the brake dusk that does come on the wheels with the Rado pads are pretty easy to rinse off than the OEM and the OEM pads imo cakes on the brake dusk and you need to actually scrub it off.

 

Have used EBC red on numerous cars in the past. 60+70% less dust, quiet, and kind on rotors. Initial bite close to OEM.
Have also used Posi semi metallic and ceramic pads. Both have even less dust (ceramic close to zero, but a browner color), in cold weather you may get some squeal at first application.
Have also used Akebono, great pads similar to EBC red.

 

 

EBC or Akebono. Posi in third place - since they do squeal when really cold for first brake application. .

 

Recently installed Hawk HPS 5.0.
After 400 miles - excellent modulation (much better than Posi or EBC), no noticeable fade (but only used in street driving, no track duty), very little dust (close to Akebono, MUCH less than OEM), and zero squeal. New favorite.

 

I'll chime in too since I've been dealing with brake squeal for the past couple of months - blew the load on Rado for less dust, but have been dealing w/ bad squeal issues ever since. Have had the wheels off 3 times now to try anti-squeal pastes (Febi, Ate), sprays (Permatex, Wurth), and even Wurth Brake Finishing Treatment aka SBS II stuff which you spray onto the disc/rotor. Although I get some temporary results, the squeal comes back.

Seems the low dust vs.squeal equation cannot overcome braking physics. Too bad I spent $$$ to find out for myself.

 

 

 

That's plain wrong - those reviewers either haven't used the pads or are abusing them (as in maybe wrong application - putting them on a heavy duty tow truck or something)

This is another way to think about it - a scale of dustiness:

Most pure race pads = 10
OEM Mercedes (or most German cars) pads = 8
EBC red = 4
Akebono Euro = 3
Hawk HPS 5.0 = 3
Posi Quiet Semi Metallic = 3
Posi Quiet Ceramic = 2
Hawk (yellow box) Ceramic = 1

I find the Hawk yellow a bit hard to modulate, they feel a bit like wood blocks, if you know what I mean?
Akebono is maybe a 2.5, but the application I have used them for (NOT the E63 - not available in right size) is a lighter car with different parameters to it.

Hawk 5.0 part numbers (actually size code) are below and I also included the link to Zeckhausen - I have no affiliation, but Dave and his crew are a very good and knowledgeable shop and worth supporting. Have used them for more than a decade.

Front: D1291 Front
Rear: D1450 Rear

And yes - the actual pads do have the right Mercedes OEM like balance weights etc.

Either way - if you don't like to wash, going with Akebono, Hawk 5.0, EBS red, or Posi will all decrease the dust amount - by a lot. I have no first hand experience of Rado, but they are likely the same.
Not sure asking how often to wash is relevant - so depending on driving style, geographic location, and how sensitive you are to dirty wheels!
With Mercedes OEM my wheels went "flat" (I have black OEM wheels) in about 30-40 miles, with the 5.0 they are still glossy after 200.

Last point - in my experience most ceramic pads (like Hawk Yellow and Posi ceramic) do
a) need a split second in very wet weather to bite, and may
b) do an initial squeal on the first brake of journey in very cold weather (below 30 degrees F or so)

In my younger years I went to the track with real race pads - they squeal all the time and LOUD, while being dusty and expensive. But they hold up to abuse and have tremendous bite. Driving to the track in those days was always fun, scaring old ladies and toll both people - them looking at you and feeling sorry that your car has such bad brakes.....

 

Craig from World here. Squealing has not been an issue that we have had with these pads for the several years we have been selling them. We do not sell race pads that are know to squeal. These are a street compound pad and they are made by Project Mu for us in Japan. Project Mu is made up of some of the most talented engineers in the brake business and the Japanese attention to detail has always delivered us a consistent and reliable product. Can you PM me your name so that I can look up your order and I can start to get this taken care of for you? Did you every try to give me a call or contact me to let me know that you were having an issue with noise? We are here to help you resolve any issues with products that you may have.

Thanks

 

Local dealer told me there are two different parts numbers, i.e. pad compounds, listed for the W212 E63 brake system. The factory-fitted pads are the more aggressive and dusty version and they have another version that is less aggressive.

 

last I check since the run numbers were too low.

 

 

Same here , front and rear on two cars and up front on another family members old car , now that's 20 individual pads of satisfaction...

 

Thanks for the reply Craig, will PM you and no I never tried to contact you since I searched the brake squeal threads here and elsewhere and figured I had tried everything. Guilty as charged for not using support from you. Didn't intend to make it appear that Rado pads aren't worth the money.