Brake pads
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 609
Likes: 211
From: Boston area
2016 E63 Wagon
@Code7rpd - look at my link above. It contains a lot of the info you are looking for.
In summary:
In summary:
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.....
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.....
