In my experience MB specifies a pretty soft friction material in their stock pads so if you're using OE or OEM pads they may only last 20k miles or less if you use them hard.

I went to Metalmasters a long time ago to reduce dusting. Metalmasters have a good deal harder friction material so they last me 30-35k miles, even though I use them pretty hard. The downside is that they are more prone to sqealing and the pedal effort is a little higher.

Some people don't like Metalmasters for those reasons but the squealing can usually be solved by liberal application of well stirred Permatex anti-squeal compund to the backs of the pads. I do it a day or two before installation to allow the compound to "dry".

HTH,

MikeR
'93 190E 2.6 Sportline