I am buying new brake rotors for my 1991 350SD. My choices (from Fastlane) are:

1. Balo
2. ATE Power Disc
3. ATE (Teves)
4. Zimmerman Cross Drilled

Which would you buy?

I will be buying ATE(Teves) pads.

My current discs are ATE(Teves) and the pads from performance products.

The current pads squeal and have from day one. they are getting louder.

any thoughts?

The best way to prevent squealing is to use antisieze on the pad backings. Be careful not to get any on the pad material.

it's more than a normal squeal. i do believe that the mb shop did use antisqueal.

any thoughts on what is the best quality items?

I use Pagid pads, Iam quite sure that I used Balo rotors the last time arround and haven't had any problems.

I have replaced the factory front rotors on my 1997 Volvo 960 with Balos and they keep warping, the calipers are fine.... My Indy MB/BMW/ Volvo mechanic HATES Balo rotors, claims that they are crap and only trusts Zimmerman or ATE

thanks

Don't bother with cross drilled rotors - they crack at the holes. They can also pick up road debris in the holes and damage the pads. The Zimmerman (non-drilled) rotors and PBR deluxe pads I bought from Phil at Fastlane are fantastic. Very low dust from the pads, too.

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Rick Miley
2014 Tesla Model S
2018 Tesla Model 3
2017 Nissan LEAF
Former MB: 99 E300, 86 190E 2.3, 87 300E, 80 240D, 82 204D Euro
Chain Elongation References

If you have rims the cross drilled rotors look cool, also all of the new S-class cars have them.

I like the ATE Power Discs that I have on my car now, they look cool yet seem to hold up well.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Using ATE power discs and Axxis or similar Ceramic pads is the way to go. See info on the ATE powerdisc here: http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/com/en/ate/ate/general/success_stories/powerdisc_en.html

I checked for ceramic pads from my supplier but he informed me they were not available for the 350SD. If that is true than its too bad because they are so smooth, quiet and practically dust free, the closest thing to an ideal pad I have ever used.
DDH

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'95 E320 Wagon my favorite road car. '99 E300D wolf in sheeps body, '87 300D Sportline suspension, '79 300TD w/ 617.952 engine at 367,750 and counting!

FWIW rims are on the outside of wheels. So if you have wheels you have rims. To heck with what looks cool, lets see, what about the technical merits of one vs. the other.

Cross drilled rotors might look cool, but they have less friction surface and less mass than slotted or non-drilled rotors. see: http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=368072
DDH

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'95 E320 Wagon my favorite road car. '99 E300D wolf in sheeps body, '87 300D Sportline suspension, '79 300TD w/ 617.952 engine at 367,750 and counting!

Well the new W220 has them stock, their is a real nice 911 that has them at the boat yard I work at. His brakes are not to much larger than mine. On a street car any disc will stop you fine, I could buy a cheap set of Autozone ones and be fine for years. Cross drilled disc's are a wast of money because you never build up enough heat to really need them. I was saying the only reason to have them on a street car is for looks. When my ATE's wear out I will buy a set of cross drilled disc's so they look better threw my wheel's.

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

I have had mixed results with the different antisqueal products, most bad. Antiseize though, works like a charm. Yes, the same stuff you put on bolts threaded into aluminum. This is common practice with mechanics and is so for a reason, it's the best at preventing squeaks/squeals related to pad installation.

Do your pads have squeal tabs? If so, one might have got bent and be rubbing against the rotor. Take the wheel off and rotate the rotor. Look for anything rubbing. A backing plate, etc.

Any brake dust collecting on the pad ends or backings?

Does it only squeal under certain conditions, etc.?