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  #1  
Old 03-08-2002, 08:32 PM
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Join Date: May 2001
Location: Indiana
Posts: 206
Question C280 Sport Brakes/Tires

I recently received a letter from my MB shop I take my car to telling me that last time my car was in (for oil change) the brakes were at 20% and need replacing soon. What I am wondering is if there is anything I should request to increase braking performance? I'm not unhappy with the braking particularly but I don’t like the brake dust. Also as soon as I'm sure the winter weather is over for good I will be taking off my winter tires and will need new tires. What would be recommended for the C280 Sport without changing the stock tire size?

Thanks,
Brad

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1986 190E 186K (For Sale)
(Maroon, Tan leather)
1996 C280 Sport 208K
(Brilliant Silver, Black Leather)
2002 CLK430 Sport 45K
(Brilliant Silver, Gray Leather , Birdseye Maple)
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  #2  
Old 03-09-2002, 04:26 PM
MB Shop Retiree
 
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Hockessin, DE
Posts: 1,047
Can switch to a more dustless pad. Something Like Rotex, Carbontech, Pagid, Frictiontech...more popular names out there. I use Rotex cause they last forever (almost 40k of hard abuse, with cross-drilled and slotted rotors) and are almost 25% as much dust as the stock pads. Actually my stock rear ones look 4 times dirtier then my front ones, and I have larger bigger front brakes from a 400E, so I really like the lower dust.

They have great pedal feel, stop well, don't fade (did have to get stainless steel brake lines though) and work great.

As far as tires, on the 15" wheels, 205/60/15 is the tire size. ry the Dunlop SP Sport A2 as a good tire. If you want more sport and have a dedicated set of winter tires and don't care as much about the mileage, then go to something more sporting like the SP Sport 5000s. Good Luck.
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- 03 Mercedes S600 Sport TTV12
- 97 Acura NSX-T
- 99 BMW E36 M3 w/500+ HP
- 04 Lexus RX330
- 04 Dodge Dakota Quad 4x4 V8

4 Sale:
- 99 BMW M3 E36 Coup with Dinan SC, Upgraded to an RMS Stage 3 with Aftercooler, 12psi, and 500+hp @ flywheel.
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  #3  
Old 03-10-2002, 02:25 PM
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Location: Indiana
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Charlie,

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll go with the Rotex I think. Not sure on the tires yet but thanks again for the suggestions.

-Brad
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1986 190E 186K (For Sale)
(Maroon, Tan leather)
1996 C280 Sport 208K
(Brilliant Silver, Black Leather)
2002 CLK430 Sport 45K
(Brilliant Silver, Gray Leather , Birdseye Maple)
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  #4  
Old 03-10-2002, 11:12 PM
BPH BPH is offline
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Brakes/Tires

I'm really glad you asked the questions about brakes and tires. I'm satisfied with my third set of tires (at 70K!) once I took my C280 to a reputable alignment shop. The dealer was saying that all was fine after the first two alignments.

A tire specialist informed me that I could beef up my tire size by going to a 215/60/15, which is about an inch wider, and I believe over an inch taller. They were also within the allowable size range that would not alter the computer-monitored performance of the car. They look more in proportion to the vehicle. My choice was the Pirelli 215/60/15 P6000 Veloce. It's an all-season, aggressive tread, quiet, and performs well in all driving conditions. I had Dunlop A2's and my car sounded and rode like a truck!

I've read with interest the comments on brake pads. When asking previously about a "dustless" pad at first replacement... blank stares from the dealer. I will specify the Rotex at this next replacement. Thanks to all!
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  #5  
Old 03-11-2002, 11:28 AM
Ali Al-Chalabi's Avatar
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Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Knoxville, TN
Posts: 1,837
As far as brake pads are concerned, I personally am willing to put up with the brake dust from the stock pads because I really like the way they perform.

For tires, it depends whether you are looking for sport handling or a nice touring tire. The current tires on my C280 sport are Michelin MXV4 and have got to be the quietest, smoothest tire I have ever owned. Handling is also pretty good as well, although I am sure they will not perform as well as some other sport handling tires when pushed to the limits. They are expensive, but worth the cost in my opinion.
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  #6  
Old 03-11-2002, 12:42 PM
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Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Hockessin, DE
Posts: 1,047
the 215/60/15s are actually a little bigger, a little wider not much of a difference in height, but the car will treck a little more.

As far as the A2s, the new Dunop Sport A2s are redesigned compared to the older A2s. The P6000 Sport Veloces are alright. I had them, couldn't get more then 25k out of my 190E (I am harsh on tires, can tell immediately which ones hold up) and they sucked in snow.

The Michelins are great, but overpriced in my mind. As far the stock brake pads, they deff work, but fade quickly in my opinion. I did the brake upgrades and love the on the dime feel. But then again I am a little essentric, and well anyone who has brake issues on a 190E probably has a few screws loose in his head

Goto Tirerack and do a tire search, read reviews, look at prices find wahts right for you...most people I know consider mileage out of a tire very important, and performance just as important. Even if you don't want performance tires, they should handle adverse conditions well.
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Chirag (Charlie) Patel
--------------------------------------------
- 03 Mercedes S600 Sport TTV12
- 97 Acura NSX-T
- 99 BMW E36 M3 w/500+ HP
- 04 Lexus RX330
- 04 Dodge Dakota Quad 4x4 V8

4 Sale:
- 99 BMW M3 E36 Coup with Dinan SC, Upgraded to an RMS Stage 3 with Aftercooler, 12psi, and 500+hp @ flywheel.
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  #7  
Old 03-12-2002, 04:51 PM
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Join Date: May 2001
Location: Indiana
Posts: 206
I did some more research and am looking closely at the Bridgestone Potenza RE950. What I want to make sure of is that the 215/60/HR15's will work with the cruise control and all the other computer controlled functions that have to do with tires/rotation/speed. For instance will the speedometer be showing 60 when I'm going 65 and that sort of thing? Without factoring those problems/issues in is the RE950 a good tire? I read up on it at Tirerack and it looks like everyone it happy with it. What I am most concerned with is noise and performance. I am an aggressive driver but I also want the luxury of a quiet ride. Anyone with comments on RE950's would be great help.

For the brake pads I ordered the Rotex and will have them installed Fri. I'll make sure I post on what I think of them over the OEM brakes.

Thanks,
Brad
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1986 190E 186K (For Sale)
(Maroon, Tan leather)
1996 C280 Sport 208K
(Brilliant Silver, Black Leather)
2002 CLK430 Sport 45K
(Brilliant Silver, Gray Leather , Birdseye Maple)
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  #8  
Old 03-12-2002, 08:44 PM
BPH BPH is offline
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While I can't comment on the Bridgestones...I can offer my first hand experience on the 215/60/15's. My priorities were...quiet, longer life, performance, and all-season (in that order). There have been no adverse affects in performance, gas mileage, cruise control, or noticeable false spedometer readings. I passed an Ohio State Patrol tonight at 74 in a 65 and didn't draw any attention (and I was still going faster that everyone else).

The difference in circumference is minimal but it is a much more substantial tire in width and height at a glance. It is far quieter than the Dunlop A2's I traded (due to the noise) which, by the way... also created a substantial pull. After 15K and three rotations, the treads look like new and I feel I got a very good value ($85 each out the door).

Hope this helps...

Brad (also)
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  #9  
Old 03-13-2002, 11:11 AM
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Thumbs up I have the Bridgestone RE950's...

In my wife's car. She had Goodyears before. Once we put them on, it felt like a different car. They have very little noise and the ride is very good. I have Michelins in my car now but, I am considering the Bridgestone's or the Yokohamas adb? (which are supossed to be very quiet too) but, they are harder to get.
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  #10  
Old 03-13-2002, 11:20 AM
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My wife's 98 E300 has the RE950's (summer use only) and I am pretty durned impressed with that tire. I'm usually pretty critical of H-rated tires, and prefer at least a V, but those RE950's are really good.

They are quiet, smooth riding, and nearly unbelievable in the rain. They still have pretty high dry traction limits, but not like a true performance tire. On the other hand, they last MUCH longer, so it's a trade off.

On our E-Class, they work very well, and I'd buy them again in a second. Much better than the MXV4's we replaced.
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  #11  
Old 03-14-2002, 09:19 AM
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205/60-15 or 215/60-15s are both good replacement sizes. The 205/60 will yield about 1% lower speed for the same rpm and the 215/60 about 1% higher (this varies a bit depending on tire brand). I have run Michelins for years and the MXV4 series for more than 300K miles. After a favorable test on one of our VWs I recently put Bridgestone RE950s on our '95 C280. I was hoping for a big step up in performance, but in my opinion, it is only marginally better (at best) than the MXV4 Energy. It is certainly a good tire, and the cost savings is significant, but don't expect a night and day difference. For me, the proof will be in the long term. I did notice that the fronts on both Bridgestone cars were slightly out of balance after 5K miles or so. Rotating front to rear revealed the rears to be fine at the same mileage (on both cars). I rarely have a problem or have to rebalance a set of Michelins, but with other (non Bridgestone) brands, I have run into all sorts of wear, balance and out-of-round issues over the years.
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  #12  
Old 03-18-2002, 07:01 PM
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Location: Indiana
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Well I got to drive around this weekend getting used to the tires/brakes. The RE950's are definitely something I would recommend. I of course can’t say anything about longevity but the ride is so smooth. The 215/60/HR15 does look more proportionate to the vehicle. I haven’t noticed any adversities with the cruise control or anything like that. I set it at 80 on the drive home on Sat evening and it just breezed along. The brakes aren’t very much different then OEM. I think I'm still getting used to them though. Maybe they are breaking in but they do seem to be getting better the more they are used....or maybe it’s just me. Hopefully it will take care of the dust problem though. Writing this reminds me to go get my winter tires out of my trunk though. Thanks everyone for the comments!

-Brad

__________________
1986 190E 186K (For Sale)
(Maroon, Tan leather)
1996 C280 Sport 208K
(Brilliant Silver, Black Leather)
2002 CLK430 Sport 45K
(Brilliant Silver, Gray Leather , Birdseye Maple)
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