500E front brake pads - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Jim's500E · #1 07-02-2002, 04:21 PM

Who is running EBC reds? How do you like them in terms of feel and dust? For street driving mostly.

Any others non-OEM pads worth trying? I've had it with the OEMs dust.

Thanx

Ashman · #2 07-02-2002, 04:58 PM

I think the porterfield pads give off less dust, they have kevlar in them, which makes them harder, but they will probably chew up the rotors a bit quicker.

They apparently have as good if not better braking than the stock pads though.

Might give them a look.

I have stock pads in my car, but when its time to do them again, I'm going with porterfields I think.

Alon

placo1 · #3 07-02-2002, 07:11 PM

Jim,

Send an email to Guido. I believe he's using the EBC Green Stuff and last time I saw him he loved them. Much much less brake dust and better stopping. I believe they are pretty easy on the rotors as well.

Let us know how Guido rates the wear on these brake pads as I will also change my brakes next month.

allenjdmb · #4 07-02-2002, 08:31 PM

Like em. Much less dust and noise is fine. Stopping power feels about the same as OE. Would do it again. allen

#5 07-03-2002, 12:41 AM

EBC Red is a track pad, go with the Green which is street / occasional track and very little dust.

Jim's500E · #6 07-03-2002, 08:30 AM

Cool, thanx everyone and keep it coming...BTW ...EBC yellows are for the track/competition...reds are track pads for lighter cars but according to EBC, reds are good for heavy, high HP cars on the street.

They also said greens are generally for lighter and lower hp cars. But they did have a fitment for the 500E/500SL (?). Let's see what Guido says on the greens...he's had them on for awhile now I believe. Price is pretty good too on them greens.

Also, I'll stay OEM on the rear...not much dust there as compared to the fronts...as you all know.

Lebenz · #7 07-03-2002, 11:12 AM

Where is EBC stuff sold?

TIA

adiaw83 · #8 07-03-2002, 12:05 PM

I know tirerack sells em.

Lebenz · #9 07-03-2002, 12:18 PM

Cool!! My ML is needing new pads and I just looked and found that EBC makes a different line for SUVs. The cost is good and I’ll give em a try. Unfortunately EBC currently makes front pads only for the ML. The dust problem is far worse on the fronts anyway....

Jim's500E · #10 07-03-2002, 04:04 PM

You can also get them direct from their US office in Las Vegas 1-818-362-5467...$49 for green and $69 for reds per axle.

#11 07-04-2002, 09:32 AM

Hi Jim,

As you saw 2 weeks ago my pads seem to throw very little dust.

I just got a reply from my tech. They are made by PBR and are the deluxe. They come out of Australia.

He uses them on all the MB he works on.

He stocks them in PA, drop a line for pricing:

Email Mike: Europeanauto4250@aol.com

or call European Auto at 570-451-1191 (after 7/15 --->vacation.)

I am going to get fresh pads for 7/20 at Pocono.

Are you heading to Watkins on 7/22? I'll see you there.

Dave

(From tirerack)

EUROPEAN AUTO SERVICE
Installer since: 07/10/1992

4250 BIRNEY AVE
MOOSIC, PA 18507-1304
(570) 451-1191

Contact: Michael

PS. Just check the FASTLANE. They do have PBR listed for front pads, # N1010-51277. Not sure if they are the 'deluxe'.

Michael · #12 07-05-2002, 10:29 AM

Hey guys! FYI the EBC Yellow Stuff is not made for our cars. I've run Red Stuff on the track, and they last about 150 miles (no lie). But, they don't fade & work good. Probably okay for the street, but they do expel a metallic dust that'll rust!!

Jim's500E · #13 07-05-2002, 01:45 PM

Thanx Dave... I just may call your guy...those are the same pads you previously spoke of in your last e-mail? I meant to ask at Lime Rock...you had very little dust on your fronts. No go for Watkins on that 22nd...auto-x in NJ with the 16V the 21st. Maybe the fall up there with the 500E.

That's right Micheal, you ran those last year. EBC still hasn't made ones for the rears yet for MBs. I heard yellows on high hp race cars are very good...Vettes/Vipers etc. Definitely don't want rusty dust either...I never heard of that as a side effect...wonder what Guido can say about the green pads?

Aren't Porterfields rather expensive?...are they worth the extra cash? They're Kelvar in them? Does that make the rusty dust?

ItalianBenz · #14 07-06-2002, 11:17 AM

Jim. Its a go!. The greens work really well. I dont have any brake squeak my wheels are always clean. I got them from EBC.com the retailer is in AZ for the auto division.

They feel good. some said there as good as OEM I beg to differ on that note: since I have stainless steel brake lines so they feel great. But I'm looking around right now for bigger brakes.

Some nice bremos F40 calipers or something of that nature.
but for the time being the greenpads with brembo cross drilled is my setup.

Guido

Michael · #15 07-07-2002, 01:45 PM

FWIW my bruthas of the 500:

Dunno if Kevlar rusts-good question Jimbo (but I doubt it does-it's used in fabrics like bulletproof vests & no rust probs I've ever heard of-any metallurgists out here?)

I've got a box of front Porterfields ready to go for Starfest-I'm certain they'll stand up to the heat, but durability's my big question-I'd like to find a pad that'll last 2-3 track events. The P'fields were $120ish for the front; I'd originally ordered their rear pads, as they're the only game in town (cost $95ish)-however, they sent me the wrong pads! So I ended up exchanging them for the sets of front currently in my inventory.

Regarding the rears, I really think the OE pads are up to track duty, as we most commonly know it-they handled the Pocono North Course (no more than 35 min sessions), Lime Rock thrice (as long as 45 min sessions, and I suck at using the brakes-I work 'em harder than I should, but I'm trying to get better), and several autocrosses as well. They really got cooking at Pocono; you could see the heat roiling out into the air around the rims & distorting the view (passively venting as the car stood still-couldn't even touch the rim lips front OR rear; glad no one was smoking in the vicinity)