New painted wheels and PBR delux pads

[edboyles]

It has now been 5 weeks.

The rear wheels show more dust than the front using the PBR Deluxe pads. That means it is now time to change the rear set. Try it, you'll like it!!

[dieseldiehard]

PBR also makes Ceramic "Ultra" pads for the front only of 123's but they are in limited supply, I can't get any from my supplier presently. They make very little dust, even less than the Deluxe pads, do not squeal and are not at all hard on rotors as someone presumed. I'll report back with more detail after I put a few miles on them, they are on my "second" 123 wagon.
I really like the Akebono ceramic pads that I have used the past 16 months on my 124 300D, I'll never use another brand of pad on it! I think AXXIS (PBR) is just getting around to making ceramic pads.

[LeaUK]

Hi all

I'm also interested in reduced brake dust pads (like everyone who owns a R129) but after a little Googling have read a few nasty reports about the PBR's wet performance.

Living in the UK, braking performance under rain is very important so maybe you guys have comment?

http://www.jimrothe.com/volvo/pbr_brake_pads.html

[speace]

I have been watching this thread with interest as I am presently torn between PBR Deluxe and something Ceramic (PBR Ceramic).

I am presently using Textar Yellow Box pads on my SL. They perform fine and are better than Original regarding the dust, but still get the wheels dirty pretty quickly.

I tried the EBC Green Stuff pads on my SL and had a result much like the experience referenced in the link provided by LeaUK. They were fine at first but they did require more pedal pressure than stock. In a few weeks they ruined my rotors (Balo) and became UNSAFE. Perhaps they would not do this with super-duty rotors, but since I wasn't happy with the extra pedal pressure required for normal stops, I'm not willing to continue with them.

PBR also makes a pad called MetalMaster that I tried years ago on my 74 240D. It was good about the dust, but tended to squeal and they were hard on my rotors. I'm not opposed to high rotor wear as long as the performance is steady over the life of the rotor and the rotor lasts at least as long as a set of pads... Some say this pad also requires more pedal pressure. I think this is true, but it was a long time ago when I tried them.


The bottom line here is this:

Has anyone experienced the WET-BRAKING PROBLEMS attributed to PBR Deluxe on a Benz?

Can someone share their experience in switching to CERAMIC pads on these cars and if so, which brands?
Do they also require high-performance rotors?
Are Ceramics recommended for the rear brakes?

[deanyel]

This assumption that because PBR pads don't make your wheels black they must be hard on rotors is just mindless. It seems to be a common delusion of those who like to clean their wheels. PBR Deluxe are not hard pads. PBR Metallic are hard pads. Don't buy PBR Metallic. Do buy PBR Deluxe. They are no harder than the "clean your wheels weekly" pads. They stop the car just as well. It's not that they don't wear down, but the dust DOESN'T STICK TO YOUR WHEELS and IT'S NOT BLACK.

[TheV12pwr]

Originally Posted by brookspw

Let's say the PBR last 20k and "wear out" the rotors every 2 sets. This means you'll change the rotors once, maybe twice while you have the car. Rotors are easy to r/r. If that is the price I have to pay for clean wheels, then I am happy to do it.

This is NOT what we should look for in brakes and safety.
Harder break pads accumulate more heat on the rotors,not to mention the caliper's seals.
I always use organic pads,I am 'hard' on the brakes and wear the pads in 10k mls or less,but my rotors are as good as new and that's what counts.
Jist my $0.02

[TheV12pwr]

[QUOTE=deanyel] because PBR pads don't make your wheels black they must be hard on rotors is just mindless.
Another GREAT assumption

[LeaUK]

So how about the wet performance of PBR pads chaps? That's what I would like to raise....

Lea

[cbdo]

Running PBR Deluxe since early last summer. I tend to take the Saab when the weather's going to be bad, but have been caught in heavy downpours a few times in the Benz. No problems with the brakes at all, and I'm getting minimal dust with no performance issues other than sometimes a bit of squeal in reverse. Count me one happy camper.

[LeaUK]

My other colleagues who drive performance 'rice burners' say their typical choice is the PBR Metal pads whos performance is good wet/dry and of course are rated for performance. These pads produce serious amounts of dust and so I suspect similar to that of the R129 OEM pads.

Good to hear someone's thought's here about Delux wet performance. However, would be good to attain a few more comments.... Maybe I'll scan some of the BMW/Porche forums

Lea

[speace]

Lea,

I'm believing that PBR Deluxe as being the best available answer for our cars.

I also would like to hear from a few more people about the "Wet Performance" concerns before I make the commitment to run them.

I have to wonder if the poor wet performance on the Volvo in the link in the previous posts was due to a difference in the caliper construct between Mercedes and Volvo. For example, on most of our Mercedes cars the caliper is on the trailing side of the brake rotor. Many auto makers place them on the leading side. Perhaps Volvo is one of them???

I'd still like to hear some experiences with the Ceramic pads. Anyone?

Stan

[RickM]

I use the JC Whitney generic version of Kleen Wheels and have no problems whatsoever.....and no brake dust.

[speace]

Originally Posted by RickM

I use the JC Whitney generic version of Kleen Wheels and have no problems whatsoever.....and no brake dust.

I reiterate my experience and safety concern regarding the use of "Kleen Wheels" back in post #12 of this thread.

I know some styles are ventilated, and in milder climates they might be ok, but all I need is for my brakes to go out on me again in Atlanta Traffic! It was SCARY...

[Stuart S]

Does anyone have any experience with Mintex pads? I asked Phil@peachparts.com for his advice and he recommended them for dust reduction for my R129 600SL over the Textar, ATE, Pagid and PBR pads that he also sells.

[brookspw]

Originally Posted by Stuart S

Does anyone have any experience with Mintex pads? I asked Phil@peachparts.com for his advice and he recommended them for dust reduction for my R129 600SL over the Textar, ATE, Pagid and PBR pads that he also sells.

I had Mintex on my Volvo and had mild-medium dust. I have the PBR Green on my Benz with VERY low dust. No difference in stopping power.