Best Rust-Free Dust-Free Brake Rotor/Pad Combination

[Benzwood]

I POSTED THIS IN THE WRONG FORUM -- I "MOVED" IT TO WHEELS & TIRES -- PLEASE COMMENT THERE INSTEAD.

Click here for: New Thread in Wheels & Tires Forum

----------

My brake pads are low, my rotors are low... so I'm going to replace both at once.

My wheels have big holes in them so rusty rotors and brake dust are very visible. Currently I have OEM rotors and pads. I removed all the rust from the rotors and painted the center with high-temp ceramic paint when I installed my new wheels as shown in this before/after shot. I could paint new rotors as well, but the paint hasn't proven as durable as I'd hoped.

So I'm looking for a good combination of rust-free rotor and relatively dust-free pad.

I'm willing to pay extra for the parts, but would like to retain normal longevity (no rotor-eatin' pads).

For pads I'm leaning towards the PBR / Axxiss "Deluxe" pads which apparently have relatively low dust while retaining most of the OEM feel and rotor longevity.

For rotors I've found a variety of that fit on my 1992 300E...

Zimmerman Cross Drilled, $180 front pair, $120 rear pair, on Fastlane. Somewhere else I saw these claimed as being plated, but I could not find any confirmation.

Drilled/slotted, gold color, I'm assuming plated, at Performance4Benz, $225 front pair, $144 rear pair

Drilled, gold cadmium plated, at Berg Werks, "under $400" per axle complete kit.

Powerslot cadmium plated, $186 front pair, $156 rear pair, at Tire Rack. "Brightly-plated Power Slot rotors also eliminate rusty rotor syndrome and enhance the look of custom wheels." Or the same thing cryogenically treated for $250 front and $220 rear, also at Tire Rack, supposedly "Rotors last 2-3 times longer." which would be well worth the additional cost if true.

Brembo drilled and painted, on ebay and cheap (about $100 for a front pair). But from the feedback I've read, quality of the paint job seems to be in question. It may be that these are painted and/or drilled after-the-fact by the sellers. Here's some by seller 935, and more by seller nightsauto, who also apparently offers cadmium plating.

SP Performance, apparently they take OEM rotors and slot/drill them, and nickel plating is available. Their virtues are extolled atRaceShopper.com, and sample prices of $168 front pair and $117 rear pair for drilled are at National Fleet Parts.

For all the rotors, I'm a little skeptical about the paint or plating holding up to the rigors of the road, I'd be very interested to hear of anyone's experience with them.

I had hoped to find stainless steel as is common for motorcycles, but apparently they don't exist for cars. I'm assuiming it's some sort of performance issue.

ALL the rust-resistant rotors that I've found for my car have been slotted and/or drilled. I have heard conflicting things about the benefits and/or pad-eating behavior of slotted vs drilled. If it's a toss-up I'd prefer drilled 'cause I think they'd look cool with my wheels. I also prefer the silver color plating to the gold plating if there's no difference in protection.

So... if I were to choose right now, I guess I'd go with SP Performance drilled and the PBR Deluxe pads.

Any input on that combination, or other choices, eagerly accepted... thanks!