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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!

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1992 300E Sedan (Sold)
1999 E320 Wagon (Sold)
1995 E320 Sedan
1995 E320 Wagon

If you find stainless rotors I will buy 4! I have the same problem my rear rotors mostly have a big rusted section that looks like crap through my wheels. I will watch this thread closely I hope someone has a better solution then some high temp paint.

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2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

I just tried a set of PBR pads in the rear of my 1992 300SE and also put in new MB rotors with the coating removed and thoroughly cleaned the protective coating off the rotors. With the anti-squeal shims on, it still squealed like crazy. I finally replaced the PBR with MB pads and will put up with the dust. I tried beveling the edges and breaking the glaze, as well as following proper breakin procedures....no luck. If you want to try the pads, I'll send them for just the shipping costs.

Tim

Thanks for your generous offer, but I checked the part numbers and apparently they are not interchangeable between our cars. I'm sure someone else here would give them a happy home though.

Were your squealers the "deluxe" or "metal master"?

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1992 300E Sedan (Sold)
1999 E320 Wagon (Sold)
1995 E320 Sedan
1995 E320 Wagon

I believe they were the "Metal Masters".

Tim