Searched the forum on the topic and, surprisingly, not a lot of threads...only a couple on the SL, and those are dated.

Needing new pads on the rear of the 500SL (107) and curious if folks have a recommendation. FastLane offers the Textar, Pagid and PBR. There is also a ceramic pad offered by PBR. Not a penny difference in the price of any of them...$26.46.

I know Textar is a 'dusty' pad. Some folks in the threads are highly complimentary of the PBR, because of less dust. Ceramic pads also get high marks for less dust, but I saw several folks said the ceramics were harder on rotors than OE pads.

I'm curious if there are recent users of the PBR pads, either ceramic or non-ceramic, and what the recommendations might be.

Thanks,

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Don
'85 500SL (Euro) - 186,000 w/a complete restoration and engine rebuild at 154,000
'95 C280 - 174,000

the ceramics on my sdl. the ronal wheels i am running particularly show brake dust. i like them so far. about 3k on them. i suppose they will wear the rotors faster but i am willing to change the rotors for less dust. the rotors dont cost much more than the pads.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I use Textar, fair amount of dust but good performance.

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Ali Al-Chalabi

2001 CLK55
1999 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins Diesel
2002 Harley-Davidson Fatboy
Merlin Extralight w/ Campy Record

if you change from organic to ceramic or to metallic it is best to change front and back. otherwise one end may lock up prematurely due to different coofecients of friction.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I use Textar on my SDL because they "dust" far less than the other OEM pads , last longer, and stop well. Am using with Balo rotors. Plan to replace my ML brake pads with the Textars. They do dust some, but MUCH less than Pagids, etc. And, I don't plan to experiment with non OEM pads.

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Paul 1987 300 SDL; 2000 ML; '69 MGB; '68 VW Fastback

You've got to be kidding. Explain that to me, please.

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- Brian


1989 500SEL Euro
1966 250SE Cabriolet
1958 BMW Isetta 600

I think he's referring to threshold braking....not normal stopping. I guess if pads have different "bite" characteristics and you're threshold braking on a race track, it's possible that your brake bias could be slightly affected. For normal street use, I doubt you could tell any difference...even if you tried.

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Thanks,
Mike

89 300E 175k (sold and missed)
89 Porsche 911 / 3.6 V-ram / #94

Want to make God laugh?
Tell him your plans.

I found the dust of the OEM variety intolerable. Switched to PBR Deluxe with no complaints, except a bit of squeal occasionally when backing.

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Craig Bethune

'97 SL500, 40th anniversary edition

'04 Olds Bravada (SWMBO's)
'06 Lexus ES330
'89 560SL (sold)


SL--Anything else is just a Mercedes.
(Kudos to whoever said it first)

I appreciate the comments of all. Looks like there is no real consensus. I'll probably wind up going with one of the PBR pads.

I've been driving Mercedes of one type or another for about 20 years now. If not accustomed to the dust by now, then I ought to be before long!

Thanks again,

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Don
'85 500SL (Euro) - 186,000 w/a complete restoration and engine rebuild at 154,000
'95 C280 - 174,000