Anyone have any experience with dustless pads? Mark

__________________
98 E430(sport), 99 ML 320 (sold) , 05 C 230(sport) Mark

I've used Repco/Axxis Metalmasters on all my BMWs and Porsches in the last 10 years or so. I think they are great. They don't squeek, stop as well or better than stock, are easy on the rotors (I've only replaced rotors on one of my cars, once), and, best of all, are almost completely dustless. Not 100% dustless, but I'd say they make about 2% of the dust of stock pads. A huge difference.

I will buy some for my C the day they become available.

I agree with Brian.

I've got Axxis (formerly Repco) Metalmasters on my wife's 300E and they make very little dust and do not squeal at all. A very satisfactory replacement for the OEM pads.

I use EBC kevlar-based "green stuff" pads on my wagon, along with EBC drilled and slotted front rotors. These seem to make a little more dust than the Metalmasters, but they don't squeal and do a very nice job of braking the car. They are a lot better, in terms of dust, than OEM. They are also about twice the price of OEM.

I haven't had these pads on long enough to give you any feedback on wear to pads or rotors.

Hope this helps



Bill

__________________
Bill
92 300E (Black/Grey interior: wife's car)
94 E320 Wagon (White/Saddle interior, Eibach springs, '96 E420 16 x 7.5 wheels)

I also use the kevlar frog (green) pads on my front brakes. Reg pads on the rear. The front wheels are now cleaner than the rears!

Personally, I'd rather stick with factory pads, and clean the wheels more often.

Its not that hard to spend 10 minutes cleaning the wheels every few days.

But if you must go with dustless pads, then the ones mentioned should be fine.

Alon

__________________
'92 300CE - Sold
2004 C240 - 744 - C7 Wheels - Android Radio
2002 C320 - 816 - Sport Wagon

How expensive are these dustless brake pads? Do they last as long as the OEM?

Axxis Metalmasters are usually around $40-50 a set (i.e. $40 for front set, $40 for rear).
I personally can't see any reason for sticking with the OEM brake pads, and I am a *huge* proponent of OEM parts. (other than brake pads, I can't think of many non-OEM parts that I use).
I've used Metalmasters on the road and on the track for a total of over hundreds of thousands of miles, and have never had any problem whatsoever with them.
On my new C, to keep the wheels looking decent, I have to clean them every 2 days. I don't have the time for that, and think it is ridiculous. But, mainly, its just completely unnecessary. I also don't like all that corrosive brake dust building up behind the wheels, on the calipers, suspension, etc. They just make a huge mess.
The day they become available for the new C, I will get them!
As far as how long they last, they are very long lasting. I put 60,000 miles on the fronts on my Porsche 914. They will last longer than the OE pads.

How about the rumor that they have poor cold stopping power? Or is it just that a rumor?

I have never had a problem with cold stopping power. Never felt any difference, hot or cold.
I think that may be an old wives tale, maybe based on some earlier versions of lower quality metallic brake pads.
That being said, I live in So. Cal., where the temps never get really, really low. I am not sure how they would perform in sub-freezing temp. But, I suspect they would be fine.

Just a comment about the kevlar frog pads. I didn't get them looking for dustless pads. Delsing Motorsport redesigned the suspension on my 2.3-16 and as part of that they made numerous brake mods. The front rotors are slotted and vented and their engineer opted for the kevlar green pad because of its performance specs and they also do exceptionly well in wet weather. Clean wheels were an unexpected benefit and certainly not one of the design specs. BTW, the rear rotors, calipers and pads are OEM. The car stops incredibly fast.

Robby

Interesting, Robby, thanks for the info on the green stuff. Looks like I may have (by accident) purchased some high performance pads for the wagon after all....

http://members.aol.com/wensteel/private/94E320Wagon.jpg

Thanks
Bill

__________________
Bill
92 300E (Black/Grey interior: wife's car)
94 E320 Wagon (White/Saddle interior, Eibach springs, '96 E420 16 x 7.5 wheels)

My 98 e430 has low pad sensors. Are they able to be put onto the dustless pads being that they are not oem?

__________________
98 E430(sport), 99 ML 320 (sold) , 05 C 230(sport) Mark

The Axxis Metalmasters are wonderful pads. They are however a fully metal pad, which can, compared to non-metallic take a little longer to warm up, and be a bit more harsh on the rotors. The difference may or may not be noticeable, depending on your braking style, and usage.

Mintex Red Box are a very similar pad, with slightly less metal, making for a pad that heats up a bit quicker. They also produce far less dust than most stock pads.