Brake Parts; OEM, Aftermarket-OEM or Aftermarket-Aftermarket?

[nhdoc]

OK, I am down to 3/32" on the pads for my '98 E300 (W210) and am going to do pads, rotors and wear sensors. When I checked online for parts there are no less than SEVEN different types of pads; 3 listed as "OEM", which I would call aftermarket OEM (Pagid, Textar or Jurid) and four others with out comments in that column which I would call aftermarket aftermarket (akebono, PBR and one without even a name mentioned). Same for rotors, there are Balo, Zimmermann and Brembo and some which are slotted and some which are cross-drilled ($$$$).

So my choices are to go to the dealer, or buy one of these aftermarket lines. My question is, are any of these aftermarket lines truly aftermarket OEM (identical to the dealer parts without the three-pointed star mark-up) or should I just forget aftermarket and buy from MB? I am just leaning towards that, not because I think there's any great difference but the fact that the aftermarket offers too many choices and at least MB you know are going to fit, and after all they are BRAKES and you don't want junk. Still, I don't want to pay for the star if that's the only difference.

Does anyone have an idea of what the list price is for a set of pads and rotors from MB for the W210 for comparison purposes?