After 240,000 miles, my 94 wagon needs new front rotors. Our site sponser has Balo, Brembo, and Ate. Not much price difference between these three. Any recommendations? (I know to stay away from the really cheap rotors.....) I'm leaning to the Balo brand unless someone has compelling reason(s) for one of the other two.

Thanks.

J. M. van Swaay

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1994 E320 Wagon, 230,000 miles
1995 E320 Sedan, 106,000 miles
1994 E500 Sedan, 79,000 miles

Flip a 3-sided coin.

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http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...-RESIZED-1.jpg
1991 300E - 212K and rising fast...

This is your first rotor change after 240,000 miles?

I recommend Brembo. No experience, but they make excellent performance brakes

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Smoke Silver 1994 E220 Coupe Automatic
0 kilometers 6 September 1994
100,635 kilometers - 6 September 2010

Yes. This car has been in my family since (almost) new. It started life as an MB service vehicle for a local dealer, then from 6,000 miles to 160,000 miles it was a dedicated highway cruizer............

We are hoping to drive it for another 100,000................

J. M. van Swaay

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1994 E320 Wagon, 230,000 miles
1995 E320 Sedan, 106,000 miles
1994 E500 Sedan, 79,000 miles

That's really scary. I bet you the rotors are paper thin. Maintenance interval for brake pads is usually 15-40K depending on your driving style. Rotors are done usually every other set of pads. Wow. I really hope you aren't cruising around on original rotors!

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http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...-RESIZED-1.jpg
1991 300E - 212K and rising fast...

I've heard the brembo ones warp easy.

Stick with Balo or ATE/ATE Premium.

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2016 Monsoon Gray Audi Allroad - 21k
2008 Black Mercedes E350 4Matic Sport - 131k
2014 Jeep Wranger Unlimited Sahara - 62k
2003 Gray Mercedes ML350 - 122k

Depends on the car and the driver. I changed pads for the first time on my first quattro at 165,000 miles, the pads were about 40% but I was concerned about their age and the number of heat cycles. Rotors were well within tolerance so they were surface-ground and were still on the car when I sold it at over 200,000miles.

Highway miles and downshifting/coasting saves a lot of brakes and tires. I used to need to hit the brakes and go through the gears twice on my 200mile commute to Dearborn (one way mileage) 4x/week.

I've been using and very happy with PAGID pads.

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

I know brembo makes excellent higher end brakes, Try and get cross drilled or vented

Cross-drilled is an excellent upgrade if you are racing, but for most of us the 4-piston calipers and vented rotors that come stock are more than a match for the E320's power and weight without the additional cost and wear.

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

I mic'd the rotors last time I changed pads--still well within spec. This is the third set of pads on this car.

I know of several cars/drivers that easily go 100,000 miles on one set of brake pads. If it's mostly highway driving, and the driver has a "plan ahead, coast, and play momentum" driving style, it's not at all uncommon.

Think I'll buy the Balo rotors.....

J. M. van Swaay

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1994 E320 Wagon, 230,000 miles
1995 E320 Sedan, 106,000 miles
1994 E500 Sedan, 79,000 miles