Genuine Rotors or aftermarket ?

[wayne2970]

1992 300D...will need front rotors and pads soon.

there is much to-do concerning genuine or aftermarket rotors.

What is your preference and where can I buy genuine rotors at a good price.

The concern seems to be that the MB rotors are a softer alloy and using an aftermarket rotor may cause noise and excessive pad wear.

Are the MB rotors sold under any other name?

Your opinions are appreciated...


Wayne

[adamrei]

Hi. Had the same question 20K miles ago. I went for the aftermarket stuff with no difference......noise, dust, stopping power, etc. Good luck.

[1991 560 SEC]

I put ATE Powerdiscs on my SEC. Much better than stock,and only about $10.00 more.

I bought them right here at Mercedeshop!

John

[turnne1]

I also recently replaced the rotors and pads with ATE...about 30% less then the MB parts and they are working great

Warren
1992 300SD
Columbus Ohio

[adamrei]

Coming to think of it they were ATE's. As an observation, after 20K the surface of he discs has hardly been worn. The only difference is more money in your pocket.

[wayne2970]

OK GUYS..thats great....now how about the Pads


Wayne

[adamrei]

I have used PBR, Dealer (MB), and Textar (same as dealer I believe.....again the difference is more $ in my pocket) The performance is so close (maybe I can't tell the difference, which again supports the lowest price choice in my case) that the deciding factor is simply price. I will stick with the Textar. Later.

[wayne2970]

what about these Balo rotors that I see on ebay all of the time


wayne

[Ali Al-Chalabi]

I believe that the rotors you will buy at the dealer are likely to be made by ATE, so the stuff of off fast lane should be the OEM stuff. Also, Pagid, Textar, ATE, and Jurid are all suppliers for MB, the dealer item pads are made by one of these companies anyway.

Wayne,
I just bought rotors for my '83 380 SEL and they were ATE, which are original equipment for about $36 each; that is about what it would cost to have them turned (which is not recommended with MB rotors). As far as the pads go...either ATE or Textar...superior quality and low price. My ATE rear pads were about $14. per set of two. The front were slightly higher. Why would anyone buy some cheaply made pads when the best are sold for next to nothing?

Scott

[CE4me]

I agree 100% with Scott,

My 300CE is my first MB. Currently I have a 91 Jaguar XJS V-12 Euro Spec car, which is a very "hungry beast" when it comes to parts. As a fromer "Domestic" mechanic" I'm very pleased at the prices of most parts for the Benz.

As far as the brake pads go, I would'nt understand either why someone would go with the "cheaper pads" when the quality ones are only "pennies more".

As a side note: I'm also very surprised at how easy (for the most part) this car is to work on. I've recently done plugs, wires, cap, rotor, Removed radiator, flushed and replaced, replaced fan clutch etc. Just getting ready to do the brakes.
Honestly, I love the look/speed of the Jag. If I only could get it to run and handle as "tight" as the MB, I'd have something.

[300EE320]

I put Balo Rotors and Textar pads all the way around on the '90 300E and they are absoultely perfect. If you stick with the OEM suppliers mentioned in the thread you can't go wrong. Just avoid aftermarket combinations designed to reduce brake dust. Those are harder compounds and could squeeeeeeeeak!

I much prefer to have the smooth, original feel and clean the wheels more often.

[pmizell]

Well I'll disagree with Dennis for once. I used PBR Metalmaster pads, which are a bit more costly, but emit little to no dust, and no squeaking on mine.

If you don't mind ugly brake dust go with stock -- if you prefer to clean your rims only once every couple of weeks then go with the Metalmaster's or "green stuff" pads.

My 2c

~Paul

__________________
'91 300E, 208k miles

I recently changed the pads and discs (rotors??) on my 190. I used pattern parts from a motorshop. I would never go with the cheap discs again as they warped terrible, hence i then changed them for the originals. I kept the pattern pads and they seem ok, however i get quite bad break squeal at low speeds now, as there were no anti-squeal brackets on the back of the pads like the originals i took off had.

[mbtjc]

I have heard good things about Porterfield pads. Anyone have experience with these?