Brake Pads
 

Folks,

I know this is a common question... and I've searched old posts. The market changes frequently, so I was hoping to get some updated info.

Looking for some good brake pads for my 94 E420. Specifically, I'd like LOW DUST, no noise and good braking (like most of us). What do you recommend for front and back?

I have looked at the Axxis pads, as many have recommended them... but they have 4 kinds, so I'm not sure which:

http://www.axxisbrakes.com/products.htm

I also looked at the EBC Greenstuff, but reviews here have been mixed. I'm not sure if they're newer "v4" have changed opinions.

Thoughts?

go for the 'Deluxe', that's what we have on our wagon, and our BMW. The best.

Deluxe or Deluxe Plus?

well, not sure, but either would be fine for your needs.

Deluxe plus,Deluxe plus,Deluxe plus,Deluxe plus.
;)

Deluxe Plus is the newer one and is Asbestos free. I bought the Deluxe Plus front pads for '00 E430 based on recommendations from many in this forum. But I did not install it yet. The current front pad is ATE and it generates so much dust.

I just talked to my mechanic and he says that the more dust the better. It tells him that the pads are working and biting. He says the hard pads get scary as they cause brake fade. That's his opinion anyway.

I have Kleen Wheels for new wheels I just purchased, but I'm afraid of putting them on because of possible overheat problems. Plus, when I did a test fit on one wheel they seemed to rub.

Anyway, looking forward to more suggestions.

The deluxe plus pads are not "hard" pads. They are the same compound as the OEM ATE pads. They are organic just like them. The only difference is they have been formulated to have less dust.
The Axxis metalmasters and others are the "hard" pads he is talking about and I would not recommend them unless you intend to do some racing.
But if you feel good about the ATE pads then stick with them, after all they are OEM.

Your Mechanic is right about all what he said to you. If you decide to go with low dust pads, I gurantee you they will fade in no time and won't stop the car just as good. Not to mention the squeal that will evolve as a result of fading. You will end up replacing them soon and resurface your disks. Stay away from Kleen wheels. Let me explain why? The distant between the disk and the wheel is very crucial for brake heat dissipation and that is why wheels are torqued. So, imagine putting Kleen wheels in the middle. You are basically blocking heating from escaping. This heat is WHAT WILL WORP YOUR WHEELS. Big $$$$$$$ to replace. I suggest to live with the dust. Just clean them once a week. It is much safer when you stop the car. I only buy PAGID brake pads. They are by far the best. The same applies to ATE, however, I believe they are one short step behind.
Good luck.
Meza
Test Engineer

PS. Rememeber that the people who designed and tested the car know better.

The axxis deluxe has been a good choice for me. They do have a slightly higher pedal effort that I don't notice. As far as fade, that's not a problem with higher metallic content, actually thats when they get better than the stock stuff. Stay away from the metal masters and never put sheilds on your wheels!

Meza, Thanks for you input.

I won't argue with your comments on Kleen Wheels, because I just don't know. But I can't imagine that with all of the cars in this group that no one else seems to be concerned about some of the non OEM brake pads being used.

Rocket, have you tried the deluxe plus? Just curious as Yal (above) seems to think they are much better.

I find Textar to be the best, and Pagid next.

I use Pagid now.... very dirty. I heard Textar Yellow is good.

First, I ve had Kleen Wheels on both of my vehicles for over 100k combined and still have the original rotors with no warping. I use OEM pads only, as that is what MB designed into your vehicle. If you want the stopping ability that is probably best for your car, use OEM pads and either clean your wheels more often or try the Kleen Wheels. Some of the other combinations of rotors and pad will change feel of your braking. Just my 2 cents for free.

My new to me 1991 300CE was 100% dealer service by the PO. I assume that the pads are OEM. I really like the feel of the brakes though of course hate the dust. In between washing the car, I've opted to regularly dust the wheels with a soft bristle short handle brush. Takes all of 2 minutes. Doesn't make the wheels spotless but makes them a heck of a sight better with little effort.


glenmore
1991 300CE

I stick with the Pagids...great performance, even though the brake dust emissions is among the highest! :rolleyes:

All of my MBs have chrome wheels, and are far easier to keep clean as a result.

Usually, only one of the vehicles is out at any time, so that vehicle gets the wheel "wipe down" before leaving, or at the end of the day in the garage. The whole process takes about three minutes...;)

WJM, Are you confused now? Which pad to choose? Pagid, Textar, ATE or Axxis/PBR? Me too :confused:

I have '00 E430 with about 34,000 miles and about to have the fourth front pad put on this weekend. The OE pad is dusty and last less than 10,000 miles, I do not know who supply OE pad for W210. I put on Pagid and it's gone in about 12,000 miles but it generates less dust than OE pad. The third pad is ATE that I put on at about 22,000 miles hopping it will last more than 12,000 miles and less dust at the same time. It still has about 1/4 left for a projection life of about 15,000 miles, but the dust it generated is much more than either OE or Pagid pad, it also eat the rotors like crazy.

I bought Axxis Deluxe Plus and Textar pads and 2 front rotors, I will put on Axxis DP and new rotors on this weekend. If it performs as good as OE or Pagid pads I will keep it on, otherwise, I will replace it with Textar pad next month. This is the only way to find out which pad is best for my car(W210) in term of performance, noise and dust.
Good luck in finding the right pads for your car

Thanks.

Please do let me know what you find out. Where did you get your pads?

Again, I currently have Pagid pads and they make HORRID Dust and are currently squeeling.

I have new wheels sitting in my garage waiting to go onto the vehicle. The old 8-hole chrome wheels are not in the greatest shape. Maybe when they come off I'll see how well they clean up and put them up for sale if anyone is interested. The tires on them are in great shape.

Axxis Deluxe Plus front pad does not fit W210
 

After calling autospecialty.com to get part number of Axxis Deluxe Plus front pad for '00 E430. They told me the part number is 22-561-01. I called Philsinc.com to order, the saleman confirmed that part number fits the front of '00 E430. After I open the box, what I saw is much different with OE pad. No way it will fit '96 though '02 E class (E320, E420 and E430). I am trying to return it. I am waiting for Textar to install nextweek. I do not know if PBR that are available now will fit W210 or not, and if it is the Deluxe or Metal Master. I checked and found that all W210s, except E55, use the same front pads.

Do NOT buy Axxis DP front pads for W210 models E320, E420 and E430 :(

Axxis Deluxe Plus 22-561-01 is for W124
 

More research reveals that Axxis Deluxe Plus Part number 22-561-01 is designed for the front of W124 '94 and '95 only. Autospecialty.com is wholesaler and they screwed up in telling me and their retailers that part number fits W210.

If any W124 owner of two years 94 and 95 want to buy Axxis Deluxe Plus front pad brand new in box, please email me at hoat.nguyen@conexant.com, I will sale it back to you for less than I paid.

Have a nice weekend.:)

How much?
 

How much?

I'm surprised no one here likes the Metal masters. I used to own a Saab 900 turbo and everyone in the Saab internet community swears by them. They are supposed to last a long time, and I would suggest that if you are really having bad luck with your pads wearing out very quickly that you should at least give them a try. I had them on my Saab and never noticed any reduction in braking or increase pedal effort.

And for God's sake, please stay away from pads with asbestos in them, which I know some of the Axxis pads do contain. For the unaware, this stuff is extremely hazardous to your health, it causes lung damage, and cancer. Breathing any amount of brake dust that has the stuff is too much. Take it from someone who has seen a family member die from exposure to it, you want nothing to do with asbestos!

GregS
'84 300D, 173k
'90 300CE, 161K

PBR deluxes are great IMHO. i just put front pads on. the car's records show that rotors and pads were changed by the dealership 30k miles ago. the old pads still had a lot of meat on them but they groaned and shed a lot of dust to boot. i have my original umpteen hole rims with snows on right now and i had given them a thorough cleaning before mounting the snows but the dust is too much to keep up with. the PBR's are very smooooth right of the bat and i believe everything that's been said about them!

WJM, Just my Opinion
 

I've used Kleen Wheels for 16 years and haven't had a problem.They have small vents in the covers that allow some air (&dust!) movement I get about 25,000 out of pads and about 50,000 from the rotors. I know other people who also use Kleen Wheels with no problems. Just don't go racing with them on. I think that it's best to stay with OEM pads and rotors, though. NOW,Here come the comments- :)

here's the first comment :D . the argument has always been about heat buildup so if you are considering kleen wheel type devices, you should research which ones have the best venting configuration. i have seen the insides of wheels with kleen wheels and they get caked with brake dust because it has nowhere else to go. i imagine the calipers get just as dirty and caked brake dust is nasty and corrosive. lastly, if you have open / spoke type wheels, kleen wheels will make it look like you have hub caps on :(

Greg I too wonder why? In 1999, I debated as other members have and which we always do about which pads to install on our cars. One day I was buying parts, and talking to a friend, the owner of the foreign parts store about brake pads, and he said with out hesitation to use Axxis Metal Masters for my 400E. So I installed new rotors and the Metal Masters pads, and since then I've driven approximately 25,000 miles. And I like them, in fact these are the best brake pads I have ever used concerning all around performance, from the pedal feel, stopping, fad, wear, no squeal, and the dust is easily to clean off- no question I will use them again.

Enjoy your drive, timreid

Axxis Deluxe Plus front pad 22-561-01 fit '92-'93 500E and '94 E500. It also fit '94-'95 E320 Sedan with Chassis upto -B 864307, '94-'95 E 320 Touring with Chassis upto -F 242721. It is the same as part number N1010-103304 for Textar, Pagid and ATE(Teves). The Deluxe Plus is newer design and it is ASBESTOS-FREE. I would not put on any pad contains Asbestos even if it is free.

I would sell it for $40 with ground shipping included to lower 48 states. Please besure that your car is one of the above if you like to buy this pad from me. I do not like to see that you get the wrong pad for your car.

Do any one know the Axxis part number for the front of W210 (E430 and E320) ? I hate to get the wrong pad again.

jsmith You made some good points
 

However, (1) The brake dust builds up on the inner wheel anyway, so about once a year you need to take off the wheel and wash it . I believe that MB says to clean the wheel every so many miles or when you do a certain maintenance or something, anyway(even without covers). And the caliper gets dusty, either way. (2) My '87 wheels are more of a closed design, so the covers are almost impossible to see. Some open designs wouldn't look too good, though. (3) You are right that brake dust is nasty and corrosive. That is why I put the covers (vented) on in the first place. After about 16 years, the wheels still look like new. (4) Finally, when I read how fast some people go through pads and rotors, maybe they shouldn't use dust covers! :D :D

Any one can give me some idea on pads selection if I don't mind the dust and just want a quite, rotor friendly pads that I can race over the weekend sometime? This is for a 1994 E420. I need front and rear.