If you are going to order brake pads for your car, do you have a choice of getting a "softer" type pad that has alot of stopping power but does not last as long ....and do they have a "hard" brake pad that does not have as much stopping power but lasts a really long time?

If so what are the terms for asking for them, I just made of "soft" and "hard" type pads because I imagine that the materials used vary like that.

Since installing new front pads two years ago, the front pads still show almost no wear, however the original type of rear pads are still used and my mechanic has to replace them every 6-9 months which is much more often then before I swithced and installed the new front pads.

__________________
1996 E320
2000 C230 Kompressor
1988 190e 2.3 - 225K miles, owned for 7 years. I cannot say enough good things about this car. Very well built, even at 225 it ran like new.

On my 88 190e all I use only original pads on the rear. Anything else and you can hear me coming a mile away (squeking).

As for the front pads, funny as it sounds, 50% of the originals that I have used squek so when they squek I change out and use a pad manufactured locally and it does not squek. Good stopping power but they only last me about 8 months (lots of mountains and hills)

But this here here now in Guatemala, when I lived in the states, I used only original pads. These cars are finicky when it comes to pads, I recomend that you use only originals.

Iggy

__________________
Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

2006 - Suzuki Gran Vitara (2.0 L fully equipped) Like this car so far except for trying to put on the seatbelt.
1988 - 190e - 2.3L - 172K miles (It now belongs to the exwife)
1999 - Chevy Blazer LS Fully Equiped - killed it June 2006
2001 - Honda Civic EX - 68K miles (sold June 2004)
1963 - 220S - Dual Carb 6 cyl. (sold)
1994 - Yamaha WaveRaider (fun to ride)

Your summary is essentially correct, but you have to be familiar with brand names and the different products offered within the same brand and be able to compare them to other brands in order to select a pad with the characteristics you are seeking. The average parts store clerk will not be capable of helping you in this endeavor.

After doing a lot of research back in the late eighties, I replaced the OE pads with "Repco Deluxe". They require more pedal effort, but they don't dust, squeal, or chew up the rotors, and I estimate their service life, front and rear, at about 75K miles. Of course, service life will vary with driving conditions and driving style.

It is my understanding that these pads are now known as PBR Deluxe, and if they are the same as my 14 year old Repco Deluxe pads, I highly recommend them.

I found in race track hot lapping sessions that these pads are not ideal, but they should be more than adequate for any type of normal street and highway driving.

Duke

Sounds like you have a problem at the rear.
Since the front does 80 % of all the stopping, I would have a real good look at the rear, i.e. calipers sticking, proportioning valve, etc.
Do you experience rear wheel lock-up when you stomp on the brakes very hard ?

__________________
2007 C 230 Sport.

Went ahead and changed the front pads, after over 2 years they had about 30% life left. I have never heard of pbr brand pads but I checked the bag and sure enough that is what the guy at the store gave me. Sounds like they are great brake pads. The onlly thing is that they include asbestos, but I guess that it is safe.

__________________
1996 E320
2000 C230 Kompressor
1988 190e 2.3 - 225K miles, owned for 7 years. I cannot say enough good things about this car. Very well built, even at 225 it ran like new.