Bob,
Thanks for the info. After MUCH MUCH research, I found that there are 2 pads that fit the front. The MBD1503 (17.5mm) and the MDB1724 (16mm). Both are the same except for the thickness.
Using digital calipers, I measured the MDB1626(front) that were sent to me. They were 17.5mm. Had the pads been the right fitment, they would have still been too thick. Even after pushing the pistons back in, it was extreemly difficult to squeeze the pads in. No doubt that they would have rubbed significantly without applying any pressure.
The MDB1503 also shows to be 17.5mm . If I used that one for the front, I would probably have to to wait for them to wear down... as I believe you had to, right? Given that, I think the
MBD1724 is correct for the front. In fact, that is what bekker.com has on their website as the correct fitment for our vehicle. They didn't send me those, as it differed from what the Mintex catalog had.
For the rears, I agree with you that the
MDB1565 is the way to go. How was the thickness on those? I can't seem to find that spec.
So what exactly was your experience with the Mintex Red? Did you have any problem with the rears? Could the use of the thicker front pads have caused your problems? What exactly is rotor gumming and glazing? What does it look like?
Maybe I could get the right Mintex front pads and just use the current rotors. If I have problems, I can get the PBR and use them with the new balo rotors I have already purchased.
So, I now have the choice of returning these back to Bekkers for the correct Mintex Red pads... or... take your advice and go with the PBR/Axxis Deluxe or Deluxe Plus pads.
Where can I get Deluxe Plus? Seems like the regular deluxe are readily available (here at Mercedesshop.com). I assume PBR and Axxis are identical.
Do you have the part numbers for the PBR/Axxis pads?
Oh yea.. check this out. Gives you a drawing of all Mintex pads... just change the pad SKU# at the end:
http://mintexcat.mintex.co.uk/mintexcat/viewimage.php?imagefile=MDB1565
Or here for pad lookup. Notice 2 different selections (4.2 and 4.2i) for our E420:
http://mintexcat.mintex.co.uk/mintexcat/selection.php
Thanks!