Moohampshire, front brake pads on my wife's 1992 300CE last only 15,000 miles or so ... depends on your driving style and highway or city driving. This car has ASR and there are wear sensors on one of the rear brake pads on each rear wheel, whereas there is a wear sensor on each front brake pad. I'd stay with the MB brake pads or Textar if you insist on aftermarket brake pads. Harder pads that produce less brake dust also don't have the same braking performance.

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Fred Hoelzle