[sgtpepperaut]

I guys i was wondering if somebody has some recommedations on brake pads im due for change soon.

I was reading some ppl really like the EBC pads but i found several variants. "Yellow Stuff", "Red Stuff" and Ultimax.

whats the difference between these two?

i have Zimmerman crossdrilled/sloted rotors in the front and rear.

 

[boardboy330]

This should explain most of what you want. For the ML - I would choose Red Stuff. I haven't hd experience with Ultimax.

Easy to Use Brake Selector Chart | EBC Brakes

 

[sgtpepperaut]

thank you! good link

have you had experience with the red stuff? i was reading that they are pretty noisy and squaly hmm. Thinking about going stock or find some quiet pads.

You think the stock pads can handle the drilled rotors?

 

[Oeschj]

Akebono Premium Ceramics is what i run. Very happy with them.
Had problems with several semi-metallic pads squealing so threw these on and have never had an issue.
Mind you i dont have the cross-drilled rotors. I wouldnt think it would make a difference though. Might actually make them last longer since the heat is dissipated better.

 

[sgtpepperaut]

Akebono Premium Ceramics is what i run. Very happy with them.
Had problems with several semi-metallic pads squealing so threw these on and have never had an issue.
Mind you i dont have the cross-drilled rotors. I wouldnt think it would make a difference though. Might actually make them last longer since the heat is dissipated better.

i think thats what i am running in the rear atm and im happy too besides the fact that i apparently blew trough them in one year. do you have a part number for the front ones?

 

[Oeschj]

i think thats what i am running in the rear atm and im happy too besides the fact that i apparently blew trough them in one year. do you have a part number for the front ones?

I dont have the part number from Akebono since they vary from model to model.
They are the Euro Ultra-Premium pads though. Come with shims.
The only thing i dont like is the set i got didnt come with slide rails. This may have changed though as i remember reading they were thinking of starting to include them. Either way i would go with them again, even if i have to grease up the old rails or find new ones. Im really happy with there stuff. Ive had them on for about a year and a half and there is still a LOT of pad left. Almost the full thickness.

 

[sgtpepperaut]

could it be these:
Akebono EUR847

?

 

[Oeschj]

Yes and no. They are the right TYPE of pad, and it is the right product line (Euro Premium Ceramics) but Amazon is telling me they wont fit an 02 ML55.

Where are you purchasing from?

Disregard. I see them on RockAuto now. Those are the ones. WOW, great price too
You a little bored at work today?

 

[boardboy330]

thank you! good link

have you had experience with the red stuff? i was reading that they are pretty noisy and squaly hmm. Thinking about going stock or find some quiet pads.

You think the stock pads can handle the drilled rotors?

Yes, I've had plenty of experience. I used them on a tracked Miata. The setup was lowered racing springs, 10" wide tires on 16" wheels (low unsprung weight), and plenty of body strengthening. The rotors were drilled.

The brakes were not terribly loud but they were noisier than others I have used. The Akebonos are whisper quiet. If you want high performance...EBC is the way to go. If you want quiet, Akebono is the way to go.

It sounds like you want a S65 for the track without giving up the leather seats LOL. You need to find your willing compromises and exploit those. Akebonos are great for everything short of the track.

 

[Maytag]

I've been using the EBC RedStuff on cars & trucks for many years. they are noisy on bed-in. But afterwards, no more so than any other ceramic pad. (The RedStuff are actually Kevlar with Ceramic particles)

I swear by them. love 'em. best brake pads I've ever used. EVER>

 

[sgtpepperaut]

Yes and no. They are the right TYPE of pad, and it is the right product line (Euro Premium Ceramics) but Amazon is telling me they wont fit an 02 ML55.

Where are you purchasing from?

Disregard. I see them on RockAuto now. Those are the ones. WOW, great price too
You a little bored at work today?

yeah amazon....thats why i wanted to make sure because they say it doesnt fit. But i checked my order history and those were the ones i ordered. Then again i also returned a pair because they didnt fit haha. Unfortunately i cant pull up the return history HMPF anyways. i think thats the ones.

While EBC sound great i dont do track and for one time stopping i am assuming their performance will be identical? The price difference is another factor EBCs are twice the price of the euros.

 

[gsfent]

I've been using the EBC RedStuff on cars & trucks for many years. they are noisy on bed-in. But afterwards, no more so than any other ceramic pad. (The RedStuff are actually Kevlar with Ceramic particles)

I swear by them. love 'em. best brake pads I've ever used. EVER>

Ok, for the Redstuff, Akebono's etc, people are using, how is the stopping power and pedal feel? I can live with a touch of noise and dust if I can get a high hard pedal with good bite.

Fronts and rears, or just fronts since they do 80% of the stoppinig?

Regards,
Jerry

 

[Maytag]

I've never purchased a set of Akebonos. I've driven them with unknown miles on 'em. I wasn't super impressed.
it's worth explaining that there are two very different (maybe more than two?) schools of thought on brake pad "feel". Some like a hard initial-bite, so they can feel it the moment they apply pressure. This is me. I like to feel the brake 'set', and then modulate from there.
Others prefer a pad that allows for more "ease-into-it" action and look for a pad with less aggressive bite. I can't say this is what I experienced with the Akebonos. Honestly, they seemed about like OEM for feel and bite.

The RedStuff is one of the hardest-biting pads I've ever used, street or track. I just bought a set for my new Jag STR, and can't wait to put 'em on. they are very confidence-inspiring. And they get even better as they heat-up.

but what's more: low-dust with either of those two pads (the akebonos or the redstuff)

 

[megadamp]

Had new Mintex front pads and discs on for approx 20,000 miles now and apart from the dust they stop very well and have still got a few thousand miles left. Overall i like them and would fit them again. Not bothered about the dust as it shows they have got some bite.

 

[Wiley430]

I ran Pagid's for almost 50k miles. last week I installed Bosch QuitCast $36 at Autohouseas. Cant beat the price. No sqealing or other irritsation stuff. Changed from Brembo disks to Zimmermann coated disk's.

 

[43sqd]

I ran Pagid's for almost 50k miles. last week I installed Bosch QuitCast $36 at Autohouseas. Cant beat the price. No sqealing or other irritsation stuff. Changed from Brembo disks to Zimmermann coated disk's.

How many miles you traveled on a set of brakes is never an indication of how good or bad they are. Too many variables come into play, hwy. v city driving, locale, weather, how fast you drive, time of day, etc.

 

[gsfent]

I've never purchased a set of Akebonos. I've driven them with unknown miles on 'em. I wasn't super impressed.
it's worth explaining that there are two very different (maybe more than two?) schools of thought on brake pad "feel". Some like a hard initial-bite, so they can feel it the moment they apply pressure. This is me. I like to feel the brake 'set', and then modulate from there.
Others prefer a pad that allows for more "ease-into-it" action and look for a pad with less aggressive bite. I can't say this is what I experienced with the Akebonos. Honestly, they seemed about like OEM for feel and bite.

The RedStuff is one of the hardest-biting pads I've ever used, street or track. I just bought a set for my new Jag STR, and can't wait to put 'em on. they are very confidence-inspiring. And they get even better as they heat-up.

but what's more: low-dust with either of those two pads (the akebonos or the redstuff)

Thanks, RedStuff has moved to the top of my list.

Regards,
Jerry

 

[EddieBenz]

red, yellow, black, who cares but CERAMIC PADS ONLY!!

 

[RedLiner]

My brake pad wear warning light showed today so buying some new pads is a matter of some urgency.

My two SL500s are fitted with EBC Redstuff pads which work very well stopping such a powerful car.

Checking out the EBC website there are recommendations for their different coloured pads for certain vehicles so of course I was attracted to special orange coloured extra duty pads suitable for SUVs Extra Duty Light truck, Jeep and SUV brake pads - EBC Brakes.

Now for the dilemma! When I entered my 2005 ML270cdi details into the search for brake pads The new SUV orange extra duty grade pads were not listed or available on the home UK site or on the European site, however the results recommended either the standard Ultimax or the Redstuff pads only!

The EBC site does recommend their Redstuff pads for SUVs, so that's what I've ordered.

 

[RJV]

My brake pad wear warning light showed today so buying some new pads is a matter of some urgency.

My two SL500s are fitted with EBC Redstuff pads which work very well stopping such a powerful car.

Checking out the EBC website there are recommendations for their different coloured pads for certain vehicles so of course I was attracted to special orange coloured extra duty pads suitable for SUVs Extra Duty Light truck, Jeep and SUV brake pads - EBC Brakes.

Now for the dilemma! When I entered my 2005 ML270cdi details into the search for brake pads The new SUV orange extra duty grade pads were not listed or available on the home UK site or on the European site, however the results recommended either the standard Ultimax or the Redstuff pads only!

The EBC site does recommend their Redstuff pads for SUVs, so that's what I've ordered.

Errrr, ummm, I looked at the Redstuff write up and saw this (see red highlights):

•A passenger car/saloon car pad NOT made for Truck or SUV fitments.
•EBC lowest dust fast street pad with 20-25% % brake improvement.
•Capable of repeated heavy brake use without brake “Fall-Off”.
•Very minimal disc/rotor damage characteristics.
•Superb material for Prestige imports/European and Asian cars.
•ECE R 90 type approved for most cars.
•Features red “brake in’ surface coating for instant safe braking after install.

As EBC’s flagship street brake pad material for prestige and faster cars above 200BHP the 09 version on EBC Redstuff sets new standards in brake performance. Redstuff has always been known for its low dust ability but the latest blend has greatly reduced the phenomenon of pad “Pick up” or disc scoring and reduced dust even further.

Tested at the UK Motor Industries Research Association (MIRA) in witnessed tests early Redstuff reduced car stopping distance in tests by almost 50 feet from 100 MPH offering a staggering 30% brake improvement.

Redstuff however as a harder compound does take longer to fully bed in to achieve its highest levels of performance (can be up to 1500 miles/2500 Kms urban use) during which time the odd “Chirp” of brake noise may be heard when starting from cold in damp and cold conditions at walking pace speed. One press of the pedal to clear the rotor of any dampness and this disappears to leave EBC Redstuff a pad that inspires confidence in all cars. The motto is be patient give the pads a full chance to bed down.

Redstuff is only available for heavier and faster cars and does find its self at its best on slightly heavier cars or Truck and SUV applications. Selecting the right grade of EBC pad for you car, truck or SUV is important and you can see the entire EBC selection and how to choose the right brakes for your car by switching to this linked page.

So which is it? Good for SUVs or not good for SUVs?