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I would get the EBC redstuff ceramic, because they cut down the level of dust generated and are a much better pad than standard. They come covered in a special bedding in compound that will treat any disk they are fitted to, so no need for special disks. Your OEM front disks will be ventilated already, not solid, so no worries about the callipers. Cross drilled is generally reckoned to have very little beneficial effect on a car, apart from looks, (they are great on a motorbike where the disks are exposed to a lot of water), the best thing to go for is either solid (if general road use) or slotted (with only a few slots 4 or 6 is ample) which will help de-glaze the pad and clear any gas build up between pad and disk.
 
I would get the EBC redstuff ceramic, because they cut down the level of dust generated and are a much better pad than standard. They come covered in a special bedding in compound that will treat any disk they are fitted to, so no need for special disks. Your OEM front disks will be ventilated already, not solid, so no worries about the callipers. Cross drilled is generally reckoned to have very little beneficial effect on a car, apart from looks, (they are great on a motorbike where the disks are exposed to a lot of water), the best thing to go for is either solid (if general road use) or slotted (with only a few slots 4 or 6 is ample) which will help de-glaze the pad and clear any gas build up between pad and disk.
But they look sooooooo good....

lol

It's worth going cross-drilled for the looks factor alone, IMO.
 
Thanks Chris

Refurbishing the original stock discs (rotors): point taken - you are right - good idea to get new ones if I am there anyway.

For the standard / stock OEM setup on my car (no Brembo or Silver Arrow discs and don't want to change callipers etc) can anyone point me to any websites for replacement discs. I'm planning on fitting EBC redstuff ceramic or EBC greenstuff pads - does this limit me to any specific type of disc?

I quite like the idea of putting non-solid rotors on (for looks as well as better performance) - any views as to whether I should go for dimpled, cross-drilled, slotted or combinations of these.

Am I right in assuming all 'performance discs' are ventilated (sandwiches steel rather than solid) nowadays and if so am I better off going for ventilated discs rather than OEM-style solid discs? I assume the ventilated discs are thicker (28mm think?) compared with the 9m OEM discs? If so does one need to change the callipers if fitting ventilated discs?

You may have gathered I'm not that clued up on modern brakes (they were all drums when I last took a set of brakes apart!) so all help apprecaited. There is some info on Wikipedia (Disc brake - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) but alas not specific enough.

Thanks again in advance

Alan

For

You don't have to have Brembo calipers or other components in order to use Brembo cross-drilled rotors. They make them in every conceivable size.

As long as you buy the correct size, it will work just fine.
 
Alan
i am worried that you are labouring too hard on this brake thing!

The basic fact is that you already have 'performance' discs! Mercedes are not stupid, the SL500 has been well tested and the brakes they fitted to your model are in fact fine. I agree with Stuart, go for Red Stuff pads (I prefer Akebono) and unless you are racing or endurance rallying, then what you have will be fine around HK.

By all means fit fancy ones, but really, the amount of people who notice and even appreciate what you have done will be minimal. Main thing is That if you do fit them you must make sure that the diam, thickness and height of the discs fit your existing calipers, or you must make sure you get new calipers to suit the discs you opt for.

IMO what will look much nicer than fancy discs are the calipers powder coated a nice colour - especially if you use Red Stuff which will not blacken them.

For what its worth!
 
Discussion starter · #25 ·
Hal
Thanks for input - much apprecaited. Yes I agree I am struggling a little.

Problem is Hong Kong is not like UK or the US - there are no specialist shops (brakes or otherwise) one can drive in, choose the gadgets, hand over the cash and drive out half a day later with said gadgets installed. Parts have to be ordered over the internet, shipped to my home (takes weeks) then explained (my Chinese is not that good I'd add) to a mechanic. If things are ordered wrongly or don't fit then one could be without wheels for days whilst the whole lot is put back together again.

I'm fixing (?) on the EBC Redstuff Ceramic pads all around and changing all discs for new (whether I go OEM stock or performance is still up for debate). At the same time I'll purge fluid and put in new DOT-4. Changing the callipers sounds just too tricky in HK and I agree is over the top for my driving / HK roads.

Powder coating original calipers a nice bright red colour sounds like a cunning plan if I can find somewhere to do it in HK.

Cheers

Alan
 
At the same time I'll purge fluid and put in new DOT-4.
Cheers

Alan
This is one of the most important jobs to do.

Brake fade and a spongy pedal creeps up so slowly that most owners don't even notice it until it gets bad.
When dirty and contaminated brake fluid is changed braking once again feels positive and instant.

If new pads or discs/rotors are being changed or worked on, purging and replacing the brake fluid is a fairly quick and easy job.
 
Alan
Good, you are now being realistic! Redstuff and OEM discs are good - at least you will know that what you order will be the right parts.
Now, probably the most worthwhile job you could, nay, should do is change the flexible hoses into the calipers with braided steel ones. This should be an easy job in HK, and will take away a high portion of the 'spongy' feel you might have on the pedal.
 
R129 Brakes

Hi i purchase a 1990 SL500 a couple weeks ago Iam want to put new brakes pads on.But i want the ones that don't create much dust . And i need to know which pads is the best to put on and how hard is it to install brake pads on a SL500 .

RedLiner EDIT: Rather than start yet another brake topic I have moved your post here. If you look through the preceeding posts you will find plenty of advice.
 
Hi i purchase a 1990 SL500 a couple weeks ago Iam want to put new brakes pads on.But i want the ones that don't create much dust . And i need to know which pads is the best to put on and how hard is it to install brake pads on a SL500 .

RedLiner EDIT: Rather than start yet another brake topic I have moved your post here. If you look through the preceeding posts you will find plenty of advice.
Akebono and EBC Redstuff pads are the recommended products around here.

I went with the Akebono's because from the other members' reports they seem to generate the least amount of dust. Porterfield is another manufacturer, but everyone says their pads are comparable to EBC and Akebonos, yet they cost 3+ times as much.

While you are in there doing the pads, you should flush the brake system and replace your 18yr old rubber flex hoses with braided stainless. You can get a set of 4 for sub-$100, and the pedal feel will improve significantly.

Hope this helps.
 
Does anyone have recommendations for braided stainless brake lines for a '96 SL500? Has anyone used the Rennsport brake lines currently available on eBay (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Parts-Accessories___Stainless-Steel-Brake-Lines-96-97-Mercedez-Benz-SL500_W0QQitemZ310094541423QQddnZPartsQ20Q26Q20AccessoriesQQddiZ2811QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item310094541423&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=65%3A10|39%3A1|240%3A1318)
 
Hi askay you might have a look at this EBAY SHOP to see if they have something for you. I bought from them drilled/slotted/zinc plated performance rotors for my CL 500 and they are wonderful. They also have a chat line service and their staff is always very helpful :).

Cheers.
 
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