[juve010]

Hi all, looking to do a brake job on my 01 e320 4matic wagon. Can anyone recommend a good aftermarket set of rotors/pads? Not looking for anything high performance, just normal driving here. Really, just looking for a cheaper than OEM with decent functionality setup. thanks!

 

[renault12ts]

EBC.

 

[Musikmann]

Check the stickies. A few people have recommended Akebono and Axxis.

 

[C_R]

I went with Zimmerman rotors and Akebono pads. Excellent braking performance and almost non existent brake dust. Never looked back. No squeaks no problems. Had them on now for probably over a year and still perfect. Speaking for myself, I think I have found the perfect combination and in future I plan on sticking to this combination for all my vehicles. Not expensive either but definitely 10000x better than OE rotors and pad in my opinion. Don't get the cross drilled crap though. Hope this helps.

 

[yeldogt]

Cancer Reasearcher - I would be interested to know what you found unsatisfactory about the OE pads/ Rotors. I have never had a bit of problems using the OE stuff. Although you can't go wrong with the Akebono and the Zimmerman stuff

Is Zimmerman an OE to Mercedes -- I know they make rotors for Porsche -- but for whatever reason the OE from Porsche look nicer.

 

[Graplr]

I picked my rear rotors for my 4matic wagon from parts.com. I believe it was $50 per rotor. They ship then from a dealer or dealer warehouse. All parts are OEM usually with the Mercedes stickers on them. I've only had them on about 1k but so far so good. Hard to beat those prices for OEM parts.

 

[tirona]

i'm changing my friend's front rotors + pads in his 2001 e320 tomorrow. we picked up the akebono pads and rotors from advance auto parts earlier today, all for less than $120. advance auto parts carries akebono pads, and with coupon BIG35 you can get $35 of $85 if you buy online and can just pick up the pads from store. also their wearever brand rotors are decent and will easily handle 2 sets of pads.
the akebono pads are $73, add 1 can of brake parts cleaner $3 and 1 bottle of chevron techron for $9 to bring the total slightly over $85. add code BIG35 and that will bring the total to $50.
the rotors are $50/each, so $100 for both. add code BIG35 and that with bring the total to $65.
you can just pick up the parts at the store moments after the online transaction. but you have to put the pads and rotors as separate orders to get the best deal. $115 for 2 rotors, akebono pads + sensors, 1 can of brake cleaner and 1 bottle of techron sounds like a good deal to me.

 

[EDBSO]

I have used both Akebono Ceramics and Axxis Metal Masters. I find both have excellent cold bite, are both very fade resistant and both are kind to the rotors. Akebono dust much less.

For rotors I have used Brembo and have ATE Premium One (shown) rotors on the front

 

[C_R]

Cancer Reasearcher - I would be interested to know what you found unsatisfactory about the OE pads/ Rotors. I have never had a bit of problems using the OE stuff. Although you can't go wrong with the Akebono and the Zimmerman stuff

Is Zimmerman an OE to Mercedes -- I know they make rotors for Porsche -- but for whatever reason the OE from Porsche look nicer.

Hi,
I didn't say I was unsatisfied. I am usually a strictly OE guy. I found braking performance to be better (but that could be because of new rotors/pads), the OE's felt too mushy/soft as compared to the upgrade. The old rotors were still in excellent condition and I replaced them because since I was going to spend time doing them, I thought that I might as well go ahead and replace the rotors as well and forget about it for the next 4-5 years. Old pads looked good too. Biggest thing I noticed is that there is virtually no brake dust.
Regards

 

[yeldogt]

CR -- Thanks for the explanation. Between personal and business I currently have 15 cars to take care of. Over the years I have had my share of poor performing aftermarket parts.....especially brake.

The internet has allowed for much better pricing on OE parts. I believe the wholesale price quote for 4 rotors and two pad sets was $400.00 from my local dealer - I believe the sensors also. So not bad.

I have had excellent results with the Akebono pads on two Lexus vehicles -- I can get them from Lexus for under $45.00 (online) a set.

-- purchased 4 Brembo Rotors for the oldest Lexus I own and was very disappointed that one of the sets came "made in China". Car has a lot of miles on it and I felt that the cost of the OE was excessive since I'm only planning on keeping it a year or so.

 

[tirona]

-- purchased 4 Brembo Rotors for the oldest Lexus I own and was very disappointed that one of the sets came "made in China". Car has a lot of miles on it and I felt that the cost of the OE was excessive since I'm only planning on keeping it a year or so.

brembo rotors on my friend's e320 lasted less 1 year and started to warp, the pads were semi-metallic oem pagid. i put them on myself and i remember they were 'made in china", but now days seems that everything is made in china. i also heard from someone else that brembo rotors are thinner than oem and they don't last more than 1 set of pads. maybe they last longer with a softer brake pad like organic, but they don't last long.

 

[C_R]

-- purchased 4 Brembo Rotors for the oldest Lexus I own and was very disappointed that one of the sets came "made in China".

brembo rotors on my friend's e320 lasted less 1 year and started to warp,

i also heard from someone else that brembo rotors are thinner than oem and they don't last more than 1 set of pads. maybe they last longer with a softer brake pad like organic, but they don't last long.

I've had several friends who have had awful results with Brembo. I recommended Zimmerman to several who did end up buying them and replacing their Brembos with and are happy so far.:thumbsup:

 

[yeldogt]

The "Made in China" did not give me a warm fuzzy feeling about the rotors or Brembo -- The other set came from italy.

Years ago I had no issues with Brembo or Zimmerman. I now get my Porsche parts from Sunset out west so I have not ordered Zimmerman rotors for quite a while.