i'm a akebono-euro fan ~~ quiet, almost dust free, and STOP

 

And no need for special brake discs with this pad, Yes ?

 

We have Akebonos on the 300TE. Very good pads. I have it on my 300D w123 also.

 

1994 E320 Euro spec A / W124 cabriolet.

I've read the other brake pad thread and asked there and
waited 3 days for an answer, to no avail,
so I thought it was time to raise a separate thread !

Thank you.

Probably because it's a 'hot button' topic....much like; 'What is the best engine oil?' Many think they have the best, or know of the best brakes. I'm nor sure there is magic combination i.e., reasonable cost, low dust, long disc wear and uber stopping power.:boxing_smiley:

Kevin

 

1994 E320 Euro spec A / W124 cabriolet.

I've read the other brake pad thread and asked there and
waited 3 days for an answer, to no avail,
so I thought it was time to raise a separate thread !

Yes, and you pointed me to this Thread for my thoughts.

As you know I have a 2000 SL500 with Akebono EURO's on all four corners and have no complaints. I also added custom stainless steel brake lines and love the feel of both.

And the best part is.... I don't have to dawn a rubber plastic glove and clean that ugly black brake dust every 2-3 days. Now I just clean the light gray ceramic dust when I do a hand car wash.

May I suggest that you buy only front pads, to try them out, and there is no need to replace or turn the rotors unless they are warped. Then do the rears if your happy.

 

May I suggest that you buy only front pads, to try them out, and there is no need to replace or turn the rotors unless they are warped. Then do the rears if your happy.

Let me clarify. I did have ALL four of my OE rotors resurfaced at 33K miles when I had my Akebono's installed by a 20 year MB Certified Indy.

It was later that I had a technical discussion with Akebono and the fellow that I spoke with told me that there pads are already burnished and ready for install. So I asked him if it was necessary to resurface the rotors and he said NO and they would prefer that the rotors be left alone unless they need to be replaced or resurfaced.

 

Rotors should always be at least resurfaced, if you're putting on new pads. MB is no different from any other car in that respect.:thumbsup:

Kevin

 

having been in and out of the car biz for 40 years here's my .02 cents


alot of rotor/pad development in the last 20 years trying to deal with that squeal problem ~~~ 10-15 years ago you could get 1 or 2 cuts on a rotor before minimum spec, today the rotors are close to minimum, or under, when the pads need replacing. trying to cut a present day rotor and send it out near minimum spec, you can almost guarantee it will warp within 5000 miles. feel the lip on the edge of your rotor, both sides, and that's how much metal is missing off your disc. after a while you don't even have to mike them to know it needs new rotors

my guess is the manufactures have gone to a softer metal combo to eliminate the squeal, hard or hot spotting, and the ability to sell new ones (probably safer to use new than to redo a used one) ~~~ pricing on new rotors are cheap today compared to 15-20 years ago

wouldn't hesitate to throw on a set of akebono pads on a smooth existing rotor with a small lip, to which you bevel cut the edges of the pad, so they don't make noise

 

Exactly, that's the 'measuring part', which is then compared to a chart to tell you if you even have enough metal left to turn. The 'min' used to be stamped on the rotor itself. Now, like you said, the rotors are throwaway for the most part. The prices have come down over the yrs for stock OEM rotors and so it's usually better in IMHO, just to replace the rotors.

I too have 40yrs+ of auto/truck experience...from a day when your rotors came off with your wheel bearing hub assembly and were always turnable at least once, usually twice. To replace the rotors back then, they had to be pressed off on a machine. Now, just about anybody can do a brake job by using all new rotors and pads.

Kevin

 

Gentlemen, thank you to all for your words of advice.

Question answered !!

 

Akebono don't seem to list a front pad for my E320,
so what ceramic pad manufacturer gets the nod then ?

It must be good for high speed work, not eat rotors,
last a good length of time and not cost too much !

Suggestions ?

Thanks for all answers so far.:thumbsup:

PS THE EPC Red stuff, Yellow stuff and Green stuff pads
seem to be made in my fitments.
How good (or bad) are the recently improved Red Stuff pads ?

 

A lot of the 1990-1998 R129 guys swear by the EBC Red Stuff but expect dust for the first 500 miles. I guess that's while they are burnishing.

 

He's right!

Please see 1994 MERCEDES-BENZ E320 Brake Pad

But they don't ship International so you can only check pricing and p/n's.

I know you can get EBC in the UK but if I'm not mistaken you will have to buy Akebono EURO's in the USA and find someone that ships International.