Is it true that brake pads will wear faster with slotted rotors? Please advise.

Thanks!

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03 ML350 Inspiration Edition
s4tomlatyahoodotcom

slotted rotor will improve wet and spirited braking.

m brakes are already overkill to run the 4-ets system.

not sure about pad wear.

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g-wagen

I would not bother. They will accelerate pad wear. They are intended to sweep away hot brake gasses created under duress. They would also likely help wet braking response slightly. You will not feel or see any of the advantages on a street driven car. I have used them on racetrack driven cars with good results though.

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1995 G320
1984 280GE
1971 Unimog 416

A question for you:

What is lacking in your stock rotors that is causing you to consider "upgrading" your existing rotors?

Pete:

S4toML has seen a number of posts on Drew's forum regarding alternate rotors so it is only natural that he ask about the characteristics of these from this more technical and objective forum.

I would also caution against fitting drilled or slotted rotors to anything that ventures off road. You are asking for something to get lodged in there and wreak havoc. The new Porsche Cayenne has neither slotted nor drilled but huge flat faced rotors, while most other models in the line-up wear drilled versions.

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1995 G320
1984 280GE
1971 Unimog 416

Ahhhhh...trying to head off a rice infection. That's nasty stuff.

Got it.

A small distinction... but they aren't drilled.

The Porsche rotors (made for them by Brembo) are cast with the holes and are thus more resistant to cracking than drilled rotors (although they still crack around the holes if they are driven like Ferdinand meant them to be).

Thanks for the clarification. I have these rotors on my 928. It was just easier to use the more common reference of "drilled rotors" rather than go into the detailsof "cast in hole, cross ventilated rotors"

Still these come on new 911 and Boxster S models but not the Cayennne SUV.

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1995 G320
1984 280GE
1971 Unimog 416

Slotted rotors have many benefits in a car application street-driven or track driven.

I was just wondering whether the ML class with slotted rotors and stock brakes will benefit from this as well.

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03 ML350 Inspiration Edition
s4tomlatyahoodotcom

This is true. I did a bit more reasearch on this subject and found out that by changing to slotted rotors, one is in effect reducing the braking suface area -- this is disadvantageous especially to larger and heavier vehicles like the ML.
Heavy vehicles will require larger diameter rotors to compensate for the loss of surface area due to venting or cross drilling.

It is indeed the "feel" and pedal travel that i'm annoyed of. However, at times I actually feel the strenght of these brakes when the EBD kicks in

My ML came equipped with the 275 series all season Dunlops. I'am considering a set of summer tires for better wet/dry performance.

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03 ML350 Inspiration Edition
s4tomlatyahoodotcom

Ok, I guess I still don't understand what is lacking in your stock setup that would make you want to "upgrade" your ML's brakes with slotted rotors.

Do you plan on tracking your ML? Have you experienced brake fade on your ML in the few months that you've owned it?

If you are looking for better braking performance you could try a better brake pad. This will get you further than slotted rotors for sure. Often times it will also improve braking feel. I would guess that the ML comes with pretty good pads to begin with. They are not tailored to someone wanting max performance though. I am not sure what I would reccomend. I have run "Performance Friction" Z-rated pads and found them to be a big improvement. I have also tried "Hawk" plus pads. Both on Porsches. There definately had more grab and fade resistance. Since brake feel wasn't a problem, I can not attest to its improvement. Problem is, I don't know if they would have a fittement for an ML. Somebody must though, I would check around.

I highly doubt that you will exceed the brakes limit street driving an ML. It was designed to handle extra loads, so unless you race around pulling a 2000lb trailer, you will not likely reach the point of serious brake fade. Fade is the only thing the slotted rotors will really help with in my experience.

After the last couple of posts, I think I would reccomend you seek different pads. The only pitfall is that sometimes you will end up with some brake squeal. Another reason manufacturers do not always use the grippiest, best feeling pads. Good Luck

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1995 G320
1984 280GE
1971 Unimog 416

I found some pads that would be worth a try. EBC greenstuff series 6000 has a pad for the ML. The literature claims reduced rotor temps, shortened braking distances with increased g-forces. I had these on a BMW. They are also a low dust pad. Cheaper and easier to swap than rotors, may be worth your while.

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1995 G320
1984 280GE
1971 Unimog 416

That's a key point. What is "max performance" in an ML?

I've flogged my 430 down a mountain canyons on high temp days to the point that there was smoke pouring from all for wheel wells when I stopped at the bottom. There was some fade, but it was far from catastrophic and it was quite manageable.

I've flogged my 55 even harder and haven't had any braking issues on the street (but it has been in cooler temps).

I know I could get serious fade at the track but like you mentioned a set of track specific pads would be an easy, quick, fix (along with some Super Blue) if I wanted to track a 5,000 lb truck.

Bottom line: I would recommend stock pads, or for less noisy brake pads than stockers, the pagids that germanstar sells as oem replacements.