Brake pads Raybestos or OEM Mercedes

I usually get aftermarket Raybestos pads if/when available.

I have Raybestos AT's(96087) on my front, and Hawk HPS HB418F.646 pads. Don't think Hawk makes the HPS pads anymore though. I'm at about 2.5 years on mine, got 4 years out of the last set, after putting up with the OEM's for 4.5 years. Still on the factory rear drums.

Far better than OEM.

So I don't work for Raybestos but I do install a ton of them. Those EHT are really good for normal vehicles. The price is right, dust is low, pedal feel is great, friction is about on par with OEM and in some cases better. They will survive about 10-15 medium effort stops, and about 3-5 Hard ABS stops. I wouldn't put them in anything bigger than a 7-Seater V6 Crossover, and the weight of those is on the limit of what the pads can do, but over all very good.

I consider my W204 C63 visceral, even if not analog. The 6.2 V8 makes all kinds of nasty noises you would not expect from a Mercedes and it howls all the way up to 7200rpm, which may not be that high, but still impresses me given the size of the engine. The car is quick, noisy and has the brakes to back it up.

The brakes I got from them are the Raybestos Element3 pads and rotors. Working great so far!

I will move to Raybestos EHT or PowerStop Z23 or Z26 when its time. Wagner has Thermoquiets for those with ear problems.

I'd just buy any of the old line good quality aftermarket that are aiming at OEM. Raybestos, Bendix, Wagner. Or just buy BMW OEM.

AC Delco for electronics. Moog for suspension. Raybestos for brakes.

Fantastic engine & brakes. I think they're very good looking cars, too. Mine bit me hard though, and I'd never own another.

Might I share an experience with my Mercedes Warranty Service: It was my last "scheduled" maintenace on my Benz before my warranty expired in a month... This is what my service rep told me behind closed doors...."We better schedule in as many repairs as possible" 4 new break pads and 2 new rotars for the front (even though they still had a few more thousand mile on them), replacement wood trims for 2 of the door panels, new wiper blades and arm, a whole new radio system b/c the tape player broke (even though I've put probably only 2 tapes into the bay for the 4 years I owned the car); a brand new driver seat b/c one of the heating element on the car seat would not power on (I live in Florida, rarely ever used it).....