Are OEM Mercedes-Benz Rotors Better Than Aftermarket?
Are you in the market for new brake rotors for your Mercedes-Benz? If so, you may be trying to decide between OEM and aftermarket rotors.
Both are viable options for brake rotors. Yet, OEM brake rotors are a much better investment than aftermarket rotors. Some people prefer aftermarket over OEM because of the lower price. Yet, what many fail to realize is that aftermarket brake rotors don't offer as much value as OEM rotors do.
OEM brake rotors offer many benefits that aftermarket rotors simply do not. Let's discuss the biggest ones:
1. High Quality Materials
OEM brake rotors are made with the highest quality materials. Mercedes-Benz makes some of the highest quality and most highly engineered cars on the market. When you buy a Mercedes-Benz, it comes with Mercedes-Benz brake rotors. Why would you go with anything less?
It's very common for aftermarket brands to use lower cost materials. This can reduce the rotors' longevity and overall performance. Aftermarket brake rotors are cheaper because they're made from inferior raw materials. The low price tag may seem attractive, but what many drivers don't realize is that aftermarket rotors rarely last as long as OEM rotors.
2. Precise Machining
Genuine OEM brake rotors are always guaranteed to fit your Mercedes-Benz vehicle. That's because every part from the Mercedes-Benz factory is machined to ensure a perfect fit. With aftermarket rotors, you have no such guarantee.
Skilled professionals at the factory understand that there should be no tolerance for an error in a car as high end as a Mercedes-Benz. You can't say the same about aftermarket manufacturers. They don't quite share the same level of precision. Many aftermarket manufacturers try and make one rotor work for several different vehicles, even if the rotor is not quite exactly the same as the OEM product.
So chances are good aftermarket rotors won't have exactly the right dimensions for your car's braking system. For example, they may be slightly too thick or too thin. That can affect your car's braking performance and your rotors' lifespan.
3. Compatibility With The Vehicle's Braking System
Rotors may be simple parts, but it's important that they work with the rest of the braking system.
- Your rotors need to have the correct thickness to fit into the caliper.
- Your rotors need to work with the brake pads. If the rotors are too soft, the brake pads can wear then down too quickly. If they're too hard, the brake pads can "paint" the rotors and fail to bite down on them.
OEM brake rotors are designed by experts who understand these intricate details. Aftermarket manufacturers don't have the same level of expertise when it comes to building to OE specs. Many don't even try to make sure that their rotors will work with stock braking systems.
Some aftermarket rotors can be made to work with specific vehicles. Yet, their quality may not be as good as the one of genuine parts. Others are made for universal applications and are unlikely to function properly.
Looking For Genuine OEM Mercedes-Benz Rotors?
If you're looking for OEM Mercedes-Benz rotors, visit our online catalog of OEM brake parts. All you need to do is look up your Mercedes-Benz vehicle and you'll get the right part number for your car. We offer a wide selection of OEM rotors from many different automakers, including Mercedes-Benz. This rotor for select 2016-2020 Mercedes-Benz models is one of our best sellers.
We also have a team of experts who can help you find the right brake rotor part number for your car. If you need help, please contact us and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.