OZZYAMG

Hi all

I am about to replace my brake rotors and pads.

I have found dealing with R1concepts to be really good and now stuck with a big decision to make.

Should I buy a full set of brake rotors and pads from R1concepts for my 2003 E55 for $350 or purchase a complete set of Akebono pads and Zimmermann disks at around $600 elsewhere?

I assume both options would be as good or better than the original Mercedes parts?

Regards,

OZZYAMG

RacingBrake

Racingbrake offers light weight two piece rotors for your 2003 E55
they do cost more but the benefits of going with our rotors easily out weighs the price.

Front Two Piece Rotors

Rear Two Piece Rotors

Each RB two piece rotor features our patented designs Center Mount, Open Slot, and Convergent Vanes. All meant to improve cooling and performance. See details below:


RB Two Piece Rotor Advantages






Check out some of the reviews posted by other MB owners:
Racing Brake makes me happy
World's First: RacingBrake 2-Piece Brake Rotors ...
The Ultimate Rotating & Unspring Mass Reduction Thread ...
E63 Front Rotor Replacement DIY - RacingBrake
https://mbworld.org/forums/sl-class-...squealing.html

Now take a look at some reviews from Nissan GT-R owners
that are known for having the most brake issues and have looked for solutions beyond what OE or other big name brands have been able to provide.

http://www.gtrheritage.com/topic/259...%20racingbrake
http://www.gtrheritage.com/topic/261...ake#entry37500
http://www.gtrheritage.com/topic/268...tor#entry36600

MindBend

What are your goals? Why you replacing?
Are they worn out? Brake shimmy? Have you experienced brake fade? Want more aggressive stopping?

Those RacingBrake rotors are a great upgrade, considering weight alone. However, just an OE rotor replacement and a good aggressive pad, makes a WORLD of difference.

OZZYAMG

Hi

My existing brake disks/pads have done over 50,000 miles.
I need to change my front disks and pads so whilst my car is at the workshop I may as well do the lot and give the car a new full set of brakes as a freshen up.

I am extremely happy with the current braking performance and don't need the brakes to work any better. If I could choose anything I would like my brake rotors to be lighter as I enjoy good acceleration and less un-sprung weight makes a huge difference on take off.

I am thinking aftermarket rotors that are much lighter and genuine Mercedes brake pads.

The product from Racingbrake posted above looks awesome but is just to expensive for me at over $1000 per set of brake disks. R1concepts can sell me 4 disks and a full set of pads for my car for $350 which I am sure work just as good as the standard Mercedes parts. But this is why I have posted this thread to get experiences from other people.

Regards,

OZZYAMG

novae500

cost savings, i would just get the R1 ones that are a bit lesser $$

MindBend

If you have the budget, by all means, get the lightened rotors. If you're interested in less unsprung weight, have you gotten lighter wheels/tires?
If you were to put on a better performing pad, you'd be surprised by the increased braking capacity and feel. I recently put EBC Reds on and really like them. However, being an avid road race driver (I have a dedicated race car) I'd prefer better braking over going faster!

OZZYAMG

Hi

Thanks for the replies. I am still running original wheels as I like to keep the original look to my car.

But if I were to ever change wheels I am the sort of buyer that would find lighter wheels. In regards to tyres I have one size wider on the rear with 275's instead of 265's.

Regards,

OZZYAMG

MindBend

If your stock rotors gave you good performance, I'd suspect that new OE ones will also.
At 50K (and assuming close to 10 years old) they get tired. (out of true, rusty, worn down, etc).
You'll enjoy the feel of new rotors and pads on all 4 corners. Don't forget to replace brake fluid also. It's hygroscopic: absorbs moisture. Water boils at a much, much lower temperature that brake fluid. Therefore, you can loose pedal/braking much sooner when old brake fluid is left in the system (and it corrodes). I think MB suggests every two years. I do it once per year.

Jon2007E63P30

Racingbrake rotors are the way to go if you ever track the car. But if not, your plan sounds good.

50k seems early, but then I put lots of miles on mine

Jasyrata

If you wanted to do the 2 piece route I went to http://www.frozenrotors.com/ and got the two piece rotors for $500 a piece. I've had them on for about 2000 miles and I LOVE them. Half the price and twice the life.