C-Class (W203) 2001-2007, C160, C180, C200, C220, C230, C240, C270, C280, C300, C320, C230K, C350, Coupe

a real close call today...

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Old Mar 6, 2008 | 02:56 AM
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2002 C230 coupe , NOt THE AVATAR!!
Exclamation a real close call today...

so here are the story, i just installed Power Slot rotors for my C-Coupe yesterday. I heard about the brake break-in period, "no hard braking for the first 100 miles and/or 30-40 braking" correct me if i am wrong

so after about 120 miles of driving, i still don't feel the rotor breaking in yet and so i was heading home taking highway 280 going 60-65 slow lane just to be safe and keeping 2-3 cars distance. All of sudden an Audi A4 changing from carpool lane all the way to right lane in front of me and slam on his brake, i did as well, but my car isn't slowing down.. so i step a bit more.. NOTHING HAPPEN!! so i step it allll the way and i finally feel my car is slowing down, but it still wasn't enough, my distance to him are so close i was about to "put dent on his bumper"

and all i could do is steer my car away to the right shoulder to avoid accident.. yes it saved my life.

so what could possibly happened to my brake?
it should pass the breakin period already or i should consider changing the pad again?
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Old Mar 6, 2008 | 03:21 AM
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What kind of rotors did you have before? OEM?

Change rotors=change pads (if it's a must) Am i right?
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Old Mar 6, 2008 | 07:28 AM
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wow, what the
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Old Mar 6, 2008 | 09:38 AM
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that is crazy! glad your okay.
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Old Mar 6, 2008 | 09:57 AM
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wow.....

is it possible that you arent getting enough brake fluid pressure? or low on fluid? And yes....new rotors...new pads...
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Old Mar 6, 2008 | 10:38 AM
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How old are your pads and fluid? Might think about bleeding your brakes to make sure there isn't any air.

Glad to hear you're okay!

edit: If you don't have many miles on your rotors, they might still have the manufacturer film on them. I don't think this would affect your pedal, but def affect your braking

Last edited by datgai; Mar 6, 2008 at 10:59 AM.
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Old Mar 6, 2008 | 11:12 AM
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You must break them in properly to get the most out of them.

How to.
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Old Mar 6, 2008 | 10:31 PM
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did you bleed the brakes?
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Old Mar 7, 2008 | 03:57 AM
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i have a feeling you have air bubble in your brake lines.

or did you just drive 120miles without using the brakes...LOL
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Old Mar 7, 2008 | 03:59 AM
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2002 C230 coupe , NOt THE AVATAR!!
well i drive today and did what C240wner tutorial taught me

yes the brake starting to breaking in alright..

because usually dealer always take care of the brake and such, so we dont see any problem with it, this time i tried to save money so i go this way..

o well i still wanna hit myself for not buying Brembo BBK for $1400 with installed
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Old Mar 7, 2008 | 04:15 AM
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meh...u don't need that much stopping power. it's not like every time I step on it the next thing I know I'm coming up against traffic at 140mph. You just need the C32/55 brakes or the sport brakes. since being a 230 and a coupe weights a lot less than our sedans.
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Old Mar 7, 2008 | 04:18 AM
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lol yea i know what you are saying, most of my friends said the same thing too

my coupe doesn't need that big stopping power but it was a really good deal from carlab and i guess that could also be some big upgrade for my coupe..

well now think about it BBK are even harder to break in lol
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Old Mar 7, 2008 | 04:20 AM
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2002 C230 coupe , NOt THE AVATAR!!
Originally Posted by FrankW
meh...u don't need that much stopping power. it's not like every time I step on it the next thing I know I'm coming up against traffic at 140mph. You just need the C32/55 brakes or the sport brakes. since being a 230 and a coupe weights a lot less than our sedans.
lol weights remind me of the guy that came up with sandbag trick could help improve traction and lot of braking power

and actually it didn't weight that much tho

before i have a C320 sedan they were like only 100-200lbs difference according to the driver side door
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Old Mar 7, 2008 | 04:22 AM
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Originally Posted by KIRA
lol weights remind me of the guy that came up with sandbag trick could help improve traction and lot of braking power

and actually it didn't weight that much tho

before i have a C320 sedan they were like only 100-200lbs difference according to the driver side door
adding weight doesn't help the braking in anyway. traction maybe, but when you are heavier, your car won't accelerate as fast.

100-200 lbs is more than enough to make a difference. it increase your hp per lbs.
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Old Mar 7, 2008 | 05:01 AM
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When you were bedding in your brakes, did they smoke (and could you smell them)? If not, you probably didn't bed them in fully.

The first few stops on new brakes are typically 'greasy', until you get them heated up the first time.

If they did smoke/smell, then I would definitely check the fluid level, and then bleed them & try again. If they still don't bite after that, then I would take it to the shop - no sense in risking your life (& the lives of others) driving with questionable brakes.
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Old Mar 7, 2008 | 05:29 PM
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thats crazy good thing you and your car are alright thats always good.. also like everyone else said did you bleed the breaks correctly cause i know with my other cars i have left some air in the line before and you really have to push the brake down far to get it to even slow down
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Old Mar 7, 2008 | 05:42 PM
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Originally Posted by C24owner
You must break them in properly to get the most out of them.

How to.
+1 do it a couple times. Still wont be fully broken in, after a couple of weeks of regular driving you will fell them bite more.
What pads did you get?
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Old Mar 7, 2008 | 07:36 PM
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2002 C230 coupe , NOt THE AVATAR!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76D_tZ3c-Z0

this video is the reason why i choose to stay away from Dealer OEM brake pad and rotor
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Old Mar 7, 2008 | 08:34 PM
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I never did like braking. It's such a waste of gasoline.
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Old Mar 7, 2008 | 08:39 PM
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Originally Posted by KIRA
o well i still wanna hit myself for not buying Brembo BBK for $1400 with installed
Is that price for brand new/used Brembo? I hate myself for not living close to Calif
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Old Mar 7, 2008 | 11:42 PM
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2002 C230 coupe , NOt THE AVATAR!!
Originally Posted by Naughty Pants
I never did like braking. It's such a waste of gasoline.
i don't mind braking but i never like traffic jam..
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Old Mar 11, 2008 | 12:47 AM
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From: San Jose, Bay Area
2002 C230 coupe , NOt THE AVATAR!!
http://youtube.com/watch?v=R2ADfg6DxFI

here is a video how weak my brakes are now...

keep in mind i step on it "ALL THE WAY"

to you guys it might be normal braking speed...

and yes my coupe is slow
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Old Mar 11, 2008 | 02:42 AM
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What you're not BrabusX2 anymore?
You're "Kira"? Whats up with that?

What, did you buy race pads or what?

You only bought rotors? OR WHAT?

This thread is pointless without more info.
People keep asking you question you don't answer, like basic **** and the thread goes on....and on and on....


What are you hoping to get out of posting this?
Is there a question to be answered?

If you did rotors and not pads, thats a mechanical no no.
Period. End of story. Go buy pads.
Ceramics are best.

And hopefully you cleaned the rotors before putting them on.

Last edited by C230 Sport Coup; Mar 11, 2008 at 02:45 AM.
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Old Mar 11, 2008 | 02:50 AM
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From: San Jose, Bay Area
2002 C230 coupe , NOt THE AVATAR!!
yea, i bought Hawk Ceramic brake pad along with Power Slot Rotors

i use brake part cleaner when i installed the rotors and there were no stopping power at all..

anyway things turn out normal now.. thx for all the help

the brake fluids are fine, and i just flush/renew it 2 months ago
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Old Mar 11, 2008 | 08:01 PM
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I was thinking of getting the Hawk Brakes from Tirerack. The stopping power is ranked 3 out of 5, maybe this is how it's supposed to work. Do yo know anyone else with the same problem as yours? I can't really tell from the video, no scenes of kids scrambling for their lives as you stopped.
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