e1000

I still think the 2 piston fixed calipers (made by Brembo) are more than adequate for the C230. A set of good pads makes all the difference.

johnand

+1.

Especially considering you are just starting out at the track. Get some good track pads and see how that works for you. I recommend Carbotech Engineering, as they can line a set of backing plates with any pad compound you want.

GermanCarShow

Yes, performance pads alone is absolutely my first step. The big SLK55 brakes would be a couple years away. Carbotech and Porterfield have been recommended to me by several sources. I think I'll order a set soon.

Do people swap brake pads for race day like they do wheels/tires??

FrankW

actually code3performance is making two piece rotors for the C32/55 calipers and those should work for the 2005-2007 sport as well. once those are out you don't really have to go for the big 6-piston setup from the CLK/SLK55 because usually the weight saving from the BBK are from the rotors. when you have light weight rotors you don't have as much rotational force to stop and you don't have as much weight in the corner to add to the unsprung weight.

unless you really want those extra braking surface provided by bigger pads. FIY my Brembo 355mm caliper probably only weight about 1-2lbs less than the C32/55 caliper, but the rotors weight at 16lbs is 9-10lbs lighter than the stock.

I have seen/heard people that do swap the pads during track day, but mostly are those seasoned veterans.

e1000

They won't work Frank. The 2-piston calipers use slightly smaller 12.9" rotors. Even the 4-piston fixed calipers found on the 2004.5 and early 2005's use these smaller rotors! Although visually similar, the 2004.5 4-piston calipers and the C32/C55 calipers are different.

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...041&highlight=

FrankW

yay...****ing mercedes...I stand corrected. lost track of that tread.

e1000

no kidding. It's just crazy how many different types of brakes they used on these cars.

C230 Sport Coup

Not to mention engines. Is the 2.5L still used anywhere?
It only lasted 2 years in the US.

To answer the original questions...


>>>Brakes
- Complete kit, upgrading to C55 brakes or a Brembo kit or something.
- Component upgrades (pads, 2-piece rotors, SS braided brake lines, racing fluid, etc.)- AMG Brake Kit, around $1K from Evosport or buy the components seperately. Evosport also has the 2 piece rotors, but I think they were $1500 + for 2 ?
- Air ducting to the front brakes. -

Wheels/Tires
- Upgrade from 17" to 18" wheels to allow for larger brake rotors/calipers.
- Get super light weight wheels.
- R compound. If I have the cash: one set for autocross and one set for track.
-Correct me if I'm wrong, but you'd be better off with the 17" for your AX.
Suspension/Alignment
- I don't know much about this area, please enlighten me!-
Lots of choices, but basically springs/coilovers + sway bars-
$500- $3000. TEIN is popular around here, the SS version has adjustable shocks which would be very useful in AX.

Weight
- There must be some way to make this pig weigh less. I have the fold-down rear seats. Are they difficult to remove? What can I easily remove on Friday for a race on Saturday, then put right back in on Sunday?
I've wondered about that myself.....try it! I've heard removing the front seat can result in an SRS error, but not sure. Start with removing the spare of course and tools and anything not tied down!


Intake/Exhaust
- Are there really any significant power gains here?-
Yes. But it will cost you $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$. Since you are under warranty, you may not want to mess with this....
I love my header, and freeflow etc. Kept the 2" pipe though, since I have supercharger and you need to maintain backpressure.

Miscellaneous
- What else helps?-
Chip? Sprint Booster? While the SB doesn't increase HP, the increased throttle response might help in AX, and be worth it. In fact if I was AX'ing, I'd go for that 1st! Search on it, tons of info.

C230 Sport Coup

Where can I autocross?

GermanCarShow

I started autocrossing 4 years ago in the local MBCA chapter (www.mbca.org), of which I've been a member for 9 years now. Very few events, just one or two a year.

To combat the slow MBCA track schedule, I joined the BMW Car Club of America (www.bmwcca.org). I haven't seen many autocrosses scheduled, but they love to drive at the track!

Try SCCA or NASA
http://www.scca.org
http://www.nasaproracing.com

Anything like this near you?
http://www.ncracing.org

GermanCarShow

C230 Sport Coup,

Tell me about the following mods you have made to your car:

"Aero Turbine" AR20 Rasp Eliminator (Resonator)
NGK Iridium BCPR7EIX-11 (5691) 2 steps Cooler Plugs
TEIN SS Coilovers
AMG; Wheels, 22mm Front sway bar, HR 19mm rear bar, C32 Brakes
Akebono Ceramic Brake Pads (Front)

iblaho

Please tell me how to get started with solo'ing and autocrosisng. I have a 2007 C230 and I'm still learning how to drive it after 25 years of front wheel drives.

GermanCarShow

I would start with contacting your local MBCA section:
http://www.mbca.org/pages_r/maps/national_map.htm

Our local Porsche Club section allows others to join in on their driving events. I believe this type of policy is decided on locally in their club, so you may not have this option.

Register on this forum and participate:
http://www.autocrossforum.com/forums/

Not only is it fun, but it does teach you the limits of the car, and the limits of your ability. When the time comes to perform evasive manuvers on the public roads, you'll know what to expect from your car.

omg its nate

wow thanks for all the great info!

saespyder

Agreed, great thread. I just bought a 2003 c230k and have been reading up on the options available for tuning. This was a great aid!

W203E35

I dont know in which thread I read this but can someone confirm this? The c350 uses the same caliper as the c32?

The reason I ask is I was looking to change my rotors (stock to stock) and getmercedesparts directed me to CLK55 rotors and I remember reading the 350 uses the c32 caliper.

Anyone?

Thanks

e1000

The C350 Sport (not luxury) was equiped with the same calipers and rotors as the C32 and C55. The only difference being the C32/55 calipers were painted silver and had AMG written on them.

The 2005+ C230 Sport sedans had 2-piston fixed calipers, and used a slightly smaller rotor than the C350/C32/C55. The 2004.5 and some 2005 Sport sedans got 4-piston fixed calipers that LOOK like the C350/C32/C55 calipers but are not, and these brakes also use the smaller rotor that matches the 2005+ 2-piston setup.

As far as I can tell, the C350/C32/C55 can use the 2-piece floating rotors from the SLK55 and CLK55, but they are something like $500/rotor.

Glyn M Ruck

The 2.5 is still in European, Asian etc. W204s as a C230. Believe it will be available in Canada - at least from 2010MY as a C250

W203E35

Thank you

W203E35

Did you get the package? Did everything go smooth?

alan16828

Based on what I've been reading, 2006 C230 SS brakes uses 2-piston fixed calipers and the only difference between the 06 C230 brakes and the C55 brakes is that 06 C230 uses smaller rotors but the calipers are the same?

In other words, there will be minimal performance gain for me to go with C55 brakes since I have a 06 230?

FrankW

C32/55/03-05 CLK55 has the same 4-piston AMG/Brembo calipers.

alan16828

Thanks Frank for the reply... Now I know the differences. Appreciate it.

Ahmed Khalfe

after all I have read I have some questions can i swap the c55 brakes and rotors on my 05 c230 k sport sedan and would i need to run spacers since the factory caliper is really close to the stock wheels also will i need any different hardware or do I just swap them in. can i run the stock master cylinder aswell ? sorry if i sound stupid this is my first car and i’m still trying to learn a fair amount i’ve seen some used calipers and rotors on ebay

Ahmed Khalfe

do I have to swap my wheels if i get the c55 calipers in my c230 sport