C32 AMG Brake Upgrade Discussion Thread
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From: Scottsdale, AZ
Originally posted by Mach430
Definitely brake fade, as well as a slightly shorter stopping distance for normal stops. For normal street driving, the C32 brakes should be sufficient. For track driving, they just don't last as long as a big brake kit would.
Definitely brake fade, as well as a slightly shorter stopping distance for normal stops. For normal street driving, the C32 brakes should be sufficient. For track driving, they just don't last as long as a big brake kit would.
Once you take out the brake fade issue, I don't see how in "normal stopping," bigger brakes can make a C stop any shorter than it already does. Bigger brakes just add unnecessary weight to a street car and unnecessary lightness to the car's owner's wallet.
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2010 C300 4matic
Originally posted by BrabusCClass
Is it true you can fit the SL55 brakes on the C Class?
Is it true you can fit the SL55 brakes on the C Class?
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It is possible, but requires a ton of custom fabricating, and in our and Brembo's opinion, is not worth it. The SL55 brakes are HEAVY! The calipers bolt-on with some work, but the rotors do not fit. Brembo makes 14" and 15" rotors, but they would have to be designed specifically for the C Class. A 15" rotor would require the caliper to be mounted differently (adding more costs), and the 14" rotor would be too small (SL55 is 14.2"). It can work, but it is not worth it. Further, the offset of the caliper would require larger wheels, and not have enough fender clearance. The costs are too high for gains that can be beat.
We spoke with Brembo at SEMA, and decided to make a custom 14" front and ~13" rear kit (possibly using the 8-piston caliper for the front). The SL55 rotors are very heavy, and would end up taking longer to stop (as well as affecting weight). We are accepting preorders now, and should have the kit complete before January.
Thanks
Ben
We spoke with Brembo at SEMA, and decided to make a custom 14" front and ~13" rear kit (possibly using the 8-piston caliper for the front). The SL55 rotors are very heavy, and would end up taking longer to stop (as well as affecting weight). We are accepting preorders now, and should have the kit complete before January.
Thanks
Ben
Last edited by Mach430; Dec 3, 2002 at 10:42 PM.
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Ben,
This is quoted directly from the C32 thread by Vadim....BTW, we tried adapting SL55 8-piston caliper. Not enough room. It would of been nice from performance and appearance standpoint.
I think you need to communicate more with Vadim!
A C32 owner has also tried it in town and no luck also.
This is quoted directly from the C32 thread by Vadim....BTW, we tried adapting SL55 8-piston caliper. Not enough room. It would of been nice from performance and appearance standpoint.
I think you need to communicate more with Vadim!
A C32 owner has also tried it in town and no luck also.
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1996 C36 AMG, 1995 Volvo 850 Turbowagon
Originally posted by MacPhisto
Is there anyone here that drives their C hard enough to actually have experienced brake fade???? (I'm not talking about theory here, I'm talking about real life experience with C brakes fading). Please raise your hand!
Once you take out the brake fade issue, I don't see how in "normal stopping," bigger brakes can make a C stop any shorter than it already does. Bigger brakes just add unnecessary weight to a street car and unnecessary lightness to the car's owner's wallet.
Is there anyone here that drives their C hard enough to actually have experienced brake fade???? (I'm not talking about theory here, I'm talking about real life experience with C brakes fading). Please raise your hand!
Once you take out the brake fade issue, I don't see how in "normal stopping," bigger brakes can make a C stop any shorter than it already does. Bigger brakes just add unnecessary weight to a street car and unnecessary lightness to the car's owner's wallet.
we had a long-*** thread on this :p... car and driver recently had a story on this particular issue (brake fade & big brake kits) in their sept 2002 mag that brings some facts to the tables
Last edited by steve s; Dec 4, 2002 at 01:30 AM.
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From: Southern CA
Originally posted by Harris
Ben,
This is quoted directly from the C32 thread by Vadim....BTW, we tried adapting SL55 8-piston caliper. Not enough room. It would of been nice from performance and appearance standpoint.
I think you need to communicate more with Vadim!
A C32 owner has also tried it in town and no luck also.
Ben,
This is quoted directly from the C32 thread by Vadim....BTW, we tried adapting SL55 8-piston caliper. Not enough room. It would of been nice from performance and appearance standpoint.
I think you need to communicate more with Vadim!
A C32 owner has also tried it in town and no luck also.
Also, there have been recent debates in magazine articles that the SL500 may stop better than the SL55. This could be true. At a certain point for all cars, a bigger brake system is no longer beneficial. In the SL55's case, the stock rotor is very heavy, and may be harder to slow with the SL55 caliper, than the F50 caliper with a Brembo 14" GT rotor.
Thanks
Ben
Last edited by Mach430; Dec 4, 2002 at 03:38 AM.
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From: Southern CA
Originally posted by Matt230K
I highly, highly doubt it. Have you seen those things? They are HUGE!! The caliper covers almost half the rotor. Even if you had big enough wheels to hold these things, they are probably different since they are designed for the electronic braking system. I would think there would be mechanical differences.
I highly, highly doubt it. Have you seen those things? They are HUGE!! The caliper covers almost half the rotor. Even if you had big enough wheels to hold these things, they are probably different since they are designed for the electronic braking system. I would think there would be mechanical differences.
Also, with a larger rotor comes more pad surface area. Assuming the same size pad (which the F50 caliper actually has more), there is about 2" more rotor travel per rotation than the C32 brakes. So, for every 1 rotation of the wheel, 2" more brake is used.
Brembo kits are awesome, and anyone who has one can testify to it. The European Car Magazine Project M3, which we do all of the work on, has a 14" front and ~13" rear. The brakes on that car are so good that passengers actually black out if the pedal is stomped!
Thanks
Ben
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From: San Francisco, CA
1996 C36 AMG, 1995 Volvo 850 Turbowagon
holy crap!! ...that's not good. so that m3 with brembo 14 f 13 r? same kit that dinan has right? saw one on a black m3 e36 here not long ago...was running 12s...damn huge.
sidenote...our c36 does have a softer pedal feel than even my volvo wagon.
sidenote...our c36 does have a softer pedal feel than even my volvo wagon.
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From: Scottsdale, AZ
Originally posted by steve s
try this for a test. c if u can find a nice quiet piece of freeway. do some stops where u need to slow down from freeway speed to a stop....no ..i don't want u to stop in the middle of a freeway. but say an exit ramp. see if u can find those where u can brake and stop..then immediately get back on and exit the next one..
try this for a test. c if u can find a nice quiet piece of freeway. do some stops where u need to slow down from freeway speed to a stop....no ..i don't want u to stop in the middle of a freeway. but say an exit ramp. see if u can find those where u can brake and stop..then immediately get back on and exit the next one..
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2010 C300 4matic
Originally posted by MacPhisto
Again, I ask the question. Has anyone in REAL LIFE (not some theory), experienced brake fade in their C Class? No one has raised their hand yet.
Again, I ask the question. Has anyone in REAL LIFE (not some theory), experienced brake fade in their C Class? No one has raised their hand yet.
So just because someone wants to buy bigger brakes whether it be for looks or performance, that is their choice. Why do you care?
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From: Scottsdale, AZ
Because people are touting the benefits of bigger brakes on their street cars. I just want to know what those benefits are, because I don't see them.
If, on the other hand, people are spending money to put big, heavy brakes on their car for cosmetic reasons only (as you suggest) - I don't care. I don't see anyone coming out and saying that, though. Instead, there is always some amorphous, unsubstantiated reason why the performance of the stock Mercedes brakes are inadequate in size - I am just trying to get to those reasons.
But, you're right. If someone were to admit "I have had absolutely no problems with my stock brakes and am buying bigger brakes for cosmetic reasons only," the issue is over. There is nothing left to talk about.
If, on the other hand, people are spending money to put big, heavy brakes on their car for cosmetic reasons only (as you suggest) - I don't care. I don't see anyone coming out and saying that, though. Instead, there is always some amorphous, unsubstantiated reason why the performance of the stock Mercedes brakes are inadequate in size - I am just trying to get to those reasons.
But, you're right. If someone were to admit "I have had absolutely no problems with my stock brakes and am buying bigger brakes for cosmetic reasons only," the issue is over. There is nothing left to talk about.
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2010 C300 4matic
Originally posted by MacPhisto
Because people are touting the benefits of bigger brakes on their street cars. I just want to know what those benefits are, because I don't see them.
Because people are touting the benefits of bigger brakes on their street cars. I just want to know what those benefits are, because I don't see them.
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From: San Francisco, CA
1996 C36 AMG, 1995 Volvo 850 Turbowagon
i put them brembos on my wagon. i did feel some fade when it came to stock brakes. volvo's are known to be safe, so don't go saying the stock c-class r way better than stock 850 (166ft 70-0 8/94 850 turbo, 172ft 70-0 10/02 c320, c/d). but this fade was really just when i came down hard on the freeway. on twisty highways (like on ca highway 1), i didn't feel much ... only when i went extra hard did it fade. i also noticed a big diff in braking distance when i was hauling stuff. that's the main reasons i got them brembos. and the difference is pretty amazing. the low speed stiffness is more due to stainless steel brake lines, but the high speed stopping power is a real improvement. hope that helps a little.
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2010 C300 4matic
Originally posted by steve s
i put them brembos on my wagon. i did feel some fade when it came to stock brakes. volvo's are known to be safe, so don't go saying the stock c-class r way better than stock 850 (166ft 70-0 8/94 850 turbo, 172ft 70-0 10/02 c320, c/d). but this fade was really just when i came down hard on the freeway. on twisty highways (like on ca highway 1), i didn't feel much ... only when i went extra hard did it fade.
i put them brembos on my wagon. i did feel some fade when it came to stock brakes. volvo's are known to be safe, so don't go saying the stock c-class r way better than stock 850 (166ft 70-0 8/94 850 turbo, 172ft 70-0 10/02 c320, c/d). but this fade was really just when i came down hard on the freeway. on twisty highways (like on ca highway 1), i didn't feel much ... only when i went extra hard did it fade.
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It's hard to understand just how great Brembo Brakes are until you have owned a car with them. I completely understand where most of you are coming from, as this is my first car with Brembos. They make a big difference, no questions asked. It's not just brake fade. I lost 10-15 ft off my normal stops, and found myself having to readjust my deceleration for the first couple days. They also feel much smoother. Stops are smooth and precise, without the normal slight jolt you feel when the car normally reaches a complete stop. Steve and I have had cars with Brembo big brake kits on them, and that's why we can see it from a different angle.
They aren't just for racing, they help all braking. Yes, the C32 has great brakes to begin with, but like all, they leave room for improvement. Even the 14" kit has room to improve, but I don't feel like putting an $8,000 set on my car.
They aren't just for racing, they help all braking. Yes, the C32 has great brakes to begin with, but like all, they leave room for improvement. Even the 14" kit has room to improve, but I don't feel like putting an $8,000 set on my car.
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1996 C36 AMG, 1995 Volvo 850 Turbowagon
Originally posted by Matt230K
If you got brake fade just from slowing down once from highway speeds, no matter how hard, then they probably weren't very good brakes. This usually happens after repeated stops and too much heat in the brakes.
If you got brake fade just from slowing down once from highway speeds, no matter how hard, then they probably weren't very good brakes. This usually happens after repeated stops and too much heat in the brakes.
no, u'r right...it was a few times stopping from high speed..
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From: Scottsdale, AZ
Originally posted by Mach430
It's hard to understand just how great Brembo Brakes are until you have owned a car with them. I completely understand where most of you are coming from, as this is my first car with Brembos. They make a big difference, no questions asked. It's not just brake fade. I lost 10-15 ft off my normal stops, and found myself having to readjust my deceleration for the first couple days.
It's hard to understand just how great Brembo Brakes are until you have owned a car with them. I completely understand where most of you are coming from, as this is my first car with Brembos. They make a big difference, no questions asked. It's not just brake fade. I lost 10-15 ft off my normal stops, and found myself having to readjust my deceleration for the first couple days.
If not, and you want to stop "10-15 feet shorter" in your normal stops with your stock brakes, then simply step on the brakes harder!!
If you are saying that the larger brakes simply require less effort to stop shorter, then that is a different story. Although its hard to imagine that anyone would want MB brakes to require LESS effort - they are already pretty boosted. Any more, and it will be like "your father's Oldsmobile."
It sounds like what someone really needs to develop is a modification to the power brake boost system - that should be cheap and easy and give you the Oldmobile brakes you seem to like. Putting big, expensive, heavy brakes on an already overboosted MB to simply obtain even less pedal effort is a big waste of money.
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Brembo big brake kit or C32 brake kit??? Which to get?
I am indefinetly going for a big brake upgrade and I had a question should I go for the cheaper C32 brake upgrade or go w/the Brembo package that performance stores sell? There is approximately a $1200 price difference between both(the least expensive being the C32 upgrade). I want it to be noticeable that I have upgraded and I've seen some pics of C32's and I could bearly distungiush that the brakes are different than regular C Class's. Does anybody have any pics w/either upgrade?? Any feedback is appreciated...
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You could barely tell the difference?
The rotor is cross drilled, thats the most obvious difference. The brembo kit is nice, so is c32 set ( which is made by brembo ). I think if you are not going to track your car then get the c32 set and just paint the caliper what ever color you want it.
If you want the show off factor then get the brembos.
if money is no matter then why not get the brembos.
~fk
The rotor is cross drilled, thats the most obvious difference. The brembo kit is nice, so is c32 set ( which is made by brembo ). I think if you are not going to track your car then get the c32 set and just paint the caliper what ever color you want it.
If you want the show off factor then get the brembos.
if money is no matter then why not get the brembos.
~fk
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Re: Brembo big brake kit or C32 brake kit??? Which to get?
Originally posted by enri007
I am indefinetly going for a big brake upgrade and I had a question should I go for the cheaper C32 brake upgrade or go w/the Brembo package that performance stores sell? There is approximately a $1200 price difference between both(the least expensive being the C32 upgrade). I want it to be noticeable that I have upgraded and I've seen some pics of C32's and I could bearly distungiush that the brakes are different than regular C Class's. Does anybody have any pics w/either upgrade?? Any feedback is appreciated...
I am indefinetly going for a big brake upgrade and I had a question should I go for the cheaper C32 brake upgrade or go w/the Brembo package that performance stores sell? There is approximately a $1200 price difference between both(the least expensive being the C32 upgrade). I want it to be noticeable that I have upgraded and I've seen some pics of C32's and I could bearly distungiush that the brakes are different than regular C Class's. Does anybody have any pics w/either upgrade?? Any feedback is appreciated...
Yes, I agree that if you dont plan to go on the track, there is no need to get a Brembo brakes. I am sure MB has done a lot of research on what brakes to use for their cars. Upgrading the brakes is more for cosmetic purpose. There is a BIG difference between the C32 brakes and the regular Cs, unless you're looking at the rear brakes!
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Brembo brakes on a C240, am I missing something here? Why do you feel you need better brakes?
As for AMG vs. Brembo, they look pretty similar to me and both are made by Brembo. Of course the AMG don't say Brembo but to some that's a plus. Also the AMG only come in one color, silver and the Brembo is more colorful. If you are just going for the look just paint the calipers with high temp paint and get cross drilled rotors.
As for AMG vs. Brembo, they look pretty similar to me and both are made by Brembo. Of course the AMG don't say Brembo but to some that's a plus. Also the AMG only come in one color, silver and the Brembo is more colorful. If you are just going for the look just paint the calipers with high temp paint and get cross drilled rotors.
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From: San Francisco, CA
1996 C36 AMG, 1995 Volvo 850 Turbowagon
there have been many threads about this. if u go c32, make sure ur rims clear the caliper. in either case, only 17" rims will do.
84 post thread
c&d's test on big brake kits
84 post thread
c&d's test on big brake kits
