bajaiman

For those who got the C32 brakes upgrade, I just want to know whether you have to get anything else apart from the calipers and the rotors?. Did you change your brake master cylinder??, bolts??..nuts??..

I’ve been told this part number from the dealer:

Front left caliper 002 420 19 83
Front right caliper 002 420 20 83
Rotors A203 421 09 12

Btw…how hard is it to do the conversion yourself????, can anybody share their experiences if you’ve done the conversion yourself?.

Cheers

webbersworld

i want these... how much $$$ for all of the above??



thanks!

ben

bajaiman

I got quoted AU$1450 (calipers, rotors and brake pads) or US$870 from my local Aussie MB dealer, somebody posted here before (I think it was Buelwinkle) saying that you can get the same set for US$650 from Hoehn Mercedes. Search for “C32 brakes”, you find a lot more info.

I was wondering if I can do the installation myself, hopefully somebody in this forum is kindly enough to show me some pointers .

Cheers

peet

If you're pretty handy with tools then installation should be a breeze. I haven't done these yet - long story - but have done many M3 brakes.

The only really specialized tool you'll need is a brake bleeder - otherwise be prepared to yell at your mate to 'pump the pedal now' !! Even still not a good way to go... with abs and bas you want to make sure those lines are pristine.

I would suggest you also get stainless steel brake lines. As long as you'll be emptying your brake fluid, you might as well do that part at the same time. These will do 2 things 1) under heavy braking when the fluid starts getting really hot, the steel lines won't expand (much). 2) they are less likely to break when something flies into your wheel well.

Good luck and have fun!

Peet

P.S. One final tip - use surgery gloves otherwise you'll be digging brake dust out of your pores!

bora

Double check the front rotor numbers, I thought the rotors were directionally vented so there would be a right and a left one.

steve s

u'd think...but here's another thread with the same question..thread

bajaiman

I'm not aware/sure that there are 2 part numbers for the rotors, but I'll double check with the dealer when I pick up my C32 front brakes.

One more thing tho...can I use my current stock W203 front brakes at the back?? ... Its such a waste if I can't use it cos the rear brakes look really punny.

Peet, thanks for the tip mate!

Mach430

NONE of the AMG-Brembo calipers come with directional rotors. Why should MB have to spend another $10 designing the car?

bora

Thanks Ben for clarifying this. I find this amusing. No directional rotors in a 50K+ car.

Bora

SiLvaC32

yes.... i found that weird also.... i went to the dealer and asked them about it, they say everyone has a different theory on brakes... mercedes have their mine set on non-directional. probably save a few bux. i saw the brakes on SL55, they are the same, no directional either.

Jerry

Mach430

Don't forget the 100k+ cars! Would there be a benefit with directinoal rotors? Probably. Would the average Mercedes owner be able to tell the difference? Probably not.

steve s

i wonder if that's what caused jon to have cracked rotors...his pics are on the right/passenger side where the vents/holes are backwards...cracked rotors

scorchie

They ARE directionally vented... but there's only one part number. So one rotor is an incorrect application.

If you find the rotor for a car and the rotor is not cross-drilled, you will often see that the vanes are directional and there are indeed different part numbers left and right.

Examples:

W210 E55
W202 C36
R129 SL500 (NOT 500SL... brakes were changed 1996+)

-s-

bajaiman

1 concern that the MB spare parts guy told me that I should be aware of is…will my braking balance be screwed up if I install C32 front brakes only. My car rear calipers is different with C32 rear calipers.
I also have been told that the brake master cylinder is different too. Can somebody please gimme their input?…specially those of you C230 owners who have installed C32 front brakes upgrade.

Cheers

steve s

nah... try it out...then if u're really concerned or if u feel it's become too unstable on the rear under heavy braking, get the rears upgraded too. then lastly...if u feel u still can't get the leverage on braking...get a new master cylinder that can squeeze even harder.

HigHal320

that gold caliper looks nice.

steve s

nice and fried

trench

I think it was posted that the Coupe had the same rear brake part numbers as the C32. This is why some Coupsters were considering upgrading to the rear brakes from the W210 E55.

Most people won't notice any difference in brake bias (unless you drive race cars for a living). Street cars do about 85% of their braking with the fronts (notice that your front wheels get about ten times dirtier than the rears). You'll be OK just doing the fronts, the current master cylinder should be fine as well, I would replace the lines with stainless, though.

- BT

bajaiman

Thanks for the reply everyone, much appreciated . Looks like the brake upgrade is still on. Will the stainless steel brake lines are still needed if you don’t really do a lot of hard braking?. I think the spare parts guy told me also that C32 has the same brake lines.

steve s

stainless steel brakelines should be the first thing u consider. it'll prevent the flex in the line which results in a mushy pedal. if u go with a brembo kit or another aftermarket big brake kit, they should include at least one pair (for them new calipers) ... if u go with c32 brakes, put the extra 100 (or less) for the stainless steel braided brakelines.

bajaiman

Aha!! thats what I don't like about the brakes in my car right now...it feels mushy and the brake pedal has to travel a long way down before the brakes start to bite. Will getting the C32 front brakes will fix that? I mean I drive C32 between now and then and I really like its brake as it bites a lot more and the much less travel on the brake pedal.
Anybody has any idea where I can get a good stainless steel brake lines?

Lynn

Considering the popularity of motorsports in Oz, there must be a number of shops in the Sidney area which carry stainless steel braided brake lines.

jo17jC230

Evosport told me that steel braided brake lines won't make a big difference unless you take your car to the track...

steve s

really? they sure made the braking feel less mushy on my volvo (well, plus the 13" feel great too)...

peet

Feel or not, they're fairly cheap insurance against a burst brake line. You've drained the fluid already anyhow which is the hard to do (well detail oriented and time intesive anyway) part. Might as well put the lines in.

P