Changing to AMG brakes - what are the risks/possible brake failure?
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Joined: Oct 2004
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'06 CLS350, '07 E200K, '05 BMW525
Changing to AMG brakes - what are the risks/possible brake failure?
Hey guys, I've got a set of AMG brakes (disc, callipers, brake pads, etc) sitting at home and I've been wanting to put it on my C230K. I called up one of the Mercedes Benz centers in my area but they said they won't install it for me because of liability issues. According to the chief mechanic, upgrading the brakes runs a risk of ABS or even total brake failure. Cars come equipped with AMG brakes (eg C55, E55) are equipped with a larger brake pump and a few other different parts I can't remember as part of the brake system. He pointed out that AMG brakes are not compatible with non-AMG vehicles.
Is this true? I'm sure many of you have installed the brakes. Any problems for you guys? Any mechanics in the house who could shed some light on this? Thanks.
Is this true? I'm sure many of you have installed the brakes. Any problems for you guys? Any mechanics in the house who could shed some light on this? Thanks.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 35,855
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From: Southern CA
Your dealer is an absolute moron who needs to check the resources and parts guides that he/she, of all people, has direct access to. The only difference between the C32 brakes and the non-AMG brakes are the physical brakes themselves. The master-cylinders, brake boosters, lines, etc are the same. If you were to install the C32 brakes, you would essentially have the exact same braking system as the C32...
Is your dealer saying that the C32 brakes have ABS or total failure?
Is your dealer saying that the C32 brakes have ABS or total failure?
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Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Las Vegas
2003 C230 K , 2001 ML320
I haven't put them on yet, but the low dust formulation of C32 AMG brake pads are not that expensive. They list for $99, I paid $81 at Caliber Motors
part # 004-420-05-20
part # 004-420-05-20
Last edited by breastroker; Nov 2, 2004 at 10:10 PM.
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From: So. Oregon Coast
C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort RIP
Wuh?! What a load of crap.
Funny, the dealer has never said anything to me.
One of the mechanics did compliment the looks though.
They did once tell me I needed new rear pads.
I ignored them...saved 330 bucks...
and funny thing, they've looked at them since then, 25K miles on and still aren't saying they should be replaced.
Funny, the dealer has never said anything to me.
One of the mechanics did compliment the looks though.
They did once tell me I needed new rear pads.
I ignored them...saved 330 bucks...
and funny thing, they've looked at them since then, 25K miles on and still aren't saying they should be replaced.
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'06 CLS350, '07 E200K, '05 BMW525
I'm in Malaysia, not the US, so at first I thought the cars might be built differently around here. Mach430 pointed out to me that the master cylinders, boosters, etc are all the same, as have some of you guys, so I'm pretty confident about it now.
But yes, my dealer (or rather, the head mechanic from my dealership) is an absolute moron. He thought I wanted to upgrade my brakes on the W202, which I previously owned. He wasted a lot of my time by failing to listen properly.
Anyways, my car look sweeeeeet now with the brakes. I'll post some pics later. Thanks folks!
But yes, my dealer (or rather, the head mechanic from my dealership) is an absolute moron. He thought I wanted to upgrade my brakes on the W202, which I previously owned. He wasted a lot of my time by failing to listen properly.
Anyways, my car look sweeeeeet now with the brakes. I'll post some pics later. Thanks folks!
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'06 CLS350, '07 E200K, '05 BMW525
My girlfriend bought it for me as a birthday present but I believe it's around RM4,500, which is about USD 1,184.21. Price is without installation but labor here is cheap - USD 50 to get it installed.
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From: Brisbane, Australia
C200K (w204)
Did your girlfriend buy it over in the dealer?? Nice girlfriend u got there hehehehe. I wanna install it by myself, just the matter of getting them at the correct price. Thx for the info mate.
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'06 CLS350, '07 E200K, '05 BMW525
No problem, W0n6.
Mach, it's not the shipping that's expensive, but the duty for imported goods. The import duty ranges anyway from 35 - 55% depending on the goods. I've purchased vinyl records online for USD9.95 a piece, but ended up paying USD13 - 14 not including shipping. On top of that, all imported will sit in customs for a week or more before clearance and duty quotation. Overall it's just a lot more hassle.
By the way, I've got mine installed yesterday for USD15! I thought it was ridiculously cheap for a 2-hour job but I'm not complaining
.
Mach, those guys clamped the brake hose, albeit slightly, when they were changing the calipers to prevent brake fluid leakage. Is that normal? I thought they would drain out the fluid completely and top it up after installation, but I was wrong. I hope they didn't jam up the hose. It's working fine now but...just a little bit concerned.
I've also installed Bilstein shocks with Eibach springs and the ride wasn't as bumpy as I'd thought it would be. In fact, the difference is hardly noticeable.
Mach, it's not the shipping that's expensive, but the duty for imported goods. The import duty ranges anyway from 35 - 55% depending on the goods. I've purchased vinyl records online for USD9.95 a piece, but ended up paying USD13 - 14 not including shipping. On top of that, all imported will sit in customs for a week or more before clearance and duty quotation. Overall it's just a lot more hassle.
By the way, I've got mine installed yesterday for USD15! I thought it was ridiculously cheap for a 2-hour job but I'm not complaining
.Mach, those guys clamped the brake hose, albeit slightly, when they were changing the calipers to prevent brake fluid leakage. Is that normal? I thought they would drain out the fluid completely and top it up after installation, but I was wrong. I hope they didn't jam up the hose. It's working fine now but...just a little bit concerned.
I've also installed Bilstein shocks with Eibach springs and the ride wasn't as bumpy as I'd thought it would be. In fact, the difference is hardly noticeable.
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From: San Diego, Ca
2003 Citron Green C230KMT
i thought clamping the end of the hose was acceptable way of preventing brake fluid leakage. saves brake fluid. $15USD is way cheap! 
i paid $150USD for mine.
good thing i got it in a group buy.
i paid $150USD for mine.
good thing i got it in a group buy.
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From: San Diego, Ca
2003 Citron Green C230KMT
Originally Posted by breastroker
I haven't put them on yet, but the low dust formulation of C32 AMG brake pads are not that expensive. They list for $99, I paid $81 at Caliber Motors
part # 004-420-05-20
part # 004-420-05-20
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 4,005
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From: Houston, TX
2015 E250D
I did the install myself and you can check the complete install direcetions on Eric's site. www.installuniversity.com
