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My W205 C300 Base Brakes Conversion/Upgrade Project
This is a chronicle of my project to upgrade my base (avantgarde) C300 4Matic brakes to a larger, better performing, and better-looking brake system using genuine MB calipers. These are my main goals:
- Larger and smoother-faced calipers that will take paint well
- Larger drilled and slotted rotors - Matching front and rear rotor diameters
- Minimal amount of customization
- Keep it under $2000 if possible
Since I just made the decision to do this very recently (after dagger22 rightly pointed out that the stock brakes look weak on my setup... which I knew... I just needed some motivation to do something about it ), I have things to learn. So... if any of you have any input or advice, it is appreciated!
I've already decided I'm doing C43 brakes on the front, which the rotors are 360mm x 36mm. To match the rotor size on the rear (and for better-looking calipers) it looks like my best path is to do C63 brakes on the rear, in which the rotors are 360mm x 26mm. The rear C63 brakes are my greatest unknown for proper fitment and is what I need some help with from those who may have done it or have the knowledge.
This will most likely be a slow process, as my life is somewhat busy and I prefer to do most work myself so finding the extra time to do these things is my greatest challenge. I will update this thread as I go along and I hope this will serve as a good example for those wanting to do the same!
This is a chronicle of my project to upgrade my base (avantgarde) C300 4Matic brakes to a larger, better performing, and better-looking brake system using genuine MB calipers. These are my main goals:
- Larger and smoother-faced calipers that will take paint well
- Larger drilled and slotted rotors - Matching front and rear rotor diameters
- Minimal amount of customization
- Keep it under $2000 if possible
Since I just made the decision to do this very recently (after dagger22 rightly pointed out that the stock brakes look weak on my setup... which I knew... I just needed some motivation to do something about it ), I have things to learn. So... if any of you have any input or advice, it is appreciated!
I've already decided I'm doing C43 brakes on the front, which the rotors are 360mm x 36mm. To match the rotor size on the rear (and for better-looking calipers) it looks like my best path is to do C63 brakes on the rear, in which the rotors are 360mm x 26mm. The rear C63 brakes are my greatest unknown for proper fitment and is what I need some help with from those who may have done it or have the knowledge.
This will most likely be a slow process, as my life is somewhat busy and I prefer to do most work myself so finding the extra time to do these things is my greatest challenge. I will update this thread as I go along and I hope this will serve as a good example for those wanting to do the same!
here’s your reference to the rear C63s brakes upgrade. You will need to replace the electronic brake pedal cable, part number shown in pic.
Other than that it should fit well. Do take note the rotor hub is thicker so it will make your wheel offset jut out a few mm more.
do check as well the caliper alignment to ensure it is equal gap distance between the inner and outer rotor, this can be easily resolved with washers/shims, if its not equal.
Thanks dude. Yeah, I read that thread earlier, nothing conclusive and if I go with red I want it to match the MB color exactly. Since there are probably 100,000+ shades of red, guessing is no fun.
I haven't made the final decision of what color I'm going with yet, but I'm considering the following (in order):
#1: MB caliper red (pretty sure I'll go "safe" with red ATM)
#2: MB caliper yellow
#3 Metallic copper
#4 Metallic dark gold-ish (similar to the MB ceramic calipers)
#5 Metallic Petronas green
here’s your reference to the rear C63s brakes upgrade. You will need to replace the electronic brake pedal cable, part number shown in pic.
Other than that it should fit well. Do take note the rotor hub is thicker so it will make your wheel offset jut out a few mm more.
do check as well the caliper alignment to ensure it is equal gap distance between the inner and outer rotor, this can be easily resolved with washers/shims, if its not equal.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! This helps me SO much man! Awesome.
One of my concerns is my wheel setup. The Vossen VFS-1's have a reverse lip design to allow for the smooth barrel look to the inside of the wheel. This places the valve stem in direct orbit of the caliper. When I installed them new, the first thing that happened was the valve stems struck the calipers. Since I could not find short TPMS valve stems, I ended up going with straight shorty valve stems (as short as I could find), then attached the TPMS sensors to a metal band (a massive hose clamp) to the inside of the wheel. Worked out great.
I do not have a lot of clearance between the valve stem and the caliper, so I'm hoping the C43 calipers do not expand the circumference too much. I'll have to wait a bit and see by doing a trial fitment of the new calipers.
This is a slow-rolling project, but I'm getting one step closer!
I just purchased two rear C63 calipers off a 2018 C63 sedan. I've been watching eBay for some time and set a search notification... got an email this morning that this pair was just listed, so I snagged them!
This is a slow-rolling project, but I'm getting one step closer!
I just purchased two rear C63 calipers off a 2018 C63 sedan. I've been watching eBay for some time and set a search notification... got an email this morning that this pair was just listed, so I snagged them!
Pair Price: $563.39
Total w/Tax & Shipping: $626.64
Nice! and more importantly you got a set that comes with the e-brake cables!
For brake pads, you can look for Powerstop Z17 or Z23, they are ceramic pads.... very very little dust and good braking power.
With all this money spent, why didn't you start the project with a C400? You would have saved money in the long run and had the power to back it up!
A valid question and I definitely understand where you're coming from... but it's not what I'm about. Throughout my life I've always modded my cars to be something unique. This gives me the most satisfaction.
When I was younger, power was everything. This is no longer my top priority.
Any toolbag with a heartbeat and a credit score can rock a C63/C43/C450/C400 and feel on top of the world. I have great respect and more appreciation for cars that have blood, sweat and tears poured into them by their owners and have individual personality... something that cannot be delivered from the factory or obtained by signing on the dotted line.
"Saving money" is all in how you calculate your math and what's important to you. As an example, here is how I justify my expenses on this car:
I purchased my low-mileage 2015 C300 in 2018 for $22K.
To date, I've put approximately $15K into the car.
So I'm about $37K in.
If I would have purchased this car new and paid it off, the sticker was $52K.
In the end, I would have paid $52K and still had a bone-stock C300. Today I'm at $37K and have something that can't be bought at a MB dealer.
Hi there. Please don't take this personally or be offended, but since you just joined this forum and this is your first post, I'm not comfortable doing a private transaction and I would prefer it be done through Ebay. I hope you understand.
However, I can do this: I can modify my Ebay listing to accept offers and I will accept an offer from you at $100 off on each pair which would bring the total to $829 and you would pay the total shipping from Florida.
If this works for you, let me know when you're ready to commit on Ebay and I will open the listings to offers.
I know it could be a bit late because you sold the car and forgot upgrade but don't know if you (or someone) could answer a question.
I am trying to retrofit C43 front brakes in my S205 (2016). Rotors are 360mm, but don't know if they would fit in my 18 inch rims 5 spoke wheel.
Thanks in advance
I have replied to your PM. It's plug and play, but you will need spacers to offset your current rims, please use the C43 18" wheel offset as the reference.
This is a chronicle of my project to upgrade my base (avantgarde) C300 4Matic brakes to a larger, better performing, and better-looking brake system using genuine MB calipers. These are my main goals:
- Larger and smoother-faced calipers that will take paint well
- Larger drilled and slotted rotors - Matching front and rear rotor diameters
- Minimal amount of customization
- Keep it under $2000 if possible
Since I just made the decision to do this very recently (after dagger22 rightly pointed out that the stock brakes look weak on my setup... which I knew... I just needed some motivation to do something about it ), I have things to learn. So... if any of you have any input or advice, it is appreciated!
I've already decided I'm doing C43 brakes on the front, which the rotors are 360mm x 36mm. To match the rotor size on the rear (and for better-looking calipers) it looks like my best path is to do C63 brakes on the rear, in which the rotors are 360mm x 26mm. The rear C63 brakes are my greatest unknown for proper fitment and is what I need some help with from those who may have done it or have the knowledge.
This will most likely be a slow process, as my life is somewhat busy and I prefer to do most work myself so finding the extra time to do these things is my greatest challenge. I will update this thread as I go along and I hope this will serve as a good example for those wanting to do the same!
i have a 2019 c300 base model non 4matic. I just purchases 2017 c43 calipers. What size rotors do i need to make this work for a non 4matic base model?
03-08-2022, 10:48 AM
), I have things to learn. So... if any of you have any input or advice, it is appreciated!
