Ready2roll

Hi everyone, I just joined the forum and finalized my deal on a new CLS 63 today.

The search for one has been a tough one as apparently there aren't that many out there right now. My dealer finally located one that fit my needs, but it has the carbon ceramic brakes. I really wasn't looking for this option nor did I want the $12,600 extra cost

My question is this a rare option? I haven't seen any other 63's currently available with this option. When the time comes will my resale value be much more than a 63 with regular brakes? I'm just hoping I'm not spending 12k extra for something I will regret

other than that I think the yellow calipers will look great on my black car

Vic55

If you are not tracking your car religiously its an overpriced option IMHO. Furthermore, when you have to do maintenance it will cost you way more to replace. Its just not necessary on a GT cruiser like the CLS. And for resale Id have to say its not going to help that much. For 12k I can think of so much more Id do on the car than Ceramics.

FYI- the calipers are gold (not a bright gold either) not yellow. I say this because there is a clear distinction between the two having seen yellows on Porsche TT's.

Ready2roll

aaah yes, I just did a search and see that now. The gold is even better. I love it!

6.3AMG

If it were me, I'd order the car and get it exactly how I want it. Dont settle.

justthebest

I echo the "order it as you like it" opinion, and I would also try to experience a car that doesn't have the CCs before you decide. The "standard" brakes are already excessive - I beat up on them at Laguna Seca for a weekend, and they exceeded my requests pretty handily. Also, if you're in the US, I'd triple check that the car would even have the CCs - they are not, per MBUSA, offered as an option in the US. They might even show as an available option when you go through the program, but when the dealer either submits the order or receives confirmation that the build has started, they will be deleted.

ajag

+1 and most guys that track cars w/ OEM CC swap them out 'cause the replacement cost is so high.

hyperion667

seriously, at that cost, it should be what you want, and not what they want.....
it is expensive, and not really worth it unless going to a track as mentioned.....
and when it's time to replace them......whoh mamma!
they do look good though, and when other enthusists see you they'd be impressed.....
but no one really knows what that means anyway right? hehe.....

good luck ad enjoy!

Misiek4

I drove both cars (cls63) with and without carbon brakes. You can trust me that the difference is really huge. On car with carbon brakes you just touch brake pedal and car immediately stops. On standard brakes you have to push the brake pedal much stronger to stop it. It is hard to describe but brake feeling is much much better. I know, 12000 USD is not the bargain, but if someone doesn't take care about money it is "must be" option.

Ready2roll

Interesting!
Yes, I'm absolutely sure my car has the ceramic brakes. Attached is the sheet on it showing all the options

You confirm what I thought though... this is a VERY rare option for a car here in the US. Maybe they just started offering this option and this is the first one here in the US? I know when my dealer was searching for available units this was the only car with the CC brake option available at any dealer.

Ready2roll

Guy's, I really appreciate all the comments. You may want to do some more research on the carbon ceramic brakes. There are quite a few comments about replacement costs. Fact of the matter is the carbon rotors should last the life of the car.... they will certainly last far longer than I anticipate keeping the car.

If you track your car how often will you have to change your non CC rotors? I can tell you that I've got a C6 ZO6 making just over 1000 RWHP and I'm on my third set of rotors. I wish I had the CC brakes that were on the ZR1, I would never wear them out.


Really? Think, about what you just said for a minute. No offense, but do you really think someone is going to pay $12,600 for a CC brake option to remove them and install lesser brakes just because of replacement cost?
Not to mention buying a set of the regular brakes will probably set them back anther 8-10K.
Sorry I just don't buy this. If someone pays that kind of money for the CC brakes they are NOT taking them off

Ready2roll

Thanks very much for your input. I like real world info

I'll be picking up my car late Thursday afternoon or Friday morning. I can't wait! Renntech tune is soon to follow

Vic55

Its available in the US and on the website to build- when I got my car in October there was a white one in the showroom with the gold package LOL...

I have seen several cars in Cali via Autotrader.com that had them- most of these cars will sticker for over 130k. The white one I saw was a 117k sticker, it didnt have the PP.

Ready2roll

Thanks for clearing that up Vic. Glad to know there are others out there and my car won't be the guinea pig

Vic55

Its true in quite some instances... do some searches over at 6 speed online in the Porsche community. My personal Porsche tuner Stuttgart in Costa Mesa has built some of the best GT3 Track cars and they always comment on the members/customers replacing the PCCB's with aftermarket upgrades. You dont have to buy it- you asked for the opinions and thats what you got. Enjoy your car!! I like the build... I got a black on black too.

Ready2roll

There just may be some truth to that. I come from the Corvette world where my car is a pretty heavy hitter and I know that none of the ZR1 guys are switching over to non CC brakes. That would just be sacrilegious with that crowd

hyperion667

the everyday use is still an isse for me........going really fast.....stopping really hard and fast, BUT you guys have made some great points I won't forget...
thanx for helping me understand more, (seriously)

oliver@velosdesignwerks.com

Congrats on the new purchase! Enjoy in good health

Ready2roll

Thank you sir!

ajag

I'm speaking from most of my (limited) experience being in the Porsche racing community. The cost of steel rotors is less than 1/2 of CC, so most of my GTx buddies would try to get a car w/o CC, or swap out to steel after they got the car, and swap back to CC before selling. The cost differential may be less in Vettes. Regardless, congrats on the car, I loved the CC on my GT2.

Ready2roll

That makes perfect sense!

805Benz

This option is not rare, there are several cars with the these brakes in California.

Resale value won't help much at all. You got the mod blood in you, it won't matter anyways.

In reagards to regrets, based on your other post you seem quite excited and would like to justify the expense. If it makes you happy go for it.

Make sure the dealer does not BS you. Pricing near invoice (or a bit more) should not be too hard to achieve.

How do you go through 3 sets of rotors? On the streets?

Anyways, congrats

Ready2roll

Thanks my friend! You are right I'm very happy with the fact that I have the CC brakes on my new ride. It just took me a while to swallow the cost of them

Regarding my ZO6... I bought it new back in 2007 and have put quite a lot of hard miles on it. The stock rotors are crap and I had hair line cracks in the front rotors on two different occasions (hi speed stops)
I now have a better after market 2 piece rotor on the car, but I sure would like to have the CC ZR1 brakes one day.

And about that "mod bug" I have it worse than any other I assure you

I got a nice discount on the car also

805Benz

I know what you mean about the stock rotors. I got the Brembo's on my 2007 Z06, they are amazing. In regards to the mod bug, I dont think you have it that much worse... I've been down that path with no turning back

Ready2roll

It's a sickness

Ready2roll

Just a follow up to this thread.... I've got 1000 miles on my car now and one thing that I noticed is ZERO brake dust on the wheels with the CC brakes. This is one feature I'm in love with as I'm constantly cleaning the wheels on my ZO6. The brake dust on that car is ridiculous.