C43 vs C32 Brakes
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 3,559
Likes: 4
From: Las Vegas, NV USA / London, UK
GL320CDI / C63 Edition 507 Coupe (EDP) / E63 S (on order) / G500 / Smart Brabus
Originally Posted by KC36AMG
What makes the C43 brakes so expensive and is it considered better than all the rest?
-s-
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
c43 vs C32 Brakes
I have to change my rotors that are $500 for the pair. I can get the C32 set up for about $850, is it worth it to spend the extra money or am I going to make it redundant or lose on performance? The C43 rotors are 13.1 compared to the 13.6 on the C32. What is the piston set up onthe C43 factory calipers compared to the C32? It sure looks good.
Trending Topics
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,597
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco, CA
1996 C36 AMG, 1995 Volvo 850 Turbowagon
the brakes are backwards for the w203 vs w202. the c32 4-pot brakes are located on the inboard of the hub (closer to passenger cabin). c43 are opposite, on the outboard of the hub (closer to the front bumper). the problem is not whether or not the rotors and the calipers would fit, they should and will, but then, u'd be running the caliper upside down.. and usually, with multi-piston calipers, there is a correct sequence in which direction the rotor is usually swept... basically, u'd be running reverse on ur brakes all the time.. besides... more than one c32 owner on this forum have cracked rotors and discolored calipers (silver to gold) because it over-heated. u'd be better off getting a bbk from ap racing or brembo...
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,923
Likes: 3
Mercedes Benz
Originally Posted by steve s
the brakes are backwards for the w203 vs w202. the c32 4-pot brakes are located on the inboard of the hub (closer to passenger cabin). c43 are opposite, on the outboard of the hub (closer to the front bumper). the problem is not whether or not the rotors and the calipers would fit, they should and will, but then, u'd be running the caliper upside down.. and usually, with multi-piston calipers, there is a correct sequence in which direction the rotor is usually swept... basically, u'd be running reverse on ur brakes all the time.. besides... more than one c32 owner on this forum have cracked rotors and discolored calipers (silver to gold) because it over-heated. u'd be better off getting a bbk from ap racing or brembo...
Exactly!
The brake caliper will fit just fine but the leading edge is wrong with the C32 brake caliper. The piston size of the leading piston is normally sized differently than the second piston. This effects the way the brakes bite when they are first applied. I would stick with stock or just go with a set of stoptechs (brembo like but less money).
As for the brakes changing color, this happens to all large brake kits with painted calipers. I have seen brembo bbk's, stoptechs, Porsche brakes, and Brabus (painted calipers) all with a mucky dark bronze finish. Red 996 brakes turn brown while silver StopTechs turn a nice dark bronze. This all has to do with how hard you drive and the normal driver will never push their car hard enough to induce this color shift. It just happens...I call it a sign of "I use my
