DIY Brakes Budget Option
04-07-2015, 12:59 PM
#1
Member
Thread Starter
DIY Brakes Budget Option
After seeing so many very high quotes for brake jobs I did a lot of research and made some choices that have worked out well for me so far. Time will tell but I thought I would pass it along.
My background is that I am an aircraft mechanic and have always had custom cars which I work on all of the time. I have done everything from painting to supercharger installs. I also can name the mechanics I trust on a VERY short list as unfortunately I have seen and been victim to too may rip offs and horror stories.
Looking at my 2012 P31 W204 I needed new front pads. The 2 piece rotors where fine but after researching options I see the rotors are kind of pricy. I made the decision to swap the rotors to stock MB solid 1 piece rotors I got local for $130 a piece vs the 2 piece that where $850 each. For pads I chose very inexpensive PowerStop Evolution Z23 Sport Pads that where about $60. I know a TON of people will shriek in horror over that choice and the price but it is not always about how much you pay for a product that makes it quality.
After break in Ect. I have experienced no change at all VS the stock setup. Yes I am sure the Stig may notice 5 feet longer braking from 188 mph to a stop but this is my driver. So long story short. Brake job was $320 plus a few supplies.
For those who also don't realize this but our brakes are EASY and I mean SUPER easy to work on. I screwed around and this job took about an hour to finish. Just a pad swap is a 15 min job per wheel.
Anyway just thought I would post an FYI for anyone interested.
My background is that I am an aircraft mechanic and have always had custom cars which I work on all of the time. I have done everything from painting to supercharger installs. I also can name the mechanics I trust on a VERY short list as unfortunately I have seen and been victim to too may rip offs and horror stories.
Looking at my 2012 P31 W204 I needed new front pads. The 2 piece rotors where fine but after researching options I see the rotors are kind of pricy. I made the decision to swap the rotors to stock MB solid 1 piece rotors I got local for $130 a piece vs the 2 piece that where $850 each. For pads I chose very inexpensive PowerStop Evolution Z23 Sport Pads that where about $60. I know a TON of people will shriek in horror over that choice and the price but it is not always about how much you pay for a product that makes it quality.
After break in Ect. I have experienced no change at all VS the stock setup. Yes I am sure the Stig may notice 5 feet longer braking from 188 mph to a stop but this is my driver. So long story short. Brake job was $320 plus a few supplies.
For those who also don't realize this but our brakes are EASY and I mean SUPER easy to work on. I screwed around and this job took about an hour to finish. Just a pad swap is a 15 min job per wheel.
Anyway just thought I would post an FYI for anyone interested.
04-07-2015, 03:34 PM
#4
Senior Member
Thanks for sharing and I agree with you.
There was a recent big thread on P30/P31 owners changing over to regular solid rotors. Yes they weigh more, but the reality is that most C63s came with solid rotors anyway and you will never notice the difference on a street car and save $1500 in the process.
There was a recent big thread on P30/P31 owners changing over to regular solid rotors. Yes they weigh more, but the reality is that most C63s came with solid rotors anyway and you will never notice the difference on a street car and save $1500 in the process.
04-07-2015, 05:09 PM
#6
Member
Thread Starter
rotors
Not selling sorry. Those things are crazy expensive for what they are.
The originals only had 16K on them and are in good shape. I am not planning on selling them as I plan to reinstall them later when I sell the car. I know there is a weight savings and 100% agree they are better for performance but in my world it won't matter. BUT I know since its a P31 car that selling it I will take a hit if the 2 piece rotors are not on the car. So I boxed them up and they are in my shop cabinet waiting.
I saw the previous posts but I figured as a new forum member I would share my experience for others that are new. This is a GREAT group and the amount of information is really impressive.
The originals only had 16K on them and are in good shape. I am not planning on selling them as I plan to reinstall them later when I sell the car. I know there is a weight savings and 100% agree they are better for performance but in my world it won't matter. BUT I know since its a P31 car that selling it I will take a hit if the 2 piece rotors are not on the car. So I boxed them up and they are in my shop cabinet waiting.
I saw the previous posts but I figured as a new forum member I would share my experience for others that are new. This is a GREAT group and the amount of information is really impressive.
04-07-2015, 05:40 PM
#7
Not selling sorry. Those things are crazy expensive for what they are.
The originals only had 16K on them and are in good shape. I am not planning on selling them as I plan to reinstall them later when I sell the car. I know there is a weight savings and 100% agree they are better for performance but in my world it won't matter. BUT I know since its a P31 car that selling it I will take a hit if the 2 piece rotors are not on the car. So I boxed them up and they are in my shop cabinet waiting.
I saw the previous posts but I figured as a new forum member I would share my experience for others that are new. This is a GREAT group and the amount of information is really impressive.
The originals only had 16K on them and are in good shape. I am not planning on selling them as I plan to reinstall them later when I sell the car. I know there is a weight savings and 100% agree they are better for performance but in my world it won't matter. BUT I know since its a P31 car that selling it I will take a hit if the 2 piece rotors are not on the car. So I boxed them up and they are in my shop cabinet waiting.
I saw the previous posts but I figured as a new forum member I would share my experience for others that are new. This is a GREAT group and the amount of information is really impressive.
When my time comes I might buy aftermarket two piece
