My 2012 C63 has the P30 package with red calipers and so apparently came originally with 2 piece brake rotors. I bought the car used 2 weeks ago. I saw from the maintenance records provided that the MB dealer replaced the front brake pads and rotors last month before putting the car up for sale. Knowing the cost of the 2 piece rotors, I assumed that the replacement rotors put on were 1 piece, since the repair replacement was done while the dealership, not an owner, was going to pay for them.

This morning, i was at the dealership for another reason, and I asked one of the parts people about the part number for the replacement rotors on the shop no-charge inhouse invoice. It is shown as 212-421-05-12. The parts man insists this is the correct part number for the P30 rotors. If so, I am surprised - that was an expensive pre-sale repair.

Is that actually the correct part number for 2 piece rotors?

And, since I know nothing about MB brake configurations yet, what is the visual difference between the 1 piece and 2 piece that is readily apparent without removing a wheel? (So I can take a closer look)

Jim G

True 2 piece has nuts and bolts holding the ring to the hat. 1.5 piece has slots between the hat and ring. 1 piece is solid.

Thanks!

Jim G

Your car was originally equipped with the 1.5 compound version. They have iron rings with fingers and aluminum hats bonded together by Brembo.

P31 looks like this - there are some open spaces between the rotor and the hat

http://smg.photobucket.com/user/craz...d8a4e.jpg.html

Regular look solid between the rotor and the hat.

https://www.ramspeed.com.au/wp-conte...-Caliper-2.jpg

Ah, nothing like a photo to make the difference crystal clear! Thank-you! I'll have a look at mine later today and see what's actually in there now after the replacement was done.

Jim G

This is what I actually have:



I guess I should be pleased at the way Nanaimo Mercedes Benz handled the brake repair between owners.

Jim G

Yeah you're golden

Ya they did the expensive and correct ones!

This is the kind of "right thing to do" MB dealership behaviour that instills trust in the dealership's customers. I myself was impressed with how my salesperson made sure that he pointed out every single imperfection in the car I was considering and then bought.

Jim G

Damn I wish my dealer did my rotors and pads when I picked up my vehicle! It was one thing I kept mentioning I wanted them to do. But here I am 3 months later with 2mm left on brake pads! Probably just go with racing brake setup and install it myself.






-Patel

You're totally right, but they also probably docked the last guy on his trade in because the car needed brakes and whatever else.

Not that I asked for it, but my dealership recommended p31 rotors/pads all around last time I was there and quoted me nearly $5K for it

Yes my dealer has quoted me a number around the $5K mark for the p31 rotor/pad job. Kind of a robbery considering they aren't real 2pc compared to other options.


-Patel

That $5k seems to be the consistent cost that the Canadian dealers quote, as it is exactly what my salesperson told me the brake job that they did cost on the car I bought.

I know that $5k seems awfully costly, but on a car that in Canada goes for mid to high 90s new (2017 model with typical options), the braking system is probably one of 3 areas that MB bought pretty good components for (the other two are engine and electronics). If you look at the car magazine published stopping distances for a C63 with P31 package, they are definitely in the "premium sports car" class. When you buy a car in this cost class, one of the benefits is the extra measure of safety that premium mpriced components can provide.

I myself figure I'll never likely have to spend that money again (although I figure I've already paid for it once in the price I paid for this very nice condition car with its brand new brakes), as my Vancouver Island travel distances are short enough that I historically put on only about 400 to 450 miles per month, I drive rather conservatively and gently,and I am now starting out with brand new rotors and pads. If I ever need to make a very rapid highway stop to avoid a collision, and the better brakes make the stopping distance just enough shorter to avoid that collision, the costly brakes will have paid for themselves.

I can totally understand though a C63 owner who does not drive aggressively, or go to the track at all, subbing 1 piece rotors when a brake job is required, because let's face it, the 1-piece rotors are very close to being as good when the emergency usage is not frequent or prolonged. For track use, or aggressive driving though, it seems to me the better braking, and short life super sticky costly tires, make sense. Especially for the track, or on a many-miles winding road being driven with "spirited abandon", even though the cost makes you choke, because they make a big difference in that kind of usage.

Jim G

In the instrumented magazine tests, the W204 C63 (507 - with P31 brakes) was practically equal to both the Corvette Stingray and GT-R in stopping distance from 70mph. Not bad for a nearly 4000lb pig.

https://mbworld.org/forums/c63-amg-w...63-brakes.html

THAT's what I am talking about!

Jim G

In 30 yr of MB ownership involving 11 different cars from roadsters to the current C63, I have had a variety of dealerships some who were as bad as some we read about here so I don't normally comment on them.
However, when Jim asked me a few days ago where I got my car serviced I had no hesitation telling him I get my cars serviced at this shop. It takes me 2 hr to get there but I take it up island even though there is a dealership in the same organization just 30 minutes away.
When I first came to the island the service department had some good and some bad techs and the shop management was pretty poor.
However when the new and current Service Manager came on board things changed and these guys at this dealership are fantastic in my view. Thoughtful, helpful and competent and they care and treat you with respect all the way.
What I cannot figure out is why the more local shop is not like this one being in the same organization.
It is too bad they all cannot be as good as these guys.