Sold: 334mm Brembo brake upgrade for W124, W201, R129
01-11-2005, 03:19 PM
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300D, 500E, E420
Sold: 334mm Brembo brake upgrade for W124, W201, R129
Hello all,
I bought this setup before I even got my E500, expecting to be disappointed with the stock brakes. Well, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the stock 320mm setup works quite well for hard street use, and since there are no tracks around here, I don't have much need for them otherwise. Also, my other car had an unexpected failure and I could kind of use the cash to fund that repair.
What I have:
Used front Brembo calipers, rotors, and brake pads, size 334x32mm. Total weight of this setup is approximately equal to the iron 320x30 setup used on late 1994 E500 models in USA (started in mid-93 in Europe, I think - earlier VIN break than US models.) The front rotors are 50% worn - they measure 31mm, min spec is 30mm. I do not know if they are straight or not. I intended to use them temporarily, and eventually get new drilled rotors. The rear brakes are 300x22mm, same size as the late Euro E500's, and all SL600's. Those are iron Bendix calipers, they include used Jurid pads, but I have no rear rotors. I have part numbers for OE rotors, either stock or cross-drilled, available at any MB dealer. The front brakes require 17" wheels.
What cars they fit:
These brakes will fit all 500E/E500's, as well as all 400E/E420 models (fronts fit W124 only - not W210). They can be made to fit other W124's and W201's with additional modifications (will probably require lower control arm OR spindle swapping, depending on model.) They will also fit all R129's through 1998. The 300mm rear brakes will also fit W210 and W202 chassis, and are used on the C43 AMG and E55 AMG. My rear calipers actually came from a C43 AMG.
What else is out there:
Bekkers sells the identical front brake setup with new calipers, rotors, and pads for $1989. They don't offer a rear setup. The StopTech 355mm setup is fabulous but requires 18" wheels, and costs about $2500... and they also don't offer any rear upgrades. AFAIK, these are the only two commonly available "off the shelf" big-brake options for the 500E.
FAQ's:
There have been a lot of questions about the master cylinder and brake booster compatibility. I was going to install this setup with my stock M/C and booster. I was not planning on changing those unless the brake feel was unacceptable (high effort, etc). I truly think this will NOT be an issue for V8 mdels, as other people have bolted up 300mm rears with no other changes, and Bekkers says nothing about needing M/C mods for the 334 fronts either. If you have a 6-cyl car, you may want to upgrade to the V8 M/C and booster. I would highly recommend Porterfield R4-S pads for street use; they cost $195 for the front pads, and $119 for the rear pads. Both these pads are larger than the pads used on the 300/320 fronts and 278 rears on stock 400E/500E models. The front brakes should be a complete bolt-on for V8 models, other than removing the extra locating pin on the front hub as the 334 rotors have one hole, not two. The rear brakes will bolt on if you have the larger splash shield already - my 1994 model has this, but early 500E's may not, in that case you'd need to cut your rear splash shield to fit the larger 300mm rotor.
Pricing:
I'd like to sell these as a complete set. I'm asking $900 for everything - front calipers, front rotors, and rear calipers. Used pads are also included. Separately I'd like $700 for the fronts only and $250 for the rears. If there are no bites here they'll go on eBay in a week or two. FREE SHIPPING at those prices in the lower 48 only. Shipping outside the USA is possible at extra cost (probably not cheap, due to the weight.)
Photos are below. Email me with questions (email is easier than PM's for me, unless you'd rather not use email, in that case PM away.
)
Best regards,
I bought this setup before I even got my E500, expecting to be disappointed with the stock brakes. Well, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the stock 320mm setup works quite well for hard street use, and since there are no tracks around here, I don't have much need for them otherwise. Also, my other car had an unexpected failure and I could kind of use the cash to fund that repair.
What I have:
Used front Brembo calipers, rotors, and brake pads, size 334x32mm. Total weight of this setup is approximately equal to the iron 320x30 setup used on late 1994 E500 models in USA (started in mid-93 in Europe, I think - earlier VIN break than US models.) The front rotors are 50% worn - they measure 31mm, min spec is 30mm. I do not know if they are straight or not. I intended to use them temporarily, and eventually get new drilled rotors. The rear brakes are 300x22mm, same size as the late Euro E500's, and all SL600's. Those are iron Bendix calipers, they include used Jurid pads, but I have no rear rotors. I have part numbers for OE rotors, either stock or cross-drilled, available at any MB dealer. The front brakes require 17" wheels.
What cars they fit:
These brakes will fit all 500E/E500's, as well as all 400E/E420 models (fronts fit W124 only - not W210). They can be made to fit other W124's and W201's with additional modifications (will probably require lower control arm OR spindle swapping, depending on model.) They will also fit all R129's through 1998. The 300mm rear brakes will also fit W210 and W202 chassis, and are used on the C43 AMG and E55 AMG. My rear calipers actually came from a C43 AMG.
What else is out there:
Bekkers sells the identical front brake setup with new calipers, rotors, and pads for $1989. They don't offer a rear setup. The StopTech 355mm setup is fabulous but requires 18" wheels, and costs about $2500... and they also don't offer any rear upgrades. AFAIK, these are the only two commonly available "off the shelf" big-brake options for the 500E.
FAQ's:
There have been a lot of questions about the master cylinder and brake booster compatibility. I was going to install this setup with my stock M/C and booster. I was not planning on changing those unless the brake feel was unacceptable (high effort, etc). I truly think this will NOT be an issue for V8 mdels, as other people have bolted up 300mm rears with no other changes, and Bekkers says nothing about needing M/C mods for the 334 fronts either. If you have a 6-cyl car, you may want to upgrade to the V8 M/C and booster. I would highly recommend Porterfield R4-S pads for street use; they cost $195 for the front pads, and $119 for the rear pads. Both these pads are larger than the pads used on the 300/320 fronts and 278 rears on stock 400E/500E models. The front brakes should be a complete bolt-on for V8 models, other than removing the extra locating pin on the front hub as the 334 rotors have one hole, not two. The rear brakes will bolt on if you have the larger splash shield already - my 1994 model has this, but early 500E's may not, in that case you'd need to cut your rear splash shield to fit the larger 300mm rotor.
Pricing:
I'd like to sell these as a complete set. I'm asking $900 for everything - front calipers, front rotors, and rear calipers. Used pads are also included. Separately I'd like $700 for the fronts only and $250 for the rears. If there are no bites here they'll go on eBay in a week or two. FREE SHIPPING at those prices in the lower 48 only. Shipping outside the USA is possible at extra cost (probably not cheap, due to the weight.)
Photos are below. Email me with questions (email is easier than PM's for me, unless you'd rather not use email, in that case PM away.
)Best regards,
01-31-2005, 01:03 PM
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Bump. Stupid forum won't let me edit original post, so...
1) Price reduced to $800 for four calipers, no rotors, FREE shipping.
2) I can provide FOUR brand-new Genuine Mercedes-Benz cross-drilled rotors for an additional $400 with free shipping, OR I can provide you the part numbers so you can purchase them yourself at your local Mercedes dealership. (They will probably cost you $400 plus tax at your local dealer.)
3) Separately I'd like $650 for the fronts only and $200 for the rears.
1) Price reduced to $800 for four calipers, no rotors, FREE shipping.
2) I can provide FOUR brand-new Genuine Mercedes-Benz cross-drilled rotors for an additional $400 with free shipping, OR I can provide you the part numbers so you can purchase them yourself at your local Mercedes dealership. (They will probably cost you $400 plus tax at your local dealer.)
3) Separately I'd like $650 for the fronts only and $200 for the rears.
03-21-2005, 10:27 PM
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UPDATE - Price reduced
The rear 300mm calipers are sold and on their way to Norway. :p
Front Brembo calipers are still available for $600 with free shipping in the lower 48 states. I can get another set of rear calipers if anyone wants them badly enough.
Front Brembo calipers are still available for $600 with free shipping in the lower 48 states. I can get another set of rear calipers if anyone wants them badly enough.
08-31-2005, 12:48 PM
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Bump...
Original calipers have been sold. However I picked up another set... same deal, asking $550 for front Brembo calipers & pads - FREE SHIPPING. Photo attached below. Full details back in the first post on this thread.
It's the same calipers Bekkers sells in their $2000 Stage III Brake Kit, but at less than 1/3 the price...
It's the same calipers Bekkers sells in their $2000 Stage III Brake Kit, but at less than 1/3 the price...
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08-31-2005, 02:50 PM
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Mark,
Yep, they should fit perfectly. Your car (1994 SL500?) probably has the 300x28mm front brakes stock. These would also bolt up to your E500 and E420 without any mods. If you upgraded either the SL or the E500, the old brakes would be an upgrade for your E420 (assuming it's stock). Nice collection you have there, btw...!
Yep, they should fit perfectly. Your car (1994 SL500?) probably has the 300x28mm front brakes stock. These would also bolt up to your E500 and E420 without any mods. If you upgraded either the SL or the E500, the old brakes would be an upgrade for your E420 (assuming it's stock). Nice collection you have there, btw...!
08-31-2005, 03:34 PM
#10
honestly how much diffrence will there be on my SLs breaking power if i upgrade to these brembos? and can i use my same rotors that i have on now? and do they make ceramic pads for these calipers?
Mark
Mark
08-31-2005, 05:26 PM
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Hi Mark,
1) Braking power: There should be an improvement in braking power, since that is a function of swept area (pad size) plus effective brake torque (rotor diameter). The pads are quite a bit larger and the rotor is also quite a bit larger. Would you notice a big difference in normal driving? I'm honestly not sure. I've not yet installed this setup on my E500. Choice of brake pad compound can affect the brake feel too, which further complicates the process of comparing before + after. If you drive hard, or take the car to the track or autox, then yes there should be a noticeable improvement over the smallish stock brakes you have now. There would definitely be a huge gain in fade resistance.
2) Rotors: Your current rotors are 300x28, these calipers are designed for 334x32. So yes, you would need new rotors. You can get solid or drilled rotors from Mercedes for approx $100/ea (maybe less if you can get wholesale pricing). I can supply them if necessary.
3) Pads: I have not seriously investigated what performance pads are available for these. I know for sure you can get OE Mercedes pads, Porterfield carbon-Kevlar pads, and Mintex C-Tech. There may be others but I really don't know. I like Porterfield R4-S street pads a lot but they're not cheap.
1) Braking power: There should be an improvement in braking power, since that is a function of swept area (pad size) plus effective brake torque (rotor diameter). The pads are quite a bit larger and the rotor is also quite a bit larger. Would you notice a big difference in normal driving? I'm honestly not sure. I've not yet installed this setup on my E500. Choice of brake pad compound can affect the brake feel too, which further complicates the process of comparing before + after. If you drive hard, or take the car to the track or autox, then yes there should be a noticeable improvement over the smallish stock brakes you have now. There would definitely be a huge gain in fade resistance.
2) Rotors: Your current rotors are 300x28, these calipers are designed for 334x32. So yes, you would need new rotors. You can get solid or drilled rotors from Mercedes for approx $100/ea (maybe less if you can get wholesale pricing). I can supply them if necessary.
3) Pads: I have not seriously investigated what performance pads are available for these. I know for sure you can get OE Mercedes pads, Porterfield carbon-Kevlar pads, and Mintex C-Tech. There may be others but I really don't know. I like Porterfield R4-S street pads a lot but they're not cheap.
08-31-2005, 07:26 PM
#12
thank you- im still thinking about it... ive just put new ceramic racing-ish break pads on the 129 and i love them, i also just put cross-drilled rotors on , so im still thinking about this... i would love to get these and make them red ahhh.. ill let you know.
Makr
Makr
08-31-2005, 09:28 PM
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No problem, Mark. You can swap you new drilled/ceramic SL stuff on to your E420, as long as you have 16" or larger wheels on the E420 (the 300mm SL stuff won't fit under 15" wheels).
Here's some photos of the brakes with OE drilled rotors on a newer SL, with the calipers painted gray/silver (see attachments).
Here's some photos of the brakes with OE drilled rotors on a newer SL, with the calipers painted gray/silver (see attachments).
01-24-2006, 03:27 PM
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Yep... my E500 has the 320x30mm brakes stock. However, the setup I have for sale has larger 334x32mm rotor, and has more swept area (larger brake pad too), while weighing about the same as the smaller 320mm setup. That's because the 320mm calipers are all iron, while the 334mm are aluminum with an iron bracket.
This is a spare pair I'm selling... I have another full set (front & rear) that I plan to install on the E500 as an upgrade.
This is a spare pair I'm selling... I have another full set (front & rear) that I plan to install on the E500 as an upgrade.
01-24-2006, 03:59 PM
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Yep - still for sale. I now have a set of R129 knuckles/hubs available as well, in case the buyer wants to use these brakes on a car that needs the clearance (older 300E, or 190E-16, etc.) Was going to put them on eBay soon, along with my Sportline steering wheel, but figured I'd bump the thread one last time. eBay is a nuisance and kind of a last resort, at least IMO.
I had a couple of buyers that fell through, both in the USA and overseas (shipping costs are awful outside the US, though). I've got one person now that really wants them bad but is trying to come up with the $$$. First person who pays gets them, though.. I just want them out of my shop!
I had a couple of buyers that fell through, both in the USA and overseas (shipping costs are awful outside the US, though). I've got one person now that really wants them bad but is trying to come up with the $$$. First person who pays gets them, though.. I just want them out of my shop!
Last edited by AMGDave; 01-24-2006 at 04:01 PM.
01-24-2006, 04:12 PM
#21
ok here is the thing, i talked to my machanic and he said to..."make sure that they are a "bolt on" deal, that i would not have to modify the ahdofhlnihgs (i cant remember the rest)) so will they be a "bolt on deal"?
mark
oh and i would only need the front, i burned through my rear caliper on a canyon run and just got it replaced 3 days ago
im so pissed becase my dad would have loved for me to get these (cheaper)
please let me know!
mark
oh and i would only need the front, i burned through my rear caliper on a canyon run and just got it replaced 3 days ago
im so pissed becase my dad would have loved for me to get these (cheaper)please let me know!
01-24-2006, 04:48 PM
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Hi Mark,
On your 1994 SL500 or E500, they will be a bolt-on, with one minor exception. Your current hubs have two roll pins that locate the rotor, and a little Allen screw that holds the rotor to the hub. This setup only uses on locating roll pin and no screw. So your mechanic would need to tap out the extra roll pin with a hammer - shouldn't take more than 5 minutes tops. Otherwise, they should fit fine - no clearance problems (with 17" or larger wheels), and the stock splash shield should clear also. You could probably install them yourself with basic hand tools, as long as you have a brake bleeding setup.
Oh yeah - I only have the fronts now. I know of a place that has the matching rears cheap, though.
On your 1994 SL500 or E500, they will be a bolt-on, with one minor exception. Your current hubs have two roll pins that locate the rotor, and a little Allen screw that holds the rotor to the hub. This setup only uses on locating roll pin and no screw. So your mechanic would need to tap out the extra roll pin with a hammer - shouldn't take more than 5 minutes tops. Otherwise, they should fit fine - no clearance problems (with 17" or larger wheels), and the stock splash shield should clear also. You could probably install them yourself with basic hand tools, as long as you have a brake bleeding setup.
Oh yeah - I only have the fronts now. I know of a place that has the matching rears cheap, though.
01-24-2006, 04:59 PM
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LOL... it depends. Do you need me to supply new rotors and/or new pads, or will you buy them yourself? (I'd give you the part numbers, of course.) Used pads are included, so you can delay that if you want. Also, what is the zipcode everything would be shipped to...?
Do you need me to supply new rotors and/or new pads, or will you buy them yourself? (I'd give you the part numbers, of course.) Used pads are included, so you can delay that if you want. Also, what is the zipcode everything would be shipped to...?
01-24-2006, 07:33 PM
#25
Originally Posted by AMGDave
LOL... it depends. Do you need me to supply new rotors and/or new pads, or will you buy them yourself? (I'd give you the part numbers, of course.) Used pads are included, so you can delay that if you want. Also, what is the zipcode everything would be shipped to...?
Do you need me to supply new rotors and/or new pads, or will you buy them yourself? (I'd give you the part numbers, of course.) Used pads are included, so you can delay that if you want. Also, what is the zipcode everything would be shipped to...?92660.
what size rotors? and how much for ceramic pads?
mch
