C32 Amg Brakes On Clk430
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Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 47
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From: Southern Ca
2006 CLS 55 AMG
C32 Amg Brakes On Clk430
A picture is worth a thousand words!
Thanks Mark C. for your infinite wisdom and assistance in getting this done.
Thanks Randall @ Autowerksdirect.com. See you guys at Northridge!
Thanks Mark C. for your infinite wisdom and assistance in getting this done.
Thanks Randall @ Autowerksdirect.com. See you guys at Northridge!
Last edited by Blackclk430; May 20, 2003 at 11:09 AM.
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Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 35,855
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From: Southern CA
It bolts right up, but it is not the correct brake for the car. You are using a trailing caliper as a leading caliper. Do a search on recent topics for C32 brakes and you will see several negatives to it.
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 47
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From: Southern Ca
2006 CLS 55 AMG
For all interested in the C32 brake upgrade consider it a no brainer. Both calipers, rotors, and pads were all upgraded using OEM C32 parts. Installation time less than one hour. No special fabrications as others have indicated in previous posts. Total cost less than 1k. A bargain considering the enhanced profile of the huge drilled rotors and front calipers. The brake feel is much sticker and noticibly tighter as the calipers grab the rotors during stop and go. Regarding the leading/ trailing argument ... a non issue for me, as I love the look and do not typically push my brakes or car to the limit (if this even makes that an issue). The hardest braking Ive encountered prior to the upgrade was during normal city driving. The only concern was the clearance of the stock 17' type III's. Another non issue as the stock wheels provide the proper clearance for the AMG calipers. Almost as if AMG engineers contemplated the idea of making this a factory option and at the last minute were nixed by marketing. Contact Randall or Mike @ Autowerksdirect.com these guys are some of the best and can answer all of your fitment concerns.
Hopefully this helps.
Hopefully this helps.
Last edited by Blackclk430; May 20, 2003 at 02:10 AM.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
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Cayenne GTS, Cayenne Turbo
Very nice. At $1k, it's a "better" upgrade than the Brembos if the car isn't tracked very much.
Nice! Gotta have nice open wheels to show them off (i.e. SSR GT3s or the 18" Styling IIIs
Nice! Gotta have nice open wheels to show them off (i.e. SSR GT3s or the 18" Styling IIIs
Originally posted by Blackclk430
For all interested in the C32 brake upgrade consider it a no brainer. Both calipers, rotors, and pads were all upgraded using OEM C32 parts. Installation time less than one hour. No special fabrications as others have indicated in previous posts. Total cost less than 1k. A bargin considering the enhanced profile of the huge drilled rotors and front calipers. The brake feel is much sticker and noticibly tighter as the calipers grab the rotors during stop and go. Regarding the leading/ trailing argument ... a non issue for me, as I love the look and do not typically push my brakes or car to the limit (if this even makes that an issue). The hardest braking Ive encountered prior to the upgrade was during normal city driving. The only concern was the clearance of the stock 17' type III. Another non issue as the stock wheels provide the proper clearance for the AMG calipers. Almost as if AMG engineers contemplated the idea of making this a factoory option and at the last minute were nixed by marketing. Contact Randall or Mike @ Autowerks.com these guys are some of the best and can answer all of your fitment concerns.
Hopefully this helps.
For all interested in the C32 brake upgrade consider it a no brainer. Both calipers, rotors, and pads were all upgraded using OEM C32 parts. Installation time less than one hour. No special fabrications as others have indicated in previous posts. Total cost less than 1k. A bargin considering the enhanced profile of the huge drilled rotors and front calipers. The brake feel is much sticker and noticibly tighter as the calipers grab the rotors during stop and go. Regarding the leading/ trailing argument ... a non issue for me, as I love the look and do not typically push my brakes or car to the limit (if this even makes that an issue). The hardest braking Ive encountered prior to the upgrade was during normal city driving. The only concern was the clearance of the stock 17' type III. Another non issue as the stock wheels provide the proper clearance for the AMG calipers. Almost as if AMG engineers contemplated the idea of making this a factoory option and at the last minute were nixed by marketing. Contact Randall or Mike @ Autowerks.com these guys are some of the best and can answer all of your fitment concerns.
Hopefully this helps.
MBWorld Fanatic!
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GL320CDI / C63 Edition 507 Coupe (EDP) / E63 S (on order) / G500 / Smart Brabus
Originally posted by Blackclk430
No special fabrications as others have indicated in previous posts.
No special fabrications as others have indicated in previous posts.
But then again, I guess going fast and looking good is what's important, not stopping!
-s-
Out Of Control!!
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From: Southern CA
Originally posted by mmgrad
that looks awesome!
ben, can you elaborate a little on why it is bad on using this particular setup...
that looks awesome!
ben, can you elaborate a little on why it is bad on using this particular setup...
Basically, the pistons inside the caliper are not the same size, and are designed to be used in one direction. Switching the caliper from trailing to leading, is essentially making the pistons work backwards.
We have many people call and ask to buy these brakes for their CLK's, SLK's, etc, but will not, as it poses a potential safety risk.
Thanks,
Ben
Out Of Control!!
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From: Southern CA
Originally posted by Arnee
Very nice. At $1k, it's a "better" upgrade than the Brembos if the car isn't tracked very much.
Very nice. At $1k, it's a "better" upgrade than the Brembos if the car isn't tracked very much.
Thanks,
Ben
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Cayenne GTS, Cayenne Turbo
Point well taken.... No for the W208's. Your other post regarding trailing vs. leading pistons makes sense.
Originally posted by Mach430
Yes and No. For the w208, definitely no, as it is the calipers are not being used in the manner they were built for. For the w203, it's a yes/no. At ~$3,500 for Brembo's you definitely get a much better system that will brake better, faster, and smoother on the street as well as not heat up as much at the track. The 2-piece Brembo rotor is much lighter than the C32 rotor, and the F50 caliper has larger pistons. But $3,500 is a lot more than $1,000, which makes the C32 brakes a much viable option (again not for the w208). If someone is considering Brembo's, I would say stick with it. If you never considered a big brake upgrade, because $3,500 is too much in your opinion to spend on brakes, than I would at least recommend the C32 brakes.... But Please, use them as they were designed!
Thanks,
Ben
Yes and No. For the w208, definitely no, as it is the calipers are not being used in the manner they were built for. For the w203, it's a yes/no. At ~$3,500 for Brembo's you definitely get a much better system that will brake better, faster, and smoother on the street as well as not heat up as much at the track. The 2-piece Brembo rotor is much lighter than the C32 rotor, and the F50 caliper has larger pistons. But $3,500 is a lot more than $1,000, which makes the C32 brakes a much viable option (again not for the w208). If someone is considering Brembo's, I would say stick with it. If you never considered a big brake upgrade, because $3,500 is too much in your opinion to spend on brakes, than I would at least recommend the C32 brakes.... But Please, use them as they were designed!
Thanks,
Ben
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From: North Hollywood CA
2002 W208 CLK55 AMG
Randall @ Autowerks has been a friend of mine for years. I have to back him up on this or I wouldn't be much of a friend.
I highly doubt he would send something out on the road which is unsafe, for both ethical and practical reasons. I think the liability would be too great.
I am also friends with a few people at Evosport, however I am not an expert on braking systems to confirm or deny their claims.
Autowerks has sponsored my cars for years, and if you need anything I would recommend calling them.
I have never done business with Evosport, but I hear they are also a great company.
I highly doubt he would send something out on the road which is unsafe, for both ethical and practical reasons. I think the liability would be too great.
I am also friends with a few people at Evosport, however I am not an expert on braking systems to confirm or deny their claims.
Autowerks has sponsored my cars for years, and if you need anything I would recommend calling them.
I have never done business with Evosport, but I hear they are also a great company.
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GL320CDI / C63 Edition 507 Coupe (EDP) / E63 S (on order) / G500 / Smart Brabus
Originally posted by Brad D.
Randall @ Autowerks has been a friend of mine for years. I have to back him up on this or I wouldn't be much of a friend.
Randall @ Autowerks has been a friend of mine for years. I have to back him up on this or I wouldn't be much of a friend.
I spoke with him about this upgrade and I think he has a workaround for it which does return the pistons to the correct sequence. One way is obviously to disassemble the caliper and reassemble it in the opposite orientation. Obviously, this should not be attempted by the casual user. I have a CA brake license, so I felt comfortable doing the disassembly myself.
I was just responding that "nothing special" was done on these brakes... and if nothing was done, then they are an incorrect application.
-s-
Out Of Control!!
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From: Southern CA
Originally posted by calboy
Would this upgrade work on a 209?
Would this upgrade work on a 209?
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From: Scottsdale (aka The Surface of the Sun)
Originally posted by randall-sd
Nevertheless, where I think it makes it technically incorrect is when a caliper is matched with the wrong hydraulic unit (master cylinder)... or when you install the C32 brake kit onto a C240 or a C320, or something else.
Nevertheless, where I think it makes it technically incorrect is when a caliper is matched with the wrong hydraulic unit (master cylinder)... or when you install the C32 brake kit onto a C240 or a C320, or something else.
Thanks for your post, however I have a couple of comments.
1. The quote above is extremely interesting to me as, according to Mercedes-Benz, all of those cars (C240, C320 and C32) share the same booster and master. Not really sure what you are getting at given this fact?
2. How can you make this comment, and then in the same breath state that you are an authorized brembo dealer? This is totally contradictory.
3. If you are correct in your post and thoughts, why do you think that companies like Brembo actually go to great lengths to make BOTH leading edge design and trailing edge design calipers? I don't want to speculate as I am not a 'licensed brake engineer' so if you any insight, please share it.
Thanks
Brad
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From: Las Vegas, NV USA / London, UK
GL320CDI / C63 Edition 507 Coupe (EDP) / E63 S (on order) / G500 / Smart Brabus
Originally posted by Mach430
The 209 has it's on AMG calipers, which will work on other 209s. I believe the calipers are the same, but the rotors are different. I have the part #'s at work, I would have to check.
The 209 has it's on AMG calipers, which will work on other 209s. I believe the calipers are the same, but the rotors are different. I have the part #'s at work, I would have to check.
-s-
