Big brake upgrade on w212 for cheap
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 65
Likes: 27
From: New Jersey, USA
w211, W212, w204, W205, C209
Big brake upgrade on w212 for cheap
So I own a 2011 E550 4matic. I’m sure you have heard several complaints on this forum regarding warping of the front rotors. Well I finally did an upgrade for basically the same cost of replacing the oem brakes. I upgraded to the front setup from a 2013 and so far so good. I created a video for those of you thinking of doing a similar upgrade. This is using all OEM parts, and no need to change the master cylinder (you would need to do this for AMG brakes). Check it out: Mercedes E550 W212 big brake upgrade using OEM parts for cheap.
Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 225
Likes: 67
From: West Linn, Oregon
2011 E550 - 4Matic, 2008 ML550
How many miles have you put on your new brake setup? has it been enough to know it fixes the run out issue?
Great video...i already picked up a set of calipers...not that im currently having the issue - but gives me time to get the setup in the coming year or so.
Thanks again!
Great video...i already picked up a set of calipers...not that im currently having the issue - but gives me time to get the setup in the coming year or so.
Thanks again!
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 65
Likes: 27
From: New Jersey, USA
w211, W212, w204, W205, C209
Well yes, because before the rotors were warped and the vibrations under heavy breaking were horrible. I’m not expecting race car braking performance here, I just want brakes that don’t warp and instead wear evenly.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 65
Likes: 27
From: New Jersey, USA
w211, W212, w204, W205, C209
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 65
Likes: 27
From: New Jersey, USA
w211, W212, w204, W205, C209
How many miles have you put on your new brake setup? has it been enough to know it fixes the run out issue?
Great video...i already picked up a set of calipers...not that im currently having the issue - but gives me time to get the setup in the coming year or so.
Thanks again!
Great video...i already picked up a set of calipers...not that im currently having the issue - but gives me time to get the setup in the coming year or so.
Thanks again!
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 65
Likes: 27
From: New Jersey, USA
w211, W212, w204, W205, C209
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,181
Likes: 75
From: Abbotsford, BC, Canada
1999 SL 500 & 2011 E 550 4Matic
I also own a 2011 E550 4matic.
I not I do not like the Caiper cover poor finish.
I’m not sure if/when I will experience brake problems - at 90,000 Km (55,000 miles) everything is working fine.
I will definitely look into this upgrade when I need to do a brand job.
Is the 2013 set up just that much better? Better finish, less warping (why?) and better stopping performance? What about brake dust - still a pain?
I not I do not like the Caiper cover poor finish.
I’m not sure if/when I will experience brake problems - at 90,000 Km (55,000 miles) everything is working fine.
I will definitely look into this upgrade when I need to do a brand job.
Is the 2013 set up just that much better? Better finish, less warping (why?) and better stopping performance? What about brake dust - still a pain?
Last edited by ChrisB; Jun 6, 2019 at 01:21 AM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 65
Likes: 27
From: New Jersey, USA
w211, W212, w204, W205, C209
I also own a 2011 E550 4matic.
I not I do not like the Caiper cover poor finish.
I’m not sure if/when I will experience brake problems - at 90,000 Km (55,000 miles) everything is working fine.
I will definitely look into this upgrade when I need to do a brand job.
Is the 2013 set up just that much better? Better finish, less warping (why?) and better stopping performance? What about brake dust - still a pain?
I not I do not like the Caiper cover poor finish.
I’m not sure if/when I will experience brake problems - at 90,000 Km (55,000 miles) everything is working fine.
I will definitely look into this upgrade when I need to do a brand job.
Is the 2013 set up just that much better? Better finish, less warping (why?) and better stopping performance? What about brake dust - still a pain?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 1,053
Likes: 347
2011 E-350 4Matic Sport
Offered as a supplement to Marcorati's excellent brake upgrade:
In case you do paint calipers, VHT or Duplicolor caliper paint holds up very well, but like all paints the key is in the prep. I've got brake parts painted for several years now that still look great.
I've also found that using proper caliper pin lube is critical to allow caliper movement regardless of car model. Petroleum based lube destroys the pin boots. I described this in here:
E350 Brakes
In case you do paint calipers, VHT or Duplicolor caliper paint holds up very well, but like all paints the key is in the prep. I've got brake parts painted for several years now that still look great.
I've also found that using proper caliper pin lube is critical to allow caliper movement regardless of car model. Petroleum based lube destroys the pin boots. I described this in here:
E350 Brakes
Last edited by Mud; Jun 6, 2019 at 10:12 AM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 65
Likes: 27
From: New Jersey, USA
w211, W212, w204, W205, C209
Offered as a supplement to Marcorati's excellent brake upgrade:
In case you do paint calipers, VHT or Duplicolor caliper paint holds up very well, but like all paints the key is in the prep. I've got brake parts painted for several years now that still look great.
I've also found that using proper caliper pin lube is critical to allow caliper movement regardless of car model. Petroleum based lube destroys the pin boots. I described this in here:
E350 Brakes
In case you do paint calipers, VHT or Duplicolor caliper paint holds up very well, but like all paints the key is in the prep. I've got brake parts painted for several years now that still look great.
I've also found that using proper caliper pin lube is critical to allow caliper movement regardless of car model. Petroleum based lube destroys the pin boots. I described this in here:
E350 Brakes
Super Member
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 505
Likes: 288
From: Sammamish, WA
2011 E350 Wagon, 2010 GL450
I second VHT. It's the only clearcoat that stands up to high heat well. Every other high heat clearcoat I've tried has yellowed pretty quickly. No complaints about other high heat color paints though.
Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 225
Likes: 67
From: West Linn, Oregon
2011 E550 - 4Matic, 2008 ML550
This is a great thread - easy upgrade and potential fix to the vibration issue\run out (carefully not calling it warping)
I feel like I scored - I got both front calipers for a 2013 E550 AWD for a whopping $30 each shipped!!!! which is a no brainer!
Just need to clean them up and prob replace the boots\seals anyways - might do VHT paint...
But this is a fantastic option for sure!
Cheers and thanks again for this post!
JPC
I feel like I scored - I got both front calipers for a 2013 E550 AWD for a whopping $30 each shipped!!!! which is a no brainer!
Just need to clean them up and prob replace the boots\seals anyways - might do VHT paint...
But this is a fantastic option for sure!
Cheers and thanks again for this post!
JPC
Member
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 77
Likes: 7
2015 E250 4Matic
Is this an issue on post facelift cars too? On my previous cars I went through breaks.
Have 15 e250, came with Mercedes pads, will replace them, break dust is bad, I need to wash rims every other day to keep them clean.
Have 15 e250, came with Mercedes pads, will replace them, break dust is bad, I need to wash rims every other day to keep them clean.
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 4,957
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The Caliper he purchased to replace the smaller one is the same as I have on my 2014 Facelifted E550 4M. I have not had any pulsing issue with the front brakes on this car, so I can assume the issue is gone for now. The gist of this thread was to get better stopping power and also to eliminate the "warping" problem on the pre facelift cars. I have the stock Akebono pads and the dusting is acceptable.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 65
Likes: 27
From: New Jersey, USA
w211, W212, w204, W205, C209
This is a great thread - easy upgrade and potential fix to the vibration issue\run out (carefully not calling it warping)
I feel like I scored - I got both front calipers for a 2013 E550 AWD for a whopping $30 each shipped!!!! which is a no brainer!
Just need to clean them up and prob replace the boots\seals anyways - might do VHT paint...
But this is a fantastic option for sure!
Cheers and thanks again for this post!
JPC
I feel like I scored - I got both front calipers for a 2013 E550 AWD for a whopping $30 each shipped!!!! which is a no brainer!
Just need to clean them up and prob replace the boots\seals anyways - might do VHT paint...
But this is a fantastic option for sure!
Cheers and thanks again for this post!
JPC
Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 225
Likes: 67
From: West Linn, Oregon
2011 E550 - 4Matic, 2008 ML550
Will do - I need to get the yellow marker paint off them from the scrapper yard LOL...
Maybe ill Zebra stripe them? HA...
The more I do this type of stuff - the more I think I need a media blasting booth...
Love this website - sooo much useful information and good people.
Cheers
Maybe ill Zebra stripe them? HA...
The more I do this type of stuff - the more I think I need a media blasting booth...
Love this website - sooo much useful information and good people.
Cheers
Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 225
Likes: 67
From: West Linn, Oregon
2011 E550 - 4Matic, 2008 ML550
Oh one other note for people looking to buy these calipers -
be careful - there are many miss vendors stating they will work on 2010 to 2014 - models (550s) - which we all know is not correct - if you look at some of the pictures - you can clearly see the difference of the calipers...
Cheers - happy hunting.
be careful - there are many miss vendors stating they will work on 2010 to 2014 - models (550s) - which we all know is not correct - if you look at some of the pictures - you can clearly see the difference of the calipers...
Cheers - happy hunting.
Member
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 127
Likes: 13
From: GA
2018 S560
Thanks for all the work you did, this should help many an owner of E550's - However in my case (2014 E550 with factory front brakes of 360 X 36, same as your new ones) don't get frustrated if the problem will re-appear down the road. I've used Aekobono's but find they (ceramics) don't stop as good as the MB OEM's (dust just tells me I'm having a good time driving.) I change pads and rotors about every 5- 6K miles just driving around and after a few 90>50 mph stops that will finish any smooth stops I once had. The car's problem is because of it's weight, design, and materials used by Mercedes along with how we drive them. My latest fix is the warranted new MB rotors installed by MB and installing Porterfield pads and doing proper bedding in the rotors and pads. As the weather gets hot I should know how this works in a month or so. Depending on these results the next fix would be slotted or plain rotors with Porterfield pads.
Very interesting article. https://www.apcautotech.com/getmedia...c-8-2018_1.pdf
Very interesting article. https://www.apcautotech.com/getmedia...c-8-2018_1.pdf
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 65
Likes: 27
From: New Jersey, USA
w211, W212, w204, W205, C209
Thanks for all the work you did, this should help many an owner of E550's - However in my case (2014 E550 with factory front brakes of 360 X 36, same as your new ones) don't get frustrated if the problem will re-appear down the road. I've used Aekobono's but find they (ceramics) don't stop as good as the MB OEM's (dust just tells me I'm having a good time driving.) I change pads and rotors about every 5- 6K miles just driving around and after a few 90>50 mph stops that will finish any smooth stops I once had. The car's problem is because of it's weight, design, and materials used by Mercedes along with how we drive them. My latest fix is the warranted new MB rotors installed by MB and installing Porterfield pads and doing proper bedding in the rotors and pads. As the weather gets hot I should know how this works in a month or so. Depending on these results the next fix would be slotted or plain rotors with Porterfield pads.
Very interesting article. https://www.apcautotech.com/getmedia...c-8-2018_1.pdf
Very interesting article. https://www.apcautotech.com/getmedia...c-8-2018_1.pdf
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 65
Likes: 27
From: New Jersey, USA
w211, W212, w204, W205, C209
Thanks for all the work you did, this should help many an owner of E550's - However in my case (2014 E550 with factory front brakes of 360 X 36, same as your new ones) don't get frustrated if the problem will re-appear down the road. I've used Aekobono's but find they (ceramics) don't stop as good as the MB OEM's (dust just tells me I'm having a good time driving.) I change pads and rotors about every 5- 6K miles just driving around and after a few 90>50 mph stops that will finish any smooth stops I once had. The car's problem is because of it's weight, design, and materials used by Mercedes along with how we drive them. My latest fix is the warranted new MB rotors installed by MB and installing Porterfield pads and doing proper bedding in the rotors and pads. As the weather gets hot I should know how this works in a month or so. Depending on these results the next fix would be slotted or plain rotors with Porterfield pads.
Very interesting article. https://www.apcautotech.com/getmedia...c-8-2018_1.pdf
Very interesting article. https://www.apcautotech.com/getmedia...c-8-2018_1.pdf
Member
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 127
Likes: 13
From: GA
2018 S560
run out
Not sure what it is but I'm a conservative driver. The vehicle has no modifications (other than the engine) with the stock AMG 8.5 X 18 wheels with MB recommended tires. However, after a few interstate high speed (100mph) slowdowns to say 55 I get the shakes and pulsating. Could be the heat in the Southeast. The pads and rotors get replaced between 5 > 7K by the dealer with new MB parts. Right after the MB dealer installed new rotors I switched over to Porterfield pads all around. Hoping the issues go away because I'm kind of parchel to having a car that can stop without shaking.
