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I SET OFF THE ALARM SYSTEM 3 TIMES JACKING UP THE CAR. I’M NOT SURE WE WILL NEED LOCKING STUD BOLTS. MY MERCEDES JACK PAD WAS TOO SMALL SO BACK TO USING A 2X4 FOR A CUSHION. I USED MY AUDI PINCH PAD BLOCK THIS TIME BUT IT WAS BORDERLINE SMALL. EXCUSE THE PICTURE SIZES, I’M TOO LAZY TONIGHT TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO REDUCE THE SIZE...
ACTIVE SWAY BAR ACTIVE SWAY BAR GLE63S & DYNAMIC PLUS GLE53
FACTORY 21” AMG WHEEL & A/S TIRE TREAD-THE BLACK STUD BOLTS HAVE A DIFFERENT HEAD-THEY ARE NOW SIX SIDED 17MM. 21” A.S. GLE 53 tread 21” AMG 53/63S wheel
Front Brakes
LEFT SIDE VIEW
THE FRONT BRAKE ROTOR IS 15.8”....EACH ROTOR SURFACE HALF HAS A THICKNESS OF ABOUT .46’” OR 11.5MM, THE BRAKE PAD IS ABOUT.38” OR 9.6MM. INSIDE VIEW
There is about 3/4” clearance between the Brakes and my 20” wheels where balance weights are located; et45.
20” wheels installed
Last edited by Ron.s; Jan 3, 2021 at 08:45 AM.
Reason: Fixing my typo’s
Finally some definitive info, and pics. That was a lot of work. Thanks. BTW are the rotors really 11.5"?
Hard to believe, but yes the Rotors are 15 1/2” (corrected) & I hope I don’t own the car when they need replaced....it won’t be cheap. They seem thick enough that it might be possible to replace the pads once before changing rotors. My crude measurements give me a reference point so that I can track the wear annually as the Dealer will also do at the 10k service interval.
Corrected my typo-groggy last night. 15 1/2” rotors....
Ok, now it makes sense why 20" fit 53. If you recall in the 63 specific thread, someone with actual GLE63 posted measurement of his front rotors - 16.5" (which is also the number for 63 on mbusa.com). It was also stated, by whom is not exactly important, that 53's rotors with Dynamic package are identical to 63's 16.5" rotors, to which I said that 20" wheels won't fit 63's front. Now it turns out that rotors are in fact not the same, hence 20s fit 53, but not 63.
You make a good point but....I’ve been told that they are the same size on both. That’s what the shop guy said three days ago, but he probably hasn’t run the SN’s and both are new arrivals. He said that my 53 & the 63S shared the same drive train parts up to the engine.
I might have written the size down wrong will check again later today...or the other guy might have made a mistake. It takes at least two people to hold a straight edge top and bottom and then the tape. I did look at a 63S a few days ago and there was a lot of clearance on 22’s.
To get there select the GLE 53-don’t build-then select option for Dynamic Plus and it lists the components. Here’s what it shows-
AMG High-performance Braking System w/red calipers More Info
touch the double box for more info to get the description.
Rather than remove my wheel I went to the breakdown of the Dynamic Plus Pkg.-Brakes....Here’s what Mercedes says for my option under red brakes.
AMG High-performance Braking System w/red calipersUsing principles proven in racing, the braking components are engineered for enduring stopping power in high-performance driving. Compound front rotors are designed to provide excellent heat dissipation and dimensional stability at the extreme temperatures generated in high-performance driving. Enormous 16.5-inch front discs are grasped by powerful 6-piston fixed calipers. The one-piece rear discs measure 14.6 inches. The calipers are finished with red paint and AMG logos
Apparently the disc is 16.5”....
Edit-To get there select the GLE 53-don’t build-then select option for Dynamic Plus and it lists the components. Here’s what it shows-
AMG High-performance Braking System w/red calipers More Info
touch the double box for more info to get the description.
You can not possibly be off by an inch even with a tape of whatever other device. That is why taking radius measurement on opposite to the caliper side, with the wheel off, would be much easier. I am not saying rotors are different, I do not know since I do not have 63/53DPP.
What I'm saying though is that it makes no sense that for W166 GLE63 15.4" rotor (with caliper looking identical to 167's, does not mean same p/n) with 19" the "room" on caliper side is only 2mm at best, while 167' GLE63 with 16.5" rotors "room" as you've posted of 3/4" with 20". The only logical conclusion is that rotors are not 16.5". It also makes no sense that with 3/4" "room", why MB is not offering 20s on 63/53DPP.
You can not possibly be off by an inch even with a tape of whatever other device. That is why taking radius measurement on opposite to the caliper side, with the wheel off, would be much easier. I am not saying rotors are different, I do not know since I do not have 63/53DPP.
What I'm saying though is that it makes no sense that for W166 GLE63 15.4" rotor (with caliper looking identical to 167's, does not mean same p/n) with 19" the "room" on caliper side is only 2mm at best, while 167' GLE63 with 16.5" rotors "room" as you've posted of 3/4" with 20". The only logical conclusion is that rotors are not 16.5". It also makes no sense that with 3/4" "room", why MB is not offering 20s on 63/53DPP.
Except, they do offer 20's with that package. I wish I had spec'd them.
Except, they do offer 20's with that package. I wish I had spec'd them.
MB does not spec 20" for 63. Often mentioned here (as a reference that 53DPP has 16.5" rotors) mbusa.com does not allow 20" for 53 with DPP.
Assuming 63 and 53DPP have identical 16.5" front rotors, is the reason front brakes clearance or ARC "issues" with 20"?
MB does not spec 20" for 63. Often mentioned here (as a reference that 53DPP has 16.5" rotors) mbusa.com does not allow 20" for 53 with DPP.
Assuming 63 and 53DPP have identical 16.5" front rotors, is the reason front brakes clearance or ARC "issues" with 20"?
Except, they DO allow 20's on the 53 with fancy brakes. At least they did when I ordered in October, although availability may have restricted that option now.
If the 53 and 63 have the same brakes with the DPP but don't allow 20's on the 63, it may be a styling thing, too. Exclusivity, you know....
Well I didn’t need to take the wheels off to get close enough to rule out 16.5” Rotors. My Rotor Disc is 15.5” or very close to that. So Mercedes Online Configurator Specs are wrong for the GLE 53 with the Dynamic Plus Pkg. I need to remember that the Configurator is a marketing tool and incomplete as and apparently not accurate.
Netstar allowed the 20” 10 spoke wheels with the Dynamic Pkg. when I ordered in June but it’s not allowed with the Night Package. As mikapen said it’s still available, my SA checked in November at my request. Just eyeballing my wheels there might be room for 20’s even with an inch larger Rotors but it would be very tight. The Calipers are rounded so it’s almost impossible to get a measurement in the center where they would be closest.
If the 63S has 16.5” Rotors as 3MB’s has been saying, it wouldn’t be wise to go 20’s. Normally I would say why have so many sizes of brakes why further complicate Supply Chain issues but it’s not unusual for Mercedes. Now they have a lot of resources on Electric and have reduced personnel so things aren’t likely to improve.
Well I didn’t need to take the wheels off to get close enough to rule out 16.5” Rotors. My Rotor Disc is 15.5” or very close to that. So Mercedes Online Configurator Specs are wrong for the GLE 53 with the Dynamic Plus Pkg. I need to remember that the Configurator is a marketing tool and incomplete as and apparently not accurate.
Netstar allowed the 20” 10 spoke wheels with the Dynamic Pkg. when I ordered in June but it’s not allowed with the Night Package. As mikapen said it’s still available, my SA checked in November at my request. Just eyeballing my wheels there might be room for 20’s even with an inch larger Rotors but it would be very tight. The Calipers are rounded so it’s almost impossible to get a measurement in the center where they would be closest. If the 63S has 16.5” Rotors as 3MB’s has been saying, it wouldn’t be wise to go 20’s. Normally I would say why have so many sizes of brakes why further complicate Supply Chain issues but it’s not unusual for Mercedes. Now they have a lot of resources on Electric and have reduced personnel so things aren’t likely to improve.
Well about 15.5" is close enough to 15.8" MB listed size for 53, hence 20" fit 53. No surprise there. I was saying 20" would not fit 53DPP IF it has 16.5" rotors claimed for 63.
And I do not claim 16.5" front rotor for 63 - I do not have one to check. But mbusa.com does as does this actual '21 GLE63S owner:https://mbworld.org/forums/gle-class...ml#post8195690. And if so, I stand by my speculation based on 166 GLE63 15.4" rotors experience with 19", that 20" will not fit 16.5" rotors. However based on above closeup of 53DPP front rotors - they look to me identical to 63's. So the question now is not if 53DPP has 16.5" rotors (as Ron stated they do not), but if 63 does.
Edit: I think we're technically wrong referring to rotor diameter for wheel fitment. It is the CALIPER that is in the way. If some 20s do fit 167 63 after all, it must be only due to calipers shape. This is 166 63 caliper - normally 19s do not fit:
You could always use the old school method - modelling clay. (Taught to me by Louie Unser, King of the Mountain (Pikes Peak), who also built a couple engines for me.)
Stick a hunk to the inside of the rim and do a couple of rotations, then measure the thickness of the remaining clay. Toothpicks work.
It also works on measuring tire-to-fender clearance, but it's harder because of suspension movement.
Just don't use Red clay because it will clash with your calipers.
To continue, following are 63S, 53DPP and "standard" 53. All similar angle shots with identical 22" wheels:
this is '21 GLE63S - Autonation lists brake rotors as 15.8" front and 14.6" rear
this is '21 GLE53DPP - Autonation lists brake rotors as 15.8" front and 13.6" rear - looks to be identical front calipers and rotors as 63
this is '21 GLE53 "standard" - Autonation lists brake rotors as 15.8" front and 13.6" rear, but front rotor (at least brake pads area) looks a bit smaller than 53DPP
If Ron's eyeball measurements of "about" 15.5" (call it 15.8") are correct, then we need someone with 63 to post pictures of the 16.5" rotors if they exist. Based on above, 63 and 53DPP have identical front rotors and calipers and now I speculate that mbusa.com is incorrectly listing 63/53DPP as 16.5" while listing CCB as 15.8"(or whatever the number they have), maybe it is CCB that have 16.5" rotors.
That’s probably right. Now that my 20’s fit...to be honest I’m losing interest in the other options for the 63S. I was concerned that my “almost new” winter setup wouldn’t fit. Someday Mercedes might get caught up with production so that one could go to a Dealership and actually see the real thing.
Yes that was because we were presented with incorrect info on the web - mbusa.com (stating "standard" 63 and 53DPP are 16.5" while CCB 15.8", but it is vice versa) and a post from a 63 owner stating his front rotors are 16.5" (which still may true provided CCB are on his car). Yes 20s clearly fit 15.8" with room left, but is unlikely for 16.5".
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