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Is the $2500 brake option upgrade worth it ? About to order a 2024 GLE 53 when the MSRP comes out. The stopping distance
without the upgrade is 114 ft from 62mph. I can't believe they have 4 pistons calipers on a 5k pound car. Although at 114 ft
with 4 pistons is pretty good stopping distance.
Not that I have or used them but I would get them! I want to put them on my 450 but have not found anyone that wants to do it. Of course it will cost a LOT more than what it would OEM so definitely recommend you get them if you're on the fence.
Exactly what I was thinking. I looked at aftermarket and see nothing in terms of upgraded calipers/rotors for the GLE 53.
At $2500 for the option it seems cheap. I wish they came in red, but I could always paint them later.
Exactly what I was thinking. I looked at aftermarket and see nothing in terms of upgraded calipers/rotors for the GLE 53.
At $2500 for the option it seems cheap. I wish they came in red, but I could always paint them later.
Red 6-piston calipers were available in the 2023 order guide with 21" or 22" wheels..
Last edited by GregW / Oregon; Apr 24, 2023 at 10:19 AM.
Looks like the 2023 GLE 53 only has silver colored ones only as upgrade, unless you added the AMG Dynamic Plus package which is
not available on the 2024 option that I have seen at dealership. Now that option had the red calipers and active ride control. For $5200
bucks.
Looks like the 2023 GLE 53 only has silver colored ones only as upgrade, unless you added the AMG Dynamic Plus package which is
not available on the 2024 option that I have seen at dealership. Now that option had the red calipers and active ride control. For $5200
bucks.
Is the $2500 brake option upgrade worth it ? About to order a 2024 GLE 53 when the MSRP comes out. The stopping distance
without the upgrade is 114 ft from 62mph. I can't believe they have 4 pistons calipers on a 5k pound car. Although at 114 ft
with 4 pistons is pretty good stopping distance.
The standard brakes on the GLE53 will be more than adequate for 95% of driving needs. If you intend to drive your car like you stole it on a daily basis, the first upgrade would be better pad material and higher temperature rated brake fluid. The front rotors on the standard brakes seem to be the same as the upgraded ones so there won't be much additional stopping power from the upgrade. The ability to disperse heat will be better on the upgrade which is a big benefit. The real benefit of the upgrade is that it looks much better and for that alone, if you have the money to specify them, I'd go for it. But I wouldn't expect too much in terms of overall performance.
The upgrade option is from a four piston caliper to a six piston caliper, a lot more swept area on the rotor so much improved
braking. I don't drive like I stole it though. I'm certainly getting the brake upgrade option, even the look of 6 pistons calipers
is better than the 4 piston. Seems to fill out the wheel. And my 2021 S580 weighs less than the GLE 53 and the S580 has 6 piston calipers.
Are the stock brakes 4 pistons? I read on MBUSA that they are advertised as dual pistons......definitely pretty crazy. I think all of the stopping power is coming from the tires, if you go with the 21 inch option the tires are much wider than 20s.
I have the stock and decided to paint my calipers, definitely regret not upgrading based on looks alone as they now seem comically small for my car. Performance wise the brakes are soft but they're sufficient.
The upgrade option is from a four piston caliper to a six piston caliper, a lot more swept area on the rotor so much improved
braking. I don't drive like I stole it though. I'm certainly getting the brake upgrade option, even the look of 6 pistons calipers
is better than the 4 piston. Seems to fill out the wheel. And my 2021 S580 weighs less than the GLE 53 and the S580 has 6 piston calipers.
The red caliper brakes are not just a different color caliper. They are yet another upgrade. The silver brakes have 15.75 single piece rotors like the standard brakes, whereas the red caliper brakes have two piece composite rotors with aluminum hat and they are 16.5". The silver brakes are the standard 63 brakes and the red ones are the standard 63S brakes.
Here's a side by side comparison of the different AMG brakes. This is not from the GLE. Different models have different size rotors for each one, but it's still the same 4 braking systems.
Originally Posted by SanGee.X
Are the stock brakes 4 pistons? I read on MBUSA that they are advertised as dual pistons......definitely pretty crazy. I think all of the stopping power is coming from the tires, if you go with the 21 inch option the tires are much wider than 20s.
I have the stock and decided to paint my calipers, definitely regret not upgrading based on looks alone as they now seem comically small for my car. Performance wise the brakes are soft but they're sufficient.
Dual piston means 4 pistons. Each side of the caliper has two pistons, so total of four. There's an inner and outer pad. 6 piston rotors means 3 pistons on each side, but nobody calls them triple piston.
Last edited by superswiss; Apr 26, 2023 at 01:16 AM.
The red caliper brakes are not just a different color caliper. They are yet another upgrade. The silver brakes have 15.75 single piece rotors like the standard brakes, whereas the red caliper brakes have two piece composite rotors with aluminum hat and they are 16.5". The silver brakes are the standard 63 brakes and the red ones are the standard 63S brakes.
Here's a side by side comparison of the different AMG brakes. This is not from the GLE. Different models have different size rotors for each one, but it's still the same 4 braking systems.
Dual piston means 4 pistons. Each side of the caliper has two pistons, so total of four. There's an inner and outer pad. 6 piston rotors means 3 pistons on each side, but nobody calls them triple piston.
Ah I see, thanks for clearing that up. Yes I realized the $2500 upgraded silvers were different to the red on the $5200 package given the difference in diameter.
The red caliper brakes are not just a different color caliper. They are yet another upgrade. The silver brakes have 15.75 single piece rotors like the standard brakes, whereas the red caliper brakes have two piece composite rotors with aluminum hat and they are 16.5". The silver brakes are the standard 63 brakes and the red ones are the standard 63S brakes. Here's a side by side comparison of the different AMG brakes. This is not from the GLE. Different models have different size rotors for each one, but it's still the same 4 braking systems. Dual piston means 4 pistons. Each side of the caliper has two pistons, so total of four. There's an inner and outer pad. 6 piston rotors means 3 pistons on each side, but nobody calls them triple piston.
Important to note that the rear brakes are floating caliper type, which use different terminology. Unlike a fixed caliper that has pistons on each side of the rotor, squeezing toward each other, floating calipers have pistons only on one side and the caliper slides to distribute the force to both sides. So, inherently a floating caliper has half the number of pistons. Cheaper, and often fine for rear brakes (even the new M2 and M4 have single piston rears), but certainly do not look too hot.
Important to note that the rear brakes are floating caliper type, which use different terminology. Unlike a fixed caliper that has pistons on each side of the rotor, squeezing toward each other, floating calipers have pistons only on one side and the caliper slides to distribute the force to both sides. So, inherently a floating caliper has half the number of pistons. Cheaper, and often fine for rear brakes (even the new M2 and M4 have single piston rears), but certainly do not look too hot.
That's correct and found in the brake comparison I posted, but good explanation for those who don't know what the difference is between a fixed and a floating caliper. The floating calipers also have the benefit that they self-center over the rotor, which fixed calipers don't do, so fixed calipers may see uneven pad wear between the inner and outer pad. To compensate for that a full floating rotor can be used, which provides better, more consistent braking feel and more even pad wear as it has springs allowing it to move laterally and center between the fixed caliper. I've replaced my front rotors in my C63S coupe with the C63 Black Series full floating rotors. They are cheaper and better than the AMG composite rotors and they also look the part.
Last edited by superswiss; Apr 26, 2023 at 12:18 PM.
That's correct and found in the brake comparison I posted, but good explanation for those who don't know what the difference is between a fixed and a floating caliper. The floating calipers also have the benefit that they self-center over the rotor, which fixed calipers don't do, so fixed calipers may see uneven pad wear between the inner and outer pad. To compensate for that a full floating rotor can be used, which provides better, more consistent braking feel and more even pad wear as it has springs allowing it to move laterally and center between the fixed caliper. I've replaced my front rotors in my C63S coupe with the C63 Black Series full floating rotors. They are cheaper and better than the AMG composite rotors and they also look the part.
All good comments, except that if your pads on fixed calipers are wearing unevenly, you have a sticking piston. It can happen on either type of caliper.
Floating calipers have a similar problem, if the caliper itself sticks. Which is a more likely failure mode than a sticking piston (if you change your brake fluid).
The two piece rotors (AKA "top hat" or "floating rotor") also serve as a thermal break, conducting less heat. The DPP+ brakes also include floating discs.
I was able to drive AMG53's with the Red calipers vs. the Big Silver calipers back to back on a challenging road, evaluating the DPP+ package with ARC.
While my purpose was to compare the active suspension with standard (conclusive BUY recommendation on ARC for ride and handling), the additional braking power and better feel was obvious.
The red brakes seem to match the car, in responsiveness and power. The others are OK.
I wouldn't be in a Mercedes SUV if I hadn't driven the DPP+.
Here's are photos of what the High-performance AMG brakes in "silver" look like. On the MB website, they have the wrong photo which is the standard AMG GLE brakes. These upgraded brakes look more pewter than silver. Personally, these upgrade brakes should be standard on the GLE 53. The standard GLE 53 brakes are really the GLE 450 brakes just with an "AMG" cover on the caliper. The GLE 53 is the only AMG that gets a regular fixed 2 piston caliper standard instead of a Brembo monoblock with 4-6 pistons. I have never understood why... especially for the price.
Last edited by MBArizona; Apr 26, 2023 at 02:43 PM.
All good comments, except that if your pads on fixed calipers are wearing unevenly, you have a sticking piston.
I'm not talking about a sticking piston. I'm talking about thermal expansion. As the rotor heats up, it expands. With semi floating rotors the ring can expand vertically in response to thermal expansion independent from the cooler hat, but they are rigid in the lateral axis. Full floating rotors can move laterally as they expand, ensuring always optimal contact of the brake pads even if the rotor expands unevenly. This can be felt quite well with the brake response remaining consistent as the rotors heat up.
Not much of a benefit just getting your groceries and commuting to work, but if you like to drive spirited and go canyon carving like I do, it makes a difference.
Last edited by superswiss; Apr 26, 2023 at 03:32 PM.
I'm not talking about a sticking piston. I'm talking about thermal expansion. As the rotor heats up, it expands. Semi floating rotors can expand vertically in response to thermal expansion, but they are rigid in the lateral axis. Full floating rotors can move laterally as they expand, ensuring always optimal contact of the brake pads even if the rotor expands unevenly. This can be felt quite well with the brake response remaining consistent as the rotors heat up.
Not much of a benefit just getting your groceries and commuting to work, but if you like to drive spirited and go canyon carving like I do, it makes a difference.
Thermal expansion wouldn't affect a free-moving piston, so if there's uneven wear, it's a sticking piston.
You're correct that braking power remains strong as brakes get hot (up to a point) but I attribute that more to the two piece rotors with aluminum hats. Can't say definitively.
Even with the Red Calipers, there isn't enough tire or brake for such a heavy 5,200 lb car. Like AMG's first ever, the Red Pig.
Here's a shot of some hot tires / brakes. Later in the day track temps skyrocketed, and above this reading the fluids boiled. Time to cool down.
Thermal expansion wouldn't affect a free-moving piston, so if there's uneven wear, it's a sticking piston.
Still not talking about the same thing. Under braking the pistons are not free moving and there can be uneven pressure distribution if the rotor is not perfectly centered, resulting in uneven wear while braking. The full floating rotor centers under brake pressure, not when the brakes are released. Totally agree that if there's wear while the brakes are released, then it's a sticking piston.
I see your (valid) point and agree about the two piece disc, but still disagree about the pistons.
The pistons will accommodate imbalance unless they stick, or there is air or moisture in the system.system. They are hydraulically balanced.
That's one advantage of disc brakes, no matter what type of caliper. They even accommodate warped rotors, although it increases pedal travel. That's my training and experience.
But as you say, not noticable for normal driving.
Even more noticeable is the increased leverage exerted by the brakes, on the bigger diameter rotors.
Since we last checked in with Orbis, the team has ditched the calipers' heat-rejection grooves but kept the wavy profile suggested by NASA, adding conventional internal venting instead. This added a bit of mass but the rotor remains considerably lighter than an equivalently powerful conventional one and (critically) runs at temperatures below the 350-degrees (F) threshold at which brake dust production dramatically increases (the grooves created their own dust/pad-wear problems).
A similar LightWave aftermarket brake is being readied for fall 2023 production as a retrofit for various Teslas, Porsches, and Ford Shelby products, with calipers that utilize the factory mount locations. These kits ($1,995 for a front-axle pair) weigh 20 percent less than stock rotors and calipers, and run 40 percent cooler." -- Motor Trend
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
