blackGLEamg63s

When I did my state car inspection recently, the guy told me the brake pads were really low. I'm at 45,000 miles and they are starting to squeal a little, so not really surprised. I haven't seen the warning light come on yet, so I'm wondering if 1. you'd recommend I just replace them now anyway before the light, and 2. do these cars require you to replace both the pads and rotors, or are just the pads replaceable? I was caught by surprise with an Audi S5 that I owned a number of years ago and since this is my first Mercedes, I don't want to be caught off guard when the time to replace comes along shortly.

Plutoe

If the rotors are in good shape I'd replace the pads!!

chassis

It's up to you when to replace the pads, as long as it meets your state's inspection requirements. Brake pads are ea$y money for dealer$ and repair $hop$.

Rotors don't need to be replaced with pads, if the rotors meet M-B specifications, your state's inspection requirements, and you don't experience vibration or shaking while braking.

RaceTank

45K?!

My pads only lasted 15k KM! Front and Rear

Rotorwrecker

I like to do pads and rotors at the same time. But I drive quite spiritedly and tend to wreck my rotors

Anotherone

Replaced my brakes from here: https://www.fcpeuro.com/

Paid $629.30 for all 4 rotors/pads and $400 to install.

FCPEuro offers lifetime warranty - so once you need new brakes again, order the parts and warranty the old parts once taken off and they will refund you.


Price went up: https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/mer...0512kt#reviews

E55 KEV

Cool! Thanks. Noticed any difference or brake feel or noise versus OEM?

Twilighthan

I bought rotors and pads from FcpEuro. I won’t be returning them to get free pads as replacements.

They are good pads but they don’t fit perfectly like the OEM pads and the bolts for the rears have too thin heads on the bolts to torque them easily. The front pads don’t have the stickers like the OEM pads that help make an easy and great fit.

The rotors are also slightly different, but I will keep them until they need to be changed. After 40 minutes on the track. I measured them and there was no change in thickness, even with my braking technique, which is very heavy to begin with and even heavier with this vehicle. They turned a the iron bronze color. The OEM ones never did that.

I changed the pads back to OEM very soon after. I couldn’t feel the bite that the OEM pads had. And it made me feel like I was driving an old Lincoln Navigator. Just took longer to stop. Not as tight as it could be.

if I had to compromise, because I got through so many Rear pads. I might try the race pads (instead of the normal pads they offer) on the back and the OEM on the front. But again, it’s not worth the trouble if you want to drive the car the way it was designed.

I am sure it’s great for normal every day driving. But not sure if someone buys an AMG, they wouldn’t need near design perfection.

threeMBs

Agree on FCP's pads. MB OEM stock pads provide fantastic stopping power (at great brake dust penalty). Question on rotors, were they Zimmerman (advertised as OE equivalent)? Did you find them interior to MB's OEM even after putting MB OEM pads back? Thanks.

Twilighthan

It's really hard for me to judge the rotors overall, even with the OEM pads performing much differently after I swapped them back.

They felt the same in weight mostly, but it's very clear the OEM design is much better. I never saw the overheating iron rust colors on the OEM rotors. I don't want to change out the rotors right now. They are too much trouble right now and I don't have any time this year.

The design of the mounting of the rear rotors were different from OEM and I busted a safety screw because of it after trying to ensure they were on there just right before tightening and torquing the safety screw. I think the Fronts fit properly as I recall.

Main question, do I find them inferior in terms for stopping power? I can say that I can't tell the difference currently in terms of feel. But sometimes even 1 foot in stopping power can make the difference between a million dollar law suit which last 3 years and will age you 20 years during that time.

I will never go non-oem again for AMG's unless no parts are available or it's very clear that the non-oem is suprerior, like the Racing Brake Fluids that can handle hire temps. I worked for a guy who had brake fad and crashed on COTA, so I won't risk that, especially with this heavy beast.

threeMBs

Do we know who makes stock OEM rotors for Mercedes?

Twilighthan

I thought Zimmer made them also, but they make them to different specs. Same with the brembo brakes. Same company, different specs.

Nanook

Textar

Nanook

I replaced with front = Centric 10512910 and rear = Bendix CFC 1630 both from Rockauto both for $120 CDN total...no issues

threeMBs

Nanook, I know Textar makes the pads for 63, but do they also make the rotors? I was under impression that Zimmerman makes the OEM rotors.

Nanook

Oh...not sure..let me see what I can find

Nanook

I think Zimmerman but I would not hesitate to use these
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...440114&jsn=931

threeMBs

What is COTA? Circuit of the Americas? Now I think your reference is to racing with non-OEM brake components and if so I agree. But for the street even with aggressive driving (which is getting harder every year since there are more and more cars), I think quality non-OEM rotors like Zimmerman (at this point we assume they also make the genuine version) with stock pads should be fine. Yes about $400 difference for a set of four vs. genuine rotors is not going to break anyone here, but if there's no safety issue (a.k.a. if MB dealer will install Zimmerman rotors) than it should be fine.

Nanook

Just because parts are listed as OEM it does not mean their/some aftermarket equivalent are sub par...often superior

threeMBs

Sure, everyone (or just about) have used aftermarket wheels, including on 63s. And more and more of them are made in China (MB dealers are selling some of them at their parts department). Rarely have I heard of a problem.

Nanook

For example I changed my OEM rear pads Oct 12 , 2019...a year ago with 27000 kms, and today I have 47590 kms on the aftermarket pads I used from Rockauto and the service last week listed rear pads as good ! I suspect they will outperform the OEMs in mileage at a substantial cost savings.

cm60k

As i know; "Brembo" is the only one who officially making "GL63/ML63", (390mm) Fronts & (345mm) Rears Rotors from "Aug/2011 till Nov/2019",

"Brembo/Jurid F600/66" who has contract with "GL63/ML63" pads, which is so great & reliable,

but unfortunately, MB replace them with "Textar T4411/EAC", on "Feb/2017", which is low grades (third party) pads..,,

*Zimmerman Rotors are super quality indeed, tried the many times, you can go with them for sure ..

-;-ZAYED-;-

E55 KEV

Thanks Guys. Very good info and personnel views.

Anotherone

OEM brakes should be around $1400 to buy versus aftermarket

https://www.ebay.com/itm/For-Mercede...gAAOSwCtJaAcPN

Twilighthan

This place is much better than the PL where so many people try to show up one another rather than focus on substance and appreciating everyone's different views. Rock on MB World folks!!