GLE63s, GLE63, GLE53 AMG SUV & Coupe (W166, W167) 2015 - Present (Two generations)

GLE 53 brake upgrade after factory

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Old Jul 8, 2021 | 08:25 PM
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21 GLE 53
GLE 53 brake upgrade after factory

Hi,

New to forum so I apologize if this has been discussed previously (did not find anything so far on this subject). Just wondering if anyone has ever changed the brake calipers and rotor for the 2021 GLE 53 with the large brake system as you find on the GLE 63S not at the factory. If so, could you keep the existing brake rotors and are there any other parts that would be needed to make this upgrade? Appreciate the insight. Thanks
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Old Jul 14, 2021 | 11:22 PM
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Originally Posted by Brr168
Hi,

New to forum so I apologize if this has been discussed previously (did not find anything so far on this subject). Just wondering if anyone has ever changed the brake calipers and rotor for the 2021 GLE 53 with the large brake system as you find on the GLE 63S not at the factory. If so, could you keep the existing brake rotors and are there any other parts that would be needed to make this upgrade? Appreciate the insight. Thanks
Since you added the word "insights" I'll chime in with my thoughts. I did this years ago on a '92 500e. MB supplied US vehicle with smaller rotors and calipers than the European version which they believed would be less tested than in the euro markets due to lower speed limits.. After going through two sets of rotors under warranty the dealer agreed to replace (upgrade) to euro specs calipers and rotors. The cost if I had to pay would have been close to $6000 ail in '92 dollars. The brake bias and anit-lock were not affected as it had already been engineered or and was basically just a bolt on.

I have the GLE63s brakes on my GLE53 and for the price it was a steal $1500 list i got a deal on the spec so it was around $1100. If your thinking of just calipers only be in mind that your likely to need the 21" wheel for proper clearance. as they are massive 6 piston calipers I don't think your going to pick up that much is brake performance with just calipers assuming the fit and you have the 21 inch wheels with proper offset. The bite on the massive rotors is what gives the braking performance. I suspect that the brake bias will be the same. Keep in mind MB are so over engineered that many of the sensor are tied to functions we never dreamed about. I don't think this is a financially prudent move.
Jimmy B

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Old Jul 15, 2021 | 01:01 PM
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Originally Posted by Jim Brady
I have the GLE63s brakes on my GLE53 and for the price it was a steal $1500 list i got a deal on the spec so it was around $1100.
Not sure where above numbers were pulled off from. Just Genuine MB rotors and pads for GLE63S (and this is for W166 since this is what I have, V167 63's should be quit a bit more) are $1,300 list. Add calipers, pins, brackets, etc...and one is at minimum $3K+. Add labor and we're at $4K+.

When GLE53 is ordered with silver(not even red) GLE63S brakes, MB is charging $2,500. This is only for GLE63S part minus GLE53 part (labor is the same). Do the math. Installing GLE63S brake onto GLE53 after the fact, is minimum $4K (maybe closer to $5K) not just $1K+.
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Old Jul 15, 2021 | 01:21 PM
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21 GLE 53
Originally Posted by Jim Brady
Since you added the word "insights" I'll chime in with my thoughts. I did this years ago on a '92 500e. MB supplied US vehicle with smaller rotors and calipers than the European version which they believed would be less tested than in the euro markets due to lower speed limits.. After going through two sets of rotors under warranty the dealer agreed to replace (upgrade) to euro specs calipers and rotors. The cost if I had to pay would have been close to $6000 ail in '92 dollars. The brake bias and anit-lock were not affected as it had already been engineered or and was basically just a bolt on.

I have the GLE63s brakes on my GLE53 and for the price it was a steal $1500 list i got a deal on the spec so it was around $1100. If your thinking of just calipers only be in mind that your likely to need the 21" wheel for proper clearance. as they are massive 6 piston calipers I don't think your going to pick up that much is brake performance with just calipers assuming the fit and you have the 21 inch wheels with proper offset. The bite on the massive rotors is what gives the braking performance. I suspect that the brake bias will be the same. Keep in mind MB are so over engineered that many of the sensor are tied to functions we never dreamed about. I don't think this is a financially prudent move.
Jimmy B
Thanks for the insights. I think I looking to get the entire system including rotors changed out. Probably financially not the best move, but stuck with what I have for now. I have 22in that came with the 53 so it should not be an issue. Hopefully I can locate a good shop that's capable of doing the work considering dealership might not want to do it. Appreciate the info.
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Old Jul 15, 2021 | 09:24 PM
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This reminds me of 2004 when I just bought a 2004.5 C230 Sport Sedan that came with the brembo 2 pistons rotors in the front (same as C32 AMG). My "friend" with a 2003 E500 wanted me to swap brake systems with him and then have me go to the dealer and say that my car did not come with the Brembo brake system when it was originally supposed to. He wanted the sportier brakes because his car did not have them at the time.

I didn't do it. And I don't talk to him anymore.
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Old Aug 2, 2021 | 11:30 AM
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One thing the GLE 53 need are brakes... The silver brakes are terrible. We have a 21 GLE 53 and the brakes are subpar should have added the upgraded brakes to the build.

Now I want to make the swap...
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Old Aug 28, 2021 | 10:14 AM
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21 GLE 53
Great end result by Benz Elite. All OEM specs for the brake system replacement.




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Old Sep 14, 2021 | 05:04 PM
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2021 GLE AMG 53
The brakes are one of the biggest disappointments with the rig.
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Old Sep 14, 2021 | 06:03 PM
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Originally Posted by Brr168
Great end result by Benz Elite. All OEM specs for the brake system replacement.



Besides the obvious - 63's calipers, rotors and pads - were any other parts required?
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Old Sep 14, 2021 | 08:32 PM
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21 GLE 53
Originally Posted by threeMBs
Besides the obvious - 63's calipers, rotors and pads - were any other parts required?
Just a brake sensor harness and new brake lines to accommodate the larger system. Pretty straight forward installation.
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Old Sep 15, 2021 | 07:29 AM
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Looks good. About how much did the brake upgrade cost?
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Old Nov 6, 2021 | 10:53 AM
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Before you do a costly brake upgrade try flushing out the original brake fluid and replace it with Castrol SRF Racing fluid...Huge difference on my old E63s wagon even with CCB
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Old Nov 20, 2021 | 12:50 AM
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What was the price to do this break upgrade? looks really good!
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Old Nov 20, 2021 | 02:37 AM
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21 GLE 53
Originally Posted by LamboGawd
What was the price to do this break upgrade? looks really good!
yeah it wasn’t cheap, like around 7k.
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Old Dec 22, 2021 | 05:06 AM
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Originally Posted by Brr168
Great end result by Benz Elite. All OEM specs for the brake system replacement.



I did same job on my 53. But pedal travels longer than before. Any possible reason? Does the master cylinder same between 53 and 63?
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Old Dec 22, 2021 | 08:38 AM
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21 GLE 53
Originally Posted by Not63
I did same job on my 53. But pedal travels longer than before. Any possible reason? Does the master cylinder same between 53 and 63?
I remember the first week when I first got it, the pedal did seem to travel slightly longer. But then it went back to normal after a few days. I think they have the same cylinder from what I was told.
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Old Dec 22, 2021 | 09:33 AM
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Originally Posted by Not63
I did same job on my 53. But pedal travels longer than before. Any possible reason? Does the master cylinder same between 53 and 63?
This is discouraging. If anything, one would expect a significantly better brake pedal feel, assuming one is not upgrading to 63's brakes just for the looks. MC and brake lines should all be the same. I assume brake fluid was flushed after the upgrade, wasn't it? Were the pads/rotors properly bedded in?
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Old Dec 22, 2021 | 10:18 AM
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Originally Posted by Not63
I did same job on my 53. But pedal travels longer than before. Any possible reason? Does the master cylinder same between 53 and 63?
I think it is a little air in the system which is easy to have happen when doing this kind of work. Easy fix. Go back and tell them to blead the brakes again and that should fix it.
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Old Dec 22, 2021 | 03:13 PM
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21 GLE 53
Originally Posted by threeMBs
This is discouraging. If anything, one would expect a significantly better brake pedal feel, assuming one is not upgrading to 63's brakes just for the looks. MC and brake lines should all be the same. I assume brake fluid was flushed after the upgrade, wasn't it? Were the pads/rotors properly bedded in?
Yes both the brake fluid was flushed and actually you had to have a new brake line for this upgrade. The exiting brake line was no good for the upgraded brakes. The brake line flush was important to fixing the pedal feel issue.
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Old Dec 23, 2021 | 08:07 AM
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Originally Posted by Brr168
...actually you had to have a new brake line for this upgrade. The exiting brake line was no good for the upgraded brakes. ...
Good to know. By brake line are you referring to flexible rubber brake line/hose connecting each caliper to metal brake line in each wheel well or are you referring to ALL brake lines including all lines running from the MC under the car to each wheel well? TIA
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Old Jan 11, 2022 | 02:19 AM
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Originally Posted by Brr168
I remember the first week when I first got it, the pedal did seem to travel slightly longer. But then it went back to normal after a few days. I think they have the same cylinder from what I was told.

Looks great!! Do you have the part numbers by any chance please ?
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Old Jan 20, 2022 | 03:29 PM
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21 GLE 53
Originally Posted by AMGGT63S
Looks great!! Do you have the part numbers by any chance please ?
Sorry, not sure exactly, it was ordered by the shop directly from Mercedes.
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Old Jan 20, 2022 | 07:30 PM
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I’ve also been searching for part numbers
just picked up a 53 for my wife. Why does no one spec these with brembo’s
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Old Jan 20, 2022 | 07:52 PM
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https://mbepc.net/1/fg/gle/p78/167188/0/42/030 & https://mbepc.net/1/fg/gle/p78/167188/0/42/045


Code "U29" are the Brembos.

Last edited by threeMBs; Jan 20, 2022 at 07:58 PM.
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Old Jan 21, 2022 | 10:33 PM
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I assume (hopefully correctly) that these are the brakes I have coming with the Dynamic Plus package?
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