GLE 53 Performance Brake Option
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Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 25
Likes: 6
2015 G550
GLE 53 Performance Brake Option
my 53 is on order and will be first of march build. changed from the MBtex to the macchito beige diamond stiched seats today as my build was still open and put the black microfiber headliner in.
i am going to do aftermarket wheels so i just picked the 20" basic wheels i could get with the night package.
but i was debating on the performance brake option. only $2,500, which is damn good compared to the Brembo brakes we put on our G. but i would have to upgrade to the 21" wheel, so thats another grand.
has anyone driven the 53 with and without the brake upgrade? worth doing?
i am going to do aftermarket wheels so i just picked the 20" basic wheels i could get with the night package.
but i was debating on the performance brake option. only $2,500, which is damn good compared to the Brembo brakes we put on our G. but i would have to upgrade to the 21" wheel, so thats another grand.
has anyone driven the 53 with and without the brake upgrade? worth doing?
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Joined: Oct 2009
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From: Colorado
'21 AMG53 wDPP & ARC, 19 GLC300 - Former-03 C240,2 ML BlueTecs,20 GLE450 E-ABC,15 Cayenne D,17 Macan
my 53 is on order and will be first of march build. changed from the MBtex to the macchito beige diamond stiched seats today as my build was still open and put the black microfiber headliner in.
i am going to do aftermarket wheels so i just picked the 20" basic wheels i could get with the night package.
but i was debating on the performance brake option. only $2,500, which is damn good compared to the Brembo brakes we put on our G. but i would have to upgrade to the 21" wheel, so thats another grand.
has anyone driven the 53 with and without the brake upgrade? worth doing?
i am going to do aftermarket wheels so i just picked the 20" basic wheels i could get with the night package.
but i was debating on the performance brake option. only $2,500, which is damn good compared to the Brembo brakes we put on our G. but i would have to upgrade to the 21" wheel, so thats another grand.
has anyone driven the 53 with and without the brake upgrade? worth doing?
There are drawbacks, though. Bedding the brakes is important, but driving around town removes that bedding, and the brakes can become "touchy" and "grabby" as the bedding wears off. Then the braking power improves again as they get bedded in again.
In other words, they might be too aggressive if you switch from performance driving to daily use. But I do find the Big Brakes to be a very big Plus. They are Right There when you hit the brakes. Immediate, great feel, easy to modulate.
However at $2.500, you are half way to the Dynamic Plus Package ($5,200). That package Makes The Car! The ARC (Active Ride Control) is what gives the 53 a leg up on the performance competition - Cayenne S, RSQ7 etc. - in handling, and actually improves the ride quality.
If the Big Silver brakes feel like the Big Red brakes, even if they are a smaller diameter, they are probably worth the extra money, but if you have a chance to drive a 53 with ARC, you'll be sad that you didn't reach a bit farther for the full package.
I sacrificed the Burmester 3D for Dynamic Plus. I really miss that sound system, shouldn't have "saved" that cash on a hundred thousand dollar car, but you have to draw the line somewhere - right? Well, not in retrospect.
Long story short - the Big Silver brakes are probably worthwhile, but get the Dynamic Plus Package. It'll keep you from lusting for a "higher" performance car, and the ride will be more luxurious, too.
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Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 25
Likes: 6
2015 G550
I haven't driven a 53 with the Big Silver brakes (15.75" front calipers) but I have put some miles on the standard 53 brakes, and compared to the Big Red brakes (16.5" according to the specs) (part of the Dynamic Plus package) there IS a difference in feel and ultimate power from a high speed stop. I prefer the Big Red.
There are drawbacks, though. Bedding the brakes is important, but driving around town removes that bedding, and the brakes can become "touchy" and "grabby" as the bedding wears off. Then the braking power improves again as they get bedded in again.
In other words, they might be too aggressive if you switch from performance driving to daily use. But I do find the Big Brakes to be a very big Plus. They are Right There when you hit the brakes. Immediate, great feel, easy to modulate.
However at $2.500, you are half way to the Dynamic Plus Package ($5,200). That package Makes The Car! The ARC (Active Ride Control) is what gives the 53 a leg up on the performance competition - Cayenne S, RSQ7 etc. - in handling, and actually improves the ride quality.
If the Big Silver brakes feel like the Big Red brakes, even if they are a smaller diameter, they are probably worth the extra money, but if you have a chance to drive a 53 with ARC, you'll be sad that you didn't reach a bit farther for the full package.
I sacrificed the Burmester 3D for Dynamic Plus. I really miss that sound system, shouldn't have "saved" that cash on a hundred thousand dollar car, but you have to draw the line somewhere - right? Well, not in retrospect.
Long story short - the Big Silver brakes are probably worthwhile, but get the Dynamic Plus Package. It'll keep you from lusting for a "higher" performance car, and the ride will be more luxurious, too.
There are drawbacks, though. Bedding the brakes is important, but driving around town removes that bedding, and the brakes can become "touchy" and "grabby" as the bedding wears off. Then the braking power improves again as they get bedded in again.
In other words, they might be too aggressive if you switch from performance driving to daily use. But I do find the Big Brakes to be a very big Plus. They are Right There when you hit the brakes. Immediate, great feel, easy to modulate.
However at $2.500, you are half way to the Dynamic Plus Package ($5,200). That package Makes The Car! The ARC (Active Ride Control) is what gives the 53 a leg up on the performance competition - Cayenne S, RSQ7 etc. - in handling, and actually improves the ride quality.
If the Big Silver brakes feel like the Big Red brakes, even if they are a smaller diameter, they are probably worth the extra money, but if you have a chance to drive a 53 with ARC, you'll be sad that you didn't reach a bit farther for the full package.
I sacrificed the Burmester 3D for Dynamic Plus. I really miss that sound system, shouldn't have "saved" that cash on a hundred thousand dollar car, but you have to draw the line somewhere - right? Well, not in retrospect.
Long story short - the Big Silver brakes are probably worthwhile, but get the Dynamic Plus Package. It'll keep you from lusting for a "higher" performance car, and the ride will be more luxurious, too.
Main reason i went with the bigger brakes is if i change the rims down the road i have the larger rotors. The G looked stupid with the tiny rotors. actually surprised they were so dinky. And upgrading to brembo on the G was $9,000 on its own.
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 7,017
Likes: 2,198
From: Colorado
'21 AMG53 wDPP & ARC, 19 GLC300 - Former-03 C240,2 ML BlueTecs,20 GLE450 E-ABC,15 Cayenne D,17 Macan
Appreciate the feedback. I went ahead with the $2,500 adder on the silver brake package. I ended up adding the upgraded diamond stitched machiato beige seats as well, so i was already hitting $8k adder from my first build.
Main reason i went with the bigger brakes is if i change the rims down the road i have the larger rotors. The G looked stupid with the tiny rotors. actually surprised they were so dinky. And upgrading to brembo on the G was $9,000 on its own.
Main reason i went with the bigger brakes is if i change the rims down the road i have the larger rotors. The G looked stupid with the tiny rotors. actually surprised they were so dinky. And upgrading to brembo on the G was $9,000 on its own.
At the track, Corvette Z06 owners commented on the looks while I was sitting in the pits, since Hi-Po Corvette brakes are an inch smaller, like the Silver M-B brake package.
But the REAL difference is the ARC - Active suspension. It changes the character of the car. It's pretty incredible, IMO. Dramatically improved handling, but most important for daily driving, it gets rid of the tippy, boat-like feel of the rest of the line. The air suspension helps some, but the ARC eliminates it. And it's better than the legendary E-ABC of the GLE450/580.
Soapbox rant, I know, but it takes a lot of suspension goodness to impress me.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 25
Likes: 6
2015 G550
well my daily driver had been the 15' G550 for a while. its now a weekend driver or if the wife needs to go somewhere during the week.
so going from the G suspension, handling, anything will be a smoother ride. hah.
so going from the G suspension, handling, anything will be a smoother ride. hah.
