jagata

I have heard about other guys retrofitting AMG brakes from 1 model to another example e class brakes to a slk. What do I look for to see if other models AMG brakes will fit the s550?

Red Marko

Why would you want to do that?

s600ed

Doubt the brakes from the other models will fit the S. Most likely only 216 parts are compatible with 221's but good luck finding the brakes from either 63/65. All the ones I see up for sale are of either 203/204 or older models. (had the same idea you had but I think just getting a BBK like brembo would be a better way to go)

irieblue

Regarding Brakes from Different Mercedes here are some comparisons..

SL63 360mm/6 Piston Calipers
S63 390mm/Twin Sliding Calipers
S550 335mm/4 Piston
C63 360mm/6 Piston

The best bang for the buck is a Brembo upgrade, Brembo has a 405mm/8 piston upgrade, that's specifically for the W221. The Twin Sliding calipers from the S65/S63 were developed by continental and are ridiculously heavy. The Brembo 405mm package probably stops even better than a S63/S65.

The main reason (other than for show) to upgrade the S550's brakes are that they don't really inspire much confidence when "hauling down" from anything over 80 MPH.

BIGBALZE55AMG

i have the brembo big brake kit....it is unbelievable. well worth the money.

jagata

A: It's my car and I like the better stopping power over standard s550 brakes. (not up to par imo)

B: I have seen other members successfully do it.

C: Used AMG brakes are more prevelant than used brembo.

D: Although I perfer the brembos, I am looking for the most bang for my buck on a used set.

jagata

Ok this is what I was told from a dealer that sells BBK kits,the following cars will retrofit with one another for the S class w221:

CL class w216, w215

SL class R230 (needs new rear lines, and rear mounting bracket)

irieblue

The CL 550 uses the exact same brake parts as the S 550, so of course they are interchangeable, you also won't gain any new stopping ability.

The CL63 uses the same brakes as the S63 which are the same as the S65, i.e Continental supplied Twin Sliding Calipers, they would be a major retrofit to get onto the S550's stock hub/axle, and are not worth the effort...

The SL 550 has slightly smaller brakes than the S550 (13" vs 13.2"), so that would be a downgrade in stopping ability...

The SL 63 has 14.2" Brakes with 6 piston calipers.. These would be the ones that would make a nice upgrade (I believe they are the same as the E63 and C63) , but like I said, a set of 16" Brembo's would be the ultimate upgrade if you are going to go that route..

Lets be clear on one thing.. Neither Mercedes nor AMG make brakes themselves, they are contracted out to Brembo/Continental/GM suppliers...

jagata

Thanks for that, I am aware Brembo are the manufacturer for AMG. The CL would be pointless so that is out, but I have seen 8 piston setup from SL55 which I am considering. I wished I jumped on those 12 piston setup (ROTORA) Eurotek was selling a few months ago. Again Used AMG brakes are way cheaper for me than New Brembo.

Venom-AMG

Brembo front upgrade is around $4k installed rear is another 3k. I don't know what used amg are going for but once you count custom retrofit I really don't know how much you would save. Like the above post brembo 16" is the ultimate upgrade. Sry on blackberry

jagata

65% off of those figures on average. I will be doing the work myself so savings is even greater.

AustinGuy

If you're going to do this make sure the dealership won't void your warranty (i.e if you even care).

I've heard from a friend that putting the S63's brakes onto an S550 is a huge effort. You would also need to get new rotors that fit the AMG spec and heat thresholds for those brakes.

And if you do succeed in doing it, you'll probably need a new set of wheels to show off the new "manly brakes" (as opposed to the girly brakes WSH refers to ever so often)

FYI: Here are a couple of pics of my S63's brakes.

Bklyn

This sounds great. I would love to do this on my2008 S550. the original brakes are fine but if they happened to stop the car a bit better, I would be very happy.

Mking4469

I'm really not understanding whats so hard about putting s63 brakes on a s550. I know the rotors are bigger and the brakes are bigger. Its the same body style. Ok so if the caliper bracket bolt holes don't line up why not just change the entire spindle to the s63 spindle? In fact why not just do that from the start if you want the upgrade change the entire spindle with everything attached. Is there something else I'm missing here, if so someone please inform me what it is. This is my first Benz because I never wanted one before. But i have worked on cars all my life and this can't be that much different. But if I'm missing something someone please inform me what it is.

Welwynnick

Some MB models have interchangeable brakes, but there's more to it than diameter. PCD and centre bore are usually all the same but different models have different disc height, so look out for that.

Nick

Nuru

I would think the brembo upgrade is the way to go, the retrofit might be cheaper, but the brembo upgrade is going to much easier to install as the kit will be designed to fit on your car without issue..

Simon Ray

This thread may describe a good alternative:

https://mbworld.org/forums/s-class-w...akes-w221.html

See post 11.

One advantage to the 8 piston setup vs. the W221 S63/65 setup would be less unsprung weight and not nearly as expensive.
Even in the aftermarket, it is hard to find a price less than $800 for the front rotors. Each.

Good luck with the upgrade. Please let us know which way you choose and what the result is.

lkchris

I’d think more caliper piston diameter or just more pistons equals different fluid volume means changing the master cylinder to be compatible.

Simon Ray

A quick check shows the master cylinder, brake booster, reservoir, pedal travel sensor, front knuckle, and hubs are common to all variants of W221.

cmfrenchy

Sorry late to the show here. I have an 07 S550 and looking to replace calipers with an AMG option if there is a direct bolt on. Just for looks really. Is it true the E55 calipers are a direct bolt on?

auburn2

A. If you want better stopping power get better tires. Better brakes will change the brake feel but they will not give you more stopping power in street driving. I love the way the brakes in my S65 feel, but it won't stop any better than an S550 with the same tires.

B/C. Eyeballing the S65 brakes though here is what I think:

Rear: I think you might be able to swap to the rear AMGs. You will need at a minimum the caliper and rotor. I am not sure if you will need a new backing plate or caliper bracket. As far as the parking brake components, you will need to keep your old "cap". The cap is what mercedes calls the spring clip that goes between the actuation arm and the boss sticking out from the spindle. The S65 uses a different cap (at least the late models do) and the part it mounts to is part of the spindle and is shaped differently, because of that I think you will need to use the cap from the S550.. Other than the cap, the other parking brake components look identical (that doesn't mean they are).
'
Front: Do you have airmatic or ABC? I believe the airmatic cars use an entirely different control arm and front suspension set up. You will also need at least 19-inch wheels. Assuming everything can bolt up to your control arms and spindle you will need all 4 calipers (they actually use 4 separate calipers, 2 on each wheel mounted in one bracket), the bracket, clips, rotor, pads and you will need the brake lines that run between the calipers.

D. The rotors alone are going to cost you about $3000 for all 4 of them (I assume you don't want used rotors) and there are not many cheap aftermarket rotors available, even off brands like centric are over $500 each. So this will not be a cheap upgrade. Figure $5k all in assuming you have the big wheels already and don't need to change out the front suspension. My guess is you can do brembos for a lot less, although I have not priced it out.

cmfrenchy

I appreciate that info. My specific question was in regards to installing 03-06 E55 AMG calipers on a 2007 S550. I read a previous post that this was a direct swap? Just looking for some confirmation. Thank again.