Wanting to retrofit AMG brakes on s550
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.
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.
Last edited by jagata; Jun 20, 2009 at 12:57 AM.
CL class w216, w215
SL class R230 (needs new rear lines, and rear mounting bracket)
Trending Topics
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...
The Best of Mercedes & AMG



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.

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.
Nick
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.
Last edited by Simon Ray; Nov 27, 2019 at 06:30 PM. Reason: additional info
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.
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.
Last edited by auburn2; Nov 26, 2020 at 07:54 PM.
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...
So the CL63 being rear wheel drive. The front 360mm rotor brake calipers would or would NOT fit CL550 4matic it being 4 wheel drive has a different spindle?
I have 20 inch wheels & was thinking of that upgrade.
I found CL63 calipers fairly cheap & can also upgrade to 360mm front rotors replacing my 335mm front rotors if the CL63 calipers mounting bolts line up? And would i have to do rear wheel as well or i cdn leave original cl550 Rear calipers alone without any balance issues?
Seems like u understand more that the rest do if the rwd CL63 front calipers can be used on the 4matic 4x4 cl550 would be the answer id want & what if any retro fittings. If worth the work? Asking if front calipers bolts match up on CL63 & CL550. Are or are not the same?
Thank u in advance
Last edited by Aviam; Jul 2, 2024 at 12:40 AM.










