VancouverS55

I am shopping for rotors and was given these sizes/prices by one supplier;

S55 AMG (W220) [345mm FRONT DISC]
11392
2204211112
$399 PAIR

S55 AMG (W220) [360mm FRONT DISC] 4-PAD FRONT CALIPER
11407
2204211912
$925 PAIR

I questioned the difference in size and price and was told my particular S55 has the bigger rotors. The ten digit # is the MB part #. Which leads me to the next question are'nt all S55's created equally? Anyone out there with the smaller rotors on?
Thanks

iolithblue

the best way to reliably tell is with your VIN, give it to the dealer to get the correct specs

VancouverS55

I know which one is correct for my car - the big one. I was just wondering why the difference in size? I am thinking possibly the early S55's came with the smaller rotors?

VancouverS55

Those prices are for DiscItalia - cost a little more than the OEM's.

whoover

Yes. The smaller ones were for 2001-2002, before the engine was supercharged.

VancouverS55

Thanks didn't know that. Are there any books out there that tell the AMG story. The cars, tech changes etc?

whoover

I don't know of any, but it's a great idea. There are folks here who can probably write it. Maybe the new owners will think about MBWorld Publications.

Dixit

Another easier way is to simple just look at your front caliper through the spokes. The larger rotor has 4 separate pads. Not the normal 2 pads (front side and back side of the rotor) we normally see on cars. This one has 4, two on the front and two on the back of the rotor, they are separated by the large bolt in the middle that holds the caliper together.

Below you can see an example of it off my car, that reverse torx based bolt separates the two sets of pads.

VancouverS55

Thanks Dixit for your post - yes looks just like mine - except my rotors have small cracks form vent holes

Re looking for a book on AMG's Whoover - I found one - 'Mercedes AMG Ultimate Portfolio 2000-2006' - Amazon - ordered it.

VancouverS55

I'm going on too long about my rotor problem but I gotta tell someone! Talking to one supplier out there and here is part of their response to my questions;

"The S55 and the CL55 AMG show to use the same rotors in several catalogs. Our catalogs show two pads on each side of the car for this S55 and the CL55 AMG. We are not aware of the the S55 or CL55 AMG using four pads on each side. The diameter of the rotors is 360mm. The rotors listed on our site are the correct rotors by OE specs for your vehicle."

I think there are 4 pads on each side of my car - if no I stand corrected. The older S55 may have been 2 pads on each side and maybe this is what these guys are looking at?

S55 and CL55 Amgs use same rotors? Does this sound right?

The only reason I contacted these guys was the price - much cheaper. As in everything else do you get what you pay for?

whoover

Yes CL55 and S55 take the same pads and rotors: four pads per front rotor from 2003; two for 2001-2002. Sounds like you'll be getting what you pay for from these guys.

VancouverS55

Thanks Whoover - Assuming I do end up with the right ones there is a large price difference between suppliers/mfgs you have to wonder what's the differnce in quality? Does paying more mean you are getting a better rotor?

whoover

Not necessarily. But cheapest can also be a sign that these are not real OEM parts. It depends on where you want to be on the risk/reward curve. I use the dealer. I don't look at it as getting ripped off, but sleep insurance. There are many people who have good luck getting the same parts at discounts on the internet. Just do your homework.

Since I upgraded my S55, some of these questions have become non-isssues for me. Try finding an S65 rotor on the internet. I don't want to think about what that first brake job is going to cost me. But my dealer has always kept my cars running well, and that's worth something.

VancouverS55

Thanks Whoover - I will go oem, buy them on the internet. I found an outfit in NY - MB Parts Direct. Price for two rotors and the pads about a $1000. The MB dealer up here wants $1600 so it's worth the extra effort.

Dixit

I normally go with places like www.thebenzbin.com
You get OEM quality parts by usually the same mfgs that make the original parts. And the prices are more reasonable. Like the S55 rotor is about $315 a piece and then getting a real good set of pads are about $200 for some Euro Ceramics.

Dixit

VancouverS55

Thanks - will email these guys.