bzliteyear

Hi guys,

I know AMGs are supposed to be built like tanks and sportier, but does anyone know whether the suspension/brakes/exhaust(tips), etc...are different between the S600 Sport package vs. the S55 Kompressor?
I seem to recall brakes being larger on the AMG, and perhaps exhaust...but can't remember.
Lastly, wouldn't the S600 transmission be the same and/or just as durable?
Thx in advance for helping answer.

PL

Fraser

The Sport package on non-AMG W220s was purely cosmetic changes to wheels, grill, side skirts and bumpers.

The exhuast is the standard 600 one on each side affair and the brakes are the Mercedes Benz branded Brembos.

bzliteyear

Thx Fraser...but I'm still confused.

Besides the cosmetics, what's really different between the suspension of the S600 and S55? Yes, the S600 is mainly wheels and side skirts vs. the base S600. However, which components on the S600 are different than the S55?

When I drove the S600 w/ ABC on Sport, it didn't really drive differently than my S55(although mine is 2002). Are the 2005 S55 brakes and exhaust larger than the S600? Anything else different?
PL

Reckless

The 55 has bigger brakes, I believe it has an AMG suspension. Exhaust is supposed to sound better on the S55, I believe the S600 has a silencer. 600 comes with everything standard, whereas the 55 usually is missing a number of features.

I preferred the twin turbo over the super charged v8 and liked having all major options standard. I do wish the car handled better but I think the difference between the amg and the 600 in handling is going to be marginal.

If you go with the 600, spend the money on upgrading to the AMG brakes (my dealer did it for me for around $2000 but had to custom drill a hole on my spindles), the stock brakes are completely useless.

MRAMG1

Well, I will agree that they are less than desirable. I would not call them useless my friend.

I can confirm that on a road course they only lasted 4 laps before fading. However, I HIGHLY doubt that the AMG brakes would make a real world difference here as we are talking about a 4400+ pound car.

bzliteyear

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I could my current 2002 55's brakes be similar to the 2005's S600 brakes...or is the S600's still bigger?

Perhaps MRAMG1 is right, that I may not experience much real life driving experience....
PL

Corsa9000

I am not sure if you are comparing MY 2003-2006 cars or earlier. But in general AMG cars are different in four areas: Engine, Brakes, Suspension and cosmetics.

Also in general, the S600 is more gentle (Comfort Power), it gets up & goes smoothly and rather silently, the S55 V8 Kompressor, has a nice growl when you step on it, stops shorter and handles the curves better due to a firmer suspension.

As others said above, the S600 has all amenities as standard while the S55 lacks a few. Either way, you can't go wrong with any of them, both wonderful German high speed cruisers (not sports cars, but sporty cars).

rondocap

The S55 is also lighter than the S600, as the V12 is heavier - so that affects some of the handling, too.

Honestly I am not sure if the suspension differs much, because both have ABC. They both have a sport setting too, so the suspension, at least for the S class AMG's, may be the same as the 600's because it is ABC across these two lines. The brakes are different, and obviously the exhaust and engine. The S55 is more aggressive, and the S600 exhaust is much quieter.

Reckless

I thought they were completely useless. I wasn't fully pleased with the S55 brakes either actually. They were nice but not the best. I like brakes that can stop the car on a dime. Especially since I am usually driving the car very hard I need brakes that can stop just as hard.

I really think a class action lawsuit is in order for the S600 brakes. The car can accelerate sooo frigin fast even in stock form but the power is all useless if you can't stop the beast. I felt it was like putting Honda Civic brakes on a Ferrari. They worked decent if you are braking at normal speeds (under 45mph) but completely useless at high speeds (80+ mph).

I have the AMG brakes on my car and I think they are good (not best). I believe the S600 and the S500 have the same brakes.

I think if you are person who drives the car hard/aggresively they will see things like me. If you are a person who behaves and babies the car you won't need them as much.

Reckless

From what I remember the AMG has bigger struts and an AMG tuned suspension (programming). I'm sure there is a difference but I have never driven an AMG so I wouldn't know. The back end comes loose real easy under heavy acceleration and braking.

MRAMG1

Although I agree with you, minus the Honda part my friend.

I can assure you that I do not baby the car

You apparently don't know me, which is not a bad thing. However I do road race/autocross, and as a last resort drag race. So in a word, YES I am VERY familiar with the deficiency in braking.

What I can tell you is that I have owned MUCH worse, IMHO.

PS: Try stopping in a supercharged 5.0 with stock brakes. Now that is a treat for the unexpected

i_am_amused

I actually very much like my brakes. They can stop the car in a very controlled, predictable manner, and in very short distances for a 2-ton projectile. I've unfortunately had more than a few opportunities for extreme braking tests (some self-inflicted), and I have always been impressed (right after the relief wore off). It goes something like this:

*****
*****!
*****!!!!!
wow... that was close...
this thing has great brakes

Are they as good as the $10,000 sets now available? Probably not.

I would not buy a 600 without plans to install a big brake kit if there was not one already in place. I've not driven a 600, but a major brake upgrade is recommended almost unanimously by those that own them. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see the stock brakes might be a little lacking.

Reckless

I've had similar experiences... I had a really nice 8 piston brembo setup on my old bmw 750il that was better than my S55 brakes (on my S600). I think they are good, I just wished for even better. That being said I don't want to deal with low profile tires and loud brake squealing that comes with the S65 brakes (not to mention the enormous price tag).

Fraser

A common misnomer. Whilst the 600 has a lot more standard kit than the 500s/55s and below there are still some options; Keyless Go, Distronic, Powered trunk close, 4 seat package, Drive Dynamic seats, cooling rear seats, heated steering wheel, sunshades for rear side windows etc.

LOL, maybe a slight exaggeration there...however, I do notice my 600 doesn't come to a stop from a stomp to the floor as quickly as my father's old 500. That extra weight does make quite a difference to performance.

Reckless

Most 55's aren't optioned out. Most 600's are. The biggest reason to buy one or the other is going to be price IMO. If you are willing to spend an extra $5-10k for the V12TT plus an extra $1000 a year in running costs - then get the V12. It's the closest thing to a flying jet there is. Same engine as the Maybach. I believe Mercedes is not planning on continuing the V12 for much longer. They have stopped research and development on the V12 engine, which is really unfortunate. The V12 is what separates Mercedes from Lexus. The twin turbos is what separates it from BMW/audi.

The class action lawsuit may sound exaggerated but that's not what I was thinking after trying to brake down from 120 mph before nearly hitting the car in front of me. Car can climb ridiculously fast, but it comes down real slow stock. All because Mercedes is trying to distinguish the AMG models from the non AMG at the expense of the safety of its customers.

bzliteyear

With all due respect to the guys who go "flying" w/ their S-class, I would like to have solid braking also. However, I rarely go past 80 mph...and generally don't need the racing type of fade resistance. I think MB did the S600 brakes to cater to daily driving as there's a BIG trade off between larger/more pistons/rotors/calipers/pads, etc. - both COST and also comfort.
Btw, I think even some Porsche owners realize that as a friend who recently order a the 997 Turbo as daily driver chose the stock brakes over the Ceramic because he heard the $10k optional brakes were grabby/noisy for daily driving.
Besides, aren't AMG brakes/pads a lot more expensive to replace - like $1,500-2,000?

MRAMG1

Okay, I think this brake issue is getting WAY over analyzed. For 98% of all S600 owners, they will feel/think that the stock brakes are actually VERY good.

Now for the 2% of us that are nuts, myself included, you WILL want an upgrade.

As I mentioned above, the stock brakes faded after only 4 laps at beaverun. Keep in mind again that this was a tuned car, and with a driver that has more years of experience then I want to admit VERY few if ANY S600's will EVER see a road course.

On the street, daily driver, and even an autocross, they work WELL.

Again, its simple physics working against us here. 4600 pounds moving VERY quickly does NOT like to stop very quickly. EVEN IF it has the AMG brakes.

Note: The AMG rotors and pads are only a few dollars more than stockers. At the dealer they are both in the $1000+ range. DIY, mine were $300 for front rotors, MB, and aftermarket pads.

transferred

Remember that the stock brakes on the 997 Turbo are amazing, and an upgrade is not really necessary....for keen drivers of the 600s I'd recommend upgrading to 19" wheels and the 65 brakes, they make light work of near 5,000lbs...the stockers are okay for most but a V12 should be a no-compromise car and you can never have enough braking power...

-Rob

Viet_Amg408

brake on s600 or s55 is ****..does not stop the car .... doing 100 + mph you're going to need s65 brakes or something similar...

ShangoAshe

lol i don't know what's wrong with your brakes but mine works fine!

haha

Viet_Amg408

iono couple high speed brake it start to fade so fast..scary..maybe i need some better brake pads..

Reckless

My s55 brakes have saved my life on many occasions...

I remember once slamming my stock 600 brakes and smelling brake fluid and melted metal for at least 15 mins later. I narrowly escaped rear ending someone who jumped in my lane when I was flooring past 120mph.

ShangoAshe

dude get ur self some akebonons man, awesome pads with little or no brake dust and it works awesome! trust me they really are haha

bzliteyear

huh? honda brakes on Ferrai?
See below from Car and Driver 2003 article,
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...nz_s600_page_4
And when it comes time to undo the inertial damage done by the 12 pistons under the hood, 12 more pistons (four per corner in front, two each in back) go to work clamping AMG-size front and rear rotors. Repeated stops from 70 mph took 164 feet (two less than the Maranello). And yet, delicately applied, they can also arrest 70 mph without sloshing a back-seat martini.

PL