steve sl550

I too am interested in the Porterfield pads but, confused.

The Porterfield site lists the AP1670 for the following: FRONT for MERCEDES-BENZ: 13-16 SL550 (EXC SPORTS PKG) 2016 SL400/SL550 BLACK EDITION and the AP1689 also does not specify OK for my 2018 or your 2019.

Assume you have been told OK for your 2019 SL450 but, do you know if they are OK for my 2018 SL550 ?

Sure interested in your findings Re brake dust AND have you been told that rotor wear will be no worse than using MB OEM pads?

Streamliner

I had the pads installed a couple of days ago. As per the folks at Porterfield, I did not “bed” them. They told me to try and brake “gently” for the first 50 miles or so, which I did. So far, no noise, no squeaks and much less dust. The feel of the brakes, to me, is in no way different than the way the car came from the factory. With about 100 miles on the new pads, I am very happy with them. The part numbers shown in my previous photo are correct, I believe, for all R231 models with the “Sports Package.” We don’t hear much of anything about the Sports Pkg, but I believe that all R231 SL 400’s, 450’s And 550’s that came to the USA, have it by default, but I am not positive.

steve sl550

Great to hear, few more questions:

Did you use MB for the install or another installer and can you advise installation cost?

So....Although the Porterfield web site does NOT list my 2018 SL550 or your 2019 SL450 they told you that pads fit and will work with both of our cars?

Did you compare the removed pads with the new Porterfield pads and in fact do the dimensions match?

Streamliner

Since Porterfield is just a few miles from my home, I drove over there and spoke directly with them. They never looked at my car, I just told them what year & model and they said the pads would be ready in a day or two, as they had to be shipped from their factory in Arizona. When I asked them “what if they don’t fit,” they said “bring ‘em back.”

I asked my dealer if they would install aftermarket pads and they refused, saying it was against policy. So, I had a local, independent MB shop do the swap. It only took 30 minutes. I did not compare the pads. The installer looked at the new pads, then eyeballed the calipers—before even removing the wheels—and promptly said they were the right pads. This place does tons of brake jobs and I guess there are fewer pad sizes than we all might think.

Anyway, as previously noted, after 100+ miles, the brakes appear to work properly, with no noise and a feeling exactly the same as with the original pads, but with much less dust. That said, the real test will be when I have the all silver wheels installed next week.

steve sl550

Eager to get your evaluation

THANKS!

iridium18

Stream - same here re your evaluation over the next few months ... my CPO 17SL63 is my first SL and the MB pad brake dust is a constant battle ... thanks in advance Steve

eddieo45

Jerry at ForMyMercedes.com asked me if my car has "the AMG sports package" and I told him it's not on the window sticker or datasheet, and he responded "I'd think that if you have the AMG sports package it would have been included on your data sheet." $299.90 for front and rear Porterfield R4S which includes shipping from CA to MA, and an anti-squeal kit. I'll confirm he's quoting the same pads you got....when are you putting the new wheels on?

Rockinrob

Eddio45:
On the 2013-2016 SL550's I believe that the easiest way to identify the AMG Sports Package is to look for drilled rear calipers. If they are smooth, then you don't have it.
I'm hoping that someone will chime in if the same is true for the SL400.

eddieo45

Rob, I believe you are 100% correct. A look at the 2015 SL brochure seems to indicate there is no such option as the "AMG Sports Package," and that the option that would impact brake parts is actually called "Sport Wheel Package" and includes not only the drilled rear rotors you cite, but other items that are easy to spot, like painted front rotors stenciled "Mercedes Benz", silver paddle shifters and the AMG 5-spoke wheels:

Keon

Painted rotors?

eddieo45

I painted mine red.....

Keon

I'm not sure if you're being sarcastic but you painted your CALIPERS red.

eddieo45

I'm gonna file this one with the time I pointed at the swordfish and, annoyed at the seafood counter clerk who stupidly was not understanding me, raised my voice a bit and said, "no, I said I want the SALMON."
I guess this is proof I should "copy/paste" more, and type less.....(I'll leave it uncorrected to remind myself to stay humble....)

eddieo45

hey, not tring to hijack the thread but so many wheel experts are subscribed I wanted to ask: will the wheels I take off my R231 also fit an R230? Will they fit other models, like the CLS550, which provided the space-saver spare I bought that fits mt R231?

threeMBs

R231 wheels will fit C218 CLS550 without any issues - both use (almost) identical offsets. R230, however, is a different story: while fronts should (or will) fit as is, rears will require (at least) 10mm spacers.

Wolfman

Hmm. On the rears it’s actually the opposite. R230 wheels will have a wider stance due to the lower offset.

threeMBs

As you know, OEM R231 19" wheels are ~ET35 front and ET48 rear. OEM R230 wheels are ET30 front and ET33 rear. Both have same widths. Your statement is correct if one is trying to fit R230 wheels on R231. Question I replied to, however, enquires the opposite.

eddieo45

does that mean they'll also fit W212 E Class that the C218 shares a chassis with?

threeMBs

Even though CLS and E use different offsets (CLS' are lower), they do fit W212 like a glove (I had both and used CLS/SL wheels on E). Note: front fitment on E is fender flush.

Wolfman

You are right! Misread the question altogether

litumup411

Set of new 20s that were OEM on S65. The gray in the wheels is a perfect match.

Streamliner

Very nice. Hope you enjoy them!

fun33

Stream,

I have 10,000 miles on my 2117 SL-550. It recently developed a minor but aggravating rear tire vibration at 67mph + that I'm guessing may be related to the OEM run-flats. I want to replace all four tires with Michelin Pilot Super Sports - live in Florida and never travel out of state. No need for all-season tires. I saw some posts (not any of yours) that suggested replacing run-flats with traditional tires might void the CPO warranty? Any opinion or experience you could offer on voiding the CPO would be sincerely appreciated.

I have taken it to the dealer to troubleshoot. They rebalanced the tires and tell me the vibration is better but still present. The dealer is very reluctant to even temporarily put normal tires on the rear to see if it resolves the problem. I'm concerned they will try to find a mechanical solution to the vibration, possibly causing a new problem that might not even exist. Of course, I could be totally incorrect. Could put on the four new Michelin's and the vibration remains.

Wolfman

You can replace the tires at your convenience and there is no impact on warranty. Never hears of such a thing!
Some tire shops may be reluctant to swap RFT's with conventional tires but that is typically lack of knowledge or they recall restrictions from other manufacturers. We have our MB dealer do these swaps as they typically match or get close to Tirerack pricing. Stay with the same sizes/load ratings and you will be fine. We have had Michelin Super Sports and PS4s tires on our SL's forever (well, 6 years on three R231's)...

They only issue I can see is if you would swap to inconsistent tire sizes/widths (that would result in large difference in wheel circumferences between from and rear wheels, but doing so would make little sense. Consistent up or down sizing won't cause any issues as well.

fun33

Tire Rack is showing Michelin Pilot Super Sports Front 255/35ZR19 and Rear 285/30ZR19 available and the proper replacements for a 2017 SL550. I just need to get the MB dealer to cooperate by putting 2 test tires on the rear to confirm the vibration is sorted. Would it be OK to use 2 19" tires that are close to the proper size for the test? I realize the exact sizing would be ideal, but the dealer tells me that is going to be a problem.