SL/R231: Power Stop Carbon Ceramic Pads Installed
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 257
Likes: 85
From: Newbury Park, CA
2016 SL400 & 2021 C300
Since you appear to have the same wheel set up as my 2016 SL400 - AMG five spoke 19 inch wheels, I am wondering if you recall the part number on the front discs? There appear to be two options, one for the sports wheel option and a different part number for the non-sport wheel option. I believe the front discs are a little larger on the AMG sports wheel optioned car. I think my confusion stems from the posts from members with SL550s and an SL450. There is Z23-1688 and Z23-1670 part numbers for the fronts and Z23-1689 for the rear pads. I think I need the Z23-1688 front pads. Are these the ones you got from Carid?
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,636
Likes: 522
From: Hagerstown MD
2015 SL400; 2019 X5M40i
Here are the parts that I ordered. I decided to replace the wear sensors even though the ones on the car seemed fine. Cost was minimal. Same sensors for front and rear brakes.
Power Stop® Z23-1688 - Z23 Evolution Sport Performance Carbon-Fiber Ceramic Front Brake Pads
Power Stop® Z23-1689 - Z23 Evolution Sport Performance Carbon-Fiber Ceramic Rear Brake Pads
Power Stop® SW-0505 - Euro-Stop™ Brake Pad Electronic Wear Sensor,
Power Stop® Z23-1688 - Z23 Evolution Sport Performance Carbon-Fiber Ceramic Front Brake Pads
Power Stop® Z23-1689 - Z23 Evolution Sport Performance Carbon-Fiber Ceramic Rear Brake Pads
Power Stop® SW-0505 - Euro-Stop™ Brake Pad Electronic Wear Sensor,
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 257
Likes: 85
From: Newbury Park, CA
2016 SL400 & 2021 C300
Here are the parts that I ordered. I decided to replace the wear sensors even though the ones on the car seemed fine. Cost was minimal. Same sensors for front and rear brakes.
Power Stop® Z23-1688 - Z23 Evolution Sport Performance Carbon-Fiber Ceramic Front Brake Pads
Power Stop® Z23-1689 - Z23 Evolution Sport Performance Carbon-Fiber Ceramic Rear Brake Pads
Power Stop® SW-0505 - Euro-Stop™ Brake Pad Electronic Wear Sensor,
Power Stop® Z23-1688 - Z23 Evolution Sport Performance Carbon-Fiber Ceramic Front Brake Pads
Power Stop® Z23-1689 - Z23 Evolution Sport Performance Carbon-Fiber Ceramic Rear Brake Pads
Power Stop® SW-0505 - Euro-Stop™ Brake Pad Electronic Wear Sensor,
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 563
Likes: 171
From: Nothern Georgia, U.S.A.
'17 SL450, '25 Lyriq, '25 Sonata Hybrid, '96 Corvette GS coupe
I went to Power Stop's site, filled in 2017 SL450, excluding AMG Sport Package (that is, for cars with the smaller 342mm front rotors), and they show the correct part number for these smaller non-AMG front brakes as being Z23-1670. Is this incorrect, or does the presence of the "951 Sport Package USA" on my car mean that I have the larger 360mm rotors and so require the Z23-1688 pn?
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 257
Likes: 85
From: Newbury Park, CA
2016 SL400 & 2021 C300
I ordered mine yesterday from Carid for under $90, including tax and delivery. I decided to also add the sensors, even though I was pretty sure I would not need them since I have new factory pads and sensors. But then when they totaled up the cart, with the extra $7 or $8 dollars included for the sensors, the shipping costs doubled so I removed them from the cart.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 563
Likes: 171
From: Nothern Georgia, U.S.A.
'17 SL450, '25 Lyriq, '25 Sonata Hybrid, '96 Corvette GS coupe
I went to Power Stop's site, filled in 2017 SL450, excluding AMG Sport Package (that is, for cars with the smaller 342mm front rotors), and they show the correct part number for these smaller non-AMG front brakes as being Z23-1670. Is this incorrect, or does the presence of the "951 Sport Package USA" on my car mean that I have the larger 360mm rotors and so require the Z23-1688 pn?
Last edited by Dr. Manhattan; Jun 22, 2020 at 01:41 PM.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,636
Likes: 522
From: Hagerstown MD
2015 SL400; 2019 X5M40i
I'm no expert but my understanding is the sport package is analagous to the AMG option and this includes larger cross drilled front rotors and cross drilled rear rotors. The 1688 front pads should be the right pads. Perhaps one of our forum "experts" can confirm.
Last edited by rmorin49; Jun 22, 2020 at 10:20 PM.
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Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 257
Likes: 85
From: Newbury Park, CA
2016 SL400 & 2021 C300
Based upon my vin and the list of sport wheel package on my documents from the dealer, both CARiD and I believed I had the larger rotors, but when the pads were ready to install, they did not fit - too big. Mechanic said it happens all the time. Safe bet would be to measure the rotors.
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 59
Likes: 27
From: Los Angeles, CA
SL450
Ron,
Are you going to install the pads yourself or taking it to a shop? If this is a DIY project for you, let's do it together. I've changed Brakes on about a dozen different cars. But having an extra set of hands always helps.
Dave B
Are you going to install the pads yourself or taking it to a shop? If this is a DIY project for you, let's do it together. I've changed Brakes on about a dozen different cars. But having an extra set of hands always helps.
Dave B
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 563
Likes: 171
From: Nothern Georgia, U.S.A.
'17 SL450, '25 Lyriq, '25 Sonata Hybrid, '96 Corvette GS coupe
Based upon my vin and the list of sport wheel package on my documents from the dealer, both CARiD and I believed I had the larger rotors, but when the pads were ready to install, they did not fit - too big. Mechanic said it happens all the time. Safe bet would be to measure the rotors.
Last edited by Dr. Manhattan; Jul 6, 2020 at 04:57 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 257
Likes: 85
From: Newbury Park, CA
2016 SL400 & 2021 C300
Actually, I am having mine done by a local independent German car specialist in Thousand Oaks that came recommended by the mechanic I always used for my Corvette. It is a lot more expensive than I expected, since my understanding is that it is a quick job for an experienced mechanic. At the moment, I do not have all the necessary equipment at home to lift the car to do the job, so decided to farm it out. Also, I am getting old and not inclined to do much wrenching these days. I will be 74 in 10 days. I have arthritic fingers and shoulders and a propensity for bleeding that comes with the use of blood thinners and fragile skin. I do still enjoy cleaning and polishing, and detailing our cars is either a hobby or obsession, depending on who you ask. I can still walk the golf course and play 18 holes 5 days a week, but that is about all I do anymore.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 257
Likes: 85
From: Newbury Park, CA
2016 SL400 & 2021 C300
I think they all have holes, regardless of the size. If it turns out you need the larger pads, let me know. I have not sent them back to CARid yet.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 563
Likes: 171
From: Nothern Georgia, U.S.A.
'17 SL450, '25 Lyriq, '25 Sonata Hybrid, '96 Corvette GS coupe
I don't have a jack at this location yet. It'll be awhile before I can pull a wheel to check the diameter, but thanks for the thought.
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 59
Likes: 27
From: Los Angeles, CA
SL450
Update after 8 Months of Use --- The PowerStop Carbon Ceramic are AWESOME when it comes to keeping the wheels clean.
I chromed the AMG 19" rims on my 17 SL. The brake dust was a constant pain to clean. Since changing the pads I don't think I have had to kneel down and sponge clean the rims to get rid of the soot. My car gets washed about once a week. Half the time I do it at home the other half I drive thru a touchless wash near the house.
The wheels aren't getting any special attention. Just soap and water and they are still shiny.
I drive the car fairlly hard and even in COVID are averaging about 900 miles a month.
Very Very Happy with changing to the Carbon Ceramic Pads..
Dave B
I chromed the AMG 19" rims on my 17 SL. The brake dust was a constant pain to clean. Since changing the pads I don't think I have had to kneel down and sponge clean the rims to get rid of the soot. My car gets washed about once a week. Half the time I do it at home the other half I drive thru a touchless wash near the house.
The wheels aren't getting any special attention. Just soap and water and they are still shiny.
I drive the car fairlly hard and even in COVID are averaging about 900 miles a month.
Very Very Happy with changing to the Carbon Ceramic Pads..
Dave B
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 257
Likes: 85
From: Newbury Park, CA
2016 SL400 & 2021 C300
power stop pads
I have had mine for about six to eight months now I think, and they stop well with little dust, but I do notice some if I have not cleaned the wheels for a few weeks. More seems to get on the rear wheels than the fronts, interestingly. Also I sometimes get some squealing when I first use them after the car has sit for a while, but it goes away after one or two presses on the pedal. Maybe it is caused by a little dust on the disc. All in all, I am very happy I put these on the car. I still have my oems in the garage if anyone is interested in them. They were installed right before I took delivery and are not even broken in. I doubt they were ever seated.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,636
Likes: 522
From: Hagerstown MD
2015 SL400; 2019 X5M40i
I have had mine for about six to eight months now I think, and they stop well with little dust, but I do notice some if I have not cleaned the wheels for a few weeks. More seems to get on the rear wheels than the fronts, interestingly. Also I sometimes get some squealing when I first use them after the car has sit for a while, but it goes away after one or two presses on the pedal. Maybe it is caused by a little dust on the disc. All in all, I am very happy I put these on the car. I still have my oems in the garage if anyone is interested in them. They were installed right before I took delivery and are not even broken in. I doubt they were ever seated.
