W211 Fr. Brake rotor upgrade
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Joined: Feb 2021
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From: Germany RLP
W211 E220, W211 E55, W203 C55
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Joined: Jun 2020
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2006 CLS55 AMG, 2005 SLK 350 AMG
I'm working on it now. There are two larger rotor options - 380mm and 390mm. The 2006 CLS55 had the 380mm option and the 2007+ CLS63 had the 390mm. I'm taking the low cost approach of adding a spacer between the caliper body and the stock 360mm mounting bracket. For the 380mm the spacer is 10mm thick and for the 390mm it is 15mm thick. Two spacers for each caliper and then longer bolts M12 x 1.5 x 90mm. You will need to make sure the caliper, once fitted for the larger rotor, will clear your wheels. The stock E55 18" wheels will not clear. Increasing the front braking capability without a similar increase at the rear will further shift an already strong bias to the front end.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 433
Likes: 234
From: Germany RLP
W211 E220, W211 E55, W203 C55
I've driven mine on track and the the stock rear brake with 390 front brakes is fine on the W211. The stock caliper is no good, since the pads don't dissipate heat well. My pads were cracked from use on the 360mm rotor. The contact area of the stock mini pads is just too little in my opinion. The 6 pot calipers have way superior pad design.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,177
Likes: 314
2006 CLS55 AMG, 2005 SLK 350 AMG
I've driven mine on track and the the stock rear brake with 390 front brakes is fine on the W211. The stock caliper is no good, since the pads don't dissipate heat well. My pads were cracked from use on the 360mm rotor. The contact area of the stock mini pads is just too little in my opinion. The 6 pot calipers have way superior pad design.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 64
Likes: 1
01 E55
390mm
I'm working on it now. There are two larger rotor options - 380mm and 390mm. The 2006 CLS55 had the 380mm option and the 2007+ CLS63 had the 390mm. I'm taking the low cost approach of adding a spacer between the caliper body and the stock 360mm mounting bracket. For the 380mm the spacer is 10mm thick and for the 390mm it is 15mm thick. Two spacers for each caliper and then longer bolts M12 x 1.5 x 90mm. You will need to make sure the caliper, once fitted for the larger rotor, will clear your wheels. The stock E55 18" wheels will not clear. Increasing the front braking capability without a similar increase at the rear will further shift an already strong bias to the front end.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,177
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2006 CLS55 AMG, 2005 SLK 350 AMG
The bolt specs I mentioned in post #3 are for the first generation 6 piston calipers used on the 211/219 platforms. Those calipers have the largest piston sizes and highest total clamping force of the three options discussed here. In squared millimeters for the total clamping force for the three calipers:
8 piston 11,354 #pistons = 28mm, 32mm
6 piston 12,233 #pistons = 34, 36, 38 (7.7% more clamping force)
6 piston 11,379 #pistons = 32, 34, 38 (less than 1% more clamping force)
The clamping force are based on the piston sizes and the count of each piston in the caliper. The use of the caliper on a larger diameter rotor will also increase the braking forced due to the larger diameter of the rotor and the increased leverage that provides for the caliper.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Apr 2014
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01 E55
Pads
[QUOTE=UncleBenz55;8566305]I've driven mine on track and the the stock rear brake with 390 front brakes is fine on the W211. The stock caliper is no good, since the pads don't dissipate heat well. My pads were cracked from use on the 360mm rotor. The contact area of the stock mini pads is just too little in my opinion. The 6 pot calipers have way superior pad design.[/QUOTE
Have u tried hawk or i have heard the potterfield r even better
Have u tried hawk or i have heard the potterfield r even better
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 64
Likes: 1
01 E55
