Chocofishez

I've been playing around with colors and options on the 2014 e63 s model build site.

I'm wondering about the carbon ceramic brake option.

Probably like 10k more, but they claim longer life. I am 2.5 years and 22k KMs on my c63 PP brakes and I only have 40% life left and the cost to replace them is around 6k. I will be selling before I have to replace them but the plan is to keep the E63 longer, and get a second car when i get a little bored driving the E all the time.

If I went with steel brakes I could be in a position where I need to replace the brakes before I sell and the total cost for the CCB doesn't seem so bad then.

My e63 will be a DD with a few highway trips a year. Will never see the track. I have a penchant for passing like 12 cars at a time when a passing lane opens up and then standing on the brakes to get back in the single lane, so I would appreciate the performance of the ceramics especially in a big heavy car like the E. I also enjoy braking late to nearly every stoplight and downshifting to first in M mode to show off to all the minivan driving moms out there.

The steel brakes also appear to be the same size as what are on my current car, so I worry a bit that with all that power and a heavier car I won't be happy with the performance, which would not be acceptable considering how much I'll be spending to upgrade to the E even without the CCB option.

I think i have done a good job convincing myself. What do you guys think? Would you buy them?

nstanford99

ive heard that they last about 2 times longer than regular, if not more! My dad drives a bentley supersports and bentley claims that you will never have to replace the brakes, unless you track the car. But its a trade off, your paying ~10k to get a better brake system, just personal preference id say.

AMG12

Another potential drawback could be squeaking. I drove a 997 Turbo with ceramic brakes and it squeaked like crazy. Was so annoying I took a pass on it. No clue if an issue on E63. Only difference I could tell you is Porsche had yellow calipers and E63s are orange.

xxGenericSNxx

All I can give you are facts. The option for the US market is $12,600 and the rotors are slightly larger than the regular steel ones. I've also heard that the rotors should last the life of the car, provided it's not on the track. A friend of mine has it on his 997 Turbo and doesn't have any complaints on it, doesn't foresee having to replace it anytime soon, and also tracks the car.

But really, I don't now how practical the feature would be in regular real life driving. They're designed to not have any fade under really stringent conditions on the track, situations we generally don't face on the road even in very aggressive driving maneuvers.

That said, I too am curious and if given the choice, I think I'd opt for it next time just to try it out.

Chocofishez

My steel brakes squeak too. I think that's part of the gig with an AMG.

I am liking the cavansite blue exterior and I think the orange would work with it.

Chocofishez

How did you get the option price? Do you know the pricing for the other options? Do you know if the color options on the build site are set in stone?

Any comments from your friend regarding the pads on his brakes?

xxGenericSNxx

I just got that price from the MBUSA build an AMG section:

http://www.mbusa.com/amg/build/#/mod...n-performance/

$12,625 is the official MSRP. You can view the colors available as well (sans Designo) from that site.

Here's the Designo color and trim options:

http://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/benz/d.../modType-E_SDN

I'm actually not too close to that Porsche friend, but I do have a friend with a Ferrari 599 with the CC brakes. I'll ask him about it and report back to you.

joshb63

I have heard the ceramics are too sensitive to enjoy or live with on the street. And they squeak., have poor pedal feel (from what i've heard) and are in some case LESS powerful than steel braking systems. I have a 2012 e63 PP with the standard steel brakes, everything is working great with plenty of braking performance. I also used the car for a long track day.

Josh

alrasheed1991

I ordered my e63 with carbon ceramic, my rotors didnt last too much my car has 40k mile on it and I am on my second set :S so carbon ceramic is a must for me

emericr

Unless money grows on trees at your house, the ceramics are a costly option and not really worth it IMHO.
The potential for squeaking is higher and they are very sensitive.
The only real experience I know off is a friend bought a 911GT3 (as he tracks his car) and stated he would not buy them again as they were way too sensitive for daily driving.
Regarding the thought of replacing your steel brakes and rotors, do not go to dealer and get it done by ordering online or finding a good mechanic. You will find that you can do it for $3K and that include rotors.
If you want them for bragging rights and the coolness factor, then it is a different story. They do look bigger and different than the regular brakes. Personally, I like the red calipers better than that weird rusty color.

xxGenericSNxx

What was the cost to replace them? How hard do you drive the car/ is it on the track? New rotors at under 40k miles is quite fast.

alrasheed1991

Cost 5K for all four, Well i never tracked the car i just drive hard every day and braking from very high speed no burn outs .

Chocofishez

What about ultimate stopping performance? Part of my concern is that the steel brakes are the same ones that are on my c63 and it weighs 3813 lbs vs 4275 for the new e63. 360mm vs 400mm for the ccb. I don't want less brake than I have now.

Squeaky brakes with a poor feel would be no good. I did however find this review of an SLS with ceramics and it's more positive. I would presume the E would have the same system

http://www.edmunds.com/mercedes-benz...just-fine.html

xxGenericSNxx

I'm fairly certain the part numbers on the SLS brakes are the same across the line for the E and CLS.

tfsiii

Dont have them on my car, but at the AMG driving academy last spring, many of the cars we drove were equipped with cc setup. Got a chance to drive E63 with them in the max straight line acceleration to stop box course, and you can tell the difference. However, the stock stopping package is pretty impressive on it's own, and the difference (imho) was not huge. Considering both setups get the job done , I don't need the CC.
regards , tom

absent

I have them on my CLS63,no squeaks,no problem with modulation,great feel and superior braking no matter from what speed.
I tend to drive very hard,frequent full stop from 130-150 mph (coming back from my warehouse at 4AM on the highway,braking on a straight on ramp).
Destroyed steel brakes in SL65 after just 8k miles (warped and cracked rotors),same thing in '11 S63 after 12k miles (except warping,just total wear off).
Going to order the new E63 S or new S63 but ONLY with CCBs.
If you drive gently these brakes are a waste of $$,otherwise I strongly recommend them.

TheOtherEric

You've been watching too much MotorWeek with John Davis.

emericr

I would really like to see a comparison of stopping distances between the 2. Unless you are a track rat where you need the endurance of the CBB, I would venture to state that there is not any difference.
Again if cost is the issue rather than perceived stopping power, the steel option is cheaper than the CBB over the same amount of miles.

TheOtherEric

In normal street driving, stopping distance is always -- ALWAYS -- a matter of pavement and tires. Not brakes.

You may like the feel, life, or looks of CCBs but they won't stop you any faster on the street. On racetracks, that's another story.

xxGenericSNxx

So how many miles do you have on the CLS right now and any signs of wear?

absent

5k miles only (got it in November),no wear of course.
But,had a Speed with CCBs,put 25k miles equally hard,much heavier car,the stress on those brakes was not even comparable (5600lbs vs 4200lbs).
Brakes were like new.....

Midcont

I had to stop with maybe 60% of available brake force the other day and thought to myself "self, the stock brakes are pretty impressive. I've had the car a year and can count on one hand the number of times I've even come close to using the full performance of the brakes, and even then not ever even close to 100%".
The carbon ceramic are impressive but not 12k impressive.

xxGenericSNxx

Thanks for the feedback. I've always wondered why the Bentleys weigh more than many full size SUVs.

Chocofishez

Would the weight savings be noticeable on a car this heavy already?

It's looking like the steel brakes are the smarter decision. I could replace the brakes once and buy another set of tires before I got to the cost of the CCBs.

My other consideration is brake feel when it's cold out. For my climate I'm probably better off with something that takes a bit of heat, as I will want to drive this car hard on dry roads close to freezing.

absent

On uneven Chicago streets the ride with CCBs is noticeably better.
Also,lower unsprung weight is equal to multiple weight savings on the rest of the car so performance is also slightly better.
Having said that though,for 99% of drivers these advantages are negligible and IMO,do not justify $12k expense.
My personal situation is very specific and I appreciate that option,it works for me and I don't mind to pay for that improvement.