Brake upgrade - CLK 55

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Mobb

Active Member
Joined
May 1, 2010
Messages
451
Location
London
Car
CLK55 AMG - E92 M3
I know and have been told by others that there is no point in upgrading or changing the brakes on my CLK 55 (W208) as they are already "overkill from the factory" obviously referring to the fact that they are very good and dont need changing. (I agree with this, however find the stock calipers ugly and the stock AMG discs boring, although I know they are very good. I want to upgrade them on a visual basis maintaining the stopping power) What better way to do so than whats seen below? :dk:

MBWorld.org member said:
Again, the W208 does not need bigger/better brakes, the brakes are already overkill from the factory. The problem is in your tires/pads/lines. Addressing those 3 will drastically improve your braking efficiency & performance. BBK kits for this car are a total waste of money, save that money for power.

However...

Further down in that same thread there is a post from a member that owns a W210 E55 and that has done a brake upgrade for visual reasons, such as I want to do.

His brake upgrade seen here:

RAMON55(of MBWorld.org) said:
Im running 209 CLK55 brake up front and 171 SLK55 out back on my 210 E55. I love them, they look awesome, cheaper parts, and are way lighter. The rear backing plate needed a little trim to clear the big brakes out back.

Upgraded front brakes
CIMG1468.jpg


Upgraded rear brakes
CIMG1470.jpg


Pictures of the brakes on the car;
5.jpg

CIMG1696.jpg

RAMON55 then states after posting the above.. "Oh and my boss has the exact same setup on his 208CLK 55"

Surely I can do the exact same on my car, no?

I realize that I would have to get the rear backing plate trimmed as otherwise it wont clear the brakes..

I want to do the upgrade for visual reasons.. Not because I want a BBK just better looking brakes.

Is this my best option? What does the board think? Is this the best direct solution for my problem?

Anybody have any comments or advice? anybody agree or think that It wont work? (if so why)

Mobb
 
I think there was detailed discussion about this in that if you fit the brakes like in that picture you change the piston orientation. In order for them to operate correctly, the bleed nipple needs to be on the bottom. The pistons are not symmetrical.
 
not sure about the nipple on the bottom, the black series callipers i fitted to mutty der nail have the nipples at the top.

They could be fitted so that the left calliper was on the right, and the right calliper on the left, and that would place the nipples at the bottom, but then air could be trapped in the calliper, only a scouser would do it like that, whilst wearing a shell suit, lol
 
Well yes it might cause air to get trapped but then again it places the pistons the right way round. By placing the nipple on the top the caliper operates in the wrong order apparently and not how it was designed to work.
 
F1 cars have callipers at the bottom of the wheel. My front ones are upside down too (designed to be trailing but fitted as leading). As been pointed out if callipers are asymmetrical it is important to fit left to left side and right to right side. Position of nipples is not important as they can still be put in situ and bled right way up.
 
Ok then, so as long as the nipple is at the bottom I should be ok?..
 
Thanks for the comments guys.. So nobody see's or knows of any problems doing the mod?

@NW_Merc - Are you doing front and back? or just the front?
 
I'm just changing the fronts as the C32 rear is very similar to the rear caliper on the W202. If someone tells me otherwise I will keep the rear standard for the moment.

Problems for you 'might' be that the caliper may not be as efficient than the standard CLK 55 caliper. Shude was thinking the same but the caliper would have been less effective than what he had. If you want to do it, go right ahead but you would possibly be short changing your car if you know what I mean.
 
Thanks for the comments guys.. So nobody see's or knows of any problems doing the mod?

Insurance ?
 
I'm just changing the fronts as the C32 rear is very similar to the rear caliper on the W202. If someone tells me otherwise I will keep the rear standard for the moment.

Problems for you 'might' be that the caliper may not be as efficient than the standard CLK 55 caliper. Shude was thinking the same but the caliper would have been less effective than what he had. If you want to do it, go right ahead but you would possibly be short changing your car if you know what I mean.

Yep have discussed the fact that the brakes may not perform as per the standard AMG brakes.. Seems not to be an issue for the guy on the other forum that has done the upgrade on his E55. He says that he didn't notice any difference except from the pedal being lower.

Was shude thinking of doing the same mod or a different set of parts? i.e. brembo, AP etc..?
 
Wont be an issue.. If it becomes one, ill find a way round it.

Notification of modification is essential before it becomes any issue.

I'll be totally honest here and say that I will absolutely crucify any driver in court that has a car that is deviated from standard and is responsible for any accident I am part of.

Hate me if you wish but changes must be recorded or the vehicle is not properly insured and, ergo, nulls any policy.
 
Notification of modification is essential before it becomes any issue.

I'll be totally honest here and say that I will absolutely crucify any driver in court that has a car that is deviated from standard and is responsible for any accident I am part of.

Hate me if you wish but changes must be recorded or the vehicle is not properly insured and, ergo, nulls any policy.

He didnt say he wont record it, he said he'd find a way round it. On your second point, I doubt you will coincidentally be in the same place at the same time in order to crash into each other so there really wont be an issue there.

It depends on what policy he already has, not for me to comment on further and we are deviating from the main topic which was a brake modification.
 
Notification of modification is essential before it becomes any issue.

I'll be totally honest here and say that I will absolutely crucify any driver in court that has a car that is deviated from standard and is responsible for any accident I am part of.

Hate me if you wish but changes must be recorded or the vehicle is not properly insured and, ergo, nulls any policy.

Calm down... I don't plan on not telling my insurance company.. Don't know where you got that idea from ? :dk:

I just said I'll find a way around it, meaning... Maybe I'll change to a more tolerant insurance company or a company that specialises In such areas etc...

And I highly doubt I'd bump into you on my daily travels.
 
how much did you pay for the brake set ?

Haven't bought it yet.. But the guy who's car i relate to in my first with the pictures stated that it's far cheaper than a BBK, hence why I opted for this route.

Still to get an exact figure from him..

I'd say it's going to cost me around £650 - £1000.. Could be wrong? At least that's what I'll budget for.
 

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