Will AMG C32 brakes bolt up to a W124 300CE? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Ortolan · #1 08-31-2006, 07:34 AM

Can the 4-piston front brakes from a W203 AMG C32 be installed on a 1989 300CE as a bolt-on upgrade? If not, what issues prevent the installation? Thanks.

yhliem · #2 08-31-2006, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ortolan

Can the 4-piston front brakes from a W203 AMG C32 be installed on a 1989 300CE as a bolt-on upgrade? If not, what issues prevent the installation? Thanks.

Not sure about the C32 brakes, but the W124 500E/E500 and the R129 500SL/SL500 and 600SL/SL600 calipers will bolt on with minimal (if any) adjustments. Any adjustments (if necessary) will involve rotor to dust shield and rotor to tie rod end clearance.

Of course, the W124 and R129 4-pots aren't as pretty, nor as big as the C32 brakes, but they are more than adequate in terms of stopping power.

I took the Brembo 4-pots off of one of our 500Es and put them onto my 16v. After a season of autocrossing on them I don't believe there's any need for me to go any larger.

Battlecat714 · #3 08-31-2006, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yhliem

Not sure about the C32 brakes, but the W124 500E/E500 and the R129 500SL/SL500 and 600SL/SL600 calipers will bolt on with minimal (if any) adjustments. Any adjustments (if necessary) will involve rotor to dust shield and rotor to tie rod end clearance.

Of course, the W124 and R129 4-pots aren't as pretty, nor as big as the C32 brakes, but they are more than adequate in terms of stopping power.

I took the Brembo 4-pots off of one of our 500Es and put them onto my 16v. After a season of autocrossing on them I don't believe there's any need for me to go any larger.

Would the Brembo's fit a w124? (sorry for hijacking).

sunman · #4 08-31-2006, 07:01 PM

u sure they were Brembo's on the 500e? They should have been ATE. You can install SL600 320mm calipers and discs on the 124 with no problems.

fastpakr · #5 08-31-2006, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunman

u sure they were Brembo's on the 500e? They should have been ATE. You can install SL600 320mm calipers and discs on the 124 with no problems.

What year 600? No mods other than the caliper/disc/pad set? Do they fit in the stock 15" wheels, or would this require upsizing a couple of inches?

yhliem · #6 08-31-2006, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battlecat714

Would the Brembo's fit a w124? (sorry for hijacking).

Yes, they will. Since the 2.3-16 uses W124 spindles you should not run into any clearance issues either.

yhliem · #7 08-31-2006, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunman

u sure they were Brembo's on the 500e? They should have been ATE. You can install SL600 320mm calipers and discs on the 124 with no problems.

Well, since Brembo was cast into the back of the caliper, I'm *pretty* sure they were Brembos.

Once again, (because I've posted this on almost every MB borad out there):

Early 500Es (up to VIN B930494) and apparently even some early R129 SLs were equipped with 300mm x 28mm rotors and Brembo calipers. The calipers are the same as used on the 190E 2.5-16 Evolution II. They are 4-piston, aluminum, painted gloss black with the Mercedes star painted in white on the outside.

Later 500E/E500s (after VIN B930495) were equipped with 320mm x 30mm rotors and cast iron ATE 4-piston calipers. The same calipers and rotos as found on the R129 SLs.

Because aliuminum calipers tend not to be as rigid as cast iron calipers, under certain conditions resonance will occur in the Brembos. As a result, many Brembo equipped 500E owners complained to Mercedes-Benz and the front brakes were upgraded to the cast iron calipers.

As there were no safety concerns no recall was initiated. Instead, a Technical Service Bulletin was issued regarding this problem and its associated fix.

yhliem · #8 08-31-2006, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fastpakr

What year 600? No mods other than the caliper/disc/pad set? Do they fit in the stock 15" wheels, or would this require upsizing a couple of inches?

You would be well advised to change the metal dust shield that is behind the rotor as well.

320mm is almost 12-3/4". 15" rims will not fit.

You must use at LEAST 16" rims and even then fittment depends on the shape of the backside of the rimface and the offset.