I have a 2004 SL 500. Brakes are OK right now, but would like to do my own brake maintenence (Rotors & Pads). I have done brakes before, but not on a vehicle that seems to be more complex than the lunar lander!
Questions:
Any advice on an aftermarket (read internet store) that sells rotors and pads for this car? All that I have visited state that they do not have the part(s).
Is brake maintenence on these cars as straightforward as a standard disc brake car (such as the ML, for example)?
YES, it is a bit different. There is an automatic boost system that can injure you if don't disable it. This is done with the STAR equipment at the dealership. There is another way to do this. If you do a little searching you will find the answer. Just be very carefull. Otherwise pads in and out are quite easy. Brake discs on and off a bit more work but not overly complicated. good luck.
Glenn
Thanks for the info Glenn. I'll do some searching for the disabling of the boost system prior to attempting this. In the meantime, if anyone out there knows of a link to this information, please respond to this thread.
My 2003 SL500 has very pampered 26000 miles on it, when I got a brake-line-wear warning. So I thought I'd use this opportunity to upgrade the brake pads and rotors. While I purchased Akebono European Ceramic pads, the only "upgraded" rotors on the SL500 I could get through google was from brakeperformance.com, of whom I hadn't heard before. These were also just the front set, and pretty expensive: $378.
Called two MB dealers, and the website technicians. Apparently, the rotors are not interchangeable between SL500, SL600 and SL55.
So if anyone has an idea on rotors, or even some feedback on Brake Performance, Zimmermann and Genuine rotors, it would be much appreciated!
"upgraded" rotors on the SL500 ... were also just the front set, and pretty expensive: $378.
All relative, I guess. On a Porsche GT3, a set of front pads (Pagid yellows, the popular choice for the track) are over $300. So for a car of this caliber, and as rarely as one would need to replace rotors, $378 doesn't seem too bad to me.
Are you sure you need rotors, if this is only your first pad replacement? Typically, one replaces rotors much less often than pads.
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Jim
'07 black/black SL550, AMG sport package, tinted windows.
'04 Speed Yellow Porsche 911 GT3, mostly for the track.
Euro seats, Safety Devices half-cage, Schroth 6-points, Fabspeed MaxFlo exhaust; more mods coming....
On a Porsche GT3, a set of front pads (Pagid yellows, the popular choice for the track) are over $300. So for a car of this caliber, and as rarely as one would need to replace rotors, $378 doesn't seem too bad to me.
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