To paint B200T brake calipers or not?

[Sincas]

Took delivery of my Polar Silver B200T about 4 weeks ago (my first Benz). I dont think it will be available in the US but i am very happy with it despite some motoring writers opinions - it suits my needs and love the ride, slightly higher driving position, performance etc.

My question is in my quest to customize it i was thinking about painting the brake calipers red - will it devalue my car ie not original - will it look ok - and any tips on doing the job. Have already researched elsewhere to use the proper heat resistant paint, mask up all but the calipers and give it at least a couple of coats.

Cheers from Byron Bay, Australia Your text hereYour text here

[asianml]

Hi, welcome to the forum!

I don't think painting the calipers will devalue the car at all. So I say you should paint it.

It's those other mods that will devalue the car.

[kdbcom]

Hi

Picked up my Cosmos Black 200 CDI on Monday. Was a dealers demo model about 5 months old
The calipers which are quite large looked awful (thro the 10 spoke sports wheels) they were stained & rusty looking already.
Just painted my calipers black using some high temperature engine paint (this I used before on a Scenic which had a lot of hard braking on mountain passes & still kept a perfect finish). This paint is lot cheaper than proper caliper paint & in my experience just as good. It is also a dream to apply.

Yes definitely paint them. Dont know about red though.

The only problem was I was unable to get the wheels off, will have to get the dealer to remove them and put on some copper grease/paste. I had to paint thro the spokes which was a real pain and the job took a lot longer than it should have done.

[matteus]

I painted my callipers also black. I also used high temp. resistant spray-on paint. Looks clean. Nothing fancy. Engine paint, like Kdbcom used, is also a very effective way.
In my opinion, callipers should only be painted a bright color if the car is 'worth' it, performance-wise that is. I'm not saying the B200T isn't fast enough, no not at all ([:p]), but I reckon it will be fancier, more down to earth if you'd paint them high-shine black. Just my 2 cents though... you should do whatever YOU like.[:)]


Good luck with your new car![;)]

[Sincas]

Thanks for the feedback - very useful. Was only thinking Red as my brother has a new Golf GTI and the calipers look pretty hot in red although the GTI does have some other red trim in the grill i think so maybe it ties in well. I know the GTI is "THE HOT HATCH" at present and the B200T is not in that class although i did upset my bro when i told him my Benz was quoted as .02 sec quicker 0-100k than his GTI. My polar silver B200T is all chrome ,silver and black so maybe black is the way to go - hadnt considered it as an option but it has merit and a little more understated/subtle perhaps.

On a more general note am loving my car - has just done 2000k so has loosened up a little and really moves along when required. Actually am just in the process of a bit of customizing - such as putting on chrome pedal covers, mud flaps front and rear, chrome surround for fog lamps. Looks great [:)]

Kdbcom i would be interested in your opinion of your 200CDI after your European tour - i would have preferred a diesel but couldnt wait cos wont be available until end of year here. It is a bit tougher decision which engine (availability aside) cos diesel is dearer than ULP and it is still a bit of a messy process to fill up with diesel unlike Europe. The Australian motoring public are swinging towards diesel and the new Golf is one of the reasons why.
Anyway hope your car goes well - i look forward to your feedback.
Cheers from OzYour text here

[MP.]

My wife is getting under 10 litres/100km in here city driven 200T, without the oil changes required of a diesel. For Asutralia, the 200T petrol is the best choice, its quiet and its a stormer. yet in traffic, the fule economy is in the economy class.