Brembo GT Brakes vs S55 brakes

[Reckless]

So, I was just about to change brakes on my car to the S55 brakes when someone informed me that the GT brembo kit is better than the S55 and compareable in price. They say the pistons are larger, it has 2 pc floating rotors, stainless steel lines, and better pads. Does anyone know anything about them? Any input apprecaited!

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[IngenereAMG]

Originally Posted by Reckless

So, I was just about to change brakes on my car to the S55 brakes when someone informed me that the GT brembo kit is better than the S55 and compareable in price. They say the pistons are larger, it has 2 pc floating rotors, stainless steel lines, and better pads.

Does anyone know anything about them? Any input apprecaited!

We distribute Brembo, and the difference between the OEM Brembo 55 set up and the GT package is as you state. I have it on my SL55 and it is much better.

[sprins]

Originally Posted by Reckless

So, I was just about to change brakes on my car to the S55 brakes when someone informed me that the GT brembo kit is better than the S55 and compareable in price. They say the pistons are larger, it has 2 pc floating rotors, stainless steel lines, and better pads.

Does anyone know anything about them? Any input apprecaited!

AFAIK the W220 (MY2003 and up) S600 and S55 AMG brakes are the same. So if you want to upgrade you should really upgrade to S65 brakes, or a decent 3rd party. Now I know that Brembo supplies AMG with brakes, so I'd say: go for it.

[Reckless]

Sprins: You must be in the UK, in the US S600 has brakes similar to S500. I would want to upgrade to S65 brake kit but requires 19" wheel and I hate dealing with low profile tires.

Dino: I sent ya a pm.

[GrepAwk]

'03 W220 S55 AMG Brakes question pile-on...

Do any of you have access to the MB factory part numbers and prices for '03 S55 AMG Rotors and Pads? I had data below from speaking with a parts guy last year, but another parts manager has recently questioned the validity of these part numbers:

Front Rotors: A 220 421 11 12
Front Pads: A 004 420 04 20
Rear Rotors: A 220 423 03 12
Rear Pads: A 003 420 19 20

What ballpark prices have you seen out there?

Front rotors:
Front pads:
Rear Rotors
Rear pads:

[Reckless]

MBN 220 421 19 12 Brake DISC $447.99
MBN 220 420 13 44 Protective P $121.99
MBN 220 420 14 44 Protective P $121.99


That's what my bill shows (I did the upgrade from S600 brakes to S55). My dealer gave me 15% off these prices. It ran me ~$3100 (they drilled holes in the 600 spindle as it was the same as the AMG but with a smaller hole).

[James@ACGSD]

$3100 is a great price as the Brembo GT's would run you ~$4000 for the 8 piston caliper with 380mm 2pc rotors, pads, and SS lines

[Reckless]

Thanks, James for the info. It was such a headache trying to find out how much it would cost to get this job done. The price kept changing and I didn't know until it was finished. I checked the specs and they looked exactly the same as the AMG's.

I found out that the rear brakes are the same for S600 or S55 AMG (S55's have cross drilled rotors).

I really wish there was a better kit, the brakes are decent now (it's ridiculous the Mercedes made such a powerful car and put such lousy brakes on the 600). When I am racing sometimes I wish I had the S65 brakes as the S55 don't cut it at high speeds but I hate dealing with low profile tires, bent rims, and a harsh ride.

[transferred]

Originally Posted by sprins

AFAIK the W220 (MY2003 and up) S600 and S55 AMG brakes are the same. So if you want to upgrade you should really upgrade to S65 brakes, or a decent 3rd party. Now I know that Brembo supplies AMG with brakes, so I'd say: go for it.

...S65 front rotors are the size of planets, zero complaints about the way they stop my 2.2 ton monster...btw, no bent rims here running the stock 19"ers

[Reckless]

Originally Posted by transferred

...S65 front rotors are the size of planets, zero complaints about the way they stop my 2.2 ton monster...btw, no bent rims here running the stock 19"ers

That's cuz you are not in chicago. They can't last as long without the cushion of a regular sized tire. I think my 750IL had better brakes and it was 3 tons.

They recently did something to the highways around here where they have these small speed bumps in the road that cause the front end to lift up especially when travelling at high speeds.

[James@ACGSD]

Originally Posted by Reckless

That's cuz you are not in chicago. They can't last as long without the cushion of a regular sized tire. I think my 750IL had better brakes and it was 3 tons.

They recently did something to the highways around here where they have these small speed bumps in the road that cause the front end to lift up especially when travelling at high speeds.

That sounds amazing... maybe they are trying to help you guys learn how to fly

Doesn't make any sense, sometimes the things they try to increase safely has the exact opposite effect.

[GrepAwk]

Thanks.

That's the part number I got from the new guy for the S55 Front rotors.

MBN 220 421 19 12 Brake DISC $447.99
But he wanted an extra few bucks.

I also looked at a few online places or other vendors' parts. Zimmerman's come up a lot, but they don't look cross drilled in any of the pictures.

[GrepAwk]

I confirmed the MBN 220 421 19 12 Brake DISC $447.99
with 2 different parts guys. I think my original post contained bad info. Too good to be true.

[Viet_Amg408]

damn $500 for a rotor..expensive

[maw1124]

Dealer quotes me $435 per corner on the front rotors. Mine are cross-drilled, and they won't tell me the manufacturer. I too note that the Zimmerman's you see online are not cross-drilled.

[maw1124]

Originally Posted by maw1124

Dealer quotes me $435 per corner on the front rotors. Mine are cross-drilled, and they won't tell me the manufacturer. I too note that the Zimmerman's you see online are not cross-drilled.

I should be fair: they're quoting $435 per corner for "Front Brakes" which probably includes rotors and pads. This is for parts only. Labor's a different story, which no one cares about if we're dealing with aftermarket parts and independent labor.

By the way, if you're running non-stock rotors / pads on an '05 or '06 W220 AMG, I'd like to know what you're running and what you think of it. Mine are due for replacement in the not so distant future, and I'd like to get "learned up." Thanks in advance.

Best regards,

maw

[Akademiks]

FWIW, our AMG brakes are in fact Brembos repackaged. You can see the "BREMBO" logo when you remove your wheels.

[Bukwild]

I would suggest you try a set of stainless steel brake lines before you drop a ton of cash. they actually are the cheapest brake mod you can do. Awesome petal feel really brings stock brakes to life.