I just checked the MBUSA website, it says ventilated and perforated front brakes and ventilated rear, it still states the old 6-piston front. Of course the site also states: "Mercedes-Benz reserves the right to make changes at any time, without notice, in colors, materials, equipment, specifications, and models."

I'll check on the 2008 brochure later this evening. I wouldn't mind if they're for the better but would at least prefer to have the AMG logo on the caliper covers.

Any pix of the brakes?

 

I just checked the MBUSA website. Of course the site also states: "Mercedes-Benz reserves the right to make changes at any time, without notice, in colors, materials, equipment, specifications, and models."

This says it all. We can still express our displeasure. It would be interesting to know "exactly" how much was saved on each vehicle. The C6 Corvette has an optional Z51 suspension upgrade with better brakes and suspension. It about a $2500 option, much cheaper than the SLK 030 option. The 030 option is expensive at $6000 plus and with the older, better, SLK braking system (2005-2007), only the true enthusiast would opt the 030 option. If MB maintains the current braking system on the 2008 SLK, a separate brake only upgrade option would be nice.

 

The 2008 brochure says the same, it's what we were looking at in the dealer. I'm on hold now with MBUSA...

 

:tu:Good catch MDLSLK55. It's interesting that they increased the size of the rotor, but went from six piston to four on the front. Do you know the size of the rear rotor. I'm anxiously awaiting Dan's response. I hope this isn't a cost savings issue with MB, but that's what it appears to be. With the car still at the dealer, you have clout. Keep us informed.

 

Anyone know the specs on the brakes for the SLR? 6-piston front and 4-piston rear? Just trying to compare. Perhaps the surface area of the brake discs have increased (thereby improving braking efficiency)?

 

The area of the discs can increase without going to more pistons. Remember, more pistons is usually better, not always necessary (many M series BMWs use single piston brakes).

 

Dan's gonna investigate further in the morning, but here's what the original window sticker says directly (I'll post some pics at some point, maybe tomorrow):

Under Performance/Handling:
-AMG High Performance Braking System:
-F: 13.6" Perforated & Ventilated w/ 4-Piston Fixed Calipers
-R: 11.8" Perforated & Ventilated w/ 2-Piston Fixed Calipers

They're both ventilated, and the front is perforated, but the rear is solid (unless the cross-drilling isn't on the rear front surface )...

It's not showing up in any literature or in the EPC, but they called some factory rep earlier and he said it was the "latest technology" and that it was correct. So, I have the car at home for now, and I'll get it sorted out once and for all in the next day or 2.

 

They're both ventilated, and the front is perforated, but the rear is solid (unless the cross-drilling isn't on the rear front surface )...

.... So, I have the car at home for now, and I'll get it sorted out once and for all in the next day or 2.

Congratulations MDLSLK55!! :tu:

 

Don't worry ....

Be happy! Very, very VERY HAPPY! :biglaugh::biglaugh:

I don't think you will mind the bit of confusion over the rear brakes once you get past the 1000 mile break-in (no pun intended)! :rb

 

Hey guys,

Eddy mate checked your VIN it loaded like a champ at the moment its not showing anything that would suggest a change in the brakes and the SLR brakes are the CC version of the ones used on the SLK and other AMG's with the same system so its 6 front 4 rear.

I have checked all the info we have and at the moment if a change is happening it looks like a US thing, i will contact AMG in the morning and it will be sorted then.

All disks used on Mercedes Benz's are internally ventilated and thats the primary way they manage heat, the higher performance disks are also perforated (cross-drill pattern, cast that way) but that is mainly for looks and in bad weather water management.

AMG disk's also tend to be slotted and this is the only real thing providing the increased performance it does however cause the pads to wear faster.

It appears the size of the disks has increased but the real factor here is the pad since it can only work on the area it can transfer friction material to, if the contact patch remains the same then this is more a shame for cosmetic reasons (big brakes look really cool) but if the pad size has been reduced this is a really bad call by MB.

Anyways MD i will get in touch with you via IM and will also post the results up here, if a change is being made i will make sure i extract all the info i can about the reasoning.

 

Thanks a whole bunch Dan. The new office in the signature pix is quite a set-up (the ultimate garage). :tu:

 

I hate to be negative, but I don't see these changes as the latest technology and more of a cost cutting move. I hope I'm wrong. Dan will get us the answer.

 

That's interesting... and a bit strange. I wouldn't sweat it too much. There's nothing you can do about it.... if that's one of the changes. The 55 had and probably still has impressive stopping power.

If you get a chance, snap a pic and post it. I'm curious what it looks like now.

 

unfortunately i think that Don hit the nail on the head. i can't see how a smaller rear rotor can increase stopping power (but then again i'm not a engineer). i too would like to see pix.

bottom line, congrats on your new car, if you're like the rest of us (maybe except Bill), you'll love her.
:Beer:

 

Here's what you get for now at 11:30pm with a flash :biglaugh:

Front:

Rear:

 

Hmmmm. Well the front definately looks like a new brake. I haven't seen that design before. I wonder if it comes from another model or is it completely new? The rear looks like a step backward... a bit small. However, perhaps that's all that's needed. Maybe they've run tests and determined that the new rear brakes are cheaper yet just as effective?! I don't know. Let's see what Dan says.

Of course, thanks for the pics!

 

^So that's what I'm wondering...based on the pics, does my front caliper look like everyone else's rears or is it completely different?

It's kind of sad when the rear caliper is even too small to put the AMG logo on...

 

^So that's what I'm wondering...based on the pics, does my front caliper look like everyone else's rears or is it completely different?

Completely different. Since you were kind enough to post pics, I'll do the same. One sec...

Definitely not the best example, but at least it gives you an idea. Perhaps someone else has better pics.

 

Actually, the 'show me your wheels' thread has better examples. I hate to say it, but your rear brakes look like the rear brakes on the 350. It probably won't affect performance too much. It just loses a little appeal, that's all.

 

They look exactly like 350 brakes, the front and rears, that's what mine looks like. The only thing different is the AMG logo. I really hope that's not the route MB is taking. :td: I looks like someone jack your AMG brakes, put the 350 ones in and painted the AMG logo on. I hope this is the case so you get your AMG brakes.

 

Yeah, I really thought Bremen put 350 brakes on my 55 when I first looked at the rears, that's why it stood out so bad.

 

^And that's why I left without the car the first time, but it's hard to argue with the window sticker on the car...

 

From a visual standpoint, the fronts look good. The rears are lacking. They should at least paint them like the fronts. When I had the 350, I considered getting them painted and then purchase a little AMG logo from Ebay.

Well, even if this is correct, per the window sticker, I'd try to forget about it. I personally have dwelled on the steering wheel with paddles. I've thought about upgrading it several times as I only have buttons. Ultimately, I've decided to live with it as it's almost purely cosmetic. The same could be said of your brakes IF you don't plan to drive it hard or track it regularly. In most cases, you'll probably never notice the difference between '07 and the '08 setup.

 

"New technology" must be MB-Speak for "de-contenting". Seems like '08 have even more reason now to opt for the 030 package.

Front brakes on mine:

Rear:

 

"New technology" must be Mercedes Benz-Speak for "de-contenting". Seems like '08 have even more reason now to opt for the 030 package.

Very good point. In fact, that probably would have worked on me! Before, I couldn't justify the difference in cost. Now, I definitely could. lol.

 

OK checked with them this morning and they where not aware of any changes but my buddy's going to look into it to be totally 100% sure before he commits to any one answer.

They do look very much like 350 brakes I'll be honest with you and i cannot figure out why they would have any reason to downgrade them even if they retain the same stopping power the cosmetic effect alone was great, that back caliper really does look sh1te.

He did say the same as i mentioned before that he see's no reason why the 07 brakes could not be fitted should you want them, MD if your still going into your dealer this week i would really try and work something with 07 brakes even if you split the price down the middle or something.

Could you get a copy of the whole sticker please mate, you can blank out any personal details i just wanna see the info on the car.

 

MBUSA called me back today...he said they were changed very recently, effecting the 2008's, and the reasoning is the large amount of complaints over brake squeal on the AMG's. He said they've been complaining to AMG for a while over the issue, so they've been changed, but that they offer the same stopping power as before.

Well, I'm not stopping at that, just sent an email to AMG through their website:

I took delivery yesterday of a brand new 2008 SLK55 AMG, and I was shocked to see that the brakes on the car are drastically different from previous years. I actually left without the car the first time because we all thought the wrong brakes were put on the car, especially since no literature anywhere states that they have been changed. Well, after a day's worth of phone calls, it turns out the 13.4" 6-piston fronts and 13.0" 4-piston rears were swapped in favor of 13.6" 4-piston fronts and 11.8" 2-piston rears. I cannot understand why AMG would do something like this, especially since the rears are now too small to even put the AMG logo on!! However, the reps here claim that they were changed for 2008 due to many complaints about "brake squeal" and that they have just as much stopping power as the previous set up...I find that VERY hard to believe given the drastic downgrade in size.

 

I've sent an email to the salesperson at the local Mercedes Benz dealership including photos from MDLSLK55. I've asked him to relay the disappointment to the general sales manager, MBUSA and AMG.

 

:td:Obviously, this is a change that's not going to be well received. Regardless of complaints, the change has been made and incorporated. Too bad you have to go with the 030 option to get the pre 2008 brakes. I wouldn't spend the extra money. Even though I'm not affected, I hate it for those that are now receiving their 2008 SLK 55s. This is a bitter pill to swallow, but if I was in the market for a 2008 SLK 55, I wouldn't let this deter me. I would be interested in the cost of retrofitting the 2005-2007 SLK 55 brake system. I'm sure it's going to be cost prohibitive for most.

 

I am sure the '08 stops as well as the previous kit in the '07, but I have to say I'm happy I pulled the trigger on the '07 because I *love* the look of the twin brakes with the logos on them.

I'm sure most of us couldn't/wouldn't feel any difference in capability.