New E500 owner - Question about big brake kit

[Rado]

Moderator edit: Moved this post out of this thread with video about BBK effectiveness.


Hello there, first post here

I recently bought a 94 E500 us spec that’s been sitting for the past 10-15 years, it’s a California car so I went for it.
Now that I’m working my way around it, fixing and replacing used old parts, one of the next steps will be the brakes, so here I am.

Since I’ll be changing all brakes around and maybe rebuilding the calipers, I might as well upgrade to silver arrows or some bolt on options from SL I’ve been reading around.

Does anyone have a straight forward answer on which way to go?
Just put 18” monoblock 2 so should have some space to play around.

Your answers will be much appreciated, thanks a lot in advance.

 

[sheward]

Welcome and congratulations on your purchase. Many owners here will agree the best setup for the money is the Silver Arrow setup from the SL you referenced. It provides plenty of stopping power for anything you would need on public roads. They even fit under 17-inch Evo wheels. No issues under your Monoblocs. Anything larger is going to be pricey and custom designed. You may enjoy reading the many discussions about custom brakes with a search.

Nice looking car. Is that a creme-beige interior or is it the lighting?

 

[szvook]

Aside from the SA kit, get stainless steel braided brake lines and better brake pads.

 

[Rado]

Welcome and congratulations on your purchase. Many owners here will agree the best setup for the money is the Silver Arrow setup from the SL you referenced. It provides plenty of stopping power for anything you would need on public roads. They even fit under 17-inch Evo wheels. No issues under your Monoblocs. Anything larger is going to be pricey and custom designed. You may enjoy reading the many discussions about custom brakes with a search.

Nice looking car. Is that a creme-beige interior or is it the lighting?

Thanks for the warm welcome, I was never into the older cars and I did read all the topics, but you guys are pro and know your stuff, I would need part numbers

Is it brembos am looking for or ate? I’m not planning on racing it, hell I’m still far from seeing it all together.
Here’s a link from the bay, is that the thing I’m looking for?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/306087420142

The interior “was” cream, it looks like now, the paint and interior will be the last steps of restoring it.
Btw just passed Nevada smog check, off to good start.

 

[gsxr]

Hello there, first post here
I recently bought a 94 E500 us spec that’s been sitting for the past 10-15 years, it’s a California car so I went for it.

Congrats on the purchase! Your new E500 is a pretty rare color combo, only 18 1994 E500's were imported to USA in Pearl Black with Parchment (275) interior. Looks like possibly WDBEA36E4RC139873 and maybe 150kmi or so? You should start a new OWNER thread here with photos to document the restoration process. Great score locating an all-CA car, possibly one owner as well! Where did you find it listed for sale? This one wasn't on the forum radar.

Thanks for the warm welcome, I was never into the older cars and I did read all the topics, but you guys are pro and know your stuff, I would need part numbers

Part numbers for the "silver arrow" / SA upgrade kit (calipers, rotors, pads) are on the forum... search for details. This upgrade has been discussed many, many times over the past 15+ years. 100% bolt-on for your 1994 E500, front+rear.

Is it brembos am looking for or ate? I’m not planning on racing it, hell I’m still far from seeing it all together.

The SA kit has Brembo 334mm fronts with Ate iron 300mm rears. Not really needed for USA-legal speeds, but it's a nice upgrade if you might go faster.

Here’s a link from the bay, is that the thing I’m looking for?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/306087420142

Yup, that's the correct stuff. The calipers pictured are from a genuine "Silver Arrow" R129 where all four calipers were painted silver from the factory. The same brakes are also available for less $$$ with the front calipers painted black, and the rears unpainted.


BTW, welcome to the forum!

 

[gsxr]

BTW, it looks like you used the original, stock 95mm-long lug bolts from your 16" wheels. Those poke out the face of the Monoblocks. The 95mm bolts are quite rare, make sure to keep those with the original wheels.

The correct lug bolts for your Monoblocks are the 85mm total-length bolts commonly found on the W210 chassis. See if you can find a set of originals with the decorative caps. These will sit flush with the wheel face. Alternately you can use shorter bolts that will be recessed.

 

[sheward]

I really like that Pearl Black with Parchment (couldn't remember the proper name for late model cars) I knew it was rare.

When you get around to paint and interior, GAHH, located in California, offers great quality seat covers for our cars.

 

[TerryA]

@Rado,

Welcome Rado, Nice looking color combo! Love the Monoblocks on it. You say it’s actually been setting for 10-15 years. Was it just a garage queen that was driven sparsely or not at all? It looks pretty sharp for just setting around. Where in California did you locate it?

Please provide more info when you can and more pics also and do start a “Owners Thread” thread. We have many knowledgeable members here that will help you greatly with your restoration.

Good Luck with your new ride. Hope to see more of you here.

Take Care

 

[Rado]

Hey guys, thanks again for warm welcome, I could ask for more info that u throw at me

Gsxr you are spot on with vin and mileage, it pop up for sale in Corona CA by owner, a Japanese guys who had it since 1995. I was traveling with work and hopped on the first plane to CA to buy it, it was a sweet deal too.
I’ll do the owners thread with more info a bit later.

Don’t judge my wheel bolts yet I have new ones in the box, the short ones, didn’t put them on since I might go the route with flat look, thanks for the size, I did found this info you posted somewhere on the forum.

Not a garage queen by any means, been sitting outside in the sun
The good - all original never touched
The bad - everything burned and needs changed, just finished the vacuum epopee and been able to pass smog.

I’ll go in more details on owners thread, here I was for brakes as I’m closing up on everything else before that.
Man am I sick of googling parts and waiting for delivery

I really like that Pearl Black with Parchment (couldn't remember the proper name for late model cars) I knew it was rare.

When you get around to paint and interior, GAHH, located in California, offers great quality seat covers for our cars.

The more I have the car the more I like it as it is, the color combo I mean, I knew for sure I’ll do black on black when just bought it, we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it. Not a fan of 2 tone paint, that’s not staying for sure.


Thanks for the brakes info, not sure if this is a good price, so I’ll keep an eye now that I know exactly what I need.

Ps car and wheels look good from far only )))
Wheels been chrome and awfully painted the middle silver, a problem to deal later with.
Dry interior with ripped driver seat
Burned hood and top

 

[Ertech]

what common w210 do the 85mm come on? only the E55?
thanks

 

[gsxr]

what common w210 do the 85mm come on? only the E55?
thanks

I think some of the early 16" wheels had them as well. But not the 5-holers, those used different bolts.