KTW and the C63 AMG Coupe With Forged Wheels and 500+ HP

The Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG has been a highly regarded performance car amongst not just the automotive press, but with consumers as well since it was first unveiled. It's simple formula of using a big rear-wheel drive V-8 powertrain with luxurious amenities has made it a popular choice for those looking for comfort, style, and performance to back it all up. One German aftermarket tuning company, KTW Tuning, wanted to take the sports car to the next level in terms of performance and style without going over-the-top with upgrades. Instead they stuck to a simple plan of adding new engine upgrades, chassis modifications, forged wheels, and enhanced aerodynamics to create an even more exciting AMG model.

The naturally-aspirated 6.2-liter V-8 engine that Mercedes-Benz builds by hand is still used in the Coupe variant of the C63 AMG model and has been tuned for even more power by the team at KTW. The 6.2-liter already has a thrilling exhaust note but was fitted with a new stainless steel exhaust system to optimize backpressure and produce a thunderous exhaust note. The system utilizes two new racing catalytic converters as well as a sport muffler and weighs 10 lbs less than the factory setup. After the exhaust was installed, the engineers at KTW Tuning focused on developing a new software tune for the sports car's ECU. The ECU software was altered and now features enhanced ignition, timing, spark, and fuel delivery to create even more power. The two modifications result in a total of 525 horsepower being sent to each of the rear forged wheels for quicker acceleration and a higher top speed.

With more power being sent to the factory rim and tire setup, the KTW Tuning team had to upgrade the chassis in order to accommodate. The factory suspension was removed and replaced with a new KW Variant 3 coilover system that helps to sharpen up handling and lowers the ride height by 15 mm for a better center of gravity. The rim and tire setup was removed in place of a new set of monoblock forged wheels with a lower overall weight and a 9.5 x 19 front and 11.0 x 19 rear setup. The wheels were also fitted with Michelin Pilot Sport tires for better traction on pavement.

The final part of the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG that was upgraded was the exterior. Here, the team focused on subtle additions that would improve high-speed stability. KTW installed a new badgeless grille that improved airflow to the radiator and a new spoiler lip that increased downforce. Two new side skirts were installed that redirect air away from the rear forged wheels. The rear is finished off with a small trunk-mounted spoiler and a diffuser insert with fins that create a suction-effect at high speeds to keep the rear of the sports car planted.

Douglas Cougevan is a contributing writer at COR Wheels. COR Wheels specializes in 3-piece wheels and monoblock forged wheels in a variety of traditional step lip, reverse, and concave designs for sports cars, luxury cars, and SUVs.

2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Black Series Coupe

Back in February 2011, Mercedes-Benz announced that they are re-introducing the C-Class Coupe and I am sure that I am not the first person to say that the new Mercedes Benz C-Class Coupe is 100x better looking than the prior iteration of the Coupe. Additionally, Mercedes-Benz also noted they will produce a high performance AMG version. Specifically, it will be a Mercedes Benz C63 AMG Black Series Coupe and this time Mercedes' AMG division claims that it was purpose built from the ground up for performance. That said, yes every AMG model has solid performance figures, but the Mercedes Benz E63 AMG, CL63 AMG or CLS63 AMG essentially had "bolt-on" performance modifications. The C63 AMG Black Series on the other hand was crafted to encroach on BMW M territory.

And like other AMGs with the 63 badge, this Mercedes Benz has the 6.3-liter V-8. However, unlike the other AMGs, this engine shares the same pistons, crankshaft and connecting rods from the SLS AMG and as a result the Black Series produces 510 horsepower. This represents a ~12% increase in horsepower compared to the C63 AMG Coupe (non-Black Series) which has a modest 457 horsepower engine. The improvement in torque is a more modest 3% to 457 lb-ft in the Black Series from 443 lb-ft in the C63 AMG Coupe. And to make this model more "track-friendly", AMG optimized the engine oil cooling system giving the oil cooler a cooling surface which is 50% larger.

To transfer all of the power to the rear tires, this Black Series has the innovative AMG Speedshift MCT 7-speed sports transmission which has 4 transmission modes, a double-declutching function and a "Race Start"function.In the "Sport Plus" and "Manual" transmission modes the gear changes take a mere 100 milliseconds.

The front tires are 255/35 R 19 while the rear tires are a little wider at 285/30 R 19. These tires are mounted on 19-inch AMG light-alloy wheels. These are vast improvements in size over C63 AMG which in the front has 235/40 R 18 and in the rear 255/35 R 18. These wider tires transfer power to the tarmac and allow the Black Series to reach 60 mph in 4.2 seconds and help the car maintain grip around tight corners.

The Black Series' party piece is its adjustable coil-over suspension system. The track width of the axles has been widened by 1.6 at the front and 3.1 inches at the rear and the system offers numerous setting options allowing the driver to create his/her own personal set-up. That said, this model is said to have better grip and a low roll angle which makes it feel more like a sports car rather than a luxury car that Mercedes-Benz is known for.

This Mercedes will give BMW 's M division a run for its money. I personally love the look of this Black Series. I love the wider more aggressive stance, the 19-inch AMG wheels, the interior styling and all of the performance bells and whistles. That said, I would strongly consider purchasing this if I was in the market. This C63 AMG Black Series will surely give BMW's M Division a run for its money.

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2008 Mercedes Benz C63 AMG Is Like Adding Steroids, Gel and Makeup to The C350

In 2007 Mercedes Benz introduced the new body style for the C-Class, which admittedly, was like your girl/boyfriend going from a 6 to an 8. The new model was re-inspiring and gave the C-Class a new more modern look.

Then in 2008, they came out with the AMG version of the C-Class, which was the equivalent of your girl/boyfriend working out, gaining some muscle and wearing make-up or gel (assuming that gel still makes you look cool), respectively. By working out and gaining muscle, I mean by about 68% and 72% in the horsepower and torque department, respectively, to 451 hp and 443 lb-ft. What happens after such an increase in muscle is you can now do a sprint to 60 mph in only 4.5 seconds rather than a measly 6.2 seconds in that less attractive C 350.

When launching an AMG version there will always be cosmetic upgrades alongside the above mentioned power upgrades. For a guy, this is sort of like adding gel to your hair, but I'm not talking about Pauly-D type of gel, rather a more sophisticated refined look like Pierce Brosnan. On a more feminine note, the cosmetic changes from the base-model to the AMG is sort of like adding makeup to a girl yielding drastic aesthetic changes.

Okay, enough ranting back to the C63 AMG... the base model was already a good looking car, but with the added AMG gel and makeup, it is now a dime piece. And this is a huge reason why the C63 AMG is one of my favorite luxury sports sedans, next to the 2010 M5 of course. The cosmetic/structural improvements include a 35mm wider road-hugging stance which is hidden by the larger fender flares. This not only looks better, but also improves the car's handling around corners. Another cosmetic upgrade is the lower bumper and the hood, which when mixed with everything else, subconsciously says that this Merc means business.

Despite this being a serious AMG performance car, we know that Mercedes Benz frowns upon a manual gearbox as it is not proper for a luxury car. That is why this one is fitted with an AMG Speedshift Plus 7G-Tronic transmission. There are 3 settings, "Manual", "Comfort" and "Sport" and the difference between the modes is shift speed/smoothness. A benefit of the transmission is that the power is distributed across 7 speeds rather than 6, allowing the C63 to hit 60 mph (4.5 seconds), 75 mph (6.3) and the quarter-mile (12.5 seconds @ 114 mph) quicker.

Additionally, the transmission features an automatic throttle-blipping function during downshifts, making it the first C63 AMG to do so. The almost completely jolt-free downshifting process has a particularly positive effect when braking before corners on the racetrack, or the more likely scenario, on the street during spirited on-ramp cornering.

If you realize you're going too fast, you can easily go from 60-0 in 114 ft by way of the internally ventilated and perforated disc brakes which are located on all four corners. The front brakes are 360 x 36-millimetre discs with six-piston fixed calipers, while at the rear the discs are 330 x 26-millimetre with four-piston fixed calipers.

And last but not lease is the AMG interior. The interior has new sports seats and a performance steering wheel. The seats not only feature a new design with cross-piping and AMG lettering, but also an adaptive backrest with adjustments for the side bolsters and lumbar support. Perfect handling control is assured with the new AMG performance steering wheel in a three-spoke design, which has a flattened lower section. The upper section is covered in perforated leather, and two silver AMG shift paddles enable the gears to be shifted manually.

All-in, this is another solid product coming from AMG and I am a huge fan! The only issue is that this really is a luxury car deep down, but worry no longer for the geniuses at AMG have figured out how to cut the amount of doors in half, increase horsepower and make an actual Mercedes Benz designed for a track. To view this thing of beauty click here C63 AMG Black Series Coupe.

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Mercedes C63 AMG Performance Package Plus

The German car builders at Mercedes Benz are going that extra step to make the very popular and powerful C63 AMG a much more potent performance machine. By concentrating on a few specific parts, the engineers at AMG have raised the output of the Baby AMG up to nearly 500 HP while adding in a very exotic braking setup as well as a few aesthetic touches.

The C63 AMG Performance Package Plus is easily identifiable by its subtle carbon fiber spoiler perched atop the rear deck lid and red AMG branded brake calipers all around. With the performance upgrades that AMG had in store for the C63 Plus, a very sophisticated set of front brakes were in order. The result is a specially designed carbon composite rotor that connects to a unique aluminum hat that is designed to not only stop the car more efficiently but transfer heat more effectively as well. On the inside, the Mercedes Benz design team decided to set this C63 apart from the rest by incorporating a nappa leather/Alcantara steering wheel and some of their signature black Designo leather for the upholstery.

Under the hood, AMG's engine builders swapped out a few of the 6.2 Liter V8's moving parts in favor of lightweight forged units like the pistons from the SLS super car, new connecting rods and a new crankshaft that together drop about 6 pounds off the internal assembly's reciprocating mass. This means that the engine not only makes an additional 30 HP, bringing maximum output up to 487 HP, but the V8 will rev a little easier as well. This means that the C63 AMG Performance Package Plus is able to sprint from 0 to 60 MPH in just 4.4 seconds, however the compact super sedan's top speed is still limited to 155 MPH.

TopSpeed is a popular resource for car enthusiasts and fans, featuring car news and reviews, videos and pictures of a huge database of cars and car manufacturers.

The New McChip-DKR Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG With 3 Piece Wheels

Mercedes-Benz may have quite a few performance models in their lineup from their in-house AMG performance division. Everything from their compact B-Class to their SLS AMG GT super car bears the "AMG" name and has impressive performance along with it. One of the most exciting AMG sedans might not even be the most expensive, however. The Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG sedan provides drivers and passengers with a dynamic chassis and intoxicating naturally-aspirated V-8 with a thrilling exhaust note that adds up to a superb overall package. While this is fine for most people, it wasn't for the team at McChip-DKR, the German aftermarket tuning company. The engineers at McChip-DKR wanted to extract even more performance from the German sports sedan so they developed a new conversion program that equipped the car with a supercharger system, new chassis, 3 piece wheels, and a special exterior foil wrap with custom graphics.

Beneath the hood of the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG by McChip-DKR isn't your average 6.2-liter hand-built V-8 AMG engine. The once naturally-aspirated engine was given a healthy dose of power thanks to a custom-built supercharger system that was designed specifically for the 6.2-liter engine. The supercharger system sits directly atop the engine and is mated to the intake manifold. A new air intake system sucks air into the supercharger where it is compressed and sent into each cylinder. From there, the exhaust is quickly sent out the newly upgraded stainless steel exhaust system with sport catalytic converters with little backpressure for better throttle response. The final touch is a new ECU tune that ensures all of the components work together in harmony. The result is an astonishing 600 horsepower and 750 Nm of torque being sent to each of the rear 3 piece wheels for faster acceleration and top speed.

In order to handle the extra power, much of the chassis had to be modified and reinforced from the suspension to the rims. To start things off a new set of 3 piece wheels were installed with a forged construction to handle the added power being sent to the rear rims. Each wheel was equipped with new Continental high-performance tires to improve grip and handling. Prior to installation, the 3 piece wheels were extended outwards thanks to new spacers at the front and rear axles for a more aggressive stance. The suspension was then modified with a new set of sport springs that lowered the center of gravity to allow for more dynamic handling characteristics.

The final touch on the McChip-DKR Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG model was a new exterior wrap. The German company teamed up with CoverEFX to create an urban-style camouflage foil wrap with McChip-DKR graphics and logos along each side of the sports sedan.

Douglas Cougevan is a contributing writer at COR Wheels. COR Wheels specializes in 3 piece wheels and monoblock rims in a variety of both traditional step lip, reverse, and concave designs.

Ultra-Premium Ceramic Brake Pads Front + Rear (Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ultra-Premium-Ceramic-Brake-Pads-Front-Rear-Mercedes-Benz-CLS63-AMG-/321393141052?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item4ad486253c

THIS ITEM INCLUDED 8 PIECES OF PREMIUM CERAMIC BRAKE PADS    Ultra-Premium Ceramic Brake Pads Front + Rear (Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG)

Ultra-premium ceramic technology, virtually dust-free ceramic disc pads for the cleanest wheels. Computer-designed, angled chamfers and attached shims ensure the quietest braking Features: Virtually Fade-free Performance Quiet Braking Clean Wheels

Shipping we use Canada Post or UPS or FedEx to ship the item, We will ship your order out within 48 hours after cleared payment and confirm your vehicle' info. Order placed on weekend will be shipped out on the next Monday. The buyer is responsible for all applicable import duty and local tax.  Please verify with your customs before purchase. all the shipping will go with tracking# from the shipping company.

PAYMENT we accept Paypal only.

Warranty: A full refund will be issued for any defective, damaged, misrepresented products within 14 days from invoice date. If your item fails to perform within warranty period, please contact us for replacement. Customers are responsible for return shipping cost. All return products (replacement and refund) must obtain a RMA number. The warranty cannot be renewed once the replacement is issued. It means we do not start a new warranty period for the replacement product.  Returns: Please contact us for all returns (replacement or refund) to obtain a RMA number. A returned item without an RMA number will not be accepted. Customers are responsible for the return shipping cost. This policy allows us to provide the most affordable price for the products. We do consider giving our customers pre-paid shipping label for returned item ONLY if customers contact us before returning the product and let us resolve the problem. Refund is only issued when item is returned in original condition. If customers purchase the product by mistake, refund is object to 15% restocking fee.

about the picture Since the brake pads for different car models have different shape and structure,  THE PICTURE IS FOR REFERENCE ONLY,THE ACTUAL ITEM IS THE STANDARD.

Choosing brake pads for optimal performance There are many choices when it comes to types of brake pads and friction materials. Generally, what you want are brake pads that are equivalent to original equipment as these brake pads are what the vehicle’s manufacturer recommends. However, it’s no secret that original equipment parts can be quite costly. Fortunately, there are many aftermarket brake parts companies which offer OEM equivalent or premium grade brake pads that may perform just as well, if not better than stock and at a better price point. This article is geared towards helping you identify and choose a brake pad that best suit your driving. What are your options? As mentioned earlier, there are many different types of brake pads: there are economy aftermarket brake pads, standard aftermarket brake pads, premium aftermarket brake pads and of course original equipment brake pads. Within these categories, there are materials differences such as metallic, semi-metallic and ceramic All of these brake pads will range in price and performance level. Friction Materials Most aftermarket brake pad manufacturers are able to produce high quality friction materials and offer them at reasonable prices. Whether the brake pad material is metallic, semi-metallic or ceramic, each manufacturer has their unique friction formulas to meet the performance criteria of their customers. For the sake of marketing, these brake pads are generally labeled as a certain type of material and the actual formula is not disclosed. For instance, if a company offers a brake pad labeled as ceramic, you know that it is composed of ceramic material mixed with copper fibers and maybe other materials. The ratio of ceramic and other substances in the material would be unknown or undisclosed and different companies use different formulas. The reason for this is because friction formulas play an important role, not only with stopping performance, but qualities like producing low amounts of dust and decreasing noise levels. Therefore, it is in the company’s best interest to keep this information private for competitive reasons. So, which friction material is best for you? Choosing a friction material For starters, go with a friction material that comes standard for your vehicle platform. Most vehicles have standard equipped, semi-metallic brake pads. This is particularly true for European made vehicles, performance applications and heavy or fleet applications. The reason behind this is because these vehicles need brakes with a lot of stopping power and to perform well at higher temperature ranges. This is not to say that all of these applications need semi-metallic pads. What makes a difference is how a person drives. If a person lives in an area that has infrequent stops or if a driver has a more defensive driving style, a ceramic brake pad may be better. Ceramic brake pads have been rising in popularity because they perform particularly well for street, commuter applications. In fact some vehicle manufacturers are switching to ceramic formulas as OE because of this. Ceramic brake pads typically come standard on Japanese vehicles and are popular for their low dust and noise capability. They are usually the longest wearing compared to metallic or semi-metallic brake pads because although ceramic pads can work well within a wide temperature range, for higher temperatures, ceramic brake pads transfer excessive heat to the brake rotors. In other words, if a ceramic brake pad gets too hot, the heat is transferred to the brake rotor. The brake rotor has to compensate for the extra heat and as a result will wear sooner compared to a rotor paired with a semi-metallic pad. How to Tell Good Brake Pads from Excellent Brake Pads Premium aftermarket/OE brake pads (best)—Premium aftermarket or OE brake pads usually include more advanced manufacturing processes that allow for the brake pad to be more consistent and better performing part. One example is a positive molding process which is used by OE manufacturers. This positive molding uses extreme pressure to compress the friction material and bond it to the backing plate. This process assures consistent friction material density throughout the pad, resulting in even wear and performance characteristics throughout the life of the brake pad. These brake pads will most definitely include shims and will sometimes include additional hardware for proper installation as well. Furthermore, these brake pads may be scorched or “broken in” for you and are ready for immediate, normal use right after installation. Steps to Help you Choose a Friction Material for your Application First, determine what type of friction material came standard for your vehicle. This information can normally be found by contacting your OE manufacturer or calling a local parts store. After you have found this information, assess how well these brake pads worked for you. Ask yourself questions regarding the characteristics of the brake pads. Were your brake pads noisy? Were your brake pads dusty? How long did the brake pads last? Basically, what type of issues did you have or not have? Once you have answered these questions, you can then take the steps to find a better alternative or stick to what works. If your brake pads worked fine then as the saying goes “if it is not broken, do not fix it.” In the end, how well and how long your brake pad performs also depends on your vehicle and your driving habits. If you drive more aggressively, you may consider getting nothing less than an aftermarket premium brake pad or OE brake pads in a semi-metallic formula. If this does not perform to your standards, there are also ultra premium upgrades for brake pads that are available. One important thing to realize is there is no point in upgrading brake pads if they are not being used at the friction levels they are meant for. For example, if you have a street commuter vehicle and you are looking to upgrade your brake pads to an ultra premium line, instead of being beneficial for you this may actually be worse. Brake pads are designed to work optimally in certain temperature ranges. The more premium the brake pad, the higher heat threshold they have or wider temperature range at which they can perform well.

Ultra Premium CERAMIC PADS SET FRONT + REAR (Fits:Mercedes Benz C350 4Matic)

THIS ITEM INCLUDED 8 PIECES OF PREMIUM CERAMIC BRAKE PADS CERAMIC BRAKE PADS SET FRONT + REAR (Fits:Mercedes Benz C350 4Matic)

Ultra-premium ceramic technology, virtually dust-free ceramic disc pads for the cleanest wheels. Computer-designed, angled chamfers and attached shims ensure the quietest braking Features: Virtually Fade-free Performance Quiet Braking Clean Wheels

Shipping we use Canada Post or UPS or FedEx to ship the item, We will ship your order out within 48 hours after cleared payment and confirm your vehicle' info. Order placed on weekend will be shipped out on the next Monday. The buyer is responsible for all applicable import duty and local tax.  Please verify with your customs before purchase. all the shipping will go with tracking# from the shipping company.

PAYMENT we accept Paypal only.

Warranty: A full refund will be issued for any defective, damaged, misrepresented products within 14 days from invoice date. If your item fails to perform within warranty period, please contact us for replacement. Customers are responsible for return shipping cost. All return products (replacement and refund) must obtain a RMA number. The warranty cannot be renewed once the replacement is issued. It means we do not start a new warranty period for the replacement product.  Returns: Please contact us for all returns (replacement or refund) to obtain a RMA number. A returned item without an RMA number will not be accepted. Customers are responsible for the return shipping cost. This policy allows us to provide the most affordable price for the products. We do consider giving our customers pre-paid shipping label for returned item ONLY if customers contact us before returning the product and let us resolve the problem. Refund is only issued when item is returned in original condition. If customers purchase the product by mistake, refund is object to 15% restocking fee.

about the picture Since the brake pads for different car models have different shape and structure,  THE PICTURE IS FOR REFERENCE ONLY,THE ACTUAL ITEM IS THE STANDARD.

Choosing brake pads for optimal performance There are many choices when it comes to types of brake pads and friction materials. Generally, what you want are brake pads that are equivalent to original equipment as these brake pads are what the vehicle’s manufacturer recommends. However, it’s no secret that original equipment parts can be quite costly. Fortunately, there are many aftermarket brake parts companies which offer OEM equivalent or premium grade brake pads that may perform just as well, if not better than stock and at a better price point. This article is geared towards helping you identify and choose a brake pad that best suit your driving. What are your options? As mentioned earlier, there are many different types of brake pads: there are economy aftermarket brake pads, standard aftermarket brake pads, premium aftermarket brake pads and of course original equipment brake pads. Within these categories, there are materials differences such as metallic, semi-metallic and ceramic All of these brake pads will range in price and performance level. Friction Materials Most aftermarket brake pad manufacturers are able to produce high quality friction materials and offer them at reasonable prices. Whether the brake pad material is metallic, semi-metallic or ceramic, each manufacturer has their unique friction formulas to meet the performance criteria of their customers. For the sake of marketing, these brake pads are generally labeled as a certain type of material and the actual formula is not disclosed. For instance, if a company offers a brake pad labeled as ceramic, you know that it is composed of ceramic material mixed with copper fibers and maybe other materials. The ratio of ceramic and other substances in the material would be unknown or undisclosed and different companies use different formulas. The reason for this is because friction formulas play an important role, not only with stopping performance, but qualities like producing low amounts of dust and decreasing noise levels. Therefore, it is in the company’s best interest to keep this information private for competitive reasons. So, which friction material is best for you? Choosing a friction material For starters, go with a friction material that comes standard for your vehicle platform. Most vehicles have standard equipped, semi-metallic brake pads. This is particularly true for European made vehicles, performance applications and heavy or fleet applications. The reason behind this is because these vehicles need brakes with a lot of stopping power and to perform well at higher temperature ranges. This is not to say that all of these applications need semi-metallic pads. What makes a difference is how a person drives. If a person lives in an area that has infrequent stops or if a driver has a more defensive driving style, a ceramic brake pad may be better. Ceramic brake pads have been rising in popularity because they perform particularly well for street, commuter applications. In fact some vehicle manufacturers are switching to ceramic formulas as OE because of this. Ceramic brake pads typically come standard on Japanese vehicles and are popular for their low dust and noise capability. They are usually the longest wearing compared to metallic or semi-metallic brake pads because although ceramic pads can work well within a wide temperature range, for higher temperatures, ceramic brake pads transfer excessive heat to the brake rotors. In other words, if a ceramic brake pad gets too hot, the heat is transferred to the brake rotor. The brake rotor has to compensate for the extra heat and as a result will wear sooner compared to a rotor paired with a semi-metallic pad. How to Tell Good Brake Pads from Excellent Brake Pads Premium aftermarket/OE brake pads (best)—Premium aftermarket or OE brake pads usually include more advanced manufacturing processes that allow for the brake pad to be more consistent and better performing part. One example is a positive molding process which is used by OE manufacturers. This positive molding uses extreme pressure to compress the friction material and bond it to the backing plate. This process assures consistent friction material density throughout the pad, resulting in even wear and performance characteristics throughout the life of the brake pad. These brake pads will most definitely include shims and will sometimes include additional hardware for proper installation as well. Furthermore, these brake pads may be scorched or “broken in” for you and are ready for immediate, normal use right after installation. Steps to Help you Choose a Friction Material for your Application First, determine what type of friction material came standard for your vehicle. This information can normally be found by contacting your OE manufacturer or calling a local parts store. After you have found this information, assess how well these brake pads worked for you. Ask yourself questions regarding the characteristics of the brake pads. Were your brake pads noisy? Were your brake pads dusty? How long did the brake pads last? Basically, what type of issues did you have or not have? Once you have answered these questions, you can then take the steps to find a better alternative or stick to what works. If your brake pads worked fine then as the saying goes “if it is not broken, do not fix it.” In the end, how well and how long your brake pad performs also depends on your vehicle and your driving habits. If you drive more aggressively, you may consider getting nothing less than an aftermarket premium brake pad or OE brake pads in a semi-metallic formula. If this does not perform to your standards, there are also ultra premium upgrades for brake pads that are available. One important thing to realize is there is no point in upgrading brake pads if they are not being used at the friction levels they are meant for. For example, if you have a street commuter vehicle and you are looking to upgrade your brake pads to an ultra premium line, instead of being beneficial for you this may actually be worse. Brake pads are designed to work optimally in certain temperature ranges. The more premium the brake pad, the higher heat threshold they have or wider temperature range at which they can perform well. The Mercedes-Benz C-Class provides an affordable path to Mercedes-Benz ownership without sacrificing the appeal of the brand's imagery and stylish appearance. Like every Mercedes-Benz, the C-Class comes equipped with what may well be the brand's most desirable feature--the three-pointed star. Mercedes-Benz introduced the C-Class in 1994 as a replacement for the 190E, the original "Baby Benz." A much more contemporary automobile, the new compact sedan was styled to resemble the brand's premium offerings, and it offered more interior space than its predecessor. Engine choices included a 2.2-liter four and a 2.8-liter six.  While the performance of the new C-Class wasn't in the same league as a top-of-the-line 3 Series BMW, it carried the Mercedes prestige. And with the introduction of a 302-horsepower, V-8-equipped AMG version in 1995, it got some ponies to go with that prestige. The second version of the C-Class landed in U.S. showrooms in time for the 2001 model year. A number of new versions were added to the lineup, including a C320 wagon and a supercharged C230 Kompressor coupe. Mercedes' proven 4Matic all-wheel drive system was offered on sedans and wagons, and the AMG C55 got a 362-horsepower V-8.  Completely redesigned for the 2008 model year, today's C-Class automobile looks even more like the pricier Mercedes models than did the previous C-Class automobiles. Horsepower numbers have gone upscale as well, with the standard offering producing 228 horsepower. Continuing a segmentation that began with the first C Class, the car is now available in Sport and Luxury versions, broadening its market coverage. The AMG version is now even more potent, with a 451-horsepower V-8 putting it into the same league as the M3 BMW--fast company indeed.