Why are the Endless Brake Pads for C257 front sets only in SSM Plus?

Endless prices its EIP234 front shape, the one it lists for the CLS53, in SSM Plus alone, while the EIP298 rear shape comes in seven options. So the Endless Brake Pads for C257 cars here can be ordered as an SSM Plus set for the whole car, or as a rear set in MX72, MX72 Plus, CC-Rg, the Racing Group, W003 or S330.

Should I fit a track compound at the rear of a CLS53?

No. With the front limited to SSM Plus, a stronger rear compound moves brake balance toward the rear axle, which rarely helps a road car. Running SSM Plus at both ends keeps the two axles matched. The rear-only compounds are there for owners who need a specific rear pad or who are setting up the car deliberately and know the trade-off.

What model years of CLS53 do these pads cover?

Endless lists the CLS53 AMG for 2019 and 2020, with EIP234 at the front and EIP298 at the rear. Later cars are not in the Endless listing, so before ordering for a 2021 or newer CLS53, send Bulletproof Automotive the VIN or a photo of the calipers and we will confirm which pads it takes.

Is SSM Plus dusty on a CLS53?

No. Endless rates SSM Plus for low dust, low noise and long life, so it suits a CLS53 driven every day and keeps its wheels clean. Its braking builds with pedal pressure rather than a sharp first bite, which makes it smooth in traffic. It is also the only compound Endless offers for the EIP234 front shape on this car.

Can a CLS53 run Endless pads at a track day?

Yes. Within limits, though: the front axle is restricted to SSM Plus, which Endless rates to 550C, or 1022F, so keep sessions short and watch for fade. An owner planning regular laps needs a front pad that Endless does not price for EIP234, and an aftermarket big brake kit with its own pads is the usual route to one.

Endless Brake Pads for C257 Mercedes-Benz CLS53 AMG

Endless’s Brake Pads for C257 Mercedes-Benz CLS53 AMG suit the four-door coupe Mercedes revealed at the 2018 Detroit show, whose EQ Boost electric motor adds 16 kW and powers a 48-volt system. Endless lists 2019 and 2020 cars on two borrowed shapes: EIP234 at the front, which it references to the W222 S550, and EIP298 at the rear, which it references to the X253 GLC63 S. The split matters, because Endless prices the EIP234 front in SSM Plus only, while the rear comes in seven options. For a CLS53 our advice is SSM Plus at both ends, which keeps the two axles matched.

Features

Endless pad shapes EIP234 front and EIP298 rear
EIP234 front sets offered in SSM Plus only
EIP298 rear sets in SSM Plus, MX72, MX72 Plus, CC-Rg, the Racing Group, W003 and S330
SSM Plus also sold as a Front and Rear Set for the whole car

Choosing a Compound

On a CLS53, SSM Plus is the compound to choose, and the only one Endless prices for the EIP234 front shape. It is low in dust and noise and long-lived, which fits a car used as a fast, comfortable four-door. Endless does not price SSS for these shapes. MX72, MX72 Plus, CC-Rg and the racing compounds are offered for the rear axle only, so they suit an owner replacing rear pads to a particular specification rather than building a track car. A stronger compound at the rear than at the front shifts brake balance rearward, so match the axles unless you have a reason not to.

Every figure below is Endless’s own. Friction is the compound’s average friction coefficient, so a higher number gives more bite for the same pedal pressure. The rotor range is the band of rotor temperatures Endless designs the compound to work in, so choose by the temperatures your car will see.

Street and street-to-track compounds

SSM Plus (street): non-asbestos; friction 0.33-0.40; rotor range 0-550C (32-1022F). Low dust, low noise and long life. Braking builds with pedal pressure rather than a sharp first bite, for drivers who want clean wheels and a quiet car.
MX72 (street to light track): ceramic carbon metal; friction 0.37-0.47; rotor range 50-700C (122-1292F). Minimal noise and dust, strong friction at low temperatures, reduced rotor wear and a better pedal feel than a typical semi-metallic pad. Endless’s dual-duty compound for a road car that sees the occasional track day. Offered for the rear axle only on this car.
MX72 Plus (street to circuit): ceramic carbon metal; friction 0.39-0.47; rotor range 50-750C (122-1382F). Holds its braking force to higher temperatures than MX72, with stable control and a consistent pedal release. Endless aims it at cars on street tires that run on track. Offered for the rear axle only on this car.
CC-Rg (track day, street capable): ceramic carbon metal; friction 0.38-0.45; rotor range 50-800C (122-1472F). High initial bite across a wide temperature range, even when cold, and modulation that works with the factory ABS under hard use. Endless notes it is noisy on the street; it is the step up from MX72 Plus for regular track days. Offered for the rear axle only on this car.

Racing compounds

Each option below is one choice in the Choose Compound menu. For a group, name your compound in the order notes and Bulletproof Automotive confirms it with your order. Every racing compound needs Endless’s bedding procedure: at 70 to 80 percent of normal pedal effort, bring the rotors gradually to 400C (752F), then let them cool below 150C (302F) before hard use.

Racing Group (offered for the rear axle only on this car)

ME22: dual braking style; friction 0.33-0.38; rotor range 150-800C (302-1472F). Developed from ME20 with lower friction for control, for light to mid-weight cars or heavier cars on slower circuits. Endless rates it for street and track.
ME20: trail-braking style; rotor range 150-800C (302-1472F). High, stable friction at high temperature with low wear, developed for touring cars and rally. Works front or rear, with stock or racing ABS.
N35S: trail-braking style; rotor range 300-800C (572-1472F). Quick, sharp and responsive, with stable modulation under high temperature and load. Endless’s flagship rally compound, also run in FIA GT, and its suggested starting point for drivers new to Endless racing pads.
N05U: trail-braking style; friction 0.46-0.53; rotor range 300-800C (572-1472F). More bite than N35S, popular in sprint-focused Porsche Cup cars.
N05S: trail-braking style; friction 0.45-0.53; rotor range 300-800C (572-1472F). Immediate high friction with little pedal effort, used in Japanese rally cars without brake boosters and in European and Australian sprint racing.
N30C: friction 0.50-0.60; rotor range 300-800C (572-1472F). High initial bite, gentle on rotors and low wear. A rally compound for cars without a brake booster.
MS20: friction 0.32-0.38; rotor range 150-800C (302-1472F). A low-friction rear pad with a flat torque curve and long life, for club racing cars.
MS25: friction 0.36-0.42; rotor range 150-800C (302-1472F). Warms up gradually even under heavy braking. Endless pairs it with a higher-friction pad to prevent lock-up.
MS35: friction 0.45-0.53; rotor range 300-800C (572-1472F). Mid to high initial bite with good modulation and control, a sprint pad for a wide range of conditions.
ML20A: friction 0.30-0.33; rotor range 300-800C (572-1472F). A rear compound with lower initial bite to prevent rear lock-up, for lightweight GT cars.
ML35A: friction 0.30-0.38; rotor range 300-800C (572-1472F). Slightly lower friction with excellent modulation and wear, for lighter GT cars.
ML40A: friction 0.32-0.47; rotor range 300-800C (572-1472F). Moderate friction that resists lock-up, an endurance compound.
S55G: Endless publishes no figures. It suits lightweight and front-wheel-drive cars, and the rear of front-wheel-drive cars, with high controllability.
PC35: Endless publishes no figures. More bite than N35S with high braking force and a stable pedal; Endless’s base pad for rally raid.
S41S: Endless publishes no figures. Developed for GT cars, including GT3, under high brake loads.

Sold as their own options

W003: trail-braking style; friction 0.40-0.45. Similar in character to N35S with better wear, tough and stable at high temperature with a linear torque curve; run in rally, touring cars, ALMS and PWC. Circuit only: Endless does not recommend it for the street and notes high rotor wear when cold. Offered for the rear axle only on this car.
S330: trail-braking style; friction 0.60-0.70; rotor range 300-850C (572-1562F). High friction for sprint racing, with good control at high levels and without accelerating rotor wear; run in Super GT, stock cars and GT2 and GT3 sprint racing. Offered for the rear axle only on this car.

Applications

Mercedes-Benz CLS53 AMG: C257 | 2019-2020

Notes

Each Front or Rear set of Brake Pads for C257 CLS53 cars covers both wheels on one axle
The front set is offered in SSM Plus only; every other compound here is for the rear axle
Endless lists 2019 and 2020 cars. Owners of a later CLS53 should check with Bulletproof Automotive before ordering.
Not for the earlier CLS63 AMG, which takes different Endless pads
For the factory brakes; a car converted to an aftermarket big brake kit takes the pads for those calipers

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are the Endless Brake Pads for C257 front sets only in SSM Plus? Endless prices its EIP234 front shape, the one it lists for the CLS53, in SSM Plus alone, while the EIP298 rear shape comes in seven options. So the Endless Brake Pads for C257 cars here can be ordered as an SSM Plus set for the whole car, or as a rear set in MX72, MX72 Plus, CC-Rg, the Racing Group, W003 or S330.
Should I fit a track compound at the rear of a CLS53? No. With the front limited to SSM Plus, a stronger rear compound moves brake balance toward the rear axle, which rarely helps a road car. Running SSM Plus at both ends keeps the two axles matched. The rear-only compounds are there for owners who need a specific rear pad or who are setting up the car deliberately and know the trade-off.
What model years of CLS53 do these pads cover? Endless lists the CLS53 AMG for 2019 and 2020, with EIP234 at the front and EIP298 at the rear. Later cars are not in the Endless listing, so before ordering for a 2021 or newer CLS53, send Bulletproof Automotive the VIN or a photo of the calipers and we will confirm which pads it takes.
Is SSM Plus dusty on a CLS53? No. Endless rates SSM Plus for low dust, low noise and long life, so it suits a CLS53 driven every day and keeps its wheels clean. Its braking builds with pedal pressure rather than a sharp first bite, which makes it smooth in traffic. It is also the only compound Endless offers for the EIP234 front shape on this car.
Can a CLS53 run Endless pads at a track day? Yes. Within limits, though: the front axle is restricted to SSM Plus, which Endless rates to 550C, or 1022F, so keep sessions short and watch for fade. An owner planning regular laps needs a front pad that Endless does not price for EIP234, and an aftermarket big brake kit with its own pads is the usual route to one.

About Endless

Endless is a Japanese brake manufacturer that designs everything in-house and manufactures domestically in Japan, holding surface accuracy to 1/1000mm under strict quality control. The company developed its own laminated sintered wire-mesh backing plate and ceramic carbon rotors, and it proves its parts in competition, running its own factory motorsport program and supplying winning teams across Japanese and European racing. From pads and slit rotors to forged and monobloc calipers, brake fluid, and lines, Endless builds braking systems trusted on both street and circuit.

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