foot handbrake

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Alex M Grieve

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...a Mercedes ;)

You get an extra point here for brevity Dosco. Just think the kudos the forum will get when he follows your earlier advice and releases the brake - acceleration will improve as will top speed. There will be fewer burning smells when cruising, and fuel economy should be transformed. ;);)

So you see, you are providing a public service. :)
 

Dosco

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You get an extra point here for brevity Dosco. Just think the kudos the forum will get when he follows your earlier advice and releases the brake - acceleration will improve as will top speed. There will be fewer burning smells when cruising, and fuel economy should be transformed. ;);)

So you see, you are providing a public service. :)

I have always wanted to 'provide a public service' tried selling myself once but had no takers:confused::(

I bet he will be reluctant to post again under his current name:) :)
 

roadhog

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I have always wanted to 'provide a public service' tried selling myself once but had no takers:confused::(

I bet he will be reluctant to post again under his current name:) :)

If only you could find out his e-mail address you could send him further advice. :D
 

Alex M Grieve

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If only you could find out his e-mail address you could send him further advice. :D

Yes, bit of a givaway. Surprised he is so free with it - does he not know that there might be McDonalds out here? I believe their favourite sport is "burning the Campbell at both ends"!
 

shayes

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The foot handbrake is one of the few clearly identifiable retrograde steps by Mercedes Benz IMO.

I am only able to continue with Mercedes because the use of the muscles in my left leg returned after time following a second bout of sciatica in six years. Unless of course I ignore the brake.

Driving an automatic is a convenience to people who are either beyond the laddish fun of Gears, or just prefer less work to do as the roads have became more cluttered and changing gears became a chore in a three mile tailback.

The handbrake in my 500SEL and previously my 500SEC served well and didn't require any effort. Now, I have to seriously think about what i'm doing when I stop. Also, if I have to be alert to making a dirty mark on the carpeting when depressing the pedal if I've got my shoes muddy.

Was the only reason for the change so that they could put the bonnet lock on the same side as the driver?
 

Alex M Grieve

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The foot handbrake is one of the few clearly identifiable retrograde steps by Mercedes Benz IMO.

I agree that the foot parking brake is not a great selling point. The conventional handbrake on the 190 was ideal, but I have had nothing but foot brakes ever since.

I have now adjusted to the idea. With automatics, I park the car in P and don't use the footbrake. With a manual, I do use it (rather than leave the car in gear). For hill starts in a maunal I find releasing the footbrake when the clutch begins to bite is just the same as in a car with a conventional handbrake.

The one time I guess the foot handbrake would be very useful is in the unlikely event that the car's principal brakes fail. Whilst a handbrake could help slow the car and stop it, even a slight person could deliver a lot more energy through a foot parking brake, so it should give a much more impressive backstop in such a situation.

Other than that (and I have never seen that given as a justification), it is interesting that MB have not taken heed of an almost universal dislike of this feature.
 

Dosco

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i would have expected posts like this on wednesday :)

I CHECKED THE CALENDER BEFORE REPLYING:D MIND YOU HE IS PROBABLY FROM A PARALLEL UNIVERSE THAT DOESN'T CHANGE ITS CLOCKS BUT PUTS THE WHOLE CALENDER FORWARD TWO DAYS:p:p
 

Dosco

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Yes, bit of a givaway. Surprised he is so free with it - does he not know that there might be McDonalds out here? I believe their favourite sport is "burning the Campbell at both ends"!

Bugger me Alex you are on form today:D:D:D:D
 

television

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Lets face it handbrakes are ugly things, my SL would look horrible with lever in the middle, and any way when I am putting my make up on both hands are occupied, but my left foot isnt
 

shayes

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The one time I guess the foot handbrake would be very useful is in the unlikely event that the car's principal brakes fail. Whilst a handbrake could help slow the car and stop it, even a slight person could deliver a lot more energy through a foot parking brake, so it should give a much more impressive backstop in such a situation.

QUOTE]

I've never considered myself disabled and totally recovered from severe sciatica first time. Before the second time attack I had just bought a Geared Megane I was unable to lift my leg to depress the clutch, I sold it and bought a W124 Estate and didn't realise it had the foot handbrake.Doh!!! I could not lift my leg to apply pressure. Car was a total dog and I got rid of it, but because I like Mercedes and was recovering some ability to lift my leg from a verticle position months later I bought the S320 which I love. It's still a strain to lift my left leg so high, and try to apply pressure. It compacts the spine and is not a healthy option for anyone with a back complaint. Another downside is I am told, many people don't bother to apply the foot handbrake and invariably it becomes a fail point at MOT's. Nevertheless, I'll put up with the discomfort to enjoy the S320 for as long as possible.
 

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