That **expletive** parking brake

[davemercedes]

I read a recent thread where members were complaining about the MB parking footbrake and I admit saying that it was the one thing I hated... *

But beware - the comments about other brands having more user friendly electronic handbrakes are true, until in Renault's case it comes to the cost of replacing the handbrake "computer". My daughter just paid £613 to have hers replaced on a 2005 Grand Scenic. The usual closed shop applies here - alternatives are not available and the unit has to be coded to the car so the dealer till goes "kerching"! with a parts and labour charge.

I looked at Renault forums and it seems there are loads of failures and there was a recall to recode it and stop it applying itself without warning (hers was done) but there are no exchange units or alternatives around etc and it was a bitter pill (bill more like it!) for her to swallow.

So having waxed lyrical about the ease of using a Renault automatic brake where the manual lever looks almost exactly the same as a MB parking brake release lever, I just hope SWMBO's same age but higher spec/lower mileage car doesn't suffer the same fate.

I have no doubt there are people like Malcolm who would sort this out for a fraction of the price paid but at least when I release the parking brake on my C Class this morning I will feel a lot better!

*
Oh... and later on, err in private, I shall flog myself with birch twigs for saying nasty things about my wonderful Mercedes-engineered parking brake that I hope will never go wrong... go wrong... go wrong...!

Footnote:
Not long after buying SWMBO's car the entire LED dashboard failed and replacement was over £600 at a Renault dealer. At least you could see the big lump you were paying for as opposed to my daughter's hidden handbrake brain. Anyway, as it was a used car I had bought an insurance warranty for 1 x year and they coughed up okay - very sympathetic and helpful in fact. I was very unhappy that Renault could not reset the mileage on the new unit (it only had about 30K miles on it before the dash died). There was a maximum insurance payout (of course!) and I was worried that the total bill might exceed it but the dealer swore there were no service exchange units. Subsequently I found I could get one for £120 with s4 hour turnaround - and it's a screwdriver job to replace it. Good job I wasn't paying for it but I actually had sympathy for my insurer (yes, really!) because in my opinion they paid more than necessary.

 

[ThinkPad]

I actually had sympathy for my insurer (yes, really!) because in my opinion they paid more than necessary.

Ohhh...never have sympathy for them! The amount they charge and usually don't pay out on warranties!! Having said that I also had good experience with a used warranty, it was Care Care Plan. They were great. But most are useless! Who were yours?

 

[Andy.M]

but I actually had sympathy for my insurer (yes, really!) because in my opinion they paid more than necessary.

Have a word with yourself

 

[television]

Electrics are still cheaper for the manufacturer to fit, but sadly much more expensive for us when they fail.

With the Mercedes foot parking brakes all that was ever needed was a little lubrication on the equalizer, the odd car lost the artificial click, and the odd return spring, in all peanuts in the way of any costs.

An electric park brake is no more than a motor with a clutch to pull the parking brake cables. These days the motors will only cost a few £ to make, but when it fails the makers charge us ££££.

Bosch are still one of the worst for over charging, A CPS at £100 cost no more than £4 to make. Bosch also paid under £5 for a batch of EZL units and sold them at £1k

 

[exjag]

but I actually had sympathy for my insurer (yes, really!) because in my opinion they paid more than necessary.

Your sympathy should have gone to the other policy holders, who were actually footing the bill.

And I don't think that you actually release a parking brake on a Mercedes; they're never applied in the first place! I'm amazed that Mercedes-Benz have never been taken to task by the law over this issue.

 

[television]

Your sympathy should have gone to the other policy holders, who were actually footing the bill.

And I don't think that you actually release a parking brake on a Mercedes; they're never applied in the first place! I'm amazed that Mercedes-Benz have never been taken to task by the law over this issue.

So true, only my 129 and 140 will hold in my driveway, the 230 will not hold and the 216 with the electric parking brake will not and the worst of all.

OK they pass the MOT only just in all cases, but for a manufacturer of what is supposed to be a quality car, it is a pretty poor effort. Is it the shoes are too small, the fulcrum points in the wrong place, or what. The fact that on many you can just drive away with the perking brake on, and only the bleeper to tell you that it is still applied. My V70R will not move with the parking brake on.

 

[exjag]

So true, only my 129 and 140 will hold in my driveway, the 230 will not hold and the 216 with the electric parking brake will not and the worst of all.

OK they pass the MOT only just in all cases, but for a manufacturer of what is supposed to be a quality car, it is a pretty poor effort. Is it the shoes are too small, the fulcrum points in the wrong place, or what. The fact that on many you can just drive away with the perking brake on, and only the bleeper to tell you that it is still applied. My V70R will not move with the parking brake on.

That's right. When I first bought mine I was regularly driving a few yards with the parking brake applied until I got used to the idiosyncratic nature of it, and there was virtually no give-away resistance from the brakes. When it went in for its first service under my ownership, and its first MOT, I asked the dealer to ensure that the handbrake was properly adjusted As it then had only 12,000 on the clock, none of the parts were worn. When the car was returned to me my request had clearly been carried out as confirmed by fewer clicks on the ratchet, but this had not improved the holding (or lack of it!) situation.

I note from the DVLNI website that 16% parking brake efficiency is required, which equates to holding on gradient of 1 in 6.25. I do not think that a Mercedes-Benz with a foot operated parking brake is capable of this under any circumstances.

 

[grober]

Hate to tell you this but pretty sure the new mercedes A class has an electronic parking brake as has the up and coming W205 C class.

 

[geraldrobins]

I had an electronic parking brake on my previous Passat and found it very good and it would be a selling point if I was buying another manual car.
Yes they be expensive to repair. So is power steering, air con, electric windows etc.

Morris Minors are apparently easy and cheap to repair, but I doubt they will do the mileages we expect from our cars nowadays especially if you drive them at 70 mph.

Just my opinion based on my experience.

 

[exjag]

I had an electronic parking brake on my previous Passat and found it very good and it would be a selling point if I was buying another manual car.
Yes they be expensive to repair. So is power steering, air con, electric windows etc.

Morris Minors are apparently easy and cheap to repair, but I doubt they will do the mileages we expect from our cars nowadays especially if you drive them at 70 mph.

Just my opinion based on my experience.

I agree, and not just manual gearbox cars. My Jaguar XJ auto had a very good, effective electronic brake, automatic or manual release when setting off from standstill and would hold on the steepest hill. No trouble from it whatsoever in the four years I owned it - but then, it was correctly maintained.

 

[SortedE320]

I can forgive the crap parking brake for the auto hold, pump brake pedal, feature. Fan ****** tastic.

I never fail to smile when I zoom off from the lights at the slightest glint of amber; just as the rest are finding a gear?

 

[grober]

I had an electronic parking brake on my previous Passat and found it very good and it would be a selling point if I was buying another manual car.
Just my opinion based on my experience.

Apparently your experience is far from typical. http://www.which.co.uk/cars/choosin...-recalls-investigation/case-study-vw-passat-/
VAG forums are littered with cases. VW specialists acknowledge its a common problem even on well maintained cars.

 

[geraldrobins]

Apparently your experience is far from typical. http://www.which.co.uk/cars/choosin...-recalls-investigation/case-study-vw-passat-/
VAG forums are littered with cases. VW specialists acknowledge its a common problem even on well maintained cars.

Ive had a very good VAG experience and so have others. I disagree that its untypical but I can only comment on the many VW owners I know and the fleet of VWs that my present employer has and had over 20 years, replacing only when mileages into the 90s or 100s.
I know from the VW forums that people have problems. But isnt that what forums mainly contain, people wanting advice due to issues.
Every manufacturer has problems and recalls including Mercedes.

 

[exjag]

I can forgive the crap parking brake for the auto hold, pump brake pedal, feature. Fan ****** tastic.

I never fail to smile when I zoom off from the lights at the slightest glint of amber; just as the rest are finding a gear?

Amber?? No wonder they programmed the 'all red' period!! It's red and amber, which also means 'stop', until the green light shows.

 

[MBDevotee]

If you're car's auto why do you ever apply the park brake anyhow?

I only do it if parking on a really steep hill, then I put it in neutral, put the brake on then put it in park to keep the load on the Park less.

However on normal slopes or the flat, I just pop it in Park.

 

[EmilysDad]

If you're car's auto why do you ever apply the park brake anyhow?

I only do it if parking on a really steep hill, then I put it in neutral, put the brake on then put it in park to keep the load on the Park less.

However on normal slopes or the flat, I just pop it in Park.

Agreed on all ......

 

[silverblack]

So its not just me then
I think i could break that pedal if i use any more force

 

[television]

So its not just me then
I think i could break that pedal if i use any more force

You need to do something with your right leg then, to get it to the same size as the left one

The shoe arrangement is standard, one leading and one trailing so that the thing works in both directions, but sadly as is, they do not work much in any direction.

 

[turbopete]

this thread has just reminded me my parking brake needs a good lube and adjustment etc.

however, when its right, i cant say ive had issues with ANY of mine as regards their holding abilities (but I dont know if ive ever parked anywhere as steep as Malcolm's drive sounds like it is!)

 

[television]

Lyme Regis is all hills Pete and very steep