narky

... the parking brake! OMGWTF?????

Why isn't it a normal side hand brake? Any logical explanation for this? Does anyone know?

I just picked up my car last night. But I didn't get to really drive it until this morning when I ran to the bank. And the parking brake is annoying the hell out of me. I can't stand foot brakes; they're so inconvenient and awkward. This is one of the few things I noticed during my test drive, but I didn't think it would bother me this much.

A few other gripes? I think the brakes could have been a little more grabby. I'm going to have to get some brake pads (any suggestions?) or modify my braking patterns. And what's with the crazy engine vibration through the shifter (I have a manual trans) at idle? Is that normal?

But in the end, I really didn't buy this car for the performance aspects. I got it because it LOOKS bad ***. Mwaaahahahahahahahahaha. It's awesome. I like my color scheme, even though the look (Arctic White with pano roof) seems to be super popular (i.e. common). Also, I've been searching for new rims while waiting for the car, but I love the AMGs so much that I think I'll be satisfied for a good while. And I like that "beep-beep" when you lock. Nice.

I think a tint and a debadging would keep me happy with the car for a while. I can't believe this car looks so great. And I know this is a long post with no pics, but I tried! I took pictures with my camera phone, but now I can't find my cables. I'll take pictures this afternoon with a camera and post here. At least I have a lot of emoticons?

Sad story: while driving around today, I was thinking about something at a stop sign, and did a half-way shift into first gear. The gearbox grinding sound lasted about half a second before I jolted out and put it into neutral. I'm still in shock! I feel like a part of me died at that moment... What a newb move.

jstaneff

I fully agree about the footbrake/handbrake issue. Ye Gads, don't you think MB would join the modern world?

But with that hill-assist brake thing, most of the reason I'd use the handbrake is gone. In Seattle, using the handbrake is "normal" when sitting at a stop sign ;-)

But, here's what happens: I have two other cars, both with handbrakes. I'm forever trying to release the footbrake on them. ;-)

So, you'll get used to it.

The salesman told me "MB have always had a foot brake." That's not quite true, our family's '61 190 had a dash-mounted hand brake. Old style. I guess they moved to foot brakes sometime after that?

peabers

Actually even as recent as the 1980's, the W123 had dash-mounted hand brakes. Pull towards you to activate and twist to release.

RevoWution

Do the W204's have the same handbrake system as the W202's? Sorry I've never seen the interior of a W204 up close.

If so, personally I love how Mercedes have stuck with their long-standing idea, cuz it saves space overall :P

The pulley handbrake is awesome too. My dad's old 1988 300SE had that. Both are much better than the conventional side handbrakes every other car manufacturer has

Just my 2c

chilledbenz

The only reason your complaining about the hand brake location is because you got the six speed manual transmission. Your in the 5% of the people who actually opt for that, the rest of us have automatics and very rarely use the brake if at all. Having it away from the center console frees up space for cup holders (although those are about useless too) but mainly gives more free space for your center console cubbies and arm rest for the scroll wheel. I myself would like to clean the center console up even more and apply the transmission shifter like that in the S, GL, ML, and R classes.

datgai

hmm.. I had an '83 w123 with dash release but foot activate.

schvamf

I kinda like it, reminds me of the 2 '69 Camaro's I've owned in the past.

Besides, do people with auto trans actually use it? I only use it if parking on hills.

theraj2

I think the whole Hand break being a foot break was part of the whole daimler chrysler thing, along with the very cheap looking dash, and the ugly interior lights!

oblu

Most manufacturers are going to the foot parking brake to make room for the multimedia control knob ... All the newer Audi's have foot brakes too.

AsianML

Even the new Cadillac CTS-V has a foot brake.

Derspeed

My Volvo is an auto I and use mine in the winter slde the rear end out for turns I would otherwise miss due the icy roads

aansonsit

Trancebolt

Is it possible to remove the emergency brake pedal alltogether? as you all say, its fairly rarely necessary especially where i live/drive in california; very seldom is it ever engaged...

however, i like to put my foot there.... to rest it.. I had E's and other benzes where it was nt there, and almost every car ive ever driven doesnt put it right there.

Some may find it odd that I place my foot there, quite firmly as a matter of fact, and it bugs me... i have to feather set my foot in that area cuz sometimes i accidentally 'tap' it while driven; never ENGAGED it while driving yet thank god

But im quite curious and excited for the prospect of one of you fine gentlemen explaining if it is at all possible to simply remove the lever and call it a day

(sorry to revive an old thread, didnt see one on the first three or four pages, and figured itd be better than posting anew)

edgalang

I'm quite the opposite. For me, the parking brakes is engaged EVERY TIME the car is parked regardless of the car (force of habit).

My annoyance with the parking brake is the release.

Why couldn't it be push down to engage/push down further to release?! This way your hands never leave the standard driving positions.

However, the LARGER annoyance I have with the w204 (fixed for 2013+) is the non-standard location of the signal stalk. I'm assuming MB wanted you to drive using 9-3 hand location, thus lowering the signal stalk; however with this style, you no longer have line of sight to the windshield wiper settings!

For 2013+ they "fixed" it by moving it up to cater to 10-2 standard steering wheel position; however I feel this is MB "giving in" to the general vote.

On a side note: Endurance rally drivers use 9-3 position because you can supposedly drive for longer distances, since the position is more relaxed relative to your body vs 10-2 (at least that's what a rally-driver instructor told me years ago).

Doa

by a W205 then, its fully electric with a single button under the light switch