C-Class (W204) 2008 - 2014: C180K, C200K, C230, C280, C300, C350, C200CDI, C220CDI, C320CDI

Active brake assist - C300

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Dec 24, 2012 | 06:40 PM
  #1  
Eau_Rouge's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, ON
2002 C230 Coupe & 2010 C300 Sport
Active brake assist - C300

Hey guy's, I'm considering replacing my W203 daily driver with a W204 but was wondering what people thought of the active brake assist that according to what I read, will apply maximum brake pressure when the vehicle senses the driver should be applying full brake pressure. Any opinions/experiences positive or negative with this system? Has anyone had the system intervene when not expected?
Reply
Old Dec 24, 2012 | 07:16 PM
  #2  
RLE's Avatar
RLE
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,986
Likes: 6
From: SEATTLE WASHINGTON USA
'08 C300 Lux Barolo Red Beige Leather P2 MM 18" wheels '84 944
Originally Posted by Eau_Rouge
Hey guy's, I'm considering replacing my W203 daily driver with a W204 but was wondering what people thought of the active brake assist that according to what I read, will apply maximum brake pressure when the vehicle senses the driver should be applying full brake pressure. Any opinions/experiences positive or negative with this system? Has anyone had the system intervene when not expected?
No disadvantages. Operation is transparent and automatic. After a study, MB determined that people often in fact do not push the pedal hard enough in an emergency stop. The moment foot pressure eases off, BAS cancels.

Why the concern?
Reply
Old Dec 25, 2012 | 10:43 AM
  #3  
Eau_Rouge's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, ON
2002 C230 Coupe & 2010 C300 Sport
I dislike systems that are overly intrusive...just trying to understand how this system works and what people think of it in the real world.


Posted from Mbworld.org App for Android
Reply
Old Dec 25, 2012 | 11:41 AM
  #4  
dfordham's Avatar
Super Member
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 561
Likes: 2
From: New Mexico
2014 E350, 2012 SL550
Originally Posted by Eau_Rouge
I dislike systems that are overly intrusive...just trying to understand how this system works and what people think of it in the real world.


Posted from Mbworld.org App for Android
It's not intrusive at all. I believe what they do is measure the time between the release of the throttle and the engagement of the brake pedal. If that time is under a threshold, it assumes you are making a panic stop and engages full brake pressure.

It probably only helps by a couple hundred milliseconds, but in a panic situation that can be significant.

Mine engaged on two occasions recently. I was overtaking trucks on the interstate when they decided to pull into my lane. I missed hitting them by a matter of feet in both instances. While it is impossible to say if I would have hit them without this intervention, I was pleased it worked.

Regards,
Don
Reply
Old Dec 25, 2012 | 11:48 AM
  #5  
Sportstick's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,113
Likes: 57
From: Southwest USA
Another round of ICE
Agree that the system is "invisible". But, when your own human reflex falls short (yes, I know we're all "above average" drivers here, but still limited by human neurology) of pushing all the way down in an emergency, it can make the difference between hitting the car in front and stopping before that. In that instance, you still will have no awareness that it performed, because the research that went into this feature showed people thought they had pushed all the way on the brake pedal, even though not. It doesn't intervene when undesired, as it only functions when it senses the type of pedal application which people perform in an emergency, and then fills in the shortfall. A win-win for all!

Last edited by Sportstick; Dec 25, 2012 at 11:50 AM.
Reply
Old Dec 25, 2012 | 12:20 PM
  #6  
tasho3's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,208
Likes: 22
From: Westmont, IL
2014 C63 Sedan
Originally Posted by Eau_Rouge
Hey guy's, I'm considering replacing my W203 daily driver with a W204 but was wondering what people thought of the active brake assist that according to what I read, will apply maximum brake pressure when the vehicle senses the driver should be applying full brake pressure. Any opinions/experiences positive or negative with this system? Has anyone had the system intervene when not expected?
Like every one previously said, it's not intrusive at all! Somebody that doesn't know about this will never notice it! This should be nothing more than a thought, nothing to concern over. Cheers
Reply
Old Dec 25, 2012 | 11:47 PM
  #7  
RLE's Avatar
RLE
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,986
Likes: 6
From: SEATTLE WASHINGTON USA
'08 C300 Lux Barolo Red Beige Leather P2 MM 18" wheels '84 944
Originally Posted by Eau_Rouge
Hey guy's, I'm considering replacing my W203 daily driver with a W204 but was wondering what people thought of the active brake assist that according to what I read, will apply maximum brake pressure when the vehicle senses the driver should be applying full brake pressure. Any opinions/experiences positive or negative with this system? Has anyone had the system intervene when not expected?
My 2001 C320 had BAS. It's not new.
Reply
Old Dec 26, 2012 | 10:21 AM
  #8  
Eau_Rouge's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, ON
2002 C230 Coupe & 2010 C300 Sport
Hmm, I should check if my 2002 C230 has BAS, never noticed it.

Thanks everyone. I went out first thing today, test drove it, ran through a few braking scenarios, liked the car and am getting it....thanks again.


Posted from Mbworld.org App for Android
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Dec 26, 2012 | 10:22 AM
  #9  
Eau_Rouge's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, ON
2002 C230 Coupe & 2010 C300 Sport
Hmm, I should check if my 2002 C230 has BAS, never noticed it.

Thanks everyone. I went out first thing today, test drove it, ran through a few braking scenarios, liked the car and am getting it....thanks again.


Posted from Mbworld.org App for Android
Reply
Old Dec 26, 2012 | 11:13 AM
  #10  
LILBENZ230's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 8,384
Likes: 800
2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
Your 2002 W203 has BAS.
Reply
Old Dec 27, 2012 | 10:53 AM
  #11  
tasho3's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,208
Likes: 22
From: Westmont, IL
2014 C63 Sedan
I had a 1998 C43 AMG and it had BAS so I'm sure all your post MY2000 cars have BAS
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:39 AM.

story-0
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes-AMG's new electric GT 4-Door Coupe trades combustion for software, synthetic noise, and more than 1,100 horsepower.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 20:08:15


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-2
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-3
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-4
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-5
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-6
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-9
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE