2011 E250 Cabrio Emergency (Hand) Brake
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 6
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From: South Devon, UK.
E Class 250 Blueff CDI Cabrio
2011 E250 Cabrio Emergency (Hand) Brake
Have just purchased the above model from a MB Dealer. I live in a very hilly part of South Devon & the car will spend much of its life parked on a hill or in a garage on a gradient.
I am concerned that - when in neutral - the emergency (hand) brake will not hold the car stationary. I have to put the transmission into Park in order to hold the car still. As soon as I take my foot off the brake the car lurches forwards (or backwards) until the transmission brake prevents further movement. I am well aware that the car should always be parked with the transmission lever in the 'P' position but I'm concerned that this will be putting an unnecessary strain on the transmission over a long period of time rather than the rear brake pads.
Is this normal for the E class or should I take the car back to have the emergency (hand) brake adjusted?
I am concerned that - when in neutral - the emergency (hand) brake will not hold the car stationary. I have to put the transmission into Park in order to hold the car still. As soon as I take my foot off the brake the car lurches forwards (or backwards) until the transmission brake prevents further movement. I am well aware that the car should always be parked with the transmission lever in the 'P' position but I'm concerned that this will be putting an unnecessary strain on the transmission over a long period of time rather than the rear brake pads.
Is this normal for the E class or should I take the car back to have the emergency (hand) brake adjusted?
Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 204
Likes: 6
From: England
Mercedes E350 CD Iridium silver convertible 2010
Hello, The foot handbrake (not to my liking but that is what the car comes with) takes a fair amount of foot pressure to engage. I still get movement even when it is engaged, but only slight as the transmission park takes over and holds the car. I have it checked at every service but it remains the same so I believe that is how it is.......so do not worry about parking on hills etc.
Plus you can only leave the car in Park 'P', as you will not be able to get the key out of the ignition.
You would never use neutral, I have had my car 2.5 years and it has NEVER been in neutral.............I probably think that this is your first auto-matic?????
You will also find that on hill starts you will see HOLD on the speedo, this is the car being electronically held by the brakes until the transmission takes full drive.
You will get used to what you think are lurches, the car does not role back (I also live in Devon), if you are still unsure you can take it back to the dealer, I use Mercedes Exeter, very good dealer!!!!!!
Plus you can only leave the car in Park 'P', as you will not be able to get the key out of the ignition.
You would never use neutral, I have had my car 2.5 years and it has NEVER been in neutral.............I probably think that this is your first auto-matic?????
You will also find that on hill starts you will see HOLD on the speedo, this is the car being electronically held by the brakes until the transmission takes full drive.
You will get used to what you think are lurches, the car does not role back (I also live in Devon), if you are still unsure you can take it back to the dealer, I use Mercedes Exeter, very good dealer!!!!!!
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: South Devon, UK.
E Class 250 Blueff CDI Cabrio
Hi,
This is my first MB but by no means my first automatic! My wife insists on automatics as she never really mastered manuals. For my own personal transport I prefer a manual (currently an old Porsche 914).
However, we have had various Fords, VWs, Toyotas, - all automatics - where the handbrake has always held the car before the transmission brake 'bites'. This is not so with the Mercedes. However hard I stamp on the foot (hand) brake the car will roll till the transmission brake engages. A manual gearbox car would fail its MOT if the hand brake will not hold the car on a slope.
My main concern, as I said, is that the gearbox (very expensive to repair or replace!) is taking the strain of parking as opposed to the rear brake pads (very cheap - in comparison - to replace).
I'm aware of the HOLD for hill starts - very useful but we also had that on the VWs & Toyotas.
I intend to use MB Exeter for servicing so I may well drop by on my next trip up there to query this.
Many thanks for your comments - much appreciated.
This is my first MB but by no means my first automatic! My wife insists on automatics as she never really mastered manuals. For my own personal transport I prefer a manual (currently an old Porsche 914).
However, we have had various Fords, VWs, Toyotas, - all automatics - where the handbrake has always held the car before the transmission brake 'bites'. This is not so with the Mercedes. However hard I stamp on the foot (hand) brake the car will roll till the transmission brake engages. A manual gearbox car would fail its MOT if the hand brake will not hold the car on a slope.
My main concern, as I said, is that the gearbox (very expensive to repair or replace!) is taking the strain of parking as opposed to the rear brake pads (very cheap - in comparison - to replace).
I'm aware of the HOLD for hill starts - very useful but we also had that on the VWs & Toyotas.
I intend to use MB Exeter for servicing so I may well drop by on my next trip up there to query this.
Many thanks for your comments - much appreciated.
Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 204
Likes: 6
From: England
Mercedes E350 CD Iridium silver convertible 2010
Hello! no offence meant on the first automatic comments!!!! Sometimes the way that people explain an issue can lead to certain conclusions!! As I mentioned most other a manufacturers used hand brakes (which I personally prefer as you know how much pressure you can put on the handbrake), Mercedes have had the foot brake for as long as I can remember from previous cars I have owned, so it may just a case of getting used to it!!!!
Having said this the worst of the worst are the new electronic handbrakes with just a switch, my last BMW had this, a real pain, but it did work. The worst part of the electronic hand brakes, makes it very difficult to change ones own pads as you often need software to release the pads to remove them.....
Having said this the worst of the worst are the new electronic handbrakes with just a switch, my last BMW had this, a real pain, but it did work. The worst part of the electronic hand brakes, makes it very difficult to change ones own pads as you often need software to release the pads to remove them.....
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 6
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From: South Devon, UK.
E Class 250 Blueff CDI Cabrio
Putting car into MB Exeter tomorrow to have the emergency (parking) brake checked out. Will post on here tomorrow night with results.
Thanks for your comments.
Thanks for your comments.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 6
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From: South Devon, UK.
E Class 250 Blueff CDI Cabrio
Took the Cabrio to MB Exeter today & found a hill with the Service Team Manager on board. The parking brake wouldn't hold the car & he agreed that it needed adjusting. Drove back to the garage in the hope of a quick fix. No chance as all mechanics (technicians as MB call them) busy. Would have to book the car in next week. Said I would go home & agree a mutually convenient date with my wife to book the car in.
We agree to put the car in next Wednesday so I phone the Service Team Manager to arrange it. No problem - that will be £72 sir.............Pardon???
The car came to me with a year's warranty & supposedly had just been serviced prior to the sale (which, according to the Sales Team Manager, included a parking brake check).
I am wondering if the MB monthly service payment plan (which I am considering) is worth the paper its written on.
We agree to put the car in next Wednesday so I phone the Service Team Manager to arrange it. No problem - that will be £72 sir.............Pardon???
The car came to me with a year's warranty & supposedly had just been serviced prior to the sale (which, according to the Sales Team Manager, included a parking brake check).
I am wondering if the MB monthly service payment plan (which I am considering) is worth the paper its written on.
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Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 204
Likes: 6
From: England
Mercedes E350 CD Iridium silver convertible 2010
Took the Cabrio to MB Exeter today & found a hill with the Service Team Manager on board. The parking brake wouldn't hold the car & he agreed that it needed adjusting. Drove back to the garage in the hope of a quick fix. No chance as all mechanics (technicians as MB call them) busy. Would have to book the car in next week. Said I would go home & agree a mutually convenient date with my wife to book the car in.
We agree to put the car in next Wednesday so I phone the Service Team Manager to arrange it. No problem - that will be £72 sir.............Pardon???
The car came to me with a year's warranty & supposedly had just been serviced prior to the sale (which, according to the Sales Team Manager, included a parking brake check).
I am wondering if the MB monthly service payment plan (which I am considering) is worth the paper its written on.
We agree to put the car in next Wednesday so I phone the Service Team Manager to arrange it. No problem - that will be £72 sir.............Pardon???
The car came to me with a year's warranty & supposedly had just been serviced prior to the sale (which, according to the Sales Team Manager, included a parking brake check).
I am wondering if the MB monthly service payment plan (which I am considering) is worth the paper its written on.
I believe brake issue as stated by NCbob should have been checked before the sale!!!!!
I took out the 4 year service contract, whilst initially expensive when you compare going to an independent, it is more than comprehensive if you want to have a full Mercedes service history. My car is better serviced overall than it would ever have been with an independent (and I like doing my own maintenance).
What I have found is that Mercedes are significantly more supportive if you have a fault outside of the warranty window but have a service agreement with them, their goodwill gestures have been an absolute credit to the Brand. (whilst failures are not what you want, I have found that Mercedes stands head and shoulders above other premium manufacturers)
As I mentioned Exeter is an excellent dealership!!!!!!!
Last edited by theraven333; Mar 19, 2015 at 01:51 PM.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: South Devon, UK.
E Class 250 Blueff CDI Cabrio
Many thanks for that Raven333. With your ringing endorsements in mind I will pursue my case with MB next Wednesday & also take out a service plan.
Regards,
John.
Regards,
John.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: South Devon, UK.
E Class 250 Blueff CDI Cabrio
Visited MB Exeter today to have the parking brake adjusted. I had arranged a 'While you wait' slot for 10.00 am having been assured that it was a 10 minute job. Arrived at 09.45 & announced my arrival at reception, hoping for an early turn round as my wife & I needed to get into the city centre. By 10.45 the car had not moved & I vented my annoyance on my allocated service manager.
With that, the car was whisked round to the service area & the parking brake adjusted. We were on our way shortly afterwards with an apology & an assurance that there was no charge 'because of the wait.' Last week they indicated that there would be a charge of £72......
Notwithstanding all this, I have taken out a Service Plan with them for 4 services as the car already has a full MB service history. Hope I won't regret it!
With that, the car was whisked round to the service area & the parking brake adjusted. We were on our way shortly afterwards with an apology & an assurance that there was no charge 'because of the wait.' Last week they indicated that there would be a charge of £72......Notwithstanding all this, I have taken out a Service Plan with them for 4 services as the car already has a full MB service history. Hope I won't regret it!
