So I just had the first very very close call to having an accident two days ago and thankfully the car performed and did it's thing to keep me safe.

I was driving through a circle in Washington DC and I had the green light. An idiot in a Porsche entered the circle right in front of me completely ignoring his red traffic light and "no turn on red" sign. Fortunately I saw the idiot not slowing and immediately laid on the horn and at the same time slammed on my brakes.

I've always been worried about my brakes because according to road tests the 60-0 distance in our cars is about 130 feet when other European cars can do it in 110 or less feet. Regardless the car dropped to a dead-stop almost instantly with a horrible screeching sound.

The horn helped snap the idiot in the Porsche back to reality as he slowed down and came to a stop. We eventually stopped maybe 2 inches apart with the front 1/3 of the Porsche in the traffic circle at an angle right beside the front of my car.

The two things that saved me are the horn (it was loud enough to let the idiot know he's running a stop light and headed towards oncoming traffic) and the brakes which stopped the car right away when I was actually expecting an accident. It was so close I though there was actual contact, and I checked my car for damage afterwards and of course and there was none.

So glad no one was hurt and my baby is safe I had my windows down and the Porsche had the top down and he was just a few feet from me. I was furious and reflexively yelled a choice word at him and he kept saying he was sorry...

Just wanted to share the story with everyone here. If I did not lay on the horn when I did, I think even with the braking I did, there would likely have been an accident as the other driver was so clueless. It seems the emergency brake assist or whatever it is called did it's thing as I've never braked so hard or felt the car stop so quickly ever before. In summary, your horn at the right time and place can help you avoid an accident...

 

Thanks for sharing! I fully believe that features like Brake Assist really help in these situations since (according to Mercedes of course) most drivers don't brake hard enough. Thank God you are okay and the other man is okay, mostly you but in any situation you were protected.

I was in a similar almost-collision situation a few weeks after I got my car. A lady in an Acura blew a stop sign as her house was right on the corner of the street she was turning onto and almost t-boned me. Funny thing is she was the one who honked at me, though I was not at fault since it was a 4-way stop. Luckily I punched the accelerator and was able to escape in time. She pulled into her driveway and basically ignored me as I drove by and yelled "What the hell?!?" Too distracted by her cell phone or makeup or whatever it was she was holding.

 

Does your car have SBC or the regular braking system installed on the 211 E-Classes after 2006.

My SBC brakes will stop on a dime. It senses a panic stop and applies full force braking not leaving that to the driver to judge.

Also, Isn't DC driving a hoot. Whenever I cross the Potomac I turn on my brains defensive driving mode. Never know what you are going to see.

 

You ALWAYS have to be on your guard when driving in DC constantly watching out for other people.

My car is a 2007 so no SBC. But I do have emergency brake assist and I'm sure the car initiated a panic stop because as soon as I remember wanting to stop the car just dropped dead with a loud screeching sound. I'm sure I left some rubber on the road

 

If I remember correctly:

The pre-safe system (MY07+) will sense when the driver abruptly takes his foot off the gas peddle and will actually move the calipers and pads closer to the rotor to prepare for an emergency stop

Also, the brakes can sense when there is rain and actually move the calipers to help dry the pads for braking

SBC can also definitely sense a panic/emergency stop as I've experienced those a couple of times.

 

Yeah it primes the brake calipers by setting it closer to the rotor and will automatically apply 100% braking pressure when it senses a panic stop even if the driver did not apply the needed pressure.