got the car back from the dealer yesterday and have noticed that for some reason the footbrake no longer makes the "ratchet" sound or feeling when applied (like when applying a traditional handrake without pressing the button), but is smooth, quiet and spongey. Is this an update (I like it), or is it broke? On recent form with my dealer, it'll be broke.....

Any thoughts?

Marc

 

That's curious. Mine has always made the ratchet sound, but when I drove a couple of (slightly) later model ones they didn't.

I wonder if there is an update? I was unsure if I liked it better or not. I presume you've checked that it's actually working?

 

My foot pedal is totally smooth and quiet. I got my car when it had 17 miles on it.

Steve

 

Weird, mine has always been smooth and quiet.

 

All quiet here. I have driven a number of W211's and all were quiet.

Not sure what a "rachet" noise would be like???

 

Could this have anything to do with the SBC-H?? I doubt it, but it seems to be that the US cars don't have that noise and they don't have the SBC-H.

Just a thought,

Steve

 

hmmm, i think it is a matter of preference. the "ratchet" sound is like the sound you get when you apply a conventional handbrake -- a sort of grating sound that i suppose might scare off some first-time drivers. perhaps MB decided to do away with it? i'm not sure about the SBC-H connection though, since i thought the footbrake is a separate thing? my W211, and my parent's mercs, all make that sound when the footbrake is applied -- but we're not in the US! :p

 

I have a late build 2003, E-500 Nav Replacement that I got in August 2003 and it makes the ratchet noise. I'm not sure if my previous 2003 did it as I never paid attention to it until seeing this post. However, I would like to see MB use install Hand Brakes instead of the foot emergency brake. After living in England, and driving stick shifts most of my life, I MUCH PPREFER a hand brake setup as used my BMW, Honda and many other car companies. You used to get a restricted license in England if you took your test with an automatic as you had to demonstrate proper use of the hand brake in conjunction with the clutch for starting up when a stop light turns green (engage the clutch and put car in gear on the yellow light before the green and then disengage the hand brake). You also had to do three point 180 turns on a high crowned road using the hand brake to keep the car from rolling when you shifted. Brits and most Europeans are better drivers than here in the US because of the better driving techniques they learn in order to get a license. Staying in the slow lane except when passing is just one of many things they do better.

 

I drive three MB now (one in Florida) and all three make the "ratchet" noise including the '05 ML. BTW I just had the ML in for it's first service today and it still makes the "ratchet" sound so no mod was performed. It may be a model mod that is working it's way into the line but I can't believe the new "cost conscious" MB execs would order a retrofit of this kind in older models!

 

Got an 03 320 and it makes the "ratchet" sound if anyone cares?

 

Just got car back from 'Service B'. Ratchet before, ratchet after!!

James