postoak

Are you satisfied with the MB brake "feel". It's very non-linear compared to other cars I've driven. First, there's a period of low resistance, with almost no noticeable braking. Then, I hit something like a firm pedal and it's easy to brake too much as the pedal almost seems to be sucked further down if you over do things, which can lead to a vicious cycle. And I say "something like a firm pedal" because I don't seem to ever get to one. If I press REALLY hard, the pedal just seems to keep going toward the floor.

postoak

So, everyone is satisfied with their brakes? Maybe it just because I'm coming out of a BMW 3-series, but I am really disappointed with the MB brakes. Even my wife's Accord's are better.

dmatre

Never had a problem with mine. They're a little soft for the first inch or so, but no problems once you get past that.

I would imagine that going to uprated brake pads (Porterfields, Performance Friction, etc) would give a little more 'bite' from the beginning.

If your pedal keeps going to the floor, you need to have it towed to the dealer to have it checked out. Something is seriously wrong.

postoak

Well, I get something like a firm pedal, but I noticed that if I press really, really hard, the pedal continues to go downward. All other brakes I've had would come to a complete stop at some point. I'm not sure about these "fancy" MB brakes -- perhaps that's normal for them.

mikefl52

Is this your first Benz?

They have a system which senses if you are trying to stop quickly and will therefore take over things for you, sometimes applying more braking action than you had thought you needed.

When you need to brake quickly they are very good, in fact so good that you get nervous about the person behind you since it is unlikely that he can stop as quickly as you.

It is a little disconcerting at first, but you will get used to it and on occasion might be even grateful.

postoak

Yes, it's my first Benz. I read in the manual about the PAS system you refer to. I thought I might also have electric activated brakes, but apparently don't -- or perhaps that's all MB means by electric activated brakes, but I somehow doubt it. Things that bother me about these brakes:

1) The long travel before any braking (or any significant braking -- can't tell for sure) occurs. However, I'm adjusting to that. I've just had to train myself to stab right on down through that area of light resistance.

2) That the pedal seems sensitive to too much pressure -- perhaps that is the PAS kicking in.

3) That I can never get an absolutely firm pedal, if I press really, really hard. I've never taken the pedal all the way to the floor, because I felt I might damage something, but I suspect that it would go there, slowly.

Only #2 is of serious concern. You can go from under-braking to over-braking very quickly.

steph280

The SBC electric activated brakes are on the E-class, which do make them feel a little different. I am suprised to hear your experiences in the C240 since the brakes on the loaner car at local dealer felt pretty normal to me. Go borrow one from your dealer and see if it feels different than yours.

postoak

Yes, that's what I intend to do.

akbro93704

we have an '05 C240 loaner car right now, the brakes feel normal to me, but I guess I'm just used to the brakes on a MB. I do notice that there is that initial dead spot though, but nothing to worry about because all MB's are like that, except the SBC equipped E-class which, to me, are more responsive and have an extremely small dead spot.

Incendiary

Hey postoak, good to see you here from the 'fest.

Yeah, MB brakes tend to be mushier than BMW brakes, but BMW brakes are probably the best out there. You'll get used to it in time...

postoak

Hi and thanks! Yes, I'm trying to wean myself away from that "other" board but it's hard.

I can get used to these brakes but it seems like poor design to me. Why would you want 1-2" travel with no braking and then overly sensitive braking? It seems to me brakes should be linear. I was talking to my boss about his wife's new CLK and he expressed the same difficulty in getting used to her car's brakes, too.

postoak

Well, I took my car in for the freebie oil change today (and was told there wasn't one), and was given a C240 loaner. The brake feel IS different. There's less travel before I get braking, and once I do get braking, it's easier to modulate. However, the difference isn't so great that I expect them to do anything about it.

steph280

I didn't see you mention how many miles you have on your car. When I had a C class, the brake would feel very different after a pad replacement. I didn't need to press down as far (less deadzone). I don't know if this is something they can adjust for you, but it never hurt to complain.

postoak

The car is 1 month old and has 1950 miles on it. The brakes have been like this since the beginning. I mentioned it to the SA, but I'm not optimistic.

postoak

Well, I had my car in today for service and am driving a 230SS loaner. The brakes are definitely better on this car than mine. Are the brakes supposed to be the same on the C230SS and the C240 Luxury Sedan?