Brake action. Mushy.
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C32 AMG
Brake action. Mushy.
We've had our GL320 for about a week, and my only gripe is with brake pedal action. I like a firm pedal that you modulate by force. The GL seems to have a brake pedal that works like the gas pedal! The further down you push, the stronger the force. I suppose that's fine for the dainty, but I'm still getting used to it.
Anyone else have this gripe? Is there any solution, or should I just get used to it?
Anyone else have this gripe? Is there any solution, or should I just get used to it?
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: B.C.
GL 320cdi, Chevrolet Avalanchero, GLE 350 (on order)
My wife was having the same problem on our test drive. I didn't even notice until she pointed it out, I just got in and strtaed driving as smoothly as any other car, she was ripping my head of with the braking action.
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From: Colorado Rocky Mtns.
'06 A6 & '08 GL550
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From: FRESNO CA
GL550
We've had our GL320 for about a week, and my only gripe is with brake pedal action. I like a firm pedal that you modulate by force. The GL seems to have a brake pedal that works like the gas pedal! The further down you push, the stronger the force. I suppose that's fine for the dainty, but I'm still getting used to it.
Anyone else have this gripe? Is there any solution, or should I just get used to it?
Anyone else have this gripe? Is there any solution, or should I just get used to it?
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Joined: May 2008
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From: Overland Park, KS
‘24 BMW iX M60
We've had our GL320 for about a week, and my only gripe is with brake pedal action. I like a firm pedal that you modulate by force. The GL seems to have a brake pedal that works like the gas pedal! The further down you push, the stronger the force. I suppose that's fine for the dainty, but I'm still getting used to it.
Anyone else have this gripe? Is there any solution, or should I just get used to it?
Anyone else have this gripe? Is there any solution, or should I just get used to it?
My daily driver is a '06 BMW M5, which like your other vehicles has a good quality feel to the brake pedal; especially since I had the OEM fluid replaced with Motul 600.
I notice the exact same thing with the brake action of our brand new 320 CDI, in that the first few cms of pressure don't do much, then the brakes really seem to 'kick-in'. Retardation seems excellent though when you really push down hard. It's something I find 'odd' but am getting used to it quickly.
Our trade on the CDI, a '06 Range Rover Sport Supercharged, had bloody big Brembos on the front, and also had good feel. Even though my wife had been driving it primarily for the last 15 months, she mentioned nothing re: difference in brake feel. Go figure!
Perhaps you and I should stay off of the track! lol.
Bish
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Super Member
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Indianapolis, IN
2008 C350
This seems to be a very common complaint of the GL...it's mentioned in just about every review I've read. I eventually got used to the feeling and don't mind it at all now. During the first test drive, I about gave everyone riding in the car whiplash from pressing the brake just a tad too hard. 
Has anyone experienced the mushy brake on other MB's?
Has anyone experienced the mushy brake on other MB's?
Thread Starter
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C32 AMG
I'm sure I'll get used to it. I suspect it is programmed into the system and is not something that will be easily fixed.
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From: Scottsdale, AZ
2004 RX330, 2008 Scion xB, 2001 Honda Insight Hybrid, 2010 Toyot Prius v ATP
Senior Member
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From: FRESNO CA
GL550
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Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Scottsdale, AZ
2007 GL320 CDI, 2001 TJ Rockcrawler, 2005 Scoobie STI
The feel you describe is almost the same feel that I have experienced on nearly all big heavy SUVs that I have ever driven.
Perhaps it has something to do with the weight of the vehicle... Or better yet the GVWR of the vehicle that the brakes are on...
Vehicles designed to carry a lot of weight and tow a lot of weight need to have brakes designed differently (more durable) than sports cars that will typically not vary in weight from one trip to another.
It just takes a bit of getting used to... especially if you are coming from a sports car.
Perhaps it has something to do with the weight of the vehicle... Or better yet the GVWR of the vehicle that the brakes are on...
Vehicles designed to carry a lot of weight and tow a lot of weight need to have brakes designed differently (more durable) than sports cars that will typically not vary in weight from one trip to another.
It just takes a bit of getting used to... especially if you are coming from a sports car.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: West Michigan
2007 E63
Your C is an AMG, so I'm sure that has a lot to do with it. My W163 has a kind of mushy feel to it, but I don't really mind it.
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C32 AMG
The feel you describe is almost the same feel that I have experienced on nearly all big heavy SUVs that I have ever driven.
Perhaps it has something to do with the weight of the vehicle... Or better yet the GVWR of the vehicle that the brakes are on...
Vehicles designed to carry a lot of weight and tow a lot of weight need to have brakes designed differently (more durable) than sports cars that will typically not vary in weight from one trip to another.
It just takes a bit of getting used to... especially if you are coming from a sports car.
Perhaps it has something to do with the weight of the vehicle... Or better yet the GVWR of the vehicle that the brakes are on...
Vehicles designed to carry a lot of weight and tow a lot of weight need to have brakes designed differently (more durable) than sports cars that will typically not vary in weight from one trip to another.
It just takes a bit of getting used to... especially if you are coming from a sports car.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Las Vegas, NV
2011 E350 Cabriolet..White and Almond Mocha
Brake Assist
Couldn't it have to do with "brake assist.?" As I understand it the quicker you take your foot off the gas pedal and apply the brakes in a hard stop, the system (computer calculates this) will apply 100% braking power to stop the car as quickly as possible. Perhaps this is why the pedal feel is "mushy." I can't remember but I think the S550 had a softer pedal feel also.
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Dallas, TX
GL320 CDI, SL550
I find the brake action on the GL to be very good. The car I had before this was a nasty 2003 BMW 745 and I hated the brakes on that car - the ride was very herky / jerky by applying just a little pressure on the brakes.
When I got my GL I was worried I wouldn't like the brakes and was particular since I had come from a car that had terrible brake action - it is a little different but then again it is a truck / SUV and not a car...I got used to it after about a week and never thought about it again.
As with almost everything else with the GL - it is all good
When I got my GL I was worried I wouldn't like the brakes and was particular since I had come from a car that had terrible brake action - it is a little different but then again it is a truck / SUV and not a car...I got used to it after about a week and never thought about it again.
As with almost everything else with the GL - it is all good
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Las Vegas, NV
2011 E350 Cabriolet..White and Almond Mocha
I don't have a real problem with the softer pedal on the GL... I am accustomed to it now and when I need to brake, it always responds well.
Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 118
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From: Seattle, WA
2008 GL 550
Used to have an ML320 which had unbelievably mushy brakes. This was a huge known problem with the earlier models. I upgraded to steel braided lines but that did not do anything (earlier years actually had a recall on the lines). I was told by my mechanic that short of upgrading entire braking system (e.g. Brembo kit) at a cost of $4-5k there wa snot much to be done.
I also find my GL brakes mushy and sometimes inconsistent in feel and reaction - one of the few complaints I have with the GL. Having said that they are a vast improvement from my ML brakes.
I also find my GL brakes mushy and sometimes inconsistent in feel and reaction - one of the few complaints I have with the GL. Having said that they are a vast improvement from my ML brakes.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2005
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C32 AMG
Used to have an ML320 which had unbelievably mushy brakes. This was a huge known problem with the earlier models. I upgraded to steel braided lines but that did not do anything (earlier years actually had a recall on the lines). I was told by my mechanic that short of upgrading entire braking system (e.g. Brembo kit) at a cost of $4-5k there wa snot much to be done.
I also find my GL brakes mushy and sometimes inconsistent in feel and reaction - one of the few complaints I have with the GL. Having said that they are a vast improvement from my ML brakes.
I also find my GL brakes mushy and sometimes inconsistent in feel and reaction - one of the few complaints I have with the GL. Having said that they are a vast improvement from my ML brakes.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 435
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From: FRESNO CA
GL550
Brembo upgrade for front and rear sell for 7598.02 from Tire Rack, well over 8000.00 installed. I am considering them but most likely the spare won't fit and the service dept. is warning me about any brake related warranty problems.
