lkchris

I learned two things this week that I'll share.

I've always hated the brake pedal feel of my GL and have noted various magazine road testers with the same comment.

A recent visit with my favorite salesman reveals the "story" regarding this has to do with fact diesels require a vacuum pump for power brakes while gas models get intake manifold vacuum. This I of course already knew, but I didn't realize the brake pedal feel problem wasn't of "feature" of 450s and 550s as he stated.

Other thing is that a small article in the current (1/10) issue of Mercedes Enthusiast magazine on the 2010 ML320 Bluetec indicates the problem is now corrected.

I'll be on the lookout to learn details as to how the problem was "corrected" (if so). Since it's not really a safety issue I wouldn't expect a recall of older models, but I'll sure be on the lookout for a DTB should the fix be an easy one.
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scottybdiving

Interesting. I too had assumed it was present in the 450's and 550's. This problem has never been an issue with my Duramax nor my previous Powerstrokes. They have always had brakes equal to their gasoline counterparts.

BJ021

Interesting. Never had an issue with the feel of the pedal or pressure related to quick stops...it's always handled very well.

thebishman

No issues with the brakes on our 320CDI either. It stops very well for such a heavy beast. It does have the typical MB 'mushy' pedal feel though.
Bish

43221B

Not on my 09 320 either. I've had to apply full brake while swerving at 75 mph due to a car losing control in front of me after blowing out a tire. I think is stops and handles incredibly well for a 5500 lb vehicle, particularly at high speeds. Maybe it could be a little firmer. But I'm telling you, if you hit them hard, it has brake assist and there is no delay.

scottybdiving

I think the complaint has never been about function, just that mushy feeling. They also have a history of wearing prematurely and of course, there's the dust. Almost every review that has been published on the GL has made note of this. When I get out of my Duramax and into the GL, It feels like the pedal has way too much travel. After I drive it for a while it isn't quiet as bad.

I have 91K on the Duramax, just had the pads inspected ,and they still have 60%. It weighs 7800 lbs, dressed.

43221B

I agree with you, my comments were more aimed at people who are just starting to look into the GL and haven't read all the reviews. I also had a 4runner that was the same as your Duramax with brakes. I turned the rotors and changed the pads around 90,000 just to smooth them out but they still had a lot of pad left, like 40% or something. The 4Runner still didn't brake anywhere near as well as the GL and if you hit the brakes at high speed they felt like rubber by the time you got it stopped.

StevethePilot

Kent, I'm always impressed with the depth of knowledge you're able to bring to these forums. I've got to say that while I'm fine with the braking action of my GL normally, I wouldn't mind if it actually did have a little more response and a little less of that "keep pushin'!" feeling.

Yesterday, I let myself get distracted for a second by my kids in the car and had to stop slightly short at the next intersection (not an emergency stop but not the normal gentle stops one needs to do in a two and a half ton truck), and I did think to myself, "I really did have to smash down on the brake to get it to do that." Now I know why!

Thank you very much, Kent!

STP