bzliteyear

hi guys,

i love my car and i've been meaning to ask the members here - what makes my brake pedal so touchy, esp at 0 to 5 mph? it's only about 5k miles old w/ new rotors/pads and the stopping is great. my issue is that unlike our other E320 wagon(s), the first inch of pedal travel is very light and sensitive. my other E's are actually quite firm and linear.

the results are that while driving in low speed, the brakes can be a bit grabby...especially trying to stop smoothly. i took it in to my MB svc advisor, but i don't think he gets it. originally he thought perhaps the brake line, etc...but still no solution.

i would appreciate everyone's input.

Eurosport

well they are just great brakes ;p
did you do a brake fluid flush when you changed the rotors/pads?
you could swap the lines out for SS braided ones that might improve feel, less expansion when hot.
i would do a proper flush first, make sure no air in the system, see if that changes feel for you.

bzliteyear

thanks - will check into that.
the prior MB dealer who did the work i do not use anymore, so i need to check w/ the new MB dealer here in Oakland.
flush brakes - not cheap?

Eurosport

brake flush runs about $100-150 from what i remember at this late hr ;p

MaxVon

Try selecting "W" mode on the transmission switch when in stop and go situations. The fact that our E55's start in first gear when in "S" mode and also engine brake with first gear when in stop and go conditions combined with massive braking capabilites add up to sometimes less than smooth braking operation. Selecting "W" mode allows the transimission to start and stop in 2nd gear and brake much smoother in 5 to 20mph traffic.

bzliteyear

i don't think it has to do w/ the W or S mode. i've owned several other year 2000 E-class and the generic feeling of the brake pedal is just very mushy in that first 1/2 inch...and then it kind of grabs, almost as thought the pressure wasn't linear. i know these are bigger rotors, but it still doesn't explain why the brake pedal pressure is so mushy on the initial inch.

i'll take it checked out of the bleeding of the line. thx all.

E55HO

I am on my third W210 E55 and agree with the point of stop and go traffic using the W mode which starts the automatic out in second gear. While in S mode (1st Gear) in stop and go the engine braking is very noticeable. Would be curious how to make smoother. I have new rotors and pads up front with rear new pads.

bzliteyear

good point, but has anyone else noticed the mushy brake pedal feeling for the first 1/2" of travel?