does or can the Superb be ordered with the electric parking brake like on the VW Passat:confused:

Cheers

No, it's got a normal handbrake!

nope. not possible. shame as i actually like the electric ones - they feel a bit "special" but i have heard the passat one is prone to errors. the one we had on our A6 was nice and with the auto box worked well.

closest you can get is hill hold assit which applies the disc brakes, via the ESP system for 4 seconds when you are above a certain angle on the road.

Having driven cars with a "button" for a handbrake. i prefer a normally handbrake. just easier.

The auto parking brake on the Renault Scenic works a treat, but having recently driven the new Insignia (at the launch event at Millbrook) when they're done badly they are really bad. In the Insignia's case it was doubly annoying as

i) the car really bogged down and strained before it auto released (I did check, it is supposed to release itself when the clutch comes up)

and

ii) It doesn't engage automatically when switching the engine off, I discovered this to my embarrasment when the car rolled back when I got out of it!

Overall I agree with mdk1, I prefer a traditional handbrake.

the Audi A6 one is an example of how to do it well in my opinion. the button is located in a similar place to a traditional handbrake and has a similar action - ie pull the button up to engage and push down to disengage. it doesnt come on automatically although does release automatically. the car was an auto and a quick blip of the throttle was enough for it to release without you even feeling it. i am not sure about the passat version. the button is in a very silly place in the dash and you have to move your back away from the backrest of the seat to reach it !!

the Audi A6 one is an example of how to do it well in my opinion. the button is located in a similar place to a traditional handbrake and has a similar action - ie pull the button up to engage and push down to disengage. it doesnt come on automatically although does release automatically. the car was an auto and a quick blip of the throttle was enough for it to release without you even feeling it. i am not sure about the passat version. the button is in a very silly place in the dash and you have to move your back away from the backrest of the seat to reach it !!

But it's not as smooth in the manual A6, my boss still had trouble pulling away smoothly after 100,000miles.

Both our Passats have the electronic parking brakes and once you're used to them they're great. I just wish they would fit the auto hold as standard so when you come to a stand still it engages automatically.

It will also only disengage when your seat belt is on which is a good safety feature. I know VW have had a lot of problems with this feature but I've not had any and works well for us.

They are a royal pain in the **** to work with though.

And a bugger when you have a flat battery.

They are a royal pain in the **** to work with though.

And a bugger when you have a flat battery.

but why do you need to take the handbrake off if you have a flat battery - you not going to go anywhere !!! unless you live on a hill and want to bump start it i suppose !

Or you work as a technician and you get a car in with a flat battery and some nob end of a AA driver has dumped it down the bottom of the yard. Add to that an electronic steering lock and the joy is truly great.

i see. but surely only adds about 3 mins to the job as you must have booster packs available !!

Yeah we do.

However the parking brakes dont always come off, naffin control units are a pain in the ****,

what a pain !! and they call it "progress"

I dont see how it is progress. What was wrong with a lever anyhow.

i think it is to do with freeing up more space around the central console area. if you look at the A6 you will see that there is a dial to control the MMI system and a handbrake would be in the way of this. I guess its to do with asthetics and design as much as function !

Indeed, my Dad had an A6 s-line before his TT, guess he was lucky his never went wrong.

I dont see how it is progress. What was wrong with a lever anyhow.

Don't knock them too much, it's all extra money when you have to get a computer involved in changing the rear pads.

Try a hill start on a new Passat with a fully loaded trailer on the back. It's a real joke - I managed to get the clutch to smoke. I wonder what it does to the DMF.

There's nothing wrong with a lever between the seats - VAG made the right choice for the Mk2, no doubt based on the Passat problems.

rotodiesel.

Don't knock them too much, it's all extra money when you have to get a computer involved in changing the rear pads.

Is it really, tell that to the lease compaines, they dont pay any extra time.

It will also only disengage when your seat belt is on which is a good safety feature.

Will work without seatbelt on as i move Passats all day long at work around the dealership without seatbelt on.

Autohold is great where fitted but really odd at first!