...but the Chrysler and Merc were just awful. I found the pedal got in the way of my left foot and the release mechanism was sometimes a bugger to operate.

 

I understand your reason for the comment now. As I explained earlier, in the current E-Class it doesn't intrude at all into the left foot area when driving and the release is sweet.

 

Ray

I used to drive a C class, with the gun sight which I liked by the way, but the car overall left me unimpressed and the foot brake release mechanism I did find poorly thought out and almost to release with a loud clonk, hardly impressive for an perceived up market brand. I then went onto a Passat which I found to be a far superior car in every way and certainly far more comfortable.

 

I know this thread is about E classes but I thought that I'd throw my thoughts in about the brake anyway. Enjoy your car Ray when you get it, it would be nice to see if you're still happy with it compared against the Superb after a couple of years.

It's a shame merc still follows this policy of the hand brake. I love the look of the merc ESP the cls. But there is no way i would pay £35k for a car with a foot pedal and an old lever to pull for the parking brake. A bit like having to pull and twist a separate lever to Engage reverse. Ill stick with the skoda.

Damo

Most clients of mine think my estate is a BMW or merc. So much for trying to portray myself as a sensible, thinking consultant.....

It's a shame merc still follows this policy of the hand brake. I love the look of the merc ESP the cls. But there is no way i would pay £35k for a car with a foot pedal and an old lever to pull for the parking brake. A bit like having to pull and twist a separate lever to Engage reverse. Ill stick with the skoda.

Damo

 

It's NOT a handbrake, is it? The E-Class doesn't need or use a handbrake, how many more times have I got to say this?  A parking brake is just that - for PARKING, not for use during any part of normal driving.

 

Like any other parking brake, you apply it before leaving the parked vehicle - one action - then when you return, you release it - one action, and set off again. How that's like having a separate lever to engage reverse is beyond me.  

 

I like to think that if someone I knew was buying a car that they liked and preferred, I'd be pleased for them.

 

Ray

I test drove a Merc E (albeit coupe) a couple of years ago and wasn't impressed at all but if that's what you fancy good luck. I've been thinking about the C class for next year - is is much smaller than the Superb? 

Why would I need good luck? I'm not getting a car from two years ago and I have never fancied a coupe, which is why I've ordered an Estate.

 

The C-Class is significantly smaller than the Superb and with black leather and a black roof lining it will feel claustrophobic in comparison.

All in all, I think Ray, a former Superb Driver, just wanted you to know, and be happy about his choices - yes, it's a Skoda Site, but also a Car Forum; maybe just wish him well, rather than slagging off his choice of handbrake-less vehicle. Maybe this needs shut down, before it becomes a slagging match, like a thread did last week....

 

Al. (Also E Class & x Superb Owner) 

I started this with the `Park Brake` and I'm so very sorry I did.

My intention was just to air my views on the subject and that's all..

I DO wish you well with your new car, Ray. I'm sure you'll have years of fab motoring.

All the very best

Mike. 

Why would I need good luck? I'm not getting a car from two years ago and I have never fancied a coupe, which is why I've ordered an Estate.

 

The C-Class is significantly smaller than the Superb and with black leather and a black roof lining it will feel claustrophobic in comparison.

 

 

Good luck is a figure of speech, as in "I hope all goes well with your new car." 

Why would I need good luck? I'm not getting a car from two years ago and I have never fancied a coupe, which is why I've ordered an Estate.

 

The C-Class is significantly smaller than the Superb and with black leather and a black roof lining it will feel claustrophobic in comparison.

 

For some reason I can't reply to the message you sent me, so I apologise to everyone else but please don't tell me what "we both know," that I am  "trying to save face" and "lack the courage of my convictions." I didn't like the drive of the E class I tested, I might look at one in the future, I hope yours goes well for you and anything else you might care to read into my message of what I thought was politeness is up to you, but don;t accuse me of something I didn't mean and certainly am not.   

He was always a testy old sod, davejay.  I see he's changed his name to "Departed" now; our loss is Mercedes' gain, lol.

 

On topic, I do think the Mercedes has the edge, but seeing as I am a humble Head of English at a Midlands comprehensive school, Skoda is the limit for me.  Perhaps in my retirement...

Sad to see you go, hope you have better luck with merc than me, terrible dealer rude never had a loan car in 3 years of ownership quite a lote of problems with electrics and central locking but was nearly 8 years ok, so they may have got better, although I did go to the dealer a while back and asked to see a clk convertable the salesman looked me up and down and pointed out of the window and said "there's one, but it's probally out of your price range" I was driving a 2 year old Audi S4 cabriolet at the time.

He was always a testy old sod, davejay.  I see he's changed his name to "Departed" now; our loss is Mercedes' gain, lol.

 

On topic, I do think the Mercedes has the edge, but seeing as I am a humble Head of English at a Midlands comprehensive school, Skoda is the limit for me.  Perhaps in my retirement...

 

Thanks. As I said, I'm thinking about a Merc next year; C class possibly or E if I can get a decent deal. I daresay it's been mentioned on here in the past but the fact that the two marques can no w be compared is testament to how Skoda have changed - can you imagine it being said twenty years ago?

 

I also loved cotswold's story of the dealer. Judging a book by its cover will always be the same; on a weekday train in a suit I'm 'Sir' and at the weekend I'm the ticket inspector's cheap t-shirt wearing 'mate'.