The New brakes work

[okellyt]

Took the beast out for a run today in the Sunny weather

Found out the brakes work very well - the way back from one of my routes I was on a dual carriageway 70 limit with tree lined central reservation - this had a couple of fixed turning points for cars to join traffic going the opposite way

Doing about 70 in the outside lane, parallel with a Merc (SL/CL/CLK type thing) doing about 35-40, he pulls across into the outside lane braking trying a late attempt at making one of these turning points. We were already past the beginning of the slip for it - so he gave me no warning

By halfway down his car I'd managed to equalize the speeds but as he was braking and pulling across I could not go forward or get behind him - Stood on the brakes some more, despite the ABS already kicking in and steered around him into the turning - avoiding him in the process as he carried on into the turning anyway; somehow he didn't notice the tyre squealing, black car to his side or the horn[].

Managed to avoid a large accident by inches. With the normal brake pads, speed differential and how late the guy had left it to turn in it would have been quite a nasty accident.

The Merc driver had the courtesy to be honest and say that it was his fault, he didn't look, as his passengers were busy arguing about which turning to take - he just pulled in on the turning without looking.

So given the sternest road test - the new brake pads and fluid were excellent

 

[garyw]

[] Don't you just hate those moments!! I'm really glad to hear no damage has been done and the brakes performed as hoped... more than hoped by the look of it [] At least you have tested them properly and don't have to wonder if they will work... garyw

 

[okellyt]

Gary Ta Yep I know now exactly what they can and can't do to within a couple of inches.

 

[MarcBC]

Forgive the pedantry, whilst I am pleased you are okay, it is brakes, not breaks. I can be ocd about a couple of these things and "breaks / brakes" and "their / there" are two that bug me. Sorry.

 

[okellyt]

ORIGINAL: MarcBC Forgive the pedantry, whilst I am pleased you are okay, it is brakes, not breaks. I can be ocd about a couple of these things and "breaks / brakes" and "their / there" are two that bug me. Sorry.

Marc Just for you I think I was torn between thinking and typing about braking and thinking and writing about breaking some parts of the other drivers anatomy

 

[mikec]

Is it something to do with Merc drivers and not using mirrors. I had a similar 'issue' with one once at a roundabout, where he decided to undertake another car as he exited the roundabout, he just didn't see me on his L/H side. Luckily I managed to come to a stop to avoid the accident. I did manage to have a word with him and he was a bit sheepish. Then at the next roundabout he still incorrectly indicated as to which exit he was taking.[][][]

 

[snarf]

ORIGINAL: mikec Is it something to do with Merc drivers and not using mirrors.

I think you may be right; last year at the start of our 997 Swiss drive, within 10 miles of home in fact, a Merc driver pulled off a petrol forecourt and immediately and without reason swept across the nearside lane of a dual carriage way to take up position in the outside lane. At the time there were no other cars on the road and I had moved over to the outside lane so he could "filter in", his unexpected manoeuvre was a little disconcerting, I'm sure he was completely unaware of my presence.

 

[Dylan1]

"I think I was torn between thinking and typing about braking and thinking and writing about breaking some parts of the other drivers anatomy " nice one tom[]

 

[MarcBC]

ORIGINAL: okellyt

ORIGINAL: MarcBC Forgive the pedantry, whilst I am pleased you are okay, it is brakes, not breaks. I can be ocd about a couple of these things and "breaks / brakes" and "their / there" are two that bug me. Sorry.

Marc Just for you I think I was torn between thinking and typing about braking and thinking and writing about breaking some parts of the other drivers anatomy

Touché! [] PS I thought mirrors were a deletable option on Mercedes, along with indicators on BMWs?

 

[okellyt]

PS I thought mirrors were a deletable option on Mercedes, along with indicators on BMWs?

Marc You are so right there - although this Merc must have come with the optional delete indicators as well - and an absence of sense as he had 4 people in the back "seats"/Footwell of his SL.