I can't brake to a smooth stop

[mathijskok]

Default brakes on my European diesel 300Crd and I got a small brake problem that annoys me. Even when I try to be as smooth as possible, the car still stops with a 'jolt', just before the car comes to a complete stop the brakes seem to lock.

I never had this in other large cars, but I did have it is a few small cheapo cars. Anybody got any idea on this?

[GoofyTimL]

Don't have any specific ideas, other than I find every car I've ever owned has it's own personality in how it stops (and goes). If I apply the same brake pressure, and don't let up just as motion is about to halt, I will get an abrupt stop. The degree of jolt is a function of the pressure relative to the severity of the need to stop. If I feather the pressure near the end, I can bring it to a nearly unnoticeable conclusion.

[mathijskok]

Originally Posted by GoofyTimL

Don't have any specific ideas, other than I find every car I've ever owned has it's own personality in how it stops (and goes). If I apply the same brake pressure, and don't let up just as motion is about to halt, I will get an abrupt stop. The degree of jolt is a function of the pressure relative to the severity of the need to stop. If I feather the pressure near the end, I can bring it to a nearly unnoticeable conclusion.

Right, I can do that with the Elise and with the Landcruiser, just not with the 300. Not a big deal of course, but you know how these little things get on your mind after a while. And spending a complete evening trying to navigate the Paris Peripherique (rush hour lasts from 18:00 to midnight there) from north to south yesterday it REALLY bugged me.

[GoofyTimL]

Originally Posted by mathijskok

... spending a complete evening trying to navigate the Paris Peripherique (rush hour lasts from 18:00 to midnight there) from north to south yesterday it REALLY bugged me.

You're in France?! I thought the French were used to being abrupt! j/k


Maybe a trip to the local dealer for a check-out would be in order. Haven't had a lot of folks on here stating a similar issue... so your's may be unique and correctable.

[mathijskok]

Originally Posted by GoofyTimL

You're in France?! I thought the French were used to being abrupt! j/k


Maybe a trip to the local dealer for a check-out would be in order. Haven't had a lot of folks on here stating a similar issue... so your's may be unique and correctable.

Well.... yeah.... right, I am in France most of the time (Holland and Germany the rest of the time and I am not French but Dutch).

But the brake problem is weird, as it is obvious on all wheels, so it is not a problem with a disk or something. I got the feeling it is that blasted brake assist system that helps you increase brake force (those systems prevent you from hitting the guy in front, but often result in the guy behind you hitting you).

[GoofyTimL]

No offense meant at all. Over the years I have been to Dordrecht (and briefly Amsterdam) three times (if memory serves) with respect to my career work as a DuPont Chemist. Very enjoyable visits with the friendly folks there each time. I even have a pair of authentic wooden shoes... somewhere... from a small hardward store in the non-tourist sections of Dordrecht. And that wasn't easy... finding a large enough set for the underpinnings of my 6ft 4in (193 cm) height!

[mathijskok]

Originally Posted by GoofyTimL

No offense meant at all. Over the years I have been to Dordrecht (and briefly Amsterdam) three times (if memory serves) with respect to my career work as a DuPont Chemist. Very enjoyable visits with the friendly folks there each time. I even have a pair of authentic wooden shoes... somewhere... from a small hardward store in the non-tourist sections of Dordrecht. And that wasn't easy... finding a large enough set for the underpinnings of my 6ft 4in (193 cm) height!

These days you got to be so carefull when you say you are from the 'old' countries. I remember the days when we used ot be popular over there, hahaha.

Personally, for some strange reason, the 300Crd is a new discovery of the US. I used to live there for a few year in the late 80s, New York, Chicago and I loved it there, strange folks, but warm and as long as you avoid certain topics very easy to make friends with. Good friends, still call them.

But after that I moved around in Europe a lot and sort of forgot about how the US works. Believe me, the 300 IS a perfect example of how the US works. Great car, I love it, but the further you get from the drivers seat the more crummy it gets. From the 1970's fuel cap to the way the trunk/boot is lined with the most agressive nylon I seen in decades. I don't give a damn (although in 6 months I have not been able to refuel the car one single time without having to walk back and getting the key, ARGHHHHH) because of the looks, the feel and after a while even the soft ride. But it is so 100% American, even though I got the diesel with european suspension etc...

Also drive a few other cars here (BMW 5 series, 1990 Mercedes C600, Lotus Elise and a Toyota Landcruiser). The BM is probably the best package, faster, far more refined ride, more efficient, the Lotus is just one small bundle of fun because it is so incredible fast on small roads, the Mercedes is just incredible with all the buttons, 12 cylinders and the incredible torque and the Toyota Landcruiser is just perfection, even after 2 years and a few thousand miles of noth Africa not a single unwanted sound, near perfect quality control.

But when I want to smile, when I want to get some friends from the airport, when I am stressed, I'll always take the 300, even though that car that has a lot of little things wrong, even after only 6 months. Did I mention I am driving with a turn left indicator (how is that called in the Us these days?) on the dash and at least 5 different plastic squeek noises from the right front? As I said, it is like going to the US, you know the going will be easy because people speak English (well...), they will be very helpfull, you will get service that is rare in Europe and they will all do it with a style that the French lost in 1900 and the Italians lost 2 decades ago.

Now if Starbucks would learn how to make real coffee I might even move back west and get me the real 6.1 liter car. I have not had this much fun with a car in 20 years.

[Mr.DJ]

Originally Posted by mathijskok

...Now if Starbucks would learn how to make real coffee I might even move back west and get me the real 6.1 liter car. I have not had this much fun with a car in 20 years.

Douwe Egberts 'Aroma Rood', 'Mocca', and/or 'Real Coffee'...