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4 Wheel Drive/SUVs/Mercedes m350 brake problem?

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Expert: - 8/13/2011


Question
I test drove a 2003 Mercedes m350 today, and i think it has break problems. I had to floor the break just to get it to stop, and compared to my car it stops way slower. The dealer had their mechanic look at it and they said the breaks are fine. He said the reason it's different is because i'm not used to driving a big car, and big cars take longer to stop.....and the engine heat bar was slightly above the middle line, should i be worried about that?

Answer
Eric,

Yes, be suspicious of both. The brakes on a larger car can be even touchier and easier to press than on a small car due to the larger power brake booster and brake pads.  Especially on a Mercedes as they are a top line vehicle.  As far as the heat gauge is concerned, some vehicle heat bars can run slightly over the middle line, but no more than a needles width.  I would be wary of this seller.

Remember, the person with the car has only one intent, and that is to sell the car.

If you really like the car, take it to a reputable mechanic and have him do a full safety check on it.  Many shops will do this at a lower cost, or even free for a tentative buyer.

Always be wary.  A used car is just that, used, and there is wear and tear on it and many parts may need replaced.

Carl

4 Wheel Drive/SUVs

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Carl Brandt

Expertise

Will discuss suspensions, lifts, lockers along with tire suggestions. Trail ratings and possible requirements needed for specific type of trails. Safety equipment and what you should carry with you. Certified off-road instructor. I am not a mechanic, and 4-Wheeling is a hobby, so if I can't answer a technical question it is due to my mechanical knowledge being related to vehicles that I have owned, or have worked on. I do not have manuals on all vehicles.

Experience

40 plus years of 4 wheeling in a variety of vehicles. At the present time, my major off-road rig is a 94 Jeep Wrangler with a spring over and a 1 1/2" suspension lift. This gives me a total lift of 7" or so. I have lockers front and rear. I have removed the track bars, and sway bar for maximum articulation. I am running a stock 2.5 ltr 4 cylinder with a Jacobs ignition along with a cold air high flow filter. It has 4.56:1 gears with a Dodge NV4500 transmission along with a 3.8:1 Atlas II transfer case. This gives me a final ratio of 105:1 in low gear/low range. Other vehicles I own, are a 96 Ford F-250 with a 6" lift, posi rear end, 36" Hummer tires, 5 speed with a fuel injected 460 ci engine, an 87 Samurai with an 8" lift, Ford 9" rear end with a spool, Chevy Dana 44 front end with an electric locker, 5.88 gears, 16% reduction in high range and a 6.5:1 low range with 35" Baja Claws, and a stock 2003 Grand Cherokee Overland. Trails I have run are the Rubicon (10 times), Dusey Ershim, Fordyce Creek trail, McGrew trail, several trails in Moab, Utah along with local monthly runs.

Organizations
Lost Coast 4x4's Cal 4-Wheel Corva UFWDA Blue Ribbon Coalition

Education/Credentials
Certified off-road instructor - Certificates in engineering/electronics

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