Merc have had a new braking system (SBC) out for a while now, which in its correct operating state is completely brake by wire, no hydraulics at all from the brake pedal to the brakes. which when working ok is actually very impressive.

 

got to drive one the other day with the system (deliberatly) inoperative. FOOKIN HELL its scary!!! :eek:

 

in fail safe mode there is a hydraulic connection to the front (only) brakes. with no servo. & a VERY spongy pedal that almost hits the floor!!

 

i didnt think i was gonna stop the car at 20mph knowing it was gonna be crap!! god only knows what an old biddy would do on a motorway if it was to fail :(

 

just hope we dont get too many failures of these!!

Yes but if a decent car's servo was to go (just loosing the vacuum connection or something) i'm sure that would result in most people crashing. Fine cars are designed to hold the vacuum long enough for one or two complete stops, but someone like my mum would keep driving :rolleyes:

 

I'm sure the system you're talking about is even worse tho.

lol! this is 10x worse than loosing a servo!!