http://www.siemensvdo.com/press/rele...509-005-en.htm

Siemens intends to build these before the decade is out.

Naturally, the gut reaction will be fear, but hydraulic brakes were met with the same reaction onceuponatime.

Think of the ease of adding more powerful brakes, and the increased simplicity of the car overall.

 

I know it still has hydraulics, but the 06 GS430 has brake by wire. Very touchy too.

 

my ex-gf had something like that on her Benz. I can see how that system might be an advantage, but I just didn't like the way it felt. I was constantly freaking out because it never felt like the brakes were applying as much pressure as I did on the pedal. I think I'll stick to good ol hydraulic systems.

 

the one in the new 430 is the exact opposite. very, very sensitive. after I test drove the 06 GS430, my car felt like it had no brakes when I first hit them in the parking lot....

 

Where is the article that says this? First time I ever heard of a car even having it yet.

 

This info has been common knowledge since earlier this year:

http://www.lexus.com/models/gs/road_test.html
http://www.caranddriver.com/article....&page_number=7
http://www.familycar.com/RoadTests/LexusGS430/

 

Let's hope Lexus can do a better job with Brake-By-Wire than Mercedes did. M-B has used a partial by-wire / partial hydraulic system with an emergency hydraulic master cylinder back-up for some years now, and it has proved extremely troublesome...one of the main reasons for the generally poor reputation of some recent M-B products. It has been SO troublesome.....and has cost the company so much in recall and warranty repairs.....that they are tossing it out once and for all and going back to straight hydraulics on their next-gen cars.
http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews...ex2.html<br />

BTW, I'm all for electronic brakes IF they can perfect the systems, give decent pedal feel, and ensure it will operate if the car loses either electric or engine power. It would be NICE not to have to worry about leaking wheel cylinders, pistons, master cylinders, hoses, seals, etc....., or air and water getting into the system, or the brake fluid becoming contaminated and having to be bled and replaced...a miserable job..

 

i have to say that i like the boosted feel of brake by wire... it takes you few drives to actually get the feeling of it, since response is instant but overall when you get used to it, it is soo much nicer.

in any case, most new cars have brake boosters these days that make them thouchier than before... i borrowed an yaris for a day, sporty version and its brakes felt like they did not exist at all :-).

toyota has been using by wire systems for a long time now and is probably putting into the most cars out of any manufacturer out there. Prius is completly drive by wire car - steering, brakes, transmission which is why they could have that cool auto parking option in japan...

 

The 2006 GS430's brakes are BEYOND touchy. Going from a 430 to a 300 is just a wakeup call because they're so different from one another. I don't actually like the brake by wire system in the 430, it's too touchy for my liking and I accidently grind down the brakes a lot harder and quicker than I need, and mean to. Plus it creates a ton of brakedust

 

Thanks for the links.