Electric Handbrake - opinions please..

[gottanS]

Can you guys post some opinions on the electric hand brake, I have tried several VAG cars with this and personally detest it completely. Unfortunately it does seem to be appearing on the complete VAG line up so I am wondering if I could ever accept a vehicle with it or does anyone know of a manual conversion for it?

Thanks

Pete

[HYFR]

I like it


I think its really good

You do know you can just drive off without having to disengage it

[gottanS]

dk, you can indeed which is great for a 4wd vehicle but 2wd on grass does not grip enough to trigger the disengage hence it drags is arse around like a dog with an ichy backside.

Anyway is your S4 a manual? How does it deal with hill starts if you move forward a bit say to get a better view, does it disengage so you need to hold it on the clutch until you put it back on? I'm really interested as I'm worried my B7 S4 might be my last Audi/VAG because of the handbrake design..

[gdavison]

Never use mine .. Just drop the gearbox into park

[HYFR]

dk, you can indeed which is great for a 4wd vehicle but 2wd on grass does not grip enough to trigger the disengage hence it drags is arse around like a dog with an ichy backside.

Anyway is your S4 a manual? How does it deal with hill starts if you move forward a bit say to get a better view, does it disengage so you need to hold it on the clutch until you put it back on? I'm really interested as I'm worried my B7 S4 might be my last Audi/VAG because of the handbrake design..

yes its a manual

iv got auto hill hold assist so not a problem on hills

theres your solution, just spec auto hill hold, its really cheap option

[Scotty]

I had Hill Hold Assist and never had an issue. My current 2.0T means you can't have HHA.

Fortunately I live in a flat part of the country. When I do stray then it's not something that comes naturally.

If you have the choice then spec the HHA.

[PJC]

Had a courtesy car with electric handbrake, very handy.

[bye bye]

dk, you can indeed which is great for a 4wd vehicle but 2wd on grass does not grip enough to trigger the disengage hence it drags is arse around like a dog with an ichy backside.

Anyway is your S4 a manual? How does it deal with hill starts if you move forward a bit say to get a better view, does it disengage so you need to hold it on the clutch until you put it back on? I'm really interested as I'm worried my B7 S4 might be my last Audi/VAG because of the handbrake design..

yes its a manual

iv got auto hill hold assist so not a problem on hills

theres your solution, just spec auto hill hold, its really cheap option

A £65 option...genius. Pull up, handbrake applied automatically, hit accerlerator and you are off.......dunno how I could live without it. Hope the C2S has a similar option....

[Tigger88]

It's def very handy the electric handbrake, I have the hill assist option too but never use I find it actually hinders you when trying to set off but I do have the S-tronic so will probably be more useful in an manual car...

[RichRS6]

Hate them.

I've driven a lot of cars with them (VAG and other makes) and although its something you get used to I think its just another thing waiting to go wrong.

I prefer the feel of pulling the handbrake on to the idea of an ECU and couple of motors deciding when to do it and how hard to apply it.

Having said that both my current VAG cars are Auto or DSG boxes so the Handbrake isn't used too often anyway.

[gottanS]

Interesting comments both for and against, personally I just find it too slow and just not enough finess. Its either on or off and nothing in between. I have tried to get used to it but can't so how does one stop Audi sending me marketing stuff for their new/used cars that I will never buy because of the handbrake.

Anyway when they do break they make a lot of noise and cost a fortune to fix, must be progress for someone.