We just purchased a '99 500SL. The car runs fine and stops well. However, when you first apply brake pressure you have to press the pedal fairly hard to get the pedal to move. Once it starts moving it works fine with normal resistance. There is no pulling or other problems. Is this typical for the car or do I have an issue to address?

No joy on the SL forum
Pete

W/O driving I wouldn't want to guess on that possibility.

I would want to have the brake pads checked. Hard pads can cause a firm pedal.

Have you driven any other MB with ESP traction system?

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I haven't driven any other MB in the past 30 years. I don't believe it is the pads as the brake is not being activated until I press the pedal harder. It feels like the pedal mechanism is causing the resistance. I don't know if this is typical for the car or not.