I have often used a one-man bleeding system by using a length of hose on the bleeder screw, cracking open the bleeder screw just a bit, and pumping away at the pedal. There's enough forward action to move the fluid out, yet enough resistance to keep the fluid out during the return stroke. Done right, I get the fluid flushed and a firm pedal.

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95 E320 Cabriolet, 169K