Maybe350

Hi. Just registered. I'm strongly considering an e350. I am really attracted to the collision prevention assist concept of braking autonomously. I've been given conflicting information from people at the local dealership....

Here is my question: for 2014 models w distronic, does the autonomous braking feature ONLY work when cruise control is engaged? Or does it always potentially brake for you in an emergency situation?

Dealer says that the true autonomous braking only works for 2015 and its standard.

Can anyone answer/clarify definitively?

Would much appreciate knowing with certainty.

MJ50

moved to W212 forum...

here's what i found on wiki...

COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST - a radar-based collision warning system with adaptive brake assist systems. It helps to significantly reduce the risk of a rear-end collision.

DISTRONIC PLUS with Steering Assist can help to keep the vehicle centered in its lane and track traffic in tailbacks automatically.

PRE-SAFE Brake can detect pedestrians and initiate autonomous braking to avoid a collision at speeds up to 30 mph.

PRE-SAFE PLUS can recognise an imminent rear-end collision, prompting the PRE-SAFE system to trigger occupant protection measures to reduce the forces to which occupants are subjected. It can also firmly apply the stationary vehicle’s brakes in the event of a rear-end collision to prevent secondary accidents.

PRE-SAFE Impulse, the front occupants are pulled away from the direction of impact by their seat belts at an early phase of the crash before the resulting occupant deceleration sets in. This can substantially reduce the risk and severity of injuries in a frontal collision.

cc16177

I can tell you from personal experience in my 2011 E550 with distronic that at the very least my car will stop even when cruise control is not enabled.

It does not start to stop until the very last few seconds, so both times it saved me I was at low speeds (15-20mph) and it stopped perfectly before the car in front of me... at higher speeds it would simply reduce your speed but not stop altogether.

Maybe350

Thank you. That is interesting. And good to hear. The dealership swears that kind of stopping assistance only occurs on 2015s or when the cruise control is on. This is kind of a deal maker/breaker for me over a bmw. Anyone else confirm their experience?

SLpat

I have a 2011 E550 and it does stop or attempt to stop without the cruise control engaged. I was looking back in my blind spot before changing lanes and traffic stopped and the car hit the brakes. Probably saved me an accident. I could have probably trusted the blind spot system but I still look.

For what it is worth, the distronic is the best option on the car in my opinion. I would not want another car without it.

cc16177

I cannot stress this enough... distronic is the #1 thing I like about my E class and it's actually the only reason I bought a 550 instead of 350. It was so much harder for me (in fact near impossible) to find it on an E350 so I went for the 550.

After driving the car for two weeks I was like "man is this feature really worth it?" and one day in my VW plus two days in a CLA loaner made me say YES 100%.

ediddyone

Distroinic might be the best feature I've ever experienced on a vehicle. It makes highway driving painless and stop and go traffic down right stressless. In my opinion this may be one of the most underrated options on these vehicles. Is it expensive, yes, is it worth it? I believe so.

samkimg

Best info for MB safety systems available at: http://techcenter.mercedes-benz.com/....html?c=Safety. NEVER trust a salesperson's word. Talk to shop foreman or tech specialist if dealership has one.

I have 2014 E350 with drivers assist, etc. and it has braked for me both with Distronics ON and OFF. Saved me in my 2010 E350 from hitting a jack-knifed vehicle in front of me, turned into MB commerical endorsement.

Get the manuals and read them to fully understand systems available in both 2015 and 2014 models at: http://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/only_m...=manualsguides