5634MG

Has anyone found these things somewhat a downgrade from the W221?

1) I find the weight balance of the doors in the W222 somewhat odd as opposed to the doors in the W221 - perhaps the location of the handle on the doors?

2) The hard plastic surrounding the window switches on the W222 - it's exactly the same was the ones I had in my B class loaner.

3) Less stitching - on the W221 with exclusive nappa, there was stitching all the way to the lower door storage pockets as well, not the case with the exclusive nappa on the W222?

4) COMAND wheel. Out goes the aluminum wheel and in comes the glossy black one - looks like something pulled out from the Equus.

5) Exterior door handles: The entire handle pulls on the W222, making it more difficult to open the door unlike the W221, where only 3/4 of the handle pulls.

What are other cost cutting aspects visible in the W222 compared to the W221 that you guys have noticed?

However with all things aside, in your opinion, is the new technology worth over the 'issues'?

Diesel Benz

I had not noticed any of the differences above.

One could add the missing liner from the top of the trunk (inside).

Another one perhaps the discontinuation of IR receivers at door handles (was it only the driver's door on the 221). The functionality should remain the same though, one cannot close/open windows from distance (where doors locks still work).

5634MG

I'm not sure about the IR receiver on the W221 cause I have keyless go so I just touch and hold the button but there is an IR receiver on my W164.

Also, the trunk liner is standard? I always thought it was a dealer accessory. Guess I shouldn't be so excited about receiving 'freebies' from my dealer lol.

hyperion667

I don't even use the tech.......just the radio

Jason B

So on the 222 you can't put all the windows up and close sunroof from the driver door with remote?

xxGenericSNxx

I'm not 100% certain but I think he is referring to the "roof" of the trunk under the parcel shelf.

Diesel Benz

Yes, this is what I tried to say.

You can still open and close windows and the sunroof from the key. Previously this was working via IR to prevent the feature working from distance, behind corners etc. This basically guarantees that the driver can see the car when operating windows/sunroof.

The new design seems to be working from KG sensors or a sensor (KG too only works close to the car), even on cars that do not have the full KG feature. I guess this is linked to the fact that the W222 has the push-button to start the car, just like KG cars (but door locks are traditional).

5634MG

My bad...I didn't notice how he said "the top of the trunk"

5634MG

How about for cars with the IR pad on the drivers handle, do you have to aim at it or does it also work from a distance?

5634MG

Do you ever use the new driver assistance features like steering assist? If you do, how well does it work or it it merely a gimmick?

hyperion667

don't have the nanny stuff; I believe it would dull my senses......which I need

5634MG

Without the assistance packages, is there still a stereo camera on the windshield or is there just one camera?

AppleFan1

I always use the Driver Assistance package. I love it's features. It makes driving safer and less tiring.

5634MG

Do the stereo cameras recognize the lane markings a lot better than the old, single camera system?

AppleFan1

I have no idea about the old, single camera system since this is my first MB. I can tell you this much it recognizes the lane markers very well. Even when they are rather faint, it does a great job.

5634MG

Have you ever had experience with the steering assist feature? Also, when there aren't any lane markings, does the car manage to follow the car in front of you?

AppleFan1

Yes the steering assist works great. It will stay in its lane even on gentle curves on the road. On sharp curves, the driver needs to take control of the steering wheel.

To be honest with you, I have not had the experience yet to test the auto pilot in the city traffic without any lane markers. But I imagine it will work as advertised as long as the speed is 37 mph or less. It should just follow the car in front of you even without lane markers.

Diesel Benz

You have to aim at the door IR receiver and and it only works from a reasonable distance over "line of sight", about 10 metres maximum while door locks operate from much further away via RF (no need to see the car).

XxLHCxX

I was just wondering in order for the steering assist to work, would I need to turn on the distronic cruise control, or even without it it can steer itself.

As well, for the active lane keep assist. Does it only vibrate the wheel, or will it steer you back into your lane even without the distronic cruise control on?

Thank you in advance!

Jason B

I still don't understand this. Why can you only point it at the drivers door only? I don't get it. I've had other cars where as long as you could reach the car to lock/unlockl, you could control the windows, etc. I would love a mod that would fix this.

AppleFan1

I don't know for sure to answer your question. I will need to test it out without the distronic plus turned on. I almost always drive with distronic plus on.

5634MG

At least in my W221, when I cross over dashed lines, it vibrates the wheel but when I cross a solid line, it brakes me back into my lane and displays a graphic in the instrument cluster (given when the system detects the lane markings).

5634MG

With distronic on and when you're on a bend, if there's a tree directly in front of you, does the car start braking? Cause there's been so many times when I've been in that situation and the distance lamp comes on and starts beeping.

AppleFan1

I'm not sure if I have driven in such sharp bends but I'm pretty certain, the bends in my neighborhood are sharp enough so that there are trees a couple hundred (or less) feet in front and the car does not brake.

whoover

Somebody already answered this. For safety, you have to be close enough to observe the car. That way you can't close the windows while a small child has his head sticking out. That's why they had the extra IR sensor and transmitter for years.