Quadcammer

From my experience with the 221 and 216, MB did a nice job selecting decent materials and generally has nicely useable technology.

Two things, however, really annoy me.

1. To close the door, you grab onto that bar (for lack of a better word) in the middle of the door panel. It seems they selected some very cheap plastic for that spot you grab. I can't imagine there was a reason for this besides cost cutting, but it would have been really nice to put some higher quality materials here as you interact with it each time you get in the car. Not the best way to be introduced to the car.

2. Perhaps this is due to my unfamiliarity with the car (I didn't read the manual).

Changing radio presets. Can this really only be done by use the multi-wheel, going to audio, going down to presets, and then scrolling through to whichever one you want?

Coming from a 220 where no matter where you were in comand, hitting the number buttons changed your station, this seems like a step backwards and utterly overcomplicated.

So, is there a way around this? I tried the number pad under the center console cover and it didn't work, but maybe I'm missing something.

Any thoughts?

xabo

You should be able to select presets from the number pad.

Quadcammer

hmm, this is an 07 cl550. Wonder if they changed that. I can play around with it on star.

steveb9771

This works ONLY if your telematics firmware has been updated. The update added several features including real-time traffic on the GPS map.

Mike5215

They may have cheaped out on the door pulls, or it may have been a design choice dictated by newer side crash requirements. I know the wood trim in a 220 looks much more natural and authentic for example, but updated crash standards that dictate how it fractures or splinters forced manufacturers to change how they processed trim.

I still miss my 220, although the 221 is growing on me. I don't think I'll ever get to the point that I prefer the gear selector on the column versus a nice solid gear shift lever in the center console.

Jason B

Yea, I agree on the gear shifter. When I first started seeing this, I thought "they just cut off the *****" to the car. I'd still prefer it in the center, even if it's electronic. I used to love the waterfall design of the dash on the old Mercedes. Everything flowed right on down to the shifter...

Quadcammer

How does one do this?

thanks

I have figured out that if you hold down the tilt-a-whirl (wheel spinning thing), it goes straight to presets, which is a step in the right direction.

steveb9771

There a few dealers that know how to upgrade the telematics system andhave experience doing it. Most dealers will say it can't be done. Call your local dealers and talk to the service manager. A fair price would be for one hour of labor.

Lifelong mb

Could it not be said that the door pulls are solid plastic to hide wear? I know that the handles on my w220 were looking a bit shabby by the time it was sold

wilassasin

I really don't have an issue with the door pulls as they are solid and well placed. Compare it to the new F01/F02 7 series and their door pulls feel of high quality materials but doesn't feel solid and is awkwardly placed. I've owned several 7's prior to this purchase and the main interior quality issue I have with the W221 is the soft leather on the center console and armrests of the doors. The moisture from ones hands and skin causes it to ripple much too easily.

Jason B

That is interesting on the center armrest. I can't tell you how many I've seen that have more ripples than a wave pool on that center armrest. I assumes it was caused from a 300lb linebacker with huge heavy arms.