anoop

On my test drives of both the C250 and C350, I noticed that I couldn't adjust the drivers side mirror according to what I'm used to. I usually tilt my head till it is almost resting on the window, and then adjust the mirror until the edge of the car is just out of view. With the C-coupe, I found that the mirror simply won't adjust to the point where I cannot see the edge of the car...I can still see a lot of the side of the car even when it is at the max possible setting.

Has anyone else noticed this? Is this because the mirrors are designed differently?

For reference, this is how I adjust my mirrors (I find this on the 'net somewhere and have been using it forever):

>>>>
It's all done with mirrors. An important part of safe driving is
knowing what is around you at all times. However, if your side-view
mirrors are not set correctly, you might experience blind spots.
Here are three suggestions for a clear view:

Step 1: Adjust your inside rear-view mirror to reflect the entire
rear window. At night, if you don't have an auto-dimming mirror,
use the mirror angle switch to eliminate headlight glare.

Step 2: While resting your head on the left window, adjust the left
side-view mirror so you can see just beyond the car's left side.

Step 3: Align your head under the rear-view mirror, then adjust the
right side-view mirror so you can see just beyond your car's right
side.

Follow these simple instructions to see your way clear in all
types of traffic, night and day!
>>>>

MBNA109

Same here on my 2011 GLK.
Setting the side mirrors for blind spot coverage has been something that I have done the last 20 years of driving & I think improved my safety.

Not sure what MB's reasoning for limiting the driver side movement of the mirror.
Passenger side is able to span right almost freely.

anoop

That was my observation as well. Only the driver's side is a problem.

Tiger Oud

I guess MB want to sell their blind spot assist option! 555

anoop

That thought crossed my mind as well.

nlpamg

same here.

anoop

Did you guys notice it before you bought the car? Isn't this a bit of a safety issue? I sent an email to MBUSA. Let's see if they respond.

nlpamg

nope, didn't notice it until I was taking delivery. I've driven the car for over a thousand miles with it and I think it's fine. plus, I have blind spot assist.

bshrode

ditto, have the same issue

MBNA109

thanks anoop. What email did you use?
I'd like to support you on this effort.

anoop

I used the form on this page:
http://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/contact_us/overview

I sent it to "General Requests and Comments", but I probably should have used "Vehicle Inquiries".

SLK_CA

my canadian c250 coupe does not seem to have this problem, i can adjust it very far beyond the edge of my car.

anoop

Now I'm curious...

Can be adjusted far beyond the edge with your head almost leaning against the driver's side window?

I find it weird that the Canadian models (or any other model for that matter) would differ in this respect.

SLK_CA

I never thought of trying that, looks funny but i can try it

anoop

If you look at the first post in the thread, that is supposedly the correct way to adjust the mirror.

MBNA109

Not only correct but the best way!

What I find funny is seeing some1 lean forward & chin basically touching the top left of the steering wheel looking at the driver side mirror trying to see if there is some car in his blind spot. That would be not using the OP's positioning method!

anoop

No reply from MBUSA on this issue so far.

anoop

Just heard back from MBUSA. They just asked me to contact the dealer and provided the phone number of the nearest dealer. I wasn't expecting anything different. And this despite the fact that in my original email I mentioned that I wasn't getting any answers from my local dealer.

I want a job responding to MBUSA emails. I'll set up a bot and go on vacation. Or may be that is what they already have except that they program in a variable delay before it responds and sign it with a person's name, so that the customer thinks they received it from a person.

anoop

Got a second response from MBUSA today which read:

>>>
The range of motion for the C-coupe mirrors have not been restricted. Also, the mirrors have not been designed differently warranting different adjustment.
>>>

So, I wonder why I had this problem with both the C250 and the C350 that I drove. Maybe I will head back to the dealer and try again, but based on the responses I've seen here, there is not one person that seems to be able to adjust the driver's side mirror the way it should be.

L33

I have the same problem as stated in the first post. There is definitely a problem with the blind spot adjustment. I have not yet had the time to visit the Dealer. It is a crying shame. I have never owned a car on which I could not adjust the driver side mirror to my satisfaction.

It is a safety concern. If anyone has a remedy please share it.

anoop

I don't think the dealer can do anything. When I pointed this out to my dealer he started selling me on the Blind Spot detection feature. I didn't have this problem when I test drove the A4, and I don't have the problem in my current 325i (which is quite old now). I'll wait to see how the new 3 series stacks up before making a purchase decision.

L33

I just returned from the dealer. As you said, they are not in a position to do anything about it. The mechanic agreed and called it a design flaw. The service manager will take it up with MB. I really don't expect MB to address the situation.

jctevere

I don't think that the issue is "that" bad. But granted, my 2009 w204 with the large "elephant ears" didn't have this issue. I find that if I place the mirror at its furthest point, it is perfect for seeing my blindspot, but it could be more generous. I am a bit of a smaller guy (5'7")so I don't sit very far back, but I can't imagine people sitting much further back and still having usable legroom in the backseat... However, if they did, they probably wouldn't be able to see the blindspot as well.

What those of you who sit further back can try to do for help is just lean forward a bit to see more into the blindspot area.