First time MB buyer. I'm designing a 2018 C300 4Matic Coupe for ED. I'll be using the car for city driving as well as commuting to work (which is 60 mile rt - all freeway). I'm interested in adding all the safety features in the car and plan on using the car for 10+ years. Was told by the dealer that I can't combine the Smart Phone pkg with the Drivers Assistance pkg (Drivers assistance forces the Multimedia and removes the Smart Phone).

Its not a apples to apples comparison, but since I have to choose between the Smart Phone pkg and the Drivers Assistance - I'm looking for help to make my pick. I use Waze/google maps on a daily basis so have no idea how the MB Command/Navi is in comparison. I've never used the Active Blind Spot, Distronic or any other safety features, so I'm unsure how much I'll use them if I forgo the Iphone integration. Also - unsure if the features in the Drivers Assistance are high maintenance down the road

Would appreciate any feedback. Below are my two builds

Plan A:
KEYLESS-GO
Blind Spot Assist
SiriusXM Radio with 6-month All Access trial
2.0L inline-4 turbo engine
ECO Start/Stop system
4MATIC all-wheel drive
9G-TRONIC automatic transmission with shift paddles
DYNAMIC SELECT
SmartKey with KEYLESS-START
Torque Vectoring Brake
COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS
ATTENTION ASSIST
LED Daytime Running Lamps
Rearview camera
PRE-SAFE
9 air bags
Adaptive braking technology
Apple CarPlay
Android Auto


Plan B:
KEYLESS-GO
Blind Spot Assist
SiriusXM Radio with 6-month All Access trial
2.0L inline-4 turbo engine
ECO Start/Stop system
4MATIC all-wheel drive
9G-TRONIC automatic transmission with shift paddles
DYNAMIC SELECT
SmartKey with KEYLESS-START
Torque Vectoring Brake
COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS
ATTENTION ASSIST
LED Daytime Running Lamps
Rearview camera
PRE-SAFE
9 air bags
Adaptive braking technology
COMAND hard-drive navigation with 8.4-inch screen
Touchpad controller
3 years of navigation map updates
Voice control
5 years of SiriusXM Traffic and Weather service
DISTRONIC PLUS with Steering Assist
BAS PLUS with Cross-Traffic Assist
PRE-SAFE Brake with Pedestrian Recognition
PRE-SAFE PLUS
Active Blind Spot Assist
Active Lane Keeping Assist
Speed Limit Assist

 

Are you in the USA? Have you been looking at the MY18 Dealer Ordering Guide? They have split up the option packages differently this year, which doesn't seem to be tracking with the options you listed in your post.

For instance, for your "Plan A" you would choose:
Code 868 Smartphone Integration Package
Not available with Multimedia Package (320)

• 14U – Smartphone Integration
• 16U - Apple CarPlay™
• 17U – Android Auto

And then I think the Prem 01 Pkg (to get your Keyless-go, Blind Spot Assist, etc. options):
Code P01 Premium Package
Not available with Premium Driver Assistance Package (997)

• 234 – Blind Spot Assist
• 500 – Power Folding Mirrors
• 536 – SiriusXM® Satellite Radio
• 810 – Burmester® Surround Sound System
• 871 – HANDS-FREE ACCESS
• 881 – Electronic Trunk Closer
• 889 – KEYLESS-GO

For your "Plan B" you would start with the MM pkg:
Code 320 Multimedia Package
Requires Premium Package (P01), Premium Driver Assistance Package (997) or SiriusXM® Satellite Radio (536) Not available with Smartphone Integration Package (868)

• 531 – COMAND navigation
• 448 – Touchpad
• 8.4” Hi-resolution color screen
• 502 – Map Updates for 3 Years

Then you would add the Premium Driver Assist pkg to get all the driver's assistance and safety options that you mentioned:
Code 997 Premium Driver Assistance Package
Requires Multimedia Package (320)
Not available with Premium Package (P01)

• 500 – Power Folding Mirrors
• 536 – SiriusXM® Satellite Radio
• 810 – Burmester® Surround Sound System
• 871 – HANDS-FREE ACCESS
• 881 – Electronic Trunk Closer
• 889 – KEYLESS-GO
• 23P - Driver Assistance Package Plus
• 233 – DISTRONIC PLUS with Steering Assist and Stop & Go Pilot
• 237 – Active Blind Spot Assist
• 238 – Active Lane Keeping Assist
• 253 – PRE-SAFE® PLUS
• 268 – BAS PLUS with Cross-Traffic Assist
• 300 - PRE-SAFE® Brake with Pedestrian Recognition
• 513 – Speed Limit Assist

Also, if you wanted to you could add the Advanced Lighting and Parking Assist packages separately.

Code 319 Advanced Lighting Package
Requires Premium Package (P01) or Premium Driver Assistance Package (997)
640 – Active LED headlamps
608 – Adaptive Highbeam Assist
877 – Ambient Lighting
U25 – Illuminated Door Sills

Code 996 Parking Assist Package

• 235 – PARKTRONIC with Active Parking Assist
• 501 – Surround View System

So I think the trade-off decisions for the various options are slightly different than in your post.

As for Apple Car Play vs. the MM pkg, with ACP you cannot use Waze at this time and I don't think you can use Google Maps either (although there is work around posted online that supposedly provides some Google Maps functionality, or you can try jailbreaking your phone ).
You will be at the mercy of your phone's iOS provider (e.g. Apple or Google) for future content that will be compatible with Apple Car Play. We can only hope that they will open it up to additional mapping applications.

I hope that gives you more information to factor into your decision.

- SCR

 

Thanks for your reply! I am in the USA. Didn't realize the site was updated to price the 2018 coupe. Also had no idea you can't use google and waze with ACP.
Will prolly go with the MM+ Premium DA
Will just hook up my IPhone with google maps on the side and use it when i need to

Question is does the distronic require higher maintenance down the line?

Attached is my build

 

I don't know why MB is lagging, but I don't think the US configurator has not been updated to include the 2018 C-class coupe yet (at least not the AMG C43).
You can build a 2018 sedan though.

The package information that I quoted came from a dealer ordering guide.

Edit: Oops, maybe I spoke too soon. I just checked the site and I am seeing the MY18 options are up now!

- SCR

 

SCR - the US configurator was updated just this am (I've been checking daily). The attached build above is from the 2018 configurator for the coupe. I'm still not a 100% sold on the Drivers Assistance Plus pkg. Love the looks of the Matt Selenite Grey with the Bengal Red interior!

 

I am in the same boat as OP, choosing option for a new C Coupe.

At first I decided against the driving assistance features (in Canada, they grouped all these features into a $2,700CAN package call Intelligent Drive,

Then I started a thread here on Distronic Plus and in general, people love it. My work commute is 30 miles one way and it is mostly congested highway traffic. The Distronic Plus will help me a great deal here. Please refer to the thread titled "Distronic Plus".

Like the OP, I may keep the car for 10 years or so. Not sure if these driving features are high maintenance. Please correct me if I am wrong, electronic components are generally more reliable than mechanical componens.

 

Thanks mis3! Just checked your post on Distronic Plus. BTW in the US - you get Active Lane Keeping Assist as part of the Premium Drivers Assistance Pkg.

 

Yes, somehow the Active Lane Change is not offered for C Coupe in Canada

Did you choose the color and interior yet?

 

I'm drooling at the Matt Selenite Grey exterior + Night Pkg with the Bengal Red interior.

 

My initial plan is Selenite Grey with Saddle Brown. Matt grey looks great but it is not easy to maintain. Google it.

There is an option called Artico Leather Dashboard you should consider.

 

I live in a city and we get snowed in often. Googled the Matt and looks like that would be hard to maintain as you said.
My plan B was the Cardinal Red with a Beige MB-tex interior or the White leather. Artico Leather is beautiful but will have to drop the Night pkg if I select that

 

Yesterday I saw a Designo Hyacinth Red C Coupe. It was a new color and it looks great. Problem is I am not sure if I would get tired of the color after a few years. I checked MBUSA, your Cardinal Red looks the same as Hyacinth Red (Camada), both are Designo colours.

I don't plan on the Night Package because of the 19-inch wheels. I read that 19-inch would have a harsh ride. Also, my new car will be a daily commute so 18-inch would be more suitable. I even plan to downsize to 17-inch winter tires to drive in snow.

I am getting Saddle Brown leather. I saw one in the showroom and it was love at first sight.

 

19" sure have a harsh ride. Also prone to quicker wear and tear. In the US they have the night pkg with the 18" available. I don't like the metal trims over the windows and the black accents on red look cool

 

I edited my post before your post. By the pictures, Cardinal Red is the same as Hyacinth Red in Canada. Gorgeous color.