jhillman

For those with Tele Aid,

Have you re-subscribed subsequent to the first year free period? If so, how often do you use the service? Once a week, once a month?

Now that this is optional equipment on the 2003, I'm trying to decide if I should pay the extra $775. (I already am planning to get the V60 w/ VR and Command.)

SoCal240/6

It was a waste of money when it was free.

$775 PLUS the monthly services charges PLUS the charges they charge you whenever you use it for directions PLUS the crappy service you get with it???

$775????

Umm, this one is not even close.

MARK CUMMINS

The Tele Aid Is A Joke! The Times I have Tried to use it You are put on hold for 15/20min..Then The Operator comes back and says Ahhh Im Not sure re your problem..Customer Service?
No I Wont renew On Both of my Mercedes!
If You have GPS and a Cell phone who Needs Them!
Cause the service only works IF you have a cell signal

Buellwinkle

I also got it free as part of the C-Coupes introduction and I felt I paid too much and whish there was some way to remove it all. As Mark says, the service is crap. If you are truly concerned with your safety and want a GPS emergency go to Verizon Wireless. They have these available now but by year's end there will be more handset choices. If you get into an accident or have a malfunction and call 911, they will be able to get your location and send help. Besides, Verizon Wireless has way better coverage/reception than the AT&T analog setup on Tele-Aid. Also from a cell phone you can still call the 1800 Mercedes number for roadside assistance. Be careful when calling them as they do charge for certain items like towing. If you have AAA you may want to use that instead.

MarkL

I won't try to sell you on TeleAid, but I decided to renew (don't everyone laugh at once :o ). I've used it about 5 times for general info or questions, and from my own experiences, I've received excellent and prompt service. In all cases my call was answered very quickly, and I was never placed on hold.

Here's the reason I finally decided to renew. We were out of town near Lake Anna, Va. I had parked in a shopping center where I was not familiar with. After dinner the car wouldn't start. I pressed the "wrench" button and got them. They knew exactly where I was and sent the M-B tech (Sunday 7PM no less). I decided that the GPS part was worth the "insurance", in addition to the unlock capability and automatic accident notification. I spend $250 on a bunch of other things, so I just went with it and I'm not going to worry.

But, if the TeleAid system had been optional as it is now for 2003, I guess I'd have to think about it a little more. It was standard w/ my 2002 C240.

aborwick

The Teleaid came with my 2002 C320 and first year's service was bundled in. I would not have ordered Teleaid as a $750 option on a 2003 C-Class, but now that I have it, I will renew for the peace of mind. (By the way, I e-mailed ATX Technologies--which is the M-B Teleaid contractor--and suggested that they bundle cell-phone minutes into the renewal price. I told them that IMHO having to pay cellular charges by the minute was the biggest impediment to customer renewal).

EDC320

I would not pay for Tele-Aid as an option, but since my 2001 C320 came with it, I have also renewed. - I know this is a contarian position but hear me out.
I like the SOS feature, a little peace of mind.
The Roadside with GPS feature has helped me out a couple of times. It is incredible how the techs can see the malfunction that my car is reporting without having me describe it to them, also how they have all my information, including my current location.
Finally, the "i" button - I have never used the concierge services, but have signed on for the traffic feature. For $75/year, when I press the "i" button, I am greeted by a computer, when prompted I say "traffic" and she will do either of the following: (a) if I am in one of my preset commutes (70 miles / day) she will report the traffic on my route; (b) otherwise she will give me traffic for a 5-mile radius of where I am. - The call last about 1-minute. Their system uses GPS to locate my vehicle and do the rest. - It has gotten me out of quite a few traffic jams.
Since I have the Tele-Aid feature, I will use it. I don't think that I would have paid for it as an option though.

shtatc

I too renewed my subscription to Teleaide. It did come standard in my 2001 C240. I agree with EDC320 and aborwick, that if I had to pay for it, I would think twice before getting it. Personally, I just like the extra option it gives me if I have a problem. I guess it is like having the MB road side service and still have a membership to AAA. Seems like it is redundant and a waste of money, but I use the AAA service for all the other features. Maybe it is just stupidity - or just trying to CYA myself.

02Impressor

#1 reason why I did not get the TeleAid system:

Dealer told me don't even try to rollback the mileage because everytime you use the TA system, they would scan the # of miles you have and record it on the computer. He also told me that one of his clients was busted this way and got a hugeeee fine.

tifosiv122

Friend used teleaid when her car battery was dead.

5 hours later a tow truck showed up....

I kept my $750 when I ordered my '03.

AAA, Cell phone, and Pioneer Navigation Unit will be fine for me.

Erik

RJamesC240

Well for me Tel-Aid was a HUGE selling point. Its just intended for piece of mind, and I will always have it. Imagine getting in an accident late at night on some deserted stretch of highway, and you're passed out. Tel-Aid will send someone automatically. I am diabetic, and I've had situations where my blood sugar has gotten drastically low before I could get to a convenience store. Not very funny, but imagine having to pull into some country trailer park drive way and begging for a Coke. Tel-Aid knows I am diabetic and that that is a possibility. When I get in the car I feel safe not only being in a very safe car, but also knowing that if something should happen someone is always with me.

sunilpatel

I just ordered a 2003 c320 and I ordered the teleaid system for a couple of reasons. First, my wife will also be driving the car and I feel much safer knowing that someone will always watch out for her. Second, peace of mind. Third, unlock facility. Fourth, Remote Diagnosis with airbag deployment notification that your cell phone won't have incase you are in a wreck. You might not be able to dial even. For these safety reasons, I opted to get it. Just my 2 cents.

CHECKMATE

Probably would not opt for a $750 option-but since it came with vehicle, will renew. I like the peace of mind of the SOS feature and the bag deployment auto feature particulary when wife and family are up. Probably would use AAA for towing, but the auto diagnostic is a nice to have. "i" service is something of a ho hum, but have used to verify an airline resv.

charlesu

The little antenna looks cool!

Kal Rubinson

It is good to know this information. Of course, his client was guilty and deserved the fine.

mctwin2kman

The mileage is also stored in the vehicles computer!! And it has been on almost every car for the last 10 years.... So it would not really matter as if you could roll it back there is always somewhere that has the info.

KWiK

It is not worth it! It is over priced! They suck to deal with!

One of the many electronic/electrical problems I had with my lemon was, it like to repeatedly make SOS calls throughout the night. Needless to say, it used up my 30 minutes quite fast causing a bill that was $$$$$$$. I took a lot of yelling to get them to quit charging me.