PHYBENZ

Just read this on edmunds... Can someone confirm? First time I see it...

What Edmunds.com says

The 2009 Mercedes-Benz C-Class has many key attributes that make it a competitive, entry-level luxury performance sedan -- the C63 AMG in particular offers power and torque unmatched by its competitors. However, in certain aspects, the C-Class misses the mark.

Pros

Distinct sport- and luxury-oriented models, stable handling, smooth ride quality, massively capable C63 AMG, impressive Multimedia package, excellent build quality.

Cons

Six-cylinder engines not quite as powerful as those of some competitors, austere interior, no manual transmission available on the C350 or C63 AMG.

What's New for 2009

Only minor changes are in store for the 2009 Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Front seat-mounted pelvic airbags have been added to all models, and the optional hard drive-based navigation system now offers 40GB of storage space as well as Zagat restaurant information. Driver side memory settings with a power steering column and a tilt-down reverse passenger mirror are now standard on the C350 (and optional on other models as part of a package). In addition, Sport sedans get a newly designed instrument cluster.

http://www.edmunds.com/mercedesbenz/...09/review.html

who8888

I though that came with the memory seat for the 09. 08 did not have it since we don't have memory seat.

joshg1001

this is also the first time im hearing about the change in the hard drive. in 2008, the hard drive space for recording was 4gb...does this mean it changes to 40? lol

RLE

<<Just read this on edmunds... Can someone confirm? First time I see it...<<big snip>>Only minor changes are in store for the 2009 Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Front seat-mounted pelvic airbags have been added to all models, and the optional hard drive-based navigation system now offers 40GB of storage space as well as Zagat restaurant information. Driver side memory settings with a power steering column and a tilt-down reverse passenger mirror are now standard on the C350 (and optional on other models as part of a package). In addition, Sport sedans get a newly designed instrument cluster.>>

MBs with memory seats (and columns) have had mirror tiltdown (first seen on BMWs long ago) for years since it's part of the memory package. My 2001 C320 had all of that standard.

It follows that with the return of memory seats, mirror tilt would be included. And after 7.5 years in that C320, I do miss the feature.

BUT, that feature was a huge source of warranty claims because the cars were forever forgetting their seat, column and mirror settings. And these problems are what showed up in the JD Power surveys which I have to believe was one factor in removing it from the W204.

I'll bet the driver's seat memory module was replaced at least four times under warranty and extended warranty. The last replacement was two weeks before the C300 was delivered.

We shall see how reliable the new version may be.

nyca

I have to check to see if my mirror is tilting down on my 2009 C300 w/P1, I haven't noticed it however.

RLE

The mirror select rocker switch must be depressed for the right mirror in order for tiltdown to operate.

YellowJacket

What about the new mirrors showing up overseas? Look at the new design.

nyca

There is no rocker switch, there are two buttons "1" and "2", one for each side mirror. "2" is the passenger mirror.

I tried the procedure in the manual - can't get it to work. First I moved mirror "2" into the curb view position, then set the memory for it. That procedure works as per the manual. But when I put the car in reverse, the "2" mirror light is supposed to illuminate indicating that a parking setting for that mirror is available (if you press the button). The light never comes on, and when I press "2", the mirror doesn't move.

And I can't get tunnel mode to work on my 2009 either. Press and hold the recirc button with windows/sunroof open and the A/C on - nothing happens.

I don't know what I could be doing wrong, unless those functions just aren't in the software.

RLE

In the W203 system (which may have nothing to do with the W204) the right mirror's normal position was adjusted along with the left mirror and plus the seat and steering column and then the memory button was pushed. Which was memory plus 1 (or 2 or 3) and you were done. When reverse was selected, the right mirror would travel to it's lowest position (provided that the then rocker switch was in the right mirror position. The tilted position was never put into memory since that would then be the normal position as far as the memory was concerned. Your comment about having to depress the right mirror button every time you shift into reverse doesn't sound right.

Then when shifted out of reverse, the mirror would go back to it's normal position after about two seconds.

As to tunnel mode which I've had before, if you are moving along and open everything up, that is when pushing the recirc button would close everything. If the windows or roof are open when you start up, then it won't work.

Again, this is all in previous models but I can't see why they would change it.

nyca

Hmm, so if the windows are open when you start up and drive off - then tunnel mode will not engage? I didn't try it that way, I will try again starting off with windows closed.

That mirror stuff is right out of the manual. I guess the idea is that when you shift to reverse, you don't always want the mirror to move, so it illuminates the mirror button to tell you that it could move if you press "2". The part about the mirror's normal position being one of the memory settings is correct, that works along with the seat and power steering column positions. The parking position for the mirror is a different memory setting. The memory set procedure seems to work fine, but I can't get the mirror to move (or the light to illuminate) when I shift to reverse.

RLE

I agree that there are times when you don't want the mirror to tilt, for example when maneuvering close to a wall in the garage or in a parking structure. But when backing into a parking space when you want to be close but not too close to the curb without a lot of to and fro, it's invaluable.

nyca

Maybe it only engages when you shift from D to R, like you normally do when parking? I am testing it shifting from P to R. I'll try D to R.

RLE

I don't think so. Shifting from P to R is a normal thing, backing out of the garage or a head-in parking spot.

joshg1001

i thought tunnel mode was cancelled on the w204, at least on the 2008 model. does it say thing about it coming back?

Dema

Yes, I tried the feature too, and putting tilt down position to memory works perfectly, however the rest doesn't. Certainly the feature worked in previous generation of the car. Since the feature provided in a manual and no any mark that the feature is availble only in certain countries, I'm going to bring the car to a dealer to fix it.

nyca

Yes, tunnel mode was supposed to be back in the 2009. We'll see.

Dema, let us know how you make out at the dealer. I imagine if it is a defect of some kind, its just something that was omitted from the software. As you say, the process is described in the manual, the first part works fine (setting the mirror memory for the parking position), but getting the mirror to move (or the indicator light to even illuminate) when you shift into R doesn't seem to occcur.

nyca

After additional attempts today - I can't get either the tunnel mode or the parking mirror position in reverse to work on my 2009. I'm going to email my service manager.

qlaval

Parking mirror position in reverse works fine on my 2009, I've been using for some time now...
(Maybe because mine is the canadian model )

nyca

Could be, although the manual does not indicate that its only on non US models.

Do you have the P2 (xenon light) package on your car?

nyca

The dealer is telling me these features are not in the 2009 US W204. Should I call mbusa? Has anyone with a 2009 US car been able to get these to work? The mirror thing is strange, because it is in the manual.

416to212

Thank goodness it's not just me having problems with the non-Tilting Passenger Side View Mirror when reversing!

I thought I was retarded for not getting this function to work!

Any updates? Will our 09 side mirror ever tilt in reverse?

wildting

Just picked up my 09 C300, P1 with Multi Media. Tilt feature does not work and I have not figured out if it's possible to turn this on or not. I'd appreciate a follow-up if you find one. Thanks!

Pit-Pony

In Canada I think the mirror option only comes with the premium package ( incl memory seats). Mine does not.

GateKeeper

mine tilts down when put in reverse, and as long as the right mirror button has been last depressed, if the left button has been depressed then this feature is turned off. the right button actualy lights up with the red indicating light while it does this, and turns off once the mirror returns to normal position once the car has been put into drive and or park, I have the memory seats, and premium package, Canadian model

qlaval

DITTO here!