Driver's assistance package
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 600
Likes: 4
From: Sunshine State
2015 C300 RWD
Driver's assistance package
Anyone have experience with or order vehicle with the drivers assistance package? I can't imagine the take is high on it at $2800 on the new C, and none of the dealer stock units seem to have it. Guess one accident prevented and you'd wish you had it. Or for the distronic cruise.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,121
Likes: 12
From: Connecticut
2018 BMW 540d
Anyone have experience with or order vehicle with the drivers assistance package? I can't imagine the take is high on it at $2800 on the new C, and none of the dealer stock units seem to have it. Guess one accident prevented and you'd wish you had it. Or for the distronic cruise.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 600
Likes: 4
From: Sunshine State
2015 C300 RWD
$2,800 USD
Driver Assistance Package
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
Driver Assistance Package
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
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Volvo V70, C300 soon
I just spent a few minutes with Google and found that actual insurance data shows that cars with forward collision detection with auto braking show a statistically significant reduction in claims and that the claims that do occur cost less. This feature is standard equipment (at least on US cars). The data also shows that the active headlights are reducing insurance claims, something that surprised me. The blind spot detection systems don't seem to have much effect on actual crashes, but you can buy it as a standalone option if you want it.
There isn't enough data to know whether the features in the driver assistance package actually reduce crashes, so it's a bit of a leap of faith to spend that amount of money on it. But there is of course the convenience part, which is worth the money to some buyers.
I'm pleased that Mercedes made the technology that is now known to reduce crashes the most as standard equipment and is not charging very much money for the other bits of technology that have shown to be effective. I am going to pass on the driver assistance package, but now that I found out about the active headlight benefits, I think I'll go ahead with that as a requirement. I'm glad I spent the time to look this stuff up!
There isn't enough data to know whether the features in the driver assistance package actually reduce crashes, so it's a bit of a leap of faith to spend that amount of money on it. But there is of course the convenience part, which is worth the money to some buyers.
I'm pleased that Mercedes made the technology that is now known to reduce crashes the most as standard equipment and is not charging very much money for the other bits of technology that have shown to be effective. I am going to pass on the driver assistance package, but now that I found out about the active headlight benefits, I think I'll go ahead with that as a requirement. I'm glad I spent the time to look this stuff up!
Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 116
Likes: 1
From: Toronto Ontario Canada
2015 C400 4Matic
I remember one owner posted somewhere saying the advanced driver's assistance package malfunctioned and caused his w205 to brake hard in the middle of a community intersection. fortunately not much traffic there. So I presume there still are some kinks in the system.
I always believed that more gadgets are just more parts waiting to break down. I don't like how the system interferes with my driving style so I skipped it.
I always believed that more gadgets are just more parts waiting to break down. I don't like how the system interferes with my driving style so I skipped it.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 1,016
Likes: 98
From: Northeast USA
AMG CLE 53
The driver assistance package is one of the top reasons I went with the C Class (C400). The technology is cutting edge. I'm sure others auto makers will follow soon, but for now MB has them all beat. My car should arrive next week. I'll post my experience with the package in the next week or so.
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Super Member
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 562
Likes: 43
.
filter through this thread for a good review on the driver assistance package...
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...w-opinion.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...w-opinion.html
Senior Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 257
Likes: 2
2015 C400 loaded
I remember one owner posted somewhere saying the advanced driver's assistance package malfunctioned and caused his w205 to brake hard in the middle of a community intersection. fortunately not much traffic there. So I presume there still are some kinks in the system.
I always believed that more gadgets are just more parts waiting to break down. I don't like how the system interferes with my driving style so I skipped it.
I always believed that more gadgets are just more parts waiting to break down. I don't like how the system interferes with my driving style so I skipped it.
From what I can tell you shouldnt be using this in a community. It wont know when to stop for lights and such and the second you hit the brake its off. I am talking about the distronic of course, but I thought that was the braking part. I dont see it kicking in unless the distronic is on.
Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 199
Likes: 2
From: Midwest
2015 C 300
For those of you that have the driver's assistance package, do you like it and find that you use it a lot? It's really tempting but also really expensive. I'm just afraid it might be one of those features that sound cool but that I end up not using too much. On the other hand, it's one of those really unique features that most cars don't have and I don't want to eventually regret not getting it.
The other downside is that almost no cars on lots have this feature, so afraid that I'd have to do a special order to get it.
The other downside is that almost no cars on lots have this feature, so afraid that I'd have to do a special order to get it.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 703
Likes: 68
From: Boston Area
2021 Mojave Silver E450, 2024 Black on Black Jaguar F-pace P400, 2011 335d (RIP), 2010 E350 (sold)
For those of you that have the driver's assistance package, do you like it and find that you use it a lot? It's really tempting but also really expensive. I'm just afraid it might be one of those features that sound cool but that I end up not using too much. On the other hand, it's one of those really unique features that most cars don't have and I don't want to eventually regret not getting it.
The other downside is that almost no cars on lots have this feature, so afraid that I'd have to do a special order to get it.
The other downside is that almost no cars on lots have this feature, so afraid that I'd have to do a special order to get it.
Again, I love the features, but I would probably not buy it if I got a new car because I do not drive on the highway that often and my wife doesn't use cruise control.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 257
Likes: 2
2015 C400 loaded
It's one of those things that sometimes you don't notice is there, but in the worst circumstances you may wish you had it. I will say on long drives or in stop and go traffic the distronic is awesome
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13,799
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2014 E63S; AMS 100 octane ECU dyno tune; EDOK TCU tune; BB intakes; sprintbooster
You survived this long without it... It's hard to believe but you did
The chance of distronic making a significant difference in the morbidity or mortality of a driver involved in a car accident is vanishingly small IMO compared to the difference basic things like seat belts, crumple zones, abs, abs, structural rigidity, and airbags are proven to do in an accident ...
I would think the chance of MISusing distronic or succumbing to a distro glitch and being in a serious accident are higher.
The chance of distronic making a significant difference in the morbidity or mortality of a driver involved in a car accident is vanishingly small IMO compared to the difference basic things like seat belts, crumple zones, abs, abs, structural rigidity, and airbags are proven to do in an accident ...
I would think the chance of MISusing distronic or succumbing to a distro glitch and being in a serious accident are higher.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 1,016
Likes: 98
From: Northeast USA
AMG CLE 53
Distronic plus w/ steering assist is awesome. The car accurately stays in it's lane. All you have to do is have contact with the steering wheel. At first it takes a little time to trust the system and you still have to pay attention, but it greatly reduces the stress of long drives, especially in traffic. Below 40 mph you don't even have to touch the steering wheel. The car will track the car in front of you, even to a full stop. If you stop more than a second or two, you must tap the accelerator, the car then continues unassisted. If the car in front of you stops suddenly at slow speed and you're not paying attention, you won't hit it; emergency braking will be applied. Of course it's best to pay attention.
The other features are great also (pre-safe brake, cross-traffic assist, pedestrian recognition, active lane keeping and active blind spot assist), hopefully though, you won't have to use those often.
The other features are great also (pre-safe brake, cross-traffic assist, pedestrian recognition, active lane keeping and active blind spot assist), hopefully though, you won't have to use those often.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 4,524
Likes: 1,181
From: WI
17 E43; 21 GLS580
You survived this long without it... It's hard to believe but you did
The chance of distronic making a significant difference in the morbidity or mortality of a driver involved in a car accident is vanishingly small IMO compared to the difference basic things like seat belts, crumple zones, abs, abs, structural rigidity, and airbags are proven to do in an accident ...
I would think the chance of MISusing distronic or succumbing to a distro glitch and being in a serious accident are higher.
The chance of distronic making a significant difference in the morbidity or mortality of a driver involved in a car accident is vanishingly small IMO compared to the difference basic things like seat belts, crumple zones, abs, abs, structural rigidity, and airbags are proven to do in an accident ...
I would think the chance of MISusing distronic or succumbing to a distro glitch and being in a serious accident are higher.
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
'15 C300 RWD Luxury
They didn't have any C's on the lot with this feature, so we checked out a W222 with distronic cruise and steering assist. The consensus was it's great on the highway but the steering assist was fairly lousy around town. I wouldn't count on it steering for you around town, the car was all over the road like we were drunk. On the highway at speed it worked much better and could be a real fatigue saver.
If I was going to be out of town or commuting on the highway day in and day out, I would unquestionably add the option to reduce driver fatigue. I could see this option contributing much more to my well being than the media package or leather seats on the highway. If you are going to be mostly around town in stop and go traffic, I would probably avoid it as it needs a few more years to be perfected.
If I was going to be out of town or commuting on the highway day in and day out, I would unquestionably add the option to reduce driver fatigue. I could see this option contributing much more to my well being than the media package or leather seats on the highway. If you are going to be mostly around town in stop and go traffic, I would probably avoid it as it needs a few more years to be perfected.
Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 105
Likes: 1
From: Calgary AB Canada
2010 C300 Sport 4Matic
Advanced Driver Package
Anyone have experience with or order vehicle with the drivers assistance package? I can't imagine the take is high on it at $2800 on the new C, and none of the dealer stock units seem to have it. Guess one accident prevented and you'd wish you had it. Or for the distronic cruise.
Last edited by Kial; Nov 4, 2014 at 04:15 PM. Reason: updated comment
Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 105
Likes: 1
From: Calgary AB Canada
2010 C300 Sport 4Matic
Good comment from the person with the MDX. I had to drive my son's MDX the other day and wondered why his car was not slowing down with the traffic as my GLK does. Duh! I agree, all cars should have this feature for safety alone! : )
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 789
Likes: 47
From: Eastern Massachusetts
2021 E450, 2020 C43, 2015 C300, 2007 C280
Blind Spot Assist
Anyone have experience with or order vehicle with the drivers assistance package? I can't imagine the take is high on it at $2800 on the new C, and none of the dealer stock units seem to have it. Guess one accident prevented and you'd wish you had it. Or for the distronic cruise.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 789
Likes: 47
From: Eastern Massachusetts
2021 E450, 2020 C43, 2015 C300, 2007 C280
Blind Spot Assist
Anyone have experience with or order vehicle with the drivers assistance package? I can't imagine the take is high on it at $2800 on the new C, and none of the dealer stock units seem to have it. Guess one accident prevented and you'd wish you had it. Or for the distronic cruise.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: New Hampshire, USA
C450 (pre-ordered Jan 14)
Interesting post! I'm trying to decide if I should order the Driver Assist Package or not..... my main concern has to do with how intrusive is it? I think I read something about the car vibrating the steering wheel when it's approaching the line. Does this mean that my steering wheel will vibrate and try to keep me in a lane when I'm purposely trying to change lanes? I'd like to think the electronic nanny system will only make itself known when it's actually needed. What can I expect?
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 458
Likes: 16
From: Columbus, GA
'25 MB GLE 450, w/airmatic
Interesting post! I'm trying to decide if I should order the Driver Assist Package or not..... my main concern has to do with how intrusive is it? I think I read something about the car vibrating the steering wheel when it's approaching the line. Does this mean that my steering wheel will vibrate and try to keep me in a lane when I'm purposely trying to change lanes? I'd like to think the electronic nanny system will only make itself known when it's actually needed. What can I expect?
I ordered my C300 with the Driver Asst Pkg and hope to receive my vehicle in January. I've skimmed the manual on the MBUSA website and I think that if there is no danger of a collision there will be no input from the car.
Taken from the manual:
Active Blind Spot Assist evaluates the
free space in the direction of travel and to the
side before making a course-correcting brake
application.
It sounds too good to be true to never have to worry about lane changing someone and causing an accident.
