Driver assist package
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,075
Likes: 59
From: Manchester, UK
BMW e89 Z4 sDrive 35i & MB S205 C200 AMG Premium Plus
As usual with this sort of thing, its highly subjective. If your eyesight and reactions aren't that great, or your worried enough about driving you think you need assistance from gadgets, you want to improve your and others safety, then go for it. Bear in mind these gadgets are supplemental and will never replace your driving skills. Equally, don't bank on them working perfectly every time, they will get things wrong because they have no intelligence.
I did not purchase this pack, I bought almost everything else. I did it because I couldn't rely on them 100%. I don't like the idea of them intervening at their own discretion when they could get it wrong. Like the car seeing a floating carrier bag, thinking its a child and slamming on the brakes, causing an accident etc. I'm sure they've done very well with this technology. But then again looking at all the issues reported on this forum, when something that could go wrong is allowed to control my car, its off the purchase list for me.
I did not purchase this pack, I bought almost everything else. I did it because I couldn't rely on them 100%. I don't like the idea of them intervening at their own discretion when they could get it wrong. Like the car seeing a floating carrier bag, thinking its a child and slamming on the brakes, causing an accident etc. I'm sure they've done very well with this technology. But then again looking at all the issues reported on this forum, when something that could go wrong is allowed to control my car, its off the purchase list for me.
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 500
Likes: 15
W205
As usual with this sort of thing, its highly subjective. If your eyesight and reactions aren't that great, or your worried enough about driving you think you need assistance from gadgets, you want to improve your and others safety, then go for it. Bear in mind these gadgets are supplemental and will never replace your driving skills. Equally, don't bank on them working perfectly every time, they will get things wrong because they have no intelligence.
I did not purchase this pack, I bought almost everything else. I did it because I couldn't rely on them 100%. I don't like the idea of them intervening at their own discretion when they could get it wrong. Like the car seeing a floating carrier bag, thinking its a child and slamming on the brakes, causing an accident etc. I'm sure they've done very well with this technology. But then again looking at all the issues reported on this forum, when something that could go wrong is allowed to control my car, its off the purchase list for me.
I did not purchase this pack, I bought almost everything else. I did it because I couldn't rely on them 100%. I don't like the idea of them intervening at their own discretion when they could get it wrong. Like the car seeing a floating carrier bag, thinking its a child and slamming on the brakes, causing an accident etc. I'm sure they've done very well with this technology. But then again looking at all the issues reported on this forum, when something that could go wrong is allowed to control my car, its off the purchase list for me.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 1,015
Likes: 96
From: Northeast USA
AMG CLE 53
I agree that it's a great package. I have not yet had the system activate and cause the car to do anything dangerous. It's probably more likely to miss a hazard and not react, than to activate inappropriately. I use Distronic plus with steering assist on every highway trip. It does a great job tracking and staying in the lane. At first, it's a little strange to have your hands on the steering wheel and feel the car driving itself, but you soon get used to it. You still have to pay attention, but it really lowers the stress level, especially in slow or stop and go traffic. It does a great job of slowing and stopping with traffic. It really reduces the chance that you will rear end the car in front of you. Unfortunately, it won't prevent a car from rear ending you.
Pre-Safe Brake activated once for me when a car stopped quickly in front of me in city traffic. It stopped the car before a collision. I may or may not have avoided the collision myself, but the car reacted fasted than I could.
I haven't seen pedestrian detection in action yet and it's probably not a good idea to test it on real pedestrians. I haven't had any close calls with pedestrians. I'm going to assume it will work if ever needed.
We've all been driving for a long time without this technology and could continue without it just fine. I find it very cool and in my opinion it is very helpful in reducing accidents. I'm sure that in a few years all of this current technology will be available in most cars.
Pre-Safe Brake activated once for me when a car stopped quickly in front of me in city traffic. It stopped the car before a collision. I may or may not have avoided the collision myself, but the car reacted fasted than I could.
I haven't seen pedestrian detection in action yet and it's probably not a good idea to test it on real pedestrians. I haven't had any close calls with pedestrians. I'm going to assume it will work if ever needed.
We've all been driving for a long time without this technology and could continue without it just fine. I find it very cool and in my opinion it is very helpful in reducing accidents. I'm sure that in a few years all of this current technology will be available in most cars.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 600
Likes: 4
From: Sunshine State
2015 C300 RWD
The autonomous braking has quickly become available on many cars, and I'd bet will be a standard in a few years. MB has had this technology a couple years now. The steering assist with distronic cruise is very cool, works especially well on highway and stop and go. The lane keep assist very non-obtrusive and effective. Package worth it's cost even before it keeps you from possibly dinging something.
I don't take the 'I don't need it cuz have driven x years without it' stance. If that was so, some drivers would still be hand cranking windows and have no airbags nor cruise control.
I don't take the 'I don't need it cuz have driven x years without it' stance. If that was so, some drivers would still be hand cranking windows and have no airbags nor cruise control.
Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 166
Likes: 2
From: Australia, west coast
Mercedes C200 (W205) Avantgarde petrol RWD
I agree that it's a great package. I have not yet had the system activate and cause the car to do anything dangerous. It's probably more likely to miss a hazard and not react, than to activate inappropriately. I use Distronic plus with steering assist on every highway trip. It does a great job tracking and staying in the lane. At first, it's a little strange to have your hands on the steering wheel and feel the car driving itself, but you soon get used to it. You still have to pay attention, but it really lowers the stress level, especially in slow or stop and go traffic. It does a great job of slowing and stopping with traffic. It really reduces the chance that you will rear end the car in front of you. Unfortunately, it won't prevent a car from rear ending you.
Pre-Safe Brake activated once for me when a car stopped quickly in front of me in city traffic. It stopped the car before a collision. I may or may not have avoided the collision myself, but the car reacted fasted than I could.
I haven't seen pedestrian detection in action yet and it's probably not a good idea to test it on real pedestrians. I haven't had any close calls with pedestrians. I'm going to assume it will work if ever needed.
We've all been driving for a long time without this technology and could continue without it just fine. I find it very cool and in my opinion it is very helpful in reducing accidents. I'm sure that in a few years all of this current technology will be available in most cars.
Pre-Safe Brake activated once for me when a car stopped quickly in front of me in city traffic. It stopped the car before a collision. I may or may not have avoided the collision myself, but the car reacted fasted than I could.
I haven't seen pedestrian detection in action yet and it's probably not a good idea to test it on real pedestrians. I haven't had any close calls with pedestrians. I'm going to assume it will work if ever needed.
We've all been driving for a long time without this technology and could continue without it just fine. I find it very cool and in my opinion it is very helpful in reducing accidents. I'm sure that in a few years all of this current technology will be available in most cars.
"....probably...."
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Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles, CA
2015 C300 4-Matic
This sums it up perfectly:
Distronic Plus with Steering Assist, a semi-autonomous assistant in stop-and-go traffic jams that operates at speeds below 37 mph, following the vehicle ahead even where lane markings are indistinct or lacking, providing a safe and easy means of following the flow of heavy traffic.
The BAS (Brake Assist System) Plus detects cross traffic and boosts braking if the driver fails to brake sufficiently. The PRE-SAFE® Brake system detects stationary vehicles as well as pedestrians, braking automatically if the driver fails to react, and prevents accidents up to 31 mph and lessens the severity of collisions up to 45 mph. In moving traffic, it assists according to the same mode of operation throughout the speed range between 4 and 124 mph.
Distronic Plus with Steering Assist, a semi-autonomous assistant in stop-and-go traffic jams that operates at speeds below 37 mph, following the vehicle ahead even where lane markings are indistinct or lacking, providing a safe and easy means of following the flow of heavy traffic.
The BAS (Brake Assist System) Plus detects cross traffic and boosts braking if the driver fails to brake sufficiently. The PRE-SAFE® Brake system detects stationary vehicles as well as pedestrians, braking automatically if the driver fails to react, and prevents accidents up to 31 mph and lessens the severity of collisions up to 45 mph. In moving traffic, it assists according to the same mode of operation throughout the speed range between 4 and 124 mph.
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Super Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 789
Likes: 47
From: Eastern Massachusetts
2021 E450, 2020 C43, 2015 C300, 2007 C280
Detection of pedestrians on the opposite side of the road?
The only reason I bought the car was Distronic, because I regulary drive on some roads that are indeed narrow, have many walkers, and, at night, have frequent oncoming headlights. I am wondering what will happen when Distronic detects a pedestrian on my side of the road.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 1,015
Likes: 96
From: Northeast USA
AMG CLE 53
Recently, I was driving 38-40 MPH on a two-lane road (ordinary width, not narrow, good road markings). I approached a jogger on the opposite side of the road, running away from me, feet on the pavement. No traffic, there was no reason for me to slow. As I came almost opposite him, Distronic suddenly slowed my car. it was not a full, emergency braking and a tap on the accelator resumed speed. But a car behind me could have easily rear-ended me.
The only reason I bought the car was Distronic, because I regulary drive on some roads that are indeed narrow, have many walkers, and, at night, have frequent oncoming headlights. I am wondering what will happen when Distronic detects a pedestrian on my side of the road.
The only reason I bought the car was Distronic, because I regulary drive on some roads that are indeed narrow, have many walkers, and, at night, have frequent oncoming headlights. I am wondering what will happen when Distronic detects a pedestrian on my side of the road.
Could it have been the Active Lane Assist trying to prevent you from crossing the centerline, rather than Pre-Safe Brake reacting to the pedestrian? Because Active Lane Assist partially brakes on one side, it feels just as you described; slowing, not emergency braking. Pre-Safe Brake reacting to an imminent collision with a pedestrian would give you the 2 quick beeps then apply emergency braking if you didn't react. At least that's what the manual says, I haven't experienced that yet.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 789
Likes: 47
From: Eastern Massachusetts
2021 E450, 2020 C43, 2015 C300, 2007 C280
It wasn't the Active Lane Assist
Could it have been the Active Lane Assist trying to prevent you from crossing the centerline, rather than Pre-Safe Brake reacting to the pedestrian? Because Active Lane Assist partially brakes on one side, it feels just as you described; slowing, not emergency braking. Pre-Safe Brake reacting to an imminent collision with a pedestrian would give you the 2 quick beeps then apply emergency braking if you didn't react. At least that's what the manual says, I haven't experienced that yet.
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