pdp8

I have ordered a new C300, but its build date isn't until June so I have some time tweak it. I was thinking I don't do much parallel parking, so I would skip the Active Parking Assist, but now I am wondering if I will regret not having the PARKTRONIC sensors. Also didn't realize until tonight that the Active Parking Assist can be used to back into a perpendicular spaces, which I could actually use on a daily basis at work - I typically pull in forward, but I could start backing in (guessing it would't work well in my garage at home).

Putting aside parallel parking, do people find the PARKTRONIC sensors a useful addition to the rearview camera?

Thanks

Kahuna2205

I love it. Often used it on my E Class. Got it on my C Class but not tried it yet. Always a source of entertainment when passengers in the car ;^)

megaoctane

parking assist is a must.
Now you don't need to wonder if the car will fit in the spot. If the system says it will fit, let it park also.
parallel parking is a breeze with this system.

BenzC400

The front and rear sensors are a must have. Too bad you must pay for Active Park Assist to get them.

Active Park Assist works very well for both parallel and backing into perpendicular spots. You have to be very careful not to let your wheels scrape the curb when parallel parking. It's a very accurate system and really impresses passengers.

Although Active Park Assist is very accurate, it some times misses a perfectly good parking space. I've even seen it indicate a parking space when there was none. You can usually identify and park quicker by yourself. This can be an issue in traffic when other cars are behind you looking for a parking space. For Active Parking Assist to work, you must drive past the parking spot before the system can measure and identify it. Other drivers may try to take the spot thinking you drove by and aren't parking.

StanNH

Like any other option, I think it's a question of how much benefit you'd get from it.

I did not get it, mainly because my driving does not involve much parallel parking. Also, I have no problem parallel parking when I have to. For me, other than the "wow" factor, it was just not very important.

If you think it would help you, it's worth it. With this type of technology, those who have it typically love it, and those who don't really don't care one way or the other. I'm in the latter group.

chicagofan00

This is the part that frustrates me...I have no use for the Active Park Assist but it would have been nice to have the front and rear sensors actually work. I have the sensors on the front and rear bumper but they don't work with regards to that audible beep when pulling in or backing into a space like they do on all other cars just because I didn't get Active Park Assist.

pdp8

I assume there are no lights either (does seem unfortunate to bundle the active and passive together).

chicagofan00

Nope, no light indicators either. In 95% of the cases the backup camera does just fine and serves it's purpose very well, it would just be nice to have the audible tones as well, especially in the front. However, now that I am used to the dimensions of the car this is much less of an issue.

Glyn M Ruck

To me Parktronic & Bi Xenon/now LED lighting package have always been deal breakers. Once you've had them on a car there is no turning back. I do have difficult ingress/egress from my property being on a steep mountainside etc.

laz81

Same here. I couldn't care less for parktronic. The cam is good for parallel parking. But sensors would have been good to have. Especially on a 50k car. I would like to see that as a standard feature. Maybe one day...

hummerhealey

Does that mean the front and rear sensors only work for automatic parking and not for manual parking???

MJ50

i love parktronic... once u get used to it, u'll always want it...
tho some ppl prefer backup camera...

jolt8631

No, you're fine - I think they meant that without the Parktronic then you don't get the sensors at all!

When you have it, it works all the time.

BenzC400

The sensors work for automatic and manual parking. They are active below about 11 mph.

Glyn M Ruck

+1^

chicagofan00

I didn't get Parktronic and I have the sensors on the front and rear bumpers. No audible beeps or anything no matter the speed or how close I get to an object.

utsenmo

the first time i tried to use the active park assist when prompted the car tried to kill itself by running up the curb. I got scared and i never used it again. :P

I also heard it works wonders but I am still reluctant to let my hands go when I'm parking.

I do, however, find the sensors and rear-view very useful. it was a must for me for any car these days.

BenzC400

You can lightly ride the brakes to control speed as Active Park Assist maneuvers. If you don't control the speed, it can be a bit scary.

I let it go at full speed a couple of time before realized I could ride the brakes without canceling the Park Assist. It always stopped before hitting an object or car. It will not detect curbs though.

You should try it again. With a little practice, it works very well.

chicagofan00

I take that back. I have two sensors in front and in back. Most likely for the distronic system? I should have double checked before posting, my bad.

DutchTim1

Parktronic is amazing for parallel parking. Perpendicular parking is not so smooth with the system like you see in the example video. But not bad

DapperStyle

I just wish the surround view camera was a separate option. I can park myself but the cameras could help in very tight spots.

cidtek

I learned how to parallel park when I was 16 and nothing has changed since. Also I never even consider tight parking spots because I have no desire to collect door dings from other cars.

Mike5215

I love that camera. I toggle it on to line the car up in the car wash, and I use it to avoid coming up on curb stops too far. I actually tore the front bumper off my S Class a couple of weeks ago when it settled on a curb stop and I didn't give the suspension enough time to raise before backing. Not a lot of opportunities to parallel park in my day to day so I haven't played with Parking Assist yet.

DapperStyle

You are absolutely right, I try to find only the most spacious or corner parkings. In lots I park as far away from people as possible but sometimes I park near some high curbs or have to back out of tight driveways at my friends house that would make the 360 camera useful.

sequins

Just wanted to bring up that some things have changed since you were 16 - most importantly visibility has decreased significantly with the current trend of high waistlines and narrow windows in cars, and cars have also increased in size.