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I'm looking to buy a 2017 C43 and I found one that has the P4 option package, which has all the driver aids (collision warning, distronic plus, steering assist, advanced brake assist, lane keeping, rear cross traffic, etc.).
Can all that be turned off completely for autocross and track events? I've read in C63 and GT forums that emergency braking is very difficult to disable, and people put tape over sensors while on-track. Even then, they still experience seat belts tightening unexpectedly. One person received an SOS call on track to make sure the driver was ok. I'll pass on this car if these safety options are always going to be on and make track driving and autocross dangerous. Help, please.
Thanks!
Last edited by GermanCarShow; Apr 15, 2022 at 08:47 PM.
This was one of the threads that made me nervous, but they have 'race mode' which I don't think will be on my 2017 C43. I guess will see if I can get collision detection and ABA (active braking assist) turned off. https://mbworld.org/forums/coupe-roa...track-gts.html
Apparently PRE-SAFE is the one that grabs you by the seat belt. I doubt that can be turned off, but you should have your belt pretty tight when on the track anyway! https://mbworld.org/forums/c450-c43-...d-braking.html
For the track, the issue as mentioned in the thread you reference is the forward collision warning and automatic braking. It can be turned off, but it automatically reactivates between engine restarts and on older generation models it may not be completely turned off or it's cumbersome to turn off. Yes, the C43 doesn't have Race mode. Only GT S and 63 S models and above have Race mode standard. In some of the latest non-S models Race mode can be added as part of an additional package such as on the CLA 45 and GT 63, but generally Race mode was something reserved for the S models and above as those were more track focused. Race mode specifically gives you a linear throttle response and seamless shifts to maintain better car control and predictable response. I love Race mode personally and use it even when hitting up the canyon roads. Just makes the car much more controllable with the throttle. The S+ throttle map is aggressive and overboosted.
On the latest generation models, the forward collision warning now also turns off if you turn ESP off completely, so it no longer has to be turned off separately. That wasn't the case with the older generation cars, but you may not wanna completely turn off ESP anyway, although in AMGs ESP temporarily reactivates the moment you step on the brakes to help with stabilizing the car in an "oh *****" moment. In my previous Audi RS5 the safety systems turned off with ESP in Sport mode or Off, so that was nice, but in my '19 C63S I have to turn ESP off completely to turn off the safety systems automatically, other than going in and turning them off manually.
The forward collision system definitely intervenes on the track and is annoying. We had to leave it on during the AMG Driving Academy and every time the car in front of me stepped on the brakes my car pretty much automatically started to brake before I wanted to. I had to fall back enough or just let it happen. That's on top of the constant audible alert every time it thought I was approaching the car ahead of me too fast.
Here's another thread on the subject. If it's off you should see it in the instrument cluster. I posted this pic showing at the bottom left that the Active Brake Assist is off with ESP off. The great thing about my '19 C63S is that even with ESP off I can still regulate the traction control in 9 stages like the GT R can (that's what that graphic is), so I still have an adjustable safety net to reduce the risk of spinning out.
For the track, the issue as mentioned in the thread you reference is the forward collision warning and automatic braking. It can be turned off, but it automatically reactivates between engine restarts and on older generation models it may not be completely turned off or it's cumbersome to turn off.
I hope it can be completely turned off. I assume it's not documented. I figure I'll have a pre-session checklist in the car for everything that needs disabled each session. My dad had a pilot's license, so I appreciate checklists.
Originally Posted by superswiss
On the latest generation models, the forward collision warning now also turns off if you turn ESP off completely, so it no longer has to be turned off separately. That wasn't the case with the older generation cars, but you may not wanna completely turn off ESP anyway, ...
With this being the fastest car I've owned, I'm sure I'll start with ESP on as I get more skills and experience. I just want to know how seriously the car may intervene until I'm ready to run without the safety features. Thanks for the info!!
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