thegeneraltso

Having had my '05 for couple of weeks now and I noticed a few features it should have over lower end cars. For example, (1) no compass on non-NAV cars. Com'on it has all sort of lighting features, oil level ect but no compass. Even my old '03 Mazda has an OEM compass on the rear view mirror. (2) what is the deal with the 6 disc changer in the glove box!! The thing takes up all the space and who still uses a separate 6-disc changer!? (3) glove box is so small that the car manual/document pouch does not fit! actually none of the storage bins are big enough for the pouch. Where do you guys keep the pouch!? mine is shifting around in the trunk

kevblah

1. Compass? I mean, come on, really? A Compass?
2. I'll agree with you on that, although other MB models have the changer behind the COMAND. There must be a reason why they couldn't do the same on the W209.
3. My owner's manuals are also in the trunk. When you have a car that sophisticated, there's going to be a lot of literature associated with it. Don't expect it all to fit in the glove box

Kevwood

My owner manuals are also in the trunk in a side pocket, no sliding around. If you don't use the changer (as it seems from what you've said), disconect & remove it, free up some real-estate.

mis3

One more compliant I have is the navigation system.

My friend just bought a 2011 C350 and it was such a pain to enter an address to the NAV. Turn and click at each and every character !!!

dariusf

/rent on

I have to complitly agree. Even the 2011 cars (we looked at a C and E for the wife) was totally stripped down comparing to most of the new American / Japanese cars. I mean if you are spanding $40k to 55k for a new car, one would expact that besides the mechanical state of the art, the electronics would also be state of the art. Yes some of the optional upgrades are there and some of the upgrades on American or other cars are point less. Like that option to stop or rewind life radio, come on you are in a car. But still I feel that Mercedes or BMW should have THE latest and best innovations in their cars. For crying out loud the freaking C or BMW 3 series does not even have folding rear seats. Come on a simple Ford Focus has that standard! Did you see the onboard computer (trip computer etc) on the 3 series with out the navi? Its a freaking tiny LCD screen in the radio. WTF? Looking at these cars with out all the extra expansive packages makes one feel like they are completely not getting the money worth. I think the other brands are quickly catching up with technology / styling (well not much of styling with the new E calls, inside or out) and that will only reduce sales.

/rent off

dariusf

On another note the inside finish and plastics quality in the Lexus ES / GS in 2010/2011 beyond ridicules. I guess they found the lowest quality one can find and chose the poorest design. Almost as bad as the inside design in the new E

dynomite05

E coupe or sedan? I like the sedan better.

Kevwood

I think the coupe is a nice little number.

dariusf

The E sedan. The inside is atrocious dashboard, air vents, seats like from the car from the 60s and gear shifter moved to the steering column. I think it was redesigned to appeal to the over 70 crowd.

The coupe on the other hand is very nice, aside from the rear fenders that I'm still having hard times with

dynomite05

I haven't seen the inside of either. Shifter on the steering column reminds me of a Buick....lol

dariusf

It sort of looked like a Buick inside, I even stated so to the wife on the other hand the new Buick has far more superior electronics inside

PS. the new 2012 CLS also has it moved to the steering column....

dynomite05

lol, that's funny. Wonder why they are regressing

dariusf

the answer I got from two deferent dealers was to allow for more and better cup holder placement on the center console

dynomite05

lol, wow. I would rather you take away all my cup holders before switching the shifter.

dumpsta

Not sure what you mean, because my C and every C I have seen here came with the folding rear seats standard.

Wierd, the last E I drove (2010) had the shifter in the console...

dariusf

you are in Canada and I suspect that all cars sold there have the winter package. In US the rear seats folding is optional and only included with the winter package. Most cars at the dealer do not have it.

ALL E class sedans in US have the shifter in the steering column. Perhaps you are talking about manual trans?

dariusf

interesting, found this pic from one in Sweden



so looks like only Americans get the 'cool' Buick style shifters

dynomite05

That looks soooo much better.

fusion2007

it should it be pointed out that, these cars are "STATUS SYMBOLS".
so if your buying one and you want options or packages installed, they probably figure you have the money to do so. so why not charge you

dariusf

True, they figure, we can charge and they will pay. But still it does not present them in the best image if the cars on the dealer lot are totally stripped down shells. Still the packages they offer are still vastly inferior comparing to the technology options of other cars. Thats goes for both the Benz and BMW

ahmadk

+1
I personally think that the E-coupe is just a sedan with no rear doors ... u can see the same look !!

dariusf

Not quite the inside for example if vastly deferent, just look at the inside 360 on the MB USA website

ahmadk

Oh sorry i meant on the outside
but ofcorse on the inside is different

kevblah

You people are asking for way too much. When it comes down to it, I'm sure most of you would still rather drive a stripped down, no options, Mercedes-Benz than any competing American car with all of the bells and whistles. MBUSA knows this, as well, and this is the reason why they will nickel and dime you for every option that they don't have to give you.

dariusf

I do not have a problem with options, but there are some things that any modern car should have as default equipment. Not to mention one that costs this much. Majority of cars at the dealer lots are stripped down and only way to get the options at extra cost that should be included with the car is to order one. Also there is quite a bit of technology locking in the available options comparing to other considered much lower end brands.