2009 E Class
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 301
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From: Los Angeles, CA
2000 E320 2009 E550
2009 E Class
I dont get it. Why is MB copying the iDrive? MB and BMW need to be 2 totally different companies, once they start fallowing each others footsteps we're/they're f((ked! I'm not down for the steering wheel mounted gear lever and I'm not down for the "MDrive". This is BS. Thanks to this crap I have to get an Audi after my E55.
Last edited by E2233; May 5, 2008 at 09:19 PM.
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From: Dallas TX
2013 650i Coupe, 2010 IS250 AWD, 1999 S500
I see and Audi hasn't copied the iDrive/COMAND controller? Give me a break. The Audi MMI is not that great and is the same concept as the other two systems. I have tried all three and the Mercedes COMAND knob is the best and the system is the easiest to use.
I do agree about the shifter on the steering wheel, I don't like how that looks/feels and would prefer if MB kept the shifter like Audi or like BMW has on the 5-series.
I know that the first 7-series with iDrive came out in 2003MY and the first MB to use the knob came out in 2007MY. I wonder how long MB had this in the works, or if they really did copy this from BMW.
I do agree about the shifter on the steering wheel, I don't like how that looks/feels and would prefer if MB kept the shifter like Audi or like BMW has on the 5-series.
I know that the first 7-series with iDrive came out in 2003MY and the first MB to use the knob came out in 2007MY. I wonder how long MB had this in the works, or if they really did copy this from BMW.
Bingo! The post of the week.
Mercedes-Benz it appears had this idea on the drawing board first, long before BMW:
The 1995 Mercedes-Benz Vario Research Car:
"Mercedes-Benz engineers had also incorporated a new-style operating and control system into the dashboard of the Vario Research Car which harnessed the wonders of the latest microelectronics to make life easier for the motorist. All key operating information appeared in the form of symbols and text messages on two colour displays integrated into the cockpit and into the top section of the centre console. Easily understood coloured symbols were used to display important information about maintaining the applicable speed limit or a safe distance from the vehicle in front."
1995 Mercedes-Benz Vario Research Car's interior shown below. Notice the knob in the center console, in front of the armrest, and the high screen...
Mercedes F200, 1996
"The remaining display segments within the fields of vision of both driver and co-driver can be programmed at will. The required information can be called up by means of a rotary control: interior climate, navigation, TV, video, video games, PC, on-board computer, radio, CD player, telephone and a "help" function. The interior temperature on the driver's and front passenger's sides, out-side temperature and time of day are permanently displayed. The central display segment shows the area immediately behind the car, filmed by the rear video camera, when the F 200 Imagination is reversing.
The controls for heating, electric windows, swing-out-and-up doors, automatic transmission, lights, hazard warning lights, seat heating and stereo unit are arranged on a panel in front of the display where it is within easy reach of both driver and front passenger. This high-quality stainless steel panel provides a visual link with the stainless steel trim of the bodywork. The switches for the electric seat adjustment with memory function and for footrest adjustment are located in the door trim. A bracket for the mobile phone is mounted to the front stowage compartment in the dashboard. Placing the phone into its bracket activates the hands-off system as well as a new speech recognition system which makes manual handling of the car phone largely superfluous."
http://www.germancarzone.com/tech-ta...after-all.html
Even I thought Mercedes-Benz got this idea from BMW, but it clearly doesn't look that way now..upon further research of the concept. BMW just got it production first, and paid the price compared to MB and Audi's take on the same concept. Knowing Mercedes-Benz back during those times likely tested the thing for 10 years prior to giving it the ok for production, BMW acted faster.
This goes under the same heading as all those who are misinformed about MB taking the rear end styling of the S-Class from the 2002 BMW 7-Series, when it fact the look of the W221 was previewed way back in 1997 with the Maybach concept. Those who know their (correct) MB history know that MB uses concepts to preview certain things years, in some case many years, ahead of production.
M
Last edited by Germancar1; May 5, 2008 at 05:25 AM.
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E550 4MATIC
Awesome! I had hoped it was MB to think of the idea first, just because it would make me feel better. Also if that car was from 1995, the W220 S-Class came out in Europe in 1998, so it was clearly just the timing that BMW could incorporate it into their 7-Series first. The first iDrive 7-er came out in 2003 MY so probably CY 2002, which would mean that the development of that car probably started right around mid-90s.
I also hate when people call the new S-Class trunk a "Bangle butt," since it is clearly a Maybach butt.
I also hate when people call the new S-Class trunk a "Bangle butt," since it is clearly a Maybach butt.
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From: New Jersey
E550 4MATIC
Out Of Control!!
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From: Boston, MA
00 MB ML55, 91 Toyota Supra Turbo(sold), 06 E500(gone), 03 BMW M3
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From: San Jose, CA
2010 c300
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From: New Jersey
E550 4MATIC
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Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Sydney, Australia
2003 E240
The interior and exterior of the MBs is heading back to the late 80s early 90s era. Hard edges, straight lines and simplicity is back in again. You can see with the new models they have reshaped the exterior as well as interior to be more, well, German lol. The curvey stuff was in in the late 90s early 00s, I don't know why, probably the millenium I guess. But as stuff changes you just become more accepting of it. Come on though, Mercedes usually gets everything right before they put it out there, not like BMW. They aren't n00bs.
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From: New Jersey
E550 4MATIC
Here's another good picture of the dash. I like the way it looks, although I agree it is hard to top the current design which is very elegant.
It also looks to me like the W212 could have the ambient "waterfall" lighting like in the W221 S-Class--see how the wood trim overhangs the dash below it?
It also looks to me like the W212 could have the ambient "waterfall" lighting like in the W221 S-Class--see how the wood trim overhangs the dash below it?
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E500 4matic, 2014 GL320, 2013 C300, 2015 Stingray
enough already - just releast the damn pictures MB!
One thing bad about buying an E, you have to wait 7 years for the next one 
I can't wait till this thing comes out, the current design (SANS the E63 which i think looks hot) is getting old IMO.......
Aceman
I can't wait till this thing comes out, the current design (SANS the E63 which i think looks hot) is getting old IMO.......
Aceman
