mikej_cls

Anyone got this option?

I am thinking of adding it to my order, but I dont know what color...
Antricit or alpacka grey ... ?

or should I stick with black fabric?

interior below (Black designo leather with white pipings and piano black panels)



-mike

MBStar

I have this option on my W212 E63, in black. It feels very luxurious, but I
would not have ordered it because of the cost. It was already on a loaded
stock car at the dealer. I bought that car mostly because it had Distronic Plus
which was not available in any other car in stock in the area. I think Distronic
Plus is essential for my urban, stop and go driving. The other option I did not
want but bundled in my car, was the Night Vision - useless in the city and
especially in it's center mounting on the W212.

lyjw88

just stick with black fabric and spend that money on other mods

mikej_cls

I have not choosen the Distronic option. Is it that good?
I have tested the Audi A8 (new model = 2011) system, and that one is great! .. Maybe I should go with the distronic instead of the alcantara ??

K-A

If I got/get a 212, I think my first mod would be alcantra headliner, even if it had to be aftermarket.

IMO the headliner in the 212 is way too cheap and harsh for my liking, as I thought it was even too cheap for the C-Class (same headliner). I feel the Alcantra would really take the interior to the next level, per-se.

MBStar

I think it is a major safety and improvement. In stop / go traffic this feature
will maintain a predetermined distance form the car ahead of you even if it
has to panic stop to do that. It is incredibly sophisticated: in slow Toronto
traffic (the worst in North America), Distronic will "crawl" with the traffic and
is programmed to avoid unnecessary full stop - which would necessitate an
active restart (pull the cruise lever toward you). As long as it is "crawling" it
it will pick up speed by itself when the car in front of you pulls ahead. And if
it does so very quickly, Distronic Plus will match that speed.

Even when the Distronic Plus is disengaged, it will warn you of obstructions
in front of you and having calculated the collision potential will apply breaks
to avoid collision. IMO there is no comparison between the value of Distronic
Plus and Night Vision, never mind alcantara headliner.


This is must buy, that could save your life....

mikej_cls

ok ok !
I've added it to my order .. just because of the safety .. or maybe just because its cool

ive read that if 20% of all cars were equipped with distronic-system the traffic-jams would dramatically decrease... so its for a good cause ..right !

220S

Guess you've never been to Los Angeles or Mexico City

p.s., if you mean only commute times, than yes, the GTA does have bad commute times (less available freeways per capita.) But worst traffic (density, and not simply commute time) still goes to LA, DC, Atlanta, Mexico City (for North America.)

MBStar

I think you are a bit again. I was referring to a recent news report here, indicating that Toronto was
the worst. I really have neither the interest or the inclination to debate this
topic with the statistical data, and scietific method you seem to like.
So have it your way Toronto is not the worst....

http://www.thestar.com/yourcitymycit...ing-times?bn=1

MBStar

to a good cause!

220S

Relax. Don't let that famous Toronto Inferiority Complex get the best of you (yes, I know, it's just part of the national psyche.)

Agreed, Toronto has the worst commuting times in the world. TO is finally on the map!!

Cheers, and have another Molson on me.

MBStar

You are so off topic now you should be embarrased.

I am and remain toally relaxed yet amused by your trolling.
Weren't we on the topic of alcantara and the relative value of different options?
Now, be a sport, and contribute something useful....

220S

No problem. Just having fun with you. At least I'm glad you're amused. You see, it had some value after all!

It's a car forum, no need to be formal and uptight. Anyway I was just commenting about traffic in NA. No biggie; it's all auto related.

fwiw, I've contributed many a share of useful posts and not-so-useful ones.

Chug another Molson and all will be fine, trust me.

K-A

LOL. To be fair, Distronic is Off-Topic here too.

I had Distronic (the 1st version) on my W220, it was awesome, and yeah, I'd probably choose it over Alcantra if I had to pick one. However, I'd consider Alcantra a must, so I'd try and just consider that in the Base/selling price of the vehicle, all Options after it, as Options.

MBStar

LOL me too....OK, but there are degrees of "off topicness" - my senior friend here, is not just off topic,

he is trying to restart the War of 1812 with his comments !!

petee1997

The war of 1812 finished in a draw. Good time to end this one with the same result. Most times that I got into a pissing contest with 220S, I ended up sucking a hind teat. He's right, have a Molson, be happy.

MBStar

Geez, I was just getting warmed up...
No need yet to send in the peacekeeping forces though, petee1997, I think we are still under control...
I think you are right though - 220S has the time to continue trolling ad infinitum...
besides, he is ALWAYS right - about something...

mikej_cls

.. I think its up to the thread-starter (me) if he goes out of topic .. from alcantara to distronic .. and the traffic in different US cities is just fun to read about - so I dont mind.

and by the way.. I think Stockholm can be bad sometimes but I probably havent seen nothing

Still havn't decided on alcantara or not - anyone have an idea of what it costs to have it done aftermarket comparing to from factory? I dont know what the option is in US but over here its aprx. 2500 usd from factory...

220S

Trolling is one thing, but having a thread morph into tangential discussions is normal in all forums. I responded about traffic data and I have no idea why MBStar got so uptight about it His response of course was to poke at me, and I responded in kind, and there you go. Oh, well.

People do install it aftermarket, especially restoring classic cars, etc.. (here's one example: http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforum...more-pics.html)

There are two automotive materials normally used, Alcantara and Ultrasuede. Alcantara is more expensive. You might want to check with a good upholstery shop in your area and get an estimate before you decide on the factory option.

The big thing will be the quality of the install work; factory would be a guaranteed fit. Also with a sunroof (or pano) it's not an easy job.

I have Alcantara but at the time it was standard on the E63 AMGs in NA. It's nice but for me it wouldn't be the end of the world without it. It might help a bit with resale, but of course it serves no function beyond looks. Plus when you get into the Designo end of stuff, it gets subjective anyway (see Porsche's special order program.)

Here's a new W212 E63 coming from the AMG Performance Studio (it's a one off.) I'm not into the orange accents myself, but the French seam stitching is nice. You could have an upholstery shop do anything if you have the money.