DrRx

Earlier today I tried to add the 2011 "Advanced Driving Assistance Package" (Distronic Plus, Active Blind Spot Assist & Active Lane Keeping Assist) to the E350 4Matic I have on order. My original build date was 3rd decade of June (June 21-30) and when my dealer tried to add that package, the system wouldn't accept the change, even though my order is open until June 2. Further investigation with MB Head-Office revealed that the Distronic option has a "restriction" that now extends to SEPTEMBER (was supposed to end in JUNE)!!! Apparently component parts are still in back-order, so NO CARS WITH DISTRONIC will be built again until September 2010 at earliest.

So now I need to decide if I wait for a still-to-be-confirmed September build (maybe November delivery ) just to get Distronic Plus, or retain my June order and skip Distronic.

The choice would be easy were it not for the possibility that the new DI engine might be available for a September build as well, which might make the wait worthwhile, but my dealer has no reliable info on this. Does anyone have some better intelligence on when the new engines are to be available for the E350, if at all??

pmb600

The new engines will not be available in the E-Class until next year as confirmed by this autoblog post. The S and CL Classes will receive the new engines later this year.

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/07/o...i-spark-v6-an/

Blk04cobra1

I would say if you really want it, just wait. The package is a very nice feature for the money.

MBStar

I really like Disrtonic Plus and think it alone would be worth the wait. If you
ever drive in the QEW congested traffic you will appreciate this feature. Even
if you never use the cruise control part of it, the collsion warning and partial
breaking deployment feature could save yor life.

mg-E550

Distronic is excellent and worth the wait. I got it thinking it would be a nice to have on long trips. I actually use it daily both in stop and go driving and on the highway on my commute.

YYZ-E55

The E will not get the new CGI engines this year. I agree with MBStar that the DISTRONIC system is worth the wait - it will effectively change your life.

K-A

I'm kind of wondering if I chose the wrong options, going with a P2 Pano car over a Distronic car with some other non P2) Option that put it to a similar price as mine.

I was salivating at the thought of having such an exotic and brilliant gadget as Distronic (I had the original one in my W220), but figured, the Pano roof and P2 would have a far more immediate and constant positive effect for me. Plus, although the LED's look kind of tacky in shape and how M-B incorporated them, I still love 'em enough, and think the double fogs look relatively hideous.

220S

K-A, stop fretting. You're gonna be giving the thing back to MB Finance in a few years anyway.

Then you'll be ready for this: http://f10.5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=391423

K-A

JESS PLEASE!!!!

I think that will be my current "looking forward to".

In 39 months the W221 will be too close to getting replaced, I'll have had the 212 for a few years and it'll be close to a face-lift.

And the F10 will be matured and totally dialed in with just a nice few years, and M5's will be NICE and ready for me.

K-A

I really hope to hell that when I do go to BMW and drive the F10 (when they arrive on lots), it doesn't impact me in enough of a positive way.

Buyers remorse is a bit**, lol.

220S

The way to resolve that is don't go to the BMW dealer and don't test drive it. Wait until it's time to turn in the W212. Voilà, no chance of buyer's remorse.

K-A

True that.

I don't think that'll happen though, I'm still so excited for that car.

Wow, look at this, a W212 Owner who loves the F10! Gonna be nice to have a period of time where I don't have to live the cliche "love one/hate the other" situation, i.e Ford VS Chevy, M-B VS BMW, etc.

ipp

Where are the pics?!

K-A

LOL, I'm working on it! I actually have some but they suck, I was trying to save from posting 'em here. I'll post a couple anyway

K-A

True, proper pics to come soon. Probably after I get the stuff all Tinted. Although I would like some proper "Bone Stock" looking pics, so I'm gonna try and get those this week too. Just been so insanely crazy these couple of weeks.

HBerman

I checked with my dealer this AM to determine if my E550 would be delayed because of the component issue with the Distronic Plus. He confirmed that the car is now in production status (build date in July) with no changes from what we had input in April. The package shows in the US as 997 Driver Assistance Package. This is Distronic Plus, Active Blind Spot Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist. What is the "Advanced Driving Assistance Package"? It does not show in the US ordering system. Is this just the designation in Canada?

petee1997

We have two Driving Assistance packages. One with distronic plus and one without. The lesser package sells for $800.00. Add another $2400.00 for the Advanced Pack.

YYZ-E55

The two systems are different...

The basic "Driving Assistance Package" is a passive system. It will illuminate red/beep (blind spot) or shake the wheel (lane assist), but it will not correct you.

The "Advanced Driving Assistance Package" is an active system including DISTRONIC. For example, if you veer out of your lane, the system will brake one side of the car gently to pull you back into your lane.

petee1997

I did not know that. If I had, I may have considered the advanced system instead of the basic that I ordered.