Holeinoneboy

Former BMW 335 owner. First MB.

Love the car. More refined, luxurious and comfortable than 335. The quality, fit and finish is top notch. NOT an old man's car as some might suggest.

Likes:

1. Looks- its a head turner. Very progressive design-love the look of LED lights
2. Engine - love the V8 growl and smooth power
3. Transmision - love the smoothness of the 7 speed
4. Features - love auto-high beams, auto wipers, distronic plus, Harmon Kardon Logic 7, Command more intuitive than BMW, Linguitronic works better than BMW but still don't use as much as I thought i might, Command - love the redundant buttons for phone, radio, etc.
5. Ride comfort - unlike some people I love the standard ride comfort and ability to change feel of car with sport mode and manual.

Wishes;

1. Folding mirrors
2. Sound system volume indicator, BMW's version of Logic 7 allows EQ setting adjustments. MB's does not.
3. Interior lighting - wish the seat contour buttons light up. Wish there was more ambient lighting
4. Navigation - wish I could change or enter guidance while moving. Wish it saved more destinations in memory. Wish I could turn off voice guidance commands as an option. BMW could
5. Phone - wish it kept more dialed numbers in memory, wish there was an option to download only NEW contacts or numbers from phone
6. Manual mode - prefer BMW "up" on lever for downshift and "down" on lever for upshift. Don't like MB "sideways" requirement for shift change
7. Storage - wish the door storage compartments folded out for easier access like in 335
8. iPod integration - wish cable was in centre armrest and not glove box
9. Clock - wish there was a date indicator somewhere
10. Seats - wish 550 seats had better thigh support. 335 came with sport seats that allowed an extension to thigh support. 550 support does not extend far enough, wish seats massaged
11. Steering wheel - wished it was heated (Canada)

I love this car! I smile every time I look at it or get into it. I don't miss the BMW like I thought I might.

BenzE350

Is there a way to do this?

El Cid

don't recall where, but this is in the COMAND manual.
Also, you can enter destinations, etc. while moving by using Voice.

El Cid

I actually looked at Lexus ES and LS when comparing. ES too expensive for an upgraded Camry. LS just too expensive period.
Did not look at GS because almost every source I looked at had very low opinions of it, even the ones that LOVE Lexus and Toyota.
Very happy with the E350.

Arrie

Yes,

you can turn voice guidance off by pressing the mute button when voice guidance is being played. You will get a message in the display for a few seconds saying that voice guidance is muted. Radio keeps playing unless you press the button again.

Voice guidance comes back when you go to RPT (repeat?), it does not come back from pressing mute again.

Also, voice guidance is back when you start a new navigation route. I did not test if it also comes back if you make a stop on your trip and when start again and navigation guidance resumes. But a simple press on the mute button when guidance is playing will mute it again.

and you don't need to wait for the next guidance to come on. Just go to RPT and when it speaks hit mute.

I think this works very nicely, much better than what my Audi Q7 had where you had to go in the menu system to mute the guidance.

BenzE350

Thanks for the tip! I gotta try this.

pmb600

You can also adjust the volume of the voice guidance by using the volume knob while she is speaking.

BenzE350

I still frequent the F10 forum (new 5 series) on Bimmerfest. Recent complaints include the fact that you need to pull the inside door handle twice to unlock and car, and the large size of the keyfob with the storage in the cupholder for Comfort Access.

It's amazing all the little things that add up to an enjoyable auto ownership experience. We will never run out of things to "complain" about with our cars.

pmb600

I actually just learned something new tonight while driving home. You can also press the voice control button and say "Mute Guidance Instructions" or "Guidance Instructions Off" to turn off the voice prompts. You can says "Guidance Instructions On" to get it to reactivate.

Spirit Crusher

Activating the hold in my car just requires me to push my brake down a little further.