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Mercedes: Worst back up camera out there?
#26
+1
I have owned an E350 for a few weeks now, my car is a 2011 CPO. My 535i feels and drives like a car that cost much more then the E350 when they are both in the same price range new. The back up camera is one of many options that I am surprised to find in a 60k car.
I have owned the following cars, 2007 335i coupe, P+, sport, cold weather, comfort access. The interior on the car from the leather, user interface and look and feel was much better then my current 2011 E350.
Not to get into too much detail but I have owned a 2008 G35 sport sedan, 2011 g37 sport sedan, Audi A4 P+ all cars that had better tech then the e350 and interior then the e350.
What also is strange is exposed hinges in the trunk and other parts of the car which you would expect to be covered for a sedan in this price range.
I have had regretted buying the E350 from day one, it is my DD and there are certain things I do like but other things that really bother me every time I get into the car. I change daily drivers once every 2 years. I like to have fun with my cars as I have loved every car I have owned and this time around I elected to go with the E350 to experience the much talked about and advertised MB experience. So far that experience has disappointing, how this brand is selling these cars at 60k is a mystery when BMW, Audi and other luxury makers provide better tech, HP and luxury for the same price.
I own a 535i M sport as well and being lowered on HR springs and riding on 20" M5 wheels, the ride quality is much smoother and responsive compared to the stock E350 sport.
The interior's look/feel and tech make you wonder how these two cars are in the same price range and considered competitors.
This is simply my opinion, MB is failed to impress, right now the plan is to keep the car for a little over a year and sell for an Audi A6 2012+ hopefully in that time frame my opinion will change but I doubt it.
#28
Senior Member
I don't know if a non-tuned W212 can be "fun" - someone buying an E350 and expecting that was barking up the wrong tree, even with the inaccurately-named "sport" trim (harsh suspension and edgier cladding does not a sports car make). It's not sporty, not even close to being a BMW, and I hope the engineers didn't have that intention. Go 550 or better yet, AMG, if you want fun. E350 in all forms is a mature cruiser.
For all of the foibles of MB tech, it seems better than late model Toyota and GM products I have experienced.
For all of the foibles of MB tech, it seems better than late model Toyota and GM products I have experienced.
#29
I don't know if a non-tuned W212 can be "fun" - someone buying an E350 and expecting that was barking up the wrong tree, even with the inaccurately-named "sport" trim (harsh suspension and edgier cladding does not a sports car make). It's not sporty, not even close to being a BMW, and I hope the engineers didn't have that intention. Go 550 or better yet, AMG, if you want fun. E350 in all forms is a mature cruiser.
For all of the foibles of MB tech, it seems better than late model Toyota and GM products I have experienced.
For all of the foibles of MB tech, it seems better than late model Toyota and GM products I have experienced.
E350 competes more with the A4s 3 series models g37s...It's an over rated sedan for the price range it competes in.
Last edited by G3710; 06-20-2014 at 01:44 AM.
#30
Senior Member
I don't see that advertising. A piece of printed matter might call it a "sports sedan", but ads tend to lie. Remember, the basis for the car was designed for commercial service. A 6cyl E simply isn't a sports car, it never has been, and might be a better comparison with a lower line F10 other other smaller engined models rather than a much smaller car like an A4 or the aged G37. Regarding E550 price - don't buy em new! That differential from 6 vs 8 becomes tiny in a couple years. Something like an Infiniti is usually much more sport oriented - sometimes at the expense of aesthetics, or some models, that VQ drone.
#31
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2014 E350
I came from a GS350, the camera in that car was great, perfect angle tilt, resolution was great in the day or night time.
Anyone know if they can tilt the camera upward to get a farther field of view? Mine seems to be tilted low.
Anyone know if they can tilt the camera upward to get a farther field of view? Mine seems to be tilted low.
#32
#33
+1
I have owned an E350 for a few weeks now, my car is a 2011 CPO. My 535i feels and drives like a car that cost much more then the E350 when they are both in the same price range new. The back up camera is one of many options that I am surprised to find in a 60k car.
I have owned the following cars, 2007 335i coupe, P+, sport, cold weather, comfort access. The interior on the car from the leather, user interface and look and feel was much better then my current 2011 E350.
Not to get into too much detail but I have owned a 2008 G35 sport sedan, 2011 g37 sport sedan, Audi A4 P+ all cars that had better tech then the e350 and interior then the e350.
What also is strange is exposed hinges in the trunk and other parts of the car which you would expect to be covered for a sedan in this price range.
I have had regretted buying the E350 from day one, it is my DD and there are certain things I do like but other things that really bother me every time I get into the car. I change daily drivers once every 2 years. I like to have fun with my cars as I have loved every car I have owned and this time around I elected to go with the E350 to experience the much talked about and advertised MB experience. So far that experience has disappointing, how this brand is selling these cars at 60k is a mystery when BMW, Audi and other luxury makers provide better tech, HP and luxury for the same price.
I own a 535i M sport as well and being lowered on HR springs and riding on 20" M5 wheels, the ride quality is much smoother and responsive compared to the stock E350 sport.
The interior's look/feel and tech make you wonder how these two cars are in the same price range and considered competitors.
This is simply my opinion, MB is failed to impress, right now the plan is to keep the car for a little over a year and sell for an Audi A6 2012+ hopefully in that time frame my opinion will change but I doubt it.
I have owned an E350 for a few weeks now, my car is a 2011 CPO. My 535i feels and drives like a car that cost much more then the E350 when they are both in the same price range new. The back up camera is one of many options that I am surprised to find in a 60k car.
I have owned the following cars, 2007 335i coupe, P+, sport, cold weather, comfort access. The interior on the car from the leather, user interface and look and feel was much better then my current 2011 E350.
Not to get into too much detail but I have owned a 2008 G35 sport sedan, 2011 g37 sport sedan, Audi A4 P+ all cars that had better tech then the e350 and interior then the e350.
What also is strange is exposed hinges in the trunk and other parts of the car which you would expect to be covered for a sedan in this price range.
I have had regretted buying the E350 from day one, it is my DD and there are certain things I do like but other things that really bother me every time I get into the car. I change daily drivers once every 2 years. I like to have fun with my cars as I have loved every car I have owned and this time around I elected to go with the E350 to experience the much talked about and advertised MB experience. So far that experience has disappointing, how this brand is selling these cars at 60k is a mystery when BMW, Audi and other luxury makers provide better tech, HP and luxury for the same price.
I own a 535i M sport as well and being lowered on HR springs and riding on 20" M5 wheels, the ride quality is much smoother and responsive compared to the stock E350 sport.
The interior's look/feel and tech make you wonder how these two cars are in the same price range and considered competitors.
This is simply my opinion, MB is failed to impress, right now the plan is to keep the car for a little over a year and sell for an Audi A6 2012+ hopefully in that time frame my opinion will change but I doubt it.
#35
MBWorld Fanatic!
Try Lexus LS460, so you will figure out that MB has a perfect camera. And do not tell me for Audi, they quoted me $1000 for same car which MB quoted me $500. For twice less I can live with not so good camera. Actually I do not understand why people need camera. any neck problems?
#36
Not to quibble but a 1-second difference 0-60 is pretty substantial number wise and is not on the same performance level. If the 0-60 time was 20 seconds, yes, but not when we are talking 5-6 seconds.
#37
MBWorld Fanatic!
matters in a race, but if your 2014 makes you feel good when you get on it, then that's good enough in my book.
my friend's m37 'feels' faster in certain situations than my e550 but it's more about the sound (or lack of soundproofing), throttle response, shift points, etc. than a stopwatch even though my car smokes his.
my friend's m37 'feels' faster in certain situations than my e550 but it's more about the sound (or lack of soundproofing), throttle response, shift points, etc. than a stopwatch even though my car smokes his.
#38
MBWorld Fanatic!
Think about a 1981 S-Class: Optional airbags, Tape Deck with LCD display, fader built into the center console. LCD Temperature guage. 8 Way power front seats with the first logical switch EVER. Completely silent automatic sunroof. Power windows controlled from a central location. Automatic Antenna, available rear-power seats, self leveling suspension. Optional ABS. With the facelift: headlamp washers and wipers, automatic rear head rests, power telescoping steering wheel. Standard front airbags. Optional traction control.
All of these things were on the cutting edge at the time.
They're still doing advancements in driving tech (radar cruise control in the 2000 S-Class, etc), but anything that comes down to entertainment electronics are just horrible.
#39
Member
Exactly...I suppose we should shun power steering, cruise control, power brakes and automatic transmissions as well.
BTW Ford's backup camera with curving guidelines is very nice as well!
#40
This seems to be an older thread. Are you guys talking about the camera of 2014 E class. It seems to have all the lines which I would like to see. Regarding the sportiness of a car, that should be a different thread IMO. Thanks.
#41
MBWorld Fanatic!
Yes! They were discussing the 2014 E class that they owned in 2012!
#42
Junior Member
Backup camera
I was disappointed with the absence of guidelines on the camera (2012 E350 sport). But I see a lot commenters have mixed views about it. I've learned to live with it though. And I find it helpful, but you do need to keep a sharp eye at the very top of the screen to look out for oncoming traffic. As far as backing into a parked car, the camera is extremely accurate. If the view of the other car disappears, you know it because you just bumped into it. If you can still see the other car, you are okay.
Other issues: the ride is harsh/stiff on poor pavement. The biggest annoyance is the absence of lighting for many of the various buttons on the instrument panel. Try to find the button at night, or even during the day, that recirculates the air so that you don't have breathe in foul odors. My old 7 series 1995 BMW had a button right on the steering wheel that shut off outside air. Another annoyance: the turn signal indicators are not visible for me based on my height (5' 10") and the steering adjust I prefer. The steering wheel blocks the indicators, and with road noise and aging hearing, I sometimes am not aware the turn signal is still on when it should have turned off a long time ago. Embarrassing. But one thing I do love is the driver's seat, which has bladders that inflate when rounding a turn to keep me locked in.
Other issues: the ride is harsh/stiff on poor pavement. The biggest annoyance is the absence of lighting for many of the various buttons on the instrument panel. Try to find the button at night, or even during the day, that recirculates the air so that you don't have breathe in foul odors. My old 7 series 1995 BMW had a button right on the steering wheel that shut off outside air. Another annoyance: the turn signal indicators are not visible for me based on my height (5' 10") and the steering adjust I prefer. The steering wheel blocks the indicators, and with road noise and aging hearing, I sometimes am not aware the turn signal is still on when it should have turned off a long time ago. Embarrassing. But one thing I do love is the driver's seat, which has bladders that inflate when rounding a turn to keep me locked in.
#43
Super Member
Another annoyance: the turn signal indicators are not visible for me based on my height (5' 10") and the steering adjust I prefer. The steering wheel blocks the indicators, and with road noise and aging hearing, I sometimes am not aware the turn signal is still on when it should have turned off a long time ago. Embarrassing.
Engineers need to sit in the cars they design at least once --- I'll bet they never do.
Last edited by Live Oak; 08-04-2014 at 03:48 PM.
#44
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2012 E-350 Sport
The biggest annoyance is the absence of lighting for many of the various buttons on the instrument panel. Try to find the button at night, or even during the day, that recirculates the air so that you don't have breathe in foul odors. My old 7 series 1995 BMW had a button right on the steering wheel that shut off outside air. Another annoyance: the turn signal indicators are not visible for me based on my height (5' 10") and the steering adjust I prefer. The steering wheel blocks the indicators, and with road noise and aging hearing, I sometimes am not aware the turn signal is still on when it should have turned off a long time ago.
As far as the B/U camera, it's decent - but in a former life I drove trucks, so something as small as a car, is nothing to manuever in tight confines forwards or back! If you rely totally on little lines to make up for a head turn, you're prob just a few back ups away from a fender bender! All car makes have their little quirks and quims, so I thoroughly research before I buy, if it's a deal killer for me, then I'll just buy something else!
#45
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White E350 W212 with Panorama Roof
I have to agree, for the price I pay for the Mercedes, it is not a good camera.....my 2012 Sienna Minivan has a better camera then that. If there are some rain or little snow, that camera is useless. I think it is the location that Mercedes put that camera at is just horrible. I have seen others like Inifinite has a better camera system then this.
However, I just don't trust the camera at all, I turn my head and shoulder when I am backing up, I trust my eye and I am OLD SCHOOL.........
However, I just don't trust the camera at all, I turn my head and shoulder when I am backing up, I trust my eye and I am OLD SCHOOL.........
#46
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2010 E350 Sedan, 2010 Prius II
September 14, 2153
Mercedes is really light years behind BMW. I put my E3900 in self-fly to home and it actually landed on my next door neighbor's pod......
Everything in life is relative.
Mercedes is really light years behind BMW. I put my E3900 in self-fly to home and it actually landed on my next door neighbor's pod......
Everything in life is relative.
#49
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Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
Some Porsche guys are complaining that their rearview cameras suck way too much to uphold the quality of the car otherwise, as well. Then there are occasional owners posting pics of really good cameras, so there seems to be differences in suppliers even within the same model cars in some cases.
So rest assured, you're not alone.
So rest assured, you're not alone.
#50
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2014 E350 4Matic, Luxury, Indigo Blue Met
Can't generalize about MB backup cameras, since they're all not the same. My 2014 E350 has the 360 camera option. I have to negotiate a tight turn around a stone wall when I pull out of my garage onto the driveway. Here, the guidelines really help me since they predict the path of the car and let me know if I'll clear that wall. I also flick on the camera (Favorites button) when parking to make sure I'm sitting square in the space and the front/back end of the car is within the markings. Only problems I have are seeing the views in dim light or very bright sun.