michael61

> My distance rotator has 7 detent points on it between 1 second and 2 second following distance, I don't know what more anyone would like in terms of "tactile feedback" so you know how much you turned it.

I was thinking of something along the lines of a more pronounced click on one end vs the other. Some way to know if I've bumped it from min to min+1 vs max-1 to max.

My problem is that if I don't have the Distronic+ display on, I don't necessarily know what my following distance is. I end up rotating it all the way in one direction , then n clicks from that.

Another tweak would be to have the Distronic+ display come on briefly when I change the following distance. Similar to what happens when I change the speed.

I'm just brainstorming... I'm also a (ex-)software guy. Tweaking interfaces to get them just right is what I did for many years.

GregTR

Yeah, I agree that if the display would come up when you turn the knob would work although ultimately my setting would never come down to a numerical value rather than what I perceive as a safe distance by looking out the window and confirming the actual following distance in front of me which is the primary signal that triggered my hand to adjust the distance in the first place.

Dema

I just found that position 1 looks a little unsafe for my taste. Position 2 is alright for most cases. However I switch to position 3 when is rainy, considering that stopping distance is increasing.

Mes549

Ok: now I gotta go see if my hockey bag fits in the E350.

Corriefan

Thank you Greg for this excellent review. I now have a better understanding of what I have to look forward to when I get my new E350 sedan in a few weeks. I ordered it in Cavensite blue with Chestnut/black interior. I will bookmark this review because I am sure that I will need to keep reading it for a few weeks until I get used to my new MB E. Thanks again.

xxGenericSNxx

Hi Greg,
I was wondering if you could post a picture of your interior and more specifically the heated steering wheel. From the stock photos it shows a four spoke steering wheel (out of the 166 ML/GL) if ordered with the heat option and I was wondering if this is accurate.

Thanks!

Airmousam

What a write up Greg, nicely done!!

Patriot631

Wow, great review Greg. Thanks for taking the time to share with us.

pamiboy

One of the more delightful and satisfying reviews. Awesome. Makes me want to buy another couple of E class cars straightaway

RSIKR

CENTER CONSOLE

Quote "In front of the cup holders lies the ashtray and cigarette lighter, which is something I don't really understand any more. I'm a non-smoker so maybe that is why I don't get why the smoker's package is included by default on this vehicle instead of a more usable small tray and a simple power socket which is an option in the other side of the pond where ironically most would opt for the smoker's package."

To make something useful out of the ashtray, remove it from the car. Then carefully with a small screwdriver pry up the tabs on the chrome surround and remove it from the black plastic insert. You will then have the black plastic tray to reinstall which will provide you with more room for your change or other droppings. You can soundproof it with some felt and adhesive or a self adhesive sheet product if you wish. I replaced the cigarette lighter with a black plastic insert marked 12V. MB sells a small rubber like tray to take the place of the ashtray. It is less satisfactory for use than my solution.

Great report, you put a lot of effort and information in it.

thefisch

ashtray - my first mod!

need to find the 12v cap (autozone?) so I can stick the lighter insert somewhere else.

Nuru

GregTR, great review information. I recently almost bought a used 2014 E (with ~ 5k miles on it), but decided to hold off. I think I will get a used one with all the goodies later this year or early next year. This review has really made up my mind on getting Distronic plus and pre-brake.

Nuru

Yes, that sure is, that also means they can retrieve information from the car whenever they want (when it is on) - probably so can the authorities upon request via MBenz

RSIKR

I found the cigarette lighter substitute cap on the driveway of a gas station. It looks like the MB lighter except it is black hollow plastic. It had a VW logo inside cast in the plastic. When I get out to my car I can send you the part # if you need it. PM me if you want it.

thefisch

Nice find! Might need that number if I can't find something suitable at local auto parts store. Will let you know.

Phil Midland

Thanks for all the great info. I just purchased a new E350 in Indigo Blue. Your comment about the color helped us decide to get it, since the dealer could not show us one. I hope your issues with your wagon are settled.

AudiA4Turbo22

Thank you for the thorough review it helps a lot.

Just wanted to point out, I myself don't care for Sirius XM radio, but I do like the traffic feature.

Just FYI, I subscribed to Sirius traffic for $3.99/month. Cheap enough to justify it IMO

thefisch

I agree with you about Sirius. Probably going to drop it. But they did send me an offer for $25 for 5 months. Thought it included traffic, but maybe not.

AudiA4Turbo22

This whole $25 for 6 months includes like 15 channels and that's it. NO TRAFFIC and none of the sports or comedy, etc. channels.

Honestly, they have nothing interesting. I would rather use BT Audio to stream iHeart Radio or Groove.

thefisch

Forget that. I will stick to Waze.

GregTR

I was "this" close to renew my subscription after my 6 month demo was up. They sent me an offer for 6 months for $30 for the 140 channels. But just as they sent that offer T-mobile announced unlimited music streaming that does not count against your data cap so I started using Pandora instead. And +1 for waze!

CEB

If you wait then you'll get the $19.95 for 5 months - but - they are a very sleazy company and it is next to impossible to cancel. You have to sign up with a credit card and they will automatically renew you "by accident" even if you cancel. The only easy way to cancel is to sell the car - or tell them you did.

None of their offers include traffic. I got traffic for free added a few years back because the telephone rep (in the Philippines) told me it was included and when it wasn't, I escalated it to a rep in the states who apparently pulled the tapes.

Their traffic is much worse than Clearchannel or Waze - but it does show up on the big screen.

SLpat

Maybe I am just lucky or unlucky depending on how you look at it. I use my Amex for this and the card get compromised about every 6 months so I get a new card and Sirius can't charge it.

CEB

There have actually been reports of how Sirius continues the subscription and then sues customers.

Look here, here, here and everywhere else. A simple Google search brings up thousands of complaints with very similar themes. While some complaints can be boiled down to customer stupidity, the majority fall squarely on incompetent customer service. Because the errors are always in SiriusXM's favor, one must assume that this "incompetence" is really a shrewd way of screwing customers while hiding behind incompetence of their customer service team.

I voted with my wallet. I will never give SiriusXM even one digit of my credit card number.

AudiA4Turbo22

The only benefit of Sirius is that they are very loose with giving you free trials.

Just call after your 6 months is up and say that you didn't get a chance to enjoy the satellite radio for the last 6 months since you weren't driving the car much and they'll give you another 6 months of traffic and radio for free. LOL my method isn't the most honest, but it works. I only call them once a year or so for my S-Class to activate traffic if I'm going on a trip.

Another company that automatically renews is Teleaid & M-Brace. Cool features, but I hate auto renewals.