I'm sure most parents would agree that if their child's survival was dependent on live animal testing, most would accept the ethical risk. I'm sure we have no idea how many primates have been injected with HIV strains to research ways to combat the illness in humans. But these are life and death needs we hope won't always be needed to combat life threatening disease. Diesel emission testing however, seems to not, at least IMHO, fall in the same category of need.

This is my last post in this vastly off topic thread.

Not sure why you'd even put the diesel testing, done very recently in the same category as smoke tests of the 60s? Please let me know how they even relate given the half century it's been since those tests took place. I'm sure we can find many many examples of tests performed decades ago we can't even fathom today. But the diesel tests were done in this decade, as in just within the last 2 years. And I totally disagree the smoke tests were even needed at that time. All one had to do was visit hospitals full of people dying from smoking related illnesses. It didn't take a doctor to determine smoking IS VERY BAD for you.

Since you are too lazy to do a simple search, Florida statutes 316.062 and 705.102 cover it. There are other laws in Florida that cover some specific situations regarding rendering aid and reporting..

It seems that you think that something doesn't exist if you can't see it. How ostrich of you.

Unforeseen consequences?
 

What happens when you touch a touchscreen with a cloth? Unforeseen consequences? Can you turn it off first?

Like I do with my iPad, iPhone and Laptop, I clean the screen powered off. And one should never use an ammonia based glass cleaner like Windex on electronic screens.

Beta Model
 

You got it right concerning the C-Class that was new for MY 2015. It was also a new factory on a new continent and a new engine design. I knew that being a first adapter was taking a chance, but I really wanted the interactive cruise control. Indeed, that feature has made a big difference to my very elderly, very nervous wife. She still has her moments, but she can tell herself that the radar never gets tired and never gets distracted.

But the list of defects would go on for two pages, From mismatched trim (a very common complaint) and a sunglasses holder that wouldn't stay shut to a rebuild of the bottom end of the engine (almost a month at the dealer), I had it. Other owners commenting in MBWorld had it worse. Some got new cars, EVEN AT THEIR DEALER'S INITIATION! (My bottom end engine rebuild for The Dreaded Wristpin Tolerance Problem was also at my dealer's initiation. I had taken my car in for the very common driver's window wind noise problem. Special acoustic glass was installed.)

On the original direction of the discussion - MBUX is a immensely expanded "voice control" system in 2-ways - 1st, similar to the S-Class voice control commands have been expanded to control expanded cabin comfort/convenience features - 2nd, the interactive/intelligent voice interface is provided from the MB thru Bluetooth to MBUX app in your Smartphone - which in turn connects up to the Cloud (think SIRI, think Google Home, think Alexa - instead it's Hey Mercedes - or Hi Mercedes as the portal opening cue).

The touchscreen interface - which is also augmented by a new/much improved touch pad (thank Gawd) - is to allow control of the major control/cabin systems in the event you are NOT a Smartphone equipped driver - and/or if you are someone who prefers NOT to use MBUX Smartphone enabled voice connectivity - and/or if your native spoken language is not covered by MBUX - or if your challenged to provide understandable vocal Comands.

I have no comment on the "10 Monkey's" - other than it was downright idiotic - manufacturer sponsored "scientific research outfits" are much-too-common thru out many industries - and frankly Euro is much more upset on this whole misfire than we are here in the US - poor manufacturer corporate oversight on this outfit for sure - damn shame.

Their emissions deception continues to cost them $$$$$$

https://www.motorauthority.com/news/...diesel-scandal

just saw the new a6 yesterday....looks really good tho lol. only saw the exterior as it was driving by.

I've never really like Audi's design language personally. I like how BMW's look, but Audi, not so much. And I have no doubt Audi cars are very well made and very nice to drive.

The only Audi I had was a 2006 A4. To me this was one of the best rear end designs, even today. All subjective of course. That said, they bought it back. I was driving their loaners far more than my car.

Pardon me, I am NOT a sh** disturber, in fact, I rarely even comment on controversial topics because I just don't like stirring the pot.

To those of you who feel like Audi/VW's dieselgate scandal is something that means you will never support VAG, that's totally your call, and whatnot. MB's hands are certainly not clean, and I don't even have to go that far (WW2 anyone?). Anyways, I'm sorry if I have upset anyone with this comment, but as far as I'm concerned, I care about:

1) Ride/comfort
2) Reliability
3) insert variable here.

The other stuff is moot to me. But that's just me.

Just saw the new 3 series, looks really good and seems to have grown bigger in size. Its about time BMW and AUDI starts paying attention to the exterior, BENZ has been killing it for the past few years.

That is why I bought the E Class. It looked classier than BMW, Audi and Lexus (which reminded me of a bottom feeding fish).

I'm extremely biased having previously led the teams that built all of the current and next-gen Audi MMI technologies. Despite my allegiance, I have an E63S Wagon on order, solely as a **** you to my colleagues at AoA who won't bring over the RS6 Avant. If it were sold here, I wouldn't be buying the E63S. The technologies in the new A6/A7/A8/Q8 are leaps and bounds better than anything Mercedes has an offer currently. VAG still edges out MBUX by a fair bit. The gap will grow once Audi finally ships Audi AI for semi-autonomous driving.

I left VAG due to the diesel emissions issue and have protected whistleblower status. Woo. Take it from an insider, VAG isn't the only bad actor. The things I've seen will make many want to dust off their bicycles.

MMI sure as !@#$ better be improving, as it has not been good in the past. It has been down right archaic so far. I feel similarly about COMAND. I-drive started out as a complete mess but has become my favorite.

I've become so accustomed to Comand. From a pretty awful system years ago, it's actually become a pretty decent one lately. It does what I need a system to do. And I have Zero, Zip, Nadda, NO interest in having to learn a whole new interface. No I don't.

That's fair. I suspect both of us will have all kinds of fun learning MBUX in the future :)