jewilis

Just took delivery of my new E450. I ordered it last November and 6 months later it finally arrived. A few disappointments:

• Unable to disable the touchpad. That option has disappeared, but was available in previous years. With the huge touchscreens, the touchpad is redundant.
• The dashcam has to be manually started everything you start the car. It should have to automatically start like all the other dashcam's on all the other vehicles and available as aftermarket.
• The wireless charging cradle to too small for a standard smartphone and will not work. My Galaxy S20 and my Wife's S10 will not completely fit in the cradle and thus will not charge.

I contacted MBZ customer care and just got canned answers, no solutions, recommendations, or concern. They really are useless

Eaton

Fun fact: There is an auto-record feature for the dashcam app, but it's explicitly disabled in the US market. Auto-record is even mentioned in the manual.

jewilis

Thanks. I saw that in the manual, but no one at MBZ can tell me why it is disabled in the USA.

konigstiger

I’m sure the one of the suits over @ MBUSA legal could answer your question. Some states have privacy laws that make it illegal to record i.e.: recording interactions with the police.

donarizon

I agree with your comments. I've had my E 450 for four months and have noticed the same shortcomings. But since Android Auto requires that the phone be plugged in anyway, I don't mind the wireless charging cradle not working.

I've been quite disappointed with the car's built-in navigation system. It seems like it has a lot of bugs. So I use Google Maps on my phone through Android Auto, which is much more user-friendly. Makes me wonder why I paid extra for the enhanced navigation option.

I also agree with your comment about MB Customer Care ... very disappointing thus far.

Egonvdv

In Europe it seems to be different in each country.
Here in France for instance, the option still isn't available, though there is no law against dashcams.

Cao Black

To Protect & Serve...just don't video tape me while I'm doing it. There's something constitutionally wrong with that.

JTK44

I know others will disagree, but I use WAZE on my 2019 E450 not MB navigation. If I could opt out of MB navigation and save money I would.

Egonvdv

Waze is very good. maybe even better than tomtom.

unfortunately i just realised that i won't have apple carplay in my next car
i was sure it was integrated in comand, but turns out it's a 400 euro option.

TimInCA

But Tesla's dash cam records ALL THE TIME assuming you have it set up and the thumb drive installed (this is in the USA). I don't know why MB would not auto record at start up. I have a 22 E450 Cab on order (with this feature). Will be pretty disappointing that I need to "remember" to enable on each drive. The dash cam on my Tesla already captured when I was hit (actually tapped) from behind, unfortunately the MB dash cam system is only the front view (which is nearly not at effective).

Here's a link to my rear bumper getting "kissed". https://www.reddit.com/r/TeslaLounge...xpensive_kiss/

ua549

Virtually every state has a group of laws regarding recording someone without their express consent. Generally one is not in serious trouble unless they share the recording with others. In Alabama, the covert filming of individuals while they were trespassing on private properties was considered unlawful surveillance. This may sound strange to many. It’s considered an aggravated offense to record anyone, in any place, while the individual has an expectation of privacy, without their prior express written consent.

I surmise that when sneaking around one may have an expectation of privacy.

Egonvdv

In France you are not allowed to film a fixed spot in your street, but in and around your house is.
As for a dashcam; as it's not filming anything in particular, it's allowed

e55phil

If you use CarPlay you can not use the dash cam as they both use the same USBC port. Not well considered. The other day I rented a Ford from Hertz, the USB and USBC port were illuminated so you could find them in the dark. What a good idea. I agree the wireless charging port is too small. Also if you are using CarPlay the wireless charging is redundent. The ports would have been better in the console and we should have a dash cam port and a CarPlay port.

Elvisfan0108

That is amazingly dumb. I looked at an E. I liked the idea of the dash cam. I would have been sorely disappointed.

Egonvdv

BTW, how does it work exactly?

in order to have the dashcam you need augmented reality, but this doesn't mean you automatically get the dashcam feature .

is it a paid feature (like remote parking ), that you can order through the app (IF available in once country) ?

because on the Dutch website, i see they sell the dashcam as an option in the configuration.
So that would mean it is NOT just a subscription ..???

Just trying to figure out if i can add it later, once it becomes available in France...

W205C43PFL

Hmmm, good question. Thanks for bringing it up as it made me curious as well. I think that is region specific, for example, in Canada it is a standalone option.
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...86c8b1ffee.png

Egonvdv

the way i understand it, is that you need option augmented reality + option 21U (the dashcam feature)

so the actual camera is already there as it's part of the augmented reality, which leaves the question; what IS 21U exactly ?
- it seems to me it's purely a software option ?

But then it's weird that in the Netherlands/Canada it shows up as an OPTION in the configuration (and not as subscription).

W205C43PFL

Yes perhaps it may just be a software option for the dashcam but I am not sure because when I go on the Canadian configurator, all I had to do was select the dashcam it didn't even tell me to select MBUX related stuff especially didn't ask me to select augmented reality so I am not sure what is up with that.
Edit: Ah that makes more sense, AR is standard here for the E450. So ya, it is really a software thing since you said the hardware is already there. I don't see why they would charge a subscription to use this dashcam feature, especially how it backfired when BMW charged people to use "smartphone integration"

Elvisfan0108

The dash cam may very well be software. However, the video is stored on USB. There is nothing in the US about a subscription. But having to restart the camera every time and not being able to use the camera and car play at the same time makes no sense.

BoMB

I've noticed the same thing, and numerous friends have also said this. Between Waze and Google Maps (and any other ones), built-in navigation systems are becoming unneeded. While I am not a tech guy, I think the apps are going to be more accurate, effective, and efficient than the built-in versions. That may have changed due to the evolutionary progress that has occurred, so perhaps I am wrong, but it certainly used to be that way. Thanks.

Egonvdv

so big chance i can not add the dashcam later, once it becomes available in France...
But as you say; if i have to switch it on manually each time, i'll just stick with the camera i have now

W205C43PFL

That is also region specific, I think it depends on the regulations and privacy law. I only heard that the dashcam has to be switched on manually for the USA but it might be different for other countries, not too sure about France for example. If it doesn't have to do with regulations it might just be due to a decision based on many reasons that MBUSA made. Just make sure to test drive the vehicle with the option and see if it requires you to switch it on manually once you turn the car off and back on again.
Edit: Looks like you talked about regulations and things a few posts up so according to that information you provided, there might? be a slight possibility of MB France doing the same thing MBUSA did.

BoMB

While I do not understand how to use the dash cam, camera, recording, etc. -- I will say this -- I would think there are potential (inherent, numerous, and multi-faceted) "legal" and "liability" issues in and around this discussion.

Egonvdv

still it doesn't make sense.

you can legally buy a dashcam pretty much in every country around the world.

Plus, they all switch on when you start driving.

So why it should be different with an integrated cam is beyond me
(whether it is the auto-on function, or the availability in general)

BoMB

That I suspect is the key -- "YOU" can do something, intentionally, with intention, motivation, free will, choice, and then you take action, under the guise you understood. That as opposed to something YOU didn't directly do, as well as everything else. Does it make sense? Logically, no. But who said the law is logical? Or, should I say, who said lawyers are logical, LOL.