bigslick7878

So I have a 2015 S Class, and am trying to find an E Class with the distronic/steering assist feature for my mother who is older and could really use that feature.

Is there a specific package I should be looking for, and how common was that option on this car (in 2015/2016)? I did a quick search on Auto Trader and only came up with a few within a couple hundred miles after I checked the "adaptive cruise control" option on the features sidebar. There were 700 results otherwise just regular E Class models. Most of the models that came up after I checked the box for adaptive CC were 2019 and newer, and I was trying to find something a little older/cheaper. I know they started offering it on E Class in 2015, but doesn't seem to be much out there from 2016-2018 unless the search is missing something.

So how hard will it to be to find one 2015-2017 year range? Thanks.

velryba

The year 2016 is where model W212 changed into W213.
I do not know about W212, but in W213 both options are only as optional extras, not part of the Premium or Premium Plus option.
On autotrader you will need to go through each car, as advertisers are not always clicking the right boxes for you to find it just by using the search.
Mind you, the adaptive cruise control is "easy" to spot, as the star in the front grill is filled, as that is where the sensors are hidden.
Also when I was looking for mine W213, in autotrader going by the model, they will come up only from 2017 and you are missing out on a good deal on 2016 W213.
So I did the search specified by year..... more work, but got what I was after.

BenjaminKohl

In the US, even though they started sales in mid 2016, they were 2017 model years. All 2016s were still W212.

beechcamp

I recently bought my 3rd previously owned E-Class with Distronic and Parking Assist.

Look hard enough and you'll find E-Class cars with Distronic, etc. Some dealers websites are better than others for filtering for options. Cars that have the P3 designation (Premium Package 3) will have Distronic and Parking assist. Some dealers are better than others with inventory. Some will rarely have a car with P3 and others will get them regularly.

bigslick7878

Yeah I figured I would need to sift through the listings. But great tip, I was going to do this but look for the button on the interior. Probably easiest way to find them is just looking at front end.

cetialpha5

Also use a vin decoder. I've used the search function before for distronics and it basically doesn't work as dealers have no clue what they have or they're too lazy to actually specify out the options. Lots of post here from people who want to know if their car has a function that the dealer said it had but it turns out the dealer lied. Only the vin decoder will tell you if it really has that option or not. Usually you want the driver assistance package. And yes in the US, 2016 is the last year for the W212. Then you got a 302hp V6, in 2017+, they went with a 4 cylinder that was 241hp in the E300, went to 255hp in 2020 in the E350. 2016 also had android auto/apple carplay which could be enabled, 2015 didn't.

https://www.lastvin.com/

bigslick7878

Yeah I'm now leaning towards a 2017 because I'm seeing that is when it got the "mini S class" treatment inside and out. The infotainment screen looks identical to the S Class and it is massive compared to the one from 2016 E Class. Tailights and front end restyled as well. And they are actually not as much as I thought they would be even used. You can get a really nice one low miles for around 30k easily.

cetialpha5

Yeah but 2017+ was basically a turbo 4. Some felt it was under powered but for an older driver, probably not that important. There was also an upgraded E400/E450 that was still a V6 but those are harder to find and more money. I'm not a big fan of the 2017+ exterior styling, the C, E and S class all end up looking the same. The interior does seem nicer though.

NbyNW

I also wanted and found a wagon with that feature. With spotty dealer information the best way I found was to look at the top of the windshield for the two camera openings vs one for non-distronic cars. Also look on the left side of the steering wheel for distronic controls - mainly the button that controls following distance.

W205C43PFL

Another way to tell is from the vehicle's exterior pictures, identify the MB grille star if it is flat finish vs 3D, if it is the former it has DISTRONIC.
Pictures to help illustrate:

With DISTRNOIC
https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/uXMAA...LAV/s-l300.jpg
Without DISTRONIC
http://www.laglobalparts.com/Tools/G...33cb9ee553.JPG

W205C43PFL

Not to be confused by this though, this does not have DISTRONIC and it started appearing on some MY19 models.
https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/Kn0AA...5nw/s-l300.jpg

As you can see although it has the same mirror like finish as DISTRONIC, this is the standard MB star and if you look closely, the star protrudes while the DISTRONIC one is completely flush/flat.

JTK44

Keep in mind:

I have 2019 E450 Luxury Styling and Distronic: I do not have the "Mercedes Star". The "Mercedes Star" on the grill is only on the sport styling.

The Distronic is included in the driver assist package.

JTK44

Does you mother use cruise control when she is driving? If not then Distronic is of no value. I know a lot of older people have never become comfortable with cruise control: I love it and use it all the time: My wife refuses to use it - she doesn't trust it.

W205C43PFL

Good catch, in that case, pay attention to the gloss covers on the grille.

Elvisfan0108

I had to order my car to get the Driver’s Assistance Package. ACC is standard on lesser cars. Optional on MB.

cetialpha5

That's MB for you. Folding rear seats were always standard on many lesser cars but only MB made it optional although now they're starting to make it standard. To be fair though, on their older cars, the seat cushions also folded up so the back laid down flatter or could be removed so you couldn't do that on lesser cars. Same with keyless go, all 4 door handles have separate lock/unlock buttons plus the trunk and gas cap were also part of it. Lesser cars only do the front doors or only have one button that does both lock/unlock.

Elvisfan0108

My Acura MDX has all 4 doors.