I couldn't pass up on Mercedes-Benz's unbeatable one-month free trial offer, which means I'll have the chance to take my EQS 450 4MATIC sedan for a ride with the upgraded acceleration monthly service. It's like giving my car a dose of "electrical steroids," and I can't wait to see how it performs! Of course, I hope the increased speed and torque doesn't turn me into an overly aggressive driver or make me feel like I'm Michael Schumacher on the road. But the ability to turn my already impressive car into a "mini 580" for a fraction of the cost is definitely intriguing. As if I needed another reason to love my EV even more! However, I have a feeling that once the trial is over, I'll miss the extra boost in performance. I'm already bracing myself for the inevitable PCT withdrawal, but I'm curious if any other EQS drivers have given this service a try and what their thoughts are on it.

Here are the specs for the upgrade at a glance:

Unleash enhanced performance for your car
Noticeable improvement in acceleration of 0.8 to 1.0 seconds (0-60 MPH)
Adjustment of the motor characteristic curve, torque and maximum output
Increased acceleration available irrespective of the DYNAMIC SELECT drive program
Boost the performance of your Mercedes-EQ
The feeling of driving your Mercedes-EQ is a new experience every day – particularly its powerful, immediate acceleration. Acceleration Increase boosts this performance even further: electronically increasing the motor's output also increases the torque significantly, giving you a faster 0-to-60 MPH time. Acceleration power you can feel.

Your advantages at a glance
Fine-tuning of the electric motors increases the maximum motor output (kW) of your Mercedes-EQ by 20 to 24%, depending on the original output from the factory. The torque is also increased, enabling your vehicle to accelerate noticeably faster and more powerfully. This shortens the time it takes to accelerate from 0 to 60 MPH by around 0.8 to 0.9 seconds. This additional output is available in all DYNAMIC SELECT drive programs.



Performance boost at a glance
Model Output Increase Acceleration Change (from 0 to 60 mph) Pricing


EQS 450 4MATIC Sedan From 355 hp to 435 hp (+80 hp) From 5.3 s to 4.5 s (-0.8 s)
Monthly: $90/month

Yearly: $900/year

Lifetime of Vehicle: $2,950

 

My thoughts… it’s a SCAM!!!

 

Congratulations on your impressive feat of wasting my precious time with irrelevant feedback. I must say, your "logically approached" conclusion would be much more impressive if it had any context or relevant data to back it up. But alas, it seems you have come here to be a nuisance. If you cannot add any value to this thread, kindly refrain from polluting it with your unhelpful comments. Your cooperation in this matter is greatly appreciated. Thank you!

 

If you used any logic you would have arrived at the same conclusion. If you need me to give you any other context other than what you initially posted then you are a lost cause and the main reason why MB is doing this… standby for Heated seats subscription, Rear wheel steering subscription, and many more…

 

Got it! If I reach a conclusion you agree with, I'm on the right path is what you are saying. Duly noted.
I'm sorry, but I don't think we can have a productive conversation on this topic. I understand and acknowledge your perspective, even if it is different from my own, I don't agree with your logic as it has been presented. The matter at hand is not always as simple as you have made it out to be, and I don't believe that we can have a constructive dialogue with such discordant starting points.

 

It is, but so are engine tunes. If its cheap I would get it. Instead of a subscription, it should be a one time buy deal.

 

Classify me in whatever way makes you feel justified and heard!
You haven't provided any relevant context yet. Asking for more seems futile since you haven't responded to the intent of this thread..I kindly request that you limit your responses to the topic at hand. The purpose of this thread is to collect feedback from those who have used the service, in order to understand its actual features, benefits or lack thereof. It's a simple concept, but if you require further clarification on the reasoning behind it, I am happy to explain.

 

[deleted]

 

Do you need that Additional 80 HP? If yes, it might be worth trying it! I would get it if it was around $1000-1500 for a lifetime

 

Disclaimer:

While the following sentiment and the majority of this post aren't directed toward you or your post. I generally don't engage with generic, knee-jerk comments from individuals who fail to bring relevant value to the discussion. When it comes to dealing with close-minded, generalized, divisive, and unfounded posts and comments, my approach is simple; I believe in countering such content with thoughtful and constructive responses, rather than resorting to useless arguments or dismissive remarks.

That being said.

I respect your position and get the validity of your expectation for value. It's great to see that you have set a threshold for yourself and are willing to keep an open mind. It is a crucial point that deserves attention and consideration. The distinction between needing and wanting is quite clear. While I may not require a high-performance AMG EQS boasting 649 horsepower, my desire for one is undeniable! It's hard not to be tempted by such a powerful and impressive vehicle! Once I have had a chance to experience the acceleration upgrade for a few days, I will be better equipped to determine whether or not the value proposition justifies the associated expense. Ultimately, such assessments are highly subjective and must be made individually.

I was extremely satisfied with the performance and feature set of my Mercedes-Benz EQS 450 when I first acquired it. Now, I've learned it's possible to unlock more performance and uncover more of its potential through an upgrade. In this instance, choosing this option appears more favorable than purchasing a new car.

The best part? Mercedes-Benz offers a free 30-day trial, so there's no long-term commitment. If the upgrade doesn't live up to expectations, there's no harm done. It's an excellent option for anyone looking to boost their car's performance.
I don't perceive MB as attempting to extract more money from their customers through the upgrade option any more than they would be by offering different models, trims, packages, features, and performance upgrades. In my opinion, these options share similar logic and principles.

When I acquired my new EQS, I wasn't aware of the upgrade option. However, I don't feel cheated now that I know I can unlock more performance by paying a set fee, whether subscription or flat rate-based.

For me, it might appear deceptive if the EV has hidden or limited features that require additional payment, but only if there was a misrepresentation of what was initially offered. It's logical to expect any increase in features or vehicle performance would likely result in an increase in cost. To avoid missing out on opportunities, potential buyers should research the items in question to know what is available to them; be your own advocate!

Car manufacturers offer different levels of features and upgrades in various versions of their vehicles, and the cost of these features is typically reflected in the price. Therefore, it is essential to carefully consider the features and upgrades that you need and their associated costs before making a purchase. It's essential to keep in mind that just because advanced features or upgrades are already baked into the car and hidden away until a software update releases them, it doesn't mean that they should be given to you for free, even if you find them too expensive or not worth it. Access doesn't equate to entitlement. Assuming that you'll get EQS 580 levels of performance at a 450 4Matic price is unrealistic. It's not fair to characterize this as a scam as it demonstrates poor judgment or plain ignorance. Instead, it's best to weigh the benefits and costs of each feature and upgrade and make an informed decision based on your needs and budget.

 

I think it's a scam too.

 

I don't think it is a scam but a current business practice of selling subscriptions. Think of all the businesses that you pay a subscription for and how it can be replaced with something else. Personally, I don't like subscriptions unless it is continuously giving me value month after month .The moment I find no value, I will stop my subscription.

 

And it really all depends on how pricing is handled. If you can get a basic EQS 580 for 10k below current premium trim price but without heated seats etc enabled it may actually cause more sales since some people truly don't care about that stuff and the actual cost of heated seats is likely fairly small to Mercedes. Now you have two choices: (1) Pay the premium trim price once and get those features for life of the car (2) Pay 10k less and only pay for them as you use them possibly making it cheaper to own a lease. At the end of your lease, Mercedes also now has the option to sell it as a premium trim again since they can just enable those features.

Mercedes isn't stupid, they are not going to sell a 130k trim without heated, massage seats etc already enabled. They will sell a 100k car with an option to enable them so they can make more money.

 

Scam is “a dishonest plan for making money or getting an advantage, especially one that involves tricking people”. Frankly, I do not see any fraudulent attempt in the MB EQS Acceleration Upgrade Service offer. You know what you are getting, and you know what you are paying. Plus, a free 30-day trial gives you the best opportunity to make an informed decision. This upgrade may have no value for somebody or may represent a huge deal for somebody else. I don’t think that the long list of available paid options for any given car is a scam. Same concept. Everybody makes their own determination on what is valuable or useless and decides accordingly. I call it choice! Choices are a big component in an open, civilized world. You may choose to disagree with my statement(s): If you do, let’s agree to disagree. Isn’t it wonderful!!!???

 

Here let me fix that statement for you
What a great SCAM!

If everyone just accepts this then this WILL be the norm.
Anyone that thinks MB is going to sell a vehicle with a physical item or capability and then not include that item/capability cost in the sale price is extremely naive.
MB is not going to sell thousands vehicles with a $3,000 item and then hope that a % of customers will pay for it later. That is an extremely stupid idea and any Exec that suggested such a thing would be thrown out the window of MB headquarters.
But... If an Exec suggested selling thousands vehicles, disable items/capability and then offer the customer a subscription so that they get paid twice for that item/capability by the initial customer and then again and again every time that vehicle is resold... That executive gets the bigger bonus!


I see MB selling a disabled vehicle with the intent of charging the customer again to unlock as a "dishonest plan for making money"... Hence why I called it a SCAM!
I think its sleezy business model! I am really only worried about this being the norm with cars going forward.
Its fine if MB wants to do this... I just wont buy their vehicles. I heard about the rear wheel steering scam in Europe and I was not going to buy the EQS if they tried that in the USA
But this scam started with Tesla it and it was successful. Then BMW, MB, and I am not sure who else... it is spreading. So lets not sugar coat it and just call it what it is.
Its a SCAM and there should be a law against this type of business practice.

 

The rise of subscription services appears to be an unstoppable trend, and it's not just happening with luxury automakers. Although some may consider them a scam, dismissing them entirely is unfounded and, in reality, won't change their evolution and progression. They will invariably benefit some and inspire ridicule from others, and that's okay. It's crucial to remember that personal preferences do not necessarily equate to validity or relevance. With an increasing number of companies adopting subscription-based models, it's clear that this is the future. Best of luck navigating this landscape as it evolves, and believe me, it will! I never said I was happy with it entirely, but I am aware of it, understand it, and have determined that, for me, it's of little consequence for my needs. I completely understand where you're coming from, but I have to say that your passion for this topic is palpable. It seems to me that you're not entirely on board with MB's decision, and that's okay - we all have our opinions. However, I believe that the best way to exercise our power as consumers is to vote with our wallets. So, if you don't agree with this decision, why not take your business elsewhere? Let's empower ourselves and make our voices heard! That being said, I'm not really sure that you've explained how this impact has negatively affected you. Did you have to pay for something you felt you shouldn't have? To be honest, I don't care. Your mind is made up, and that's valid for you, but you've made your point abundantly clear, and I'm not sure you can add any more to the topic as its been laid it out. I hope you respect this thread and just let the side-track die so that those who want to talk about the subject matter can do so without continued negative interference. Meanwhile, I'm going to enjoy my EQS and extreme savings! I LOVE LOVE LOVE the acceleration upgrade! I'm not sure I'll keep it yet, but for 30 days, I'm going to enjoy it and then likely return to a mere 355 HP and 0-60 time of 5.3 or 5.9 sec; I can't remember.

 

As a matter of fact yes, there was no additional hardware required for the dashcam function in my EQE SUV. I had already paid for all the hardware. That function had been crippled so they could weasel another $200 out of me after I had just given them $100,000. That's just plain cheap, like the creaky plastic they used for the interior.

 

The camera systems were originally designed to serve as part of the surround-view camera system, and not as a dashcam service. So yes the camera system was included as part of the entirety of the vehicle; the actual dashcam service/ software is not nor was ever implied as being part of your purchase. Your description of the service as "crippled" is an irrational way to express your dissatisfaction. However, due to an upgrade, the cameras can now be used as a dashcam, which should be viewed as a bonus benefit. In comparison to purchasing a quality aftermarket dashcam, which would require professional installation and monthly cloud service fees, having a baked-in service for a flat fee of $200 seems more than reasonable. It's worth noting that this service was not originally intended to be a dashcam service, and there was no information withheld or broken promises. It's possible that focusing on unsatisfactory elements of the purchase or vehicle can lead to feelings of anger, but ultimately, the satisfaction with the EQS that prompted the $100k purchase speaks for itself.
It's worth noting that the feature you were expecting was not misrepresented to you, though it would have been a nice addition. Considering you were never promised a dashcam service included with your deal, one would normally expect that if that functionality didn't exist if the desire to have a dashcam and service, one would be required to fork over several hundred dollars for a decent piece of equipment and then either paying a pro to install it or going through the extra effort to install yourself and having an extra piece of aftermarket equipment to mount and manage. The service/software's ability to utilize existing cameras as a dashcam is a testament to the convenience and ease of an integrated OEM solution. However, it's worth noting that dissatisfaction with other aspects of the vehicle may have influenced the belief that this feature should have been included in the original purchase. While the occasional creaking of the plastic element may be frustrating, do you really spend a significant amount of time pulling and tugging at the center stack and dash plastic? If not for the touching of it, it's highly likely that it's only creaking when intentionally provoked. I agree with you. I was hoping for better quality too, but I didn't really go out of my way to look for problems that would lead to the experience you're describing. It's possible that dissatisfaction with one aspect of the vehicle is being used as a reason to search for flaws in other areas. Before making a purchase, it's important to consider if there were any overlooked concerns or issues. Despite not being completely satisfied, there must have been positive aspects that influenced the decision to buy the vehicle. It's worth taking some time to reflect on whether any improvements can be made.y sense of buyer's remorse or disappointment is due to a lack of proper due diligence before making the purchase.
It seems that despite making the decision to move forward with the car, you are not entirely satisfied and are actively seeking out reasons to criticize it. While it is true that there is no perfect car without flaws, it is important to recognize that the positives of the car often outweigh its negatives. Instead of fixating on the negative aspects and voicing your discontent, it would be more constructive to focus on the overall quality of the car. This will help to demonstrate a more positive mindset and attitude. If you can't do that, then that's on you. I am personally tired of the displaced bitc$ing.

 

I think some people buy a computer loaded with an Intel 13th generation that can run all types of software, and they expect those software to be pre-installed and ready to use full feature and all. I wish, but I guess free markets don't work that way.

 

This is not quite the correct analogy.
A better analogy would be that you bought a computer with Intel 13th gen with RTX 4080, but the RTX 4080 can't be used until you pay an extra $$ to "unlock" it.

 

Another analogy would be that you've purchased a high-end computer with the latest Intel 13th-gen processor, equipped with RTX 4080. Similarly, having access to Adobe Creative Cloud for a free trial period but then needing to pay a monthly fee of $59.99 to continue using it, you still have access to all the other software on the computer. Furthermore, the trial period provides a valuable opportunity to test the features before committing to the purchase.

It's like owning an audio system that is capable of playing SiriusXM, but then getting upset and demanding that they give you their subscription for free. It's important to understand that you've only paid for the hardware, such as the radio and media interface, and the original intended purposes of those features, such as using the FM radio or connecting your phone for CarPlay. SiriusXM is simply an additional service option that you can choose to add on, but it is not included in the original purchase.

 

No, the accurate case is you bought an RTX 4070 at 4070 price but it is actually a software limited rtx 4080 that can be unlocked when you want 4080 power and when you want to pay for it that month. And if you just need 4080 for a month per year, it would actually be cheaper for you then getting 4080 outright.

Important detail is you paid for 4070 and got that.

 

This part right here!!!!!

 

There's no perfect analogy, of course. but I think we all got the point. Let the free market decide, and your opinion of the matter is noted.

 

It’s not a scam and actually a great deal: it splits the hp difference between the 450 and 580 at a price that makes the 580 not worth it. I use the acceleration increase in the summer. It makes a big difference for highway acceleration.

Porsche and most automakers do the same thing - they specifically de-tune engines then sell you an upgrade to bring it back to “normal” power. Having the same thing via subscription allows you to turn it on/off at will. I actually like the way MB did this.