osunsas

Just looked at the credit card statement and saw a 300 dollar charge for Embrace. But seem to remember a 30 dollar monthly charge as well. Then I'm also paying Sirius for traffic info?? What the hell am I doing folks. The only thing I get out of the the extra monthly mbrace charge is I get to talk to someone and have them send directions to my navigation system, but it takes FOREVER to get to a voice. (Jon Hamm has a lovely voice, but I don't need to hear it when I'm in a hurry) Anyone figured out a way to use google maps to connect to my system? Looking for suggestions. Unfortunately, Benz has made entering an address into navigation purposefully difficult.

SaniDel

I've used MBrace only a few times to get directions to unfamiliar destinations. The few times I've used it a person was on the line in a 'reasonable' amount of time, they found the unfamiliar destinations and successfully downloaded them into the navigation system, which got me to the unfamiliar destinations.

If I had the time and the foresight, I would have manually entered unfamiliar destinations while at home, which is slow and difficult enough, but impossible while on the road ... no one has the time for that! For those few times, MBrace "earned its keep".

Is it worth what it costs? Definitely not for me. For a "traveling salesman" who goes to new destinations every day and doesn't know in advance where he's going ... definitely worth what it costs. For those in the middle between those extremes ... it might be worth what it cost, which is why MB keeps the price high ... and may be why they make manual address entry so difficult!

osunsas

When Google Maps beats the Mercedes navigation system, that's a problem. I'm going to try connecting my phone to the car, and see how that works. At least I might hear the directions on the stereo. Looking for suggestions because I'd really like to dump this.

fabbrisd1

If you have iPhone - sure - give it a whirl thru BlueTooth..

blittle

Just jumping in here for a second....I've been away for a year now ( Caddy Escalade ) but wanted to say OnStar in the GM cars is only marginally better than my previous years with Embrace.....and just as expensive! $300/yr I really never used Embrace except to send directions to the system from my computer....the same with OnStar. I will say that the remote app that comes with OnStar IS very functional compared to the Embrace app. All in all.... I think ( for those having a smart phone and all its capabilities ) the days of the "Embrace and OnStar" type systems are limited.

Steve Maislin

If you cancel, you get back a prorated amount. Worked for me!

osunsas

Update: So I learned that the new version of my car, (E350), has apple Car Play, which allows my phone to work with the Nav system, ending the need for MBrace. But I'm never going to pay 60k for a four cyl, no matter how much the salespeople scream it's just as good as my six cyl. I can get an aftermarket upgrade for my current car, but it's about 1000 dollars. Considering it if I keep this car, since it will eliminate my need for embrace. Big picture: I'm sour on Benz because of this, and this is the last Benz I will own. Next car will likely be a Tesla.

mustbebenz

Are you intending to come off as an ignorant troll, osunsas? Google Maps beats lots of systems, I'm told even the hallowed Siri. Perhaps you should consider testing the new car features that you care about most before you take the big plunge. The difficulties in syncing device to car or entering navigational instructions didn't materialize after purchase, they existed before you showed up at the dealership. Turbocharged, direct injected, 2 L four-cylinder engines are the power plants of the present and the future. Many of them shame the performance of engines twice their size or more from just two generations of cars back. Last I checked, there's not even a single cylinder in a Tesla at even twice that price. Furthermore, there's good reason why they just poached the lead interior guy from Volvo once you look past their big tablet. I think you should jump on that thousand dollar upgrade and keep your present car, but be sure to get that aftermarket company to toss in a supply of breath mints to kill that sour taste. I don't drink of the MB kool aid, still despite my open mind I find that your attitude, sir or madam, makes it tough to feel any sympathy towards your predicament.

DC-BENZ

I'm going to try the Free 3 month Mbrace service; however, I'm not so sure I see the purpose of Mbrace to only unlock doors. At best if remote start was a part of the deal Mbrace would be more worthwhile but for 200+ a year I'm not so sure.

I have been paying $60 a year for the "live" traffic thru Sirius on my '10 ML and now on my '13 GL and to me it's worth it for now.

350gunner

I just cancelled Mbrace (MercedesMe) yesterday. I found I rarely used it and FYI Waze and Google Maps are both much more accurate than Sirius traffic.

I am annoyed that I had to curtly interrupt the "specialist" at least 5 times in her spiel about "Am I sure I want to not have the safety features?" before finally succeeding in the cancellation. It took over 10 minutes.

DC-BENZ

I agree that Google Maps is better but not as convenient.

Mike450

Just to be clear, if you are in an accident, you will die a slow, horrible death because you don't have Mbrace. Are you sure you want to cancel?

DC-BENZ

The very reason my free trial hasn't begun is because, according to Mbrace, the info buttons get "frozen" and must be reset by the dealer. Every time I depress them I get an out of service message from Verizon.

Mike450

Not sure ifl I jinxed myself or what, but was in a minor accident Saturday where the front wheel was hit and I required a tow.

Pressed wrench button where I was connected to roadside assistance and promptly placed on hold for an indefinite amount of time. After 10 minutes or so, dialed the 800- number from cell and had towed scheduled and done within 5 minutes.

Chalk anoter reason up for those buttons being useless.

DC-BENZ

.....So I received my vehicle back from the dealer and while it was in for other end of warranty fixes I asked them to reset my "info" buttons. The dealer did its job, however Mbrace indicated they had no record of me and I'd have to start the entire registration process over again. I didn't, I now don't even want the free trial.