The topic has been discussed before…..but bringing it to the front again: I am a bit disappointed with MBrace2….back with the rollout of the new MY13 GL they were saying that it would allow you to receive a "monthly diagnostic" on the vehicle via email….and the same ability via your smartphone. Never happened….so I called them; they seem to be aware of what I talking about but at the same time "clueless!" Upon further questioning they said they "currently do not have the capability to do remote diagnostics"…..the "vehicle location" function ( via smart phone app ) also is mostly useless since you must be within 1 mile or less of the vehicle. The internet connectivity apps are agonizingly slow…… you can do much better with your smart phone. So……unless I need to call for Roadside…..not sure the benefit and feel as if they have stalled out on the development of the service. Just my opinion…..

 

I agree. The only thing I use is the send destination from Google Maps function. I have never pressed those buttons; no need to do so. All other promises have gone unanswered. I did test the valet protect the other day and it does work. They just updated mine and as they made clear: no new features or capabilities. The bottom line is that I am having serious doubts that I will find the $20/month expenditure to be worth it. It is nice to know that I have an easy way to call for help or it will do so in an accident, but they will either need to add a substantial list of features or significantly reduce the price.

Even the website where you can use the online tools for mBrace has always said that they would have it for Safari soon. Soon has now been at least a year. Clearly, they are not investing in this product and from my perspective, neither should we. mBrace is a bit a dissapointment.

 

[QUOTE=Steve Maislin;5843424]I agree. The only thing I use is the send destination from Google Maps function. I have never pressed those buttons; no need to do so. All other promises have gone unanswered. I did test the valet protect the other day and it does work. They just updated mine and as they made clear: no new features or capabilities. The bottom line is that I am having serious doubts that I will find the $20/month expenditure to be worth it. It is nice to know that I have an easy way to call for help or it will do so in an accident, but they will either need to add a substantial list of features or significantly reduce the price.

Even the website where you can use the online tools for mBrace has always said that they would have it for Safari soon. Soon has now been at least a year. Clearly, they are not investing in this product and from my perspective, neither should we. mBrace is a bit a dissapointment.[/QUOTE

Absolutely…. the idea of "in car connectivity" first started , I believe, with "On Star" and was really a great idea and service….however….the smart phone/tablet revolution has made much of the "in car" stuff obsolete….the roadside assist function and auto call if an accident are good things to have…but the rest is almost useless and the cost exorbitant! You are right…..what they say they "will have" and what they have produced don't match!

 

I dropped mine as soon as the trial period expired.

 

I also agree, it's only value in my mind is the send to MB function for the navigation, which I use quite a bit, and the hopefully never used piece of mind in the case of an accident. The price for that is too much, and I also agree they don't seem to be investing in making it better/more attractive with new or even promised features.

I did like on my 2007 when they called me because the alarm went off on my vehicle. Turns out my wife triggered it somehow at home, and it was fun to call her and ask if she was having a problem with the Mercedes.

 

YESSSS!
Finally! blittle has a complaint.

 

I just dropped Mbrace and I will not reconnected unless that they get their act together and release the "Vehicle Diagnostics" feature.
The 2013 brochure indicated the availability of this feature on "late 2012"
The 2014 brochure indicated the availability of the feature on "late 2013"
I also never received the aleged Mbrace firmware update.
It is sad for Mercedes-Benz that their technology loaded cars are frozen on time when it comes to keeping them properly updated.

 

Dropped mine too on both GL and GLK after trial period.

 

If you remember, before mbrace there was teleaid. Mb dropped teleaid because of crappy glitches and limited capabilities IMO. Deja vu all over again.

 

If it does not become far less expensive or add substantial value, I won't be paying beyond the two years I presently have left.

 

Exactly!

 

HA! I have plenty of complaints……most of em just aren't related to my vehicle!

 

 

Seems to be the same complaints over and over:
1. Second row automatic seats and the headrests
2. Parktronic parallel parking is a gimmick and a waste of money
3. mBrace2 is a sad example of poor performance and lack of commitment and a stain on MB
4. Intelligent Headlamps that only work over 35mph
5. Paddle shifting that is way, way too slow.

 

1,2, and 3 … I agree. #4, I think the programed speed is lower than 35, but I guess they have their reasons for it….I find it annoying and use the rotary switch to get around it, but other than that have been very pleased with the adaptive system out on the highway.

#5 was one that I had not heard and probably not aware of…… I rarely use the paddle shift…except on a snow covered back road in Vermont when I want to move at slow speed and use the engine braking power of low gear on a downhill. That being said the ON/OFF road package gives me the full manual control of the trans. through the paddles if I wish to engage that function.

 

Apparently, in the 2014, they updated the software so the lights start working at between 15 and 20mph. I called the dealership and asked to have mine updated. They said no update is available. This is unfortunate, but I sure hope it becomes available. Like you, I turn the switch to the right when in the area where I live, some long and winding-wooded roads. Not a huge problem, but a bit annoying.

 

I just got delivery of an SLK 250. Took the trial and I only have three words..."it totally sucks"!
Can't get onto Pandora because it states that licensing agreement only allow Pandora in the US. ? New York is in the US. When I called MBUSA the reason they gave is because the components are german.... Are we that stupid. You can get a Ford Focus with Pandora for $13,000 or a GM with OnStar, but a $55,000 MB mbrace won't work. Might as well give a 1 year free trial because nothing works...

 

I just took delivery of a fully loaded 2014 Ford Fusion Hybrid…..the in-car electronic interface is all a product of Microsoft and is based on the assumption ( right or wrong ) that today's buyers have a smart phone that the vehicle can interconnect with and make possible the roadside assist and whatever else. It apparently was glitchy in its first couple of years ….but WOW I am impressed with how cleanly, reliably and logically it works!!! Beats the Mbrace and voice control in my GL hands down! MB has had plenty of time to make their system first class but that has not happened. Still…..the best luxury SUV on the market!

 

I switched from Teleaid to MBRACE a couple of years ago. I received a lifetime subscription with the payment of a one time transfer fee as long as I keep the vehicle. Rarely use any of the services. I have been driving in area where there are no cell phone services and MBRACE was available.

 

As automotive communication tech moves to the acceptance that all of us are carrying smart phones…… your point is what scares me! IF there is cell coverage, the tech that my Ford Fusion uses makes sense and works great….. but I, like you, travel with my GL into areas that there is NO cell coverage, and I have tested the Mbrace and it does work!! In that respect, Mbrace is very good as was On Star in an earlier vehicle that I had.

 

Question for those of you that got the mbrace2 'mercedes-benz apps' outlined here: http://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/mbrace/packages - or at least the free trial...

Did it actually come with traffic cameras? How do they look? And also the gas prices? Just curious how some of these things are integrating with the maps or interface. Screenshots would be appreciated!

 

Junk…..useless!