The Mercedes Me Connect experience is hugely disappointing
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The Mercedes Me Connect experience is hugely disappointing
I feel that MB did a **** poor job in implementing their Connect services. The whole thing is of beta quality and I haven't seen things improve as a matter of fact they got worse as time went on!
No Software Updates in nearly 1.5 years of ownership. There are multiple bugs that need to be addressed (e.g.backwards seat convenience feature, buggy CarPlay, vehicle not lowering on exit etc.).
They removed a lot of their Connect functionality from the Mercedes Me website - Doors and Windows, ECO display and Geofencing services are now only available in the app, no longer visible on mercedes.me.
App services are buggy: I have come to find that the Remote Start essentially might as well not exist, as it is supremely unreliable. I think I was able to use it once so far. Worked a bit better in the old app version.
Online Maps Update is quirky and the process of updating via their crappy MacOS app feels like I bought a Chinese dashcam from AliExpress. Automatic Region Map Updates work only sometimes.
My vehicle also frequently reports that a window is open or that the sunroof is open (they aren't) and I would have to start the car, open and close the window in question so its' status resets and shows properly.
The old iOS app had some issues but at least it worked fairly well. The new app refuses to refresh vehicle status upon opening and hangs onto old status with "last update xx days ago" not allowing me to remote start or unlock.
So yeah, the entire software implementation sucks, IMO.
No Software Updates in nearly 1.5 years of ownership. There are multiple bugs that need to be addressed (e.g.backwards seat convenience feature, buggy CarPlay, vehicle not lowering on exit etc.).
They removed a lot of their Connect functionality from the Mercedes Me website - Doors and Windows, ECO display and Geofencing services are now only available in the app, no longer visible on mercedes.me.
App services are buggy: I have come to find that the Remote Start essentially might as well not exist, as it is supremely unreliable. I think I was able to use it once so far. Worked a bit better in the old app version.
Online Maps Update is quirky and the process of updating via their crappy MacOS app feels like I bought a Chinese dashcam from AliExpress. Automatic Region Map Updates work only sometimes.
My vehicle also frequently reports that a window is open or that the sunroof is open (they aren't) and I would have to start the car, open and close the window in question so its' status resets and shows properly.
The old iOS app had some issues but at least it worked fairly well. The new app refuses to refresh vehicle status upon opening and hangs onto old status with "last update xx days ago" not allowing me to remote start or unlock.
So yeah, the entire software implementation sucks, IMO.
Last edited by cupecoy; Feb 14, 2021 at 08:39 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: Atlanta
2022 Mercedes EQS 580
It's nowhere near as bad as the Porsche one. That took me about 4 months and several phone calls to activate. Plus the functionality is much more limited (e.g. can unlock doors but can't lock them). Not sure any OEM has a good app. Maybe Tesla.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2018
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From: San Francisco Bay Area
2019 C63CS
They certainly have their issues. The team who built Mercedes me connect initially clearly did a bad job. I think that team got fired. There's a new team now that is rebuilding most of it. They've removed services that weren't working properly and they are bringing them back one by one. I think the web portal might go away. There isn't much of a point to it. I think everything is going to move to the phone app. OTA updates haven't been fully rolled out. Basically only home region map updates work over OTA.
Having said that, I've been using it since 2019 and it has gotten better. The new phone app works a lot better for me. I think you are conflating MBUX and Mercedes me connect, because some of the issues you are mentioning are MBUX. I have COMAND NTG 5.5 in my C63S and things work quite well, even remote start. I only use it occasionally and hit has worked every time with the new app. MBUX has some issues, though, so I suspect that some of your troubles are actually with MBUX and not Mercedes me connect. I've had a few exchanges with their support team and they are working hard to fix everything. I've gotten several issues resolved already. It's working better by the day so to speak. I use Windows and yes the map downloader is a Java application, but it works fine. There's an issue in Chrome/Chromium at the moment, but I was able to download the latest update with Firefox. I also get the OTA map updates regularly since 2019. There's only one that didn't show up, but I manually installed it on the day it came out, so maybe I just didn't wait long enough as it seems to take a few days before the OTA update gets pushed out.
Having said that, I've been using it since 2019 and it has gotten better. The new phone app works a lot better for me. I think you are conflating MBUX and Mercedes me connect, because some of the issues you are mentioning are MBUX. I have COMAND NTG 5.5 in my C63S and things work quite well, even remote start. I only use it occasionally and hit has worked every time with the new app. MBUX has some issues, though, so I suspect that some of your troubles are actually with MBUX and not Mercedes me connect. I've had a few exchanges with their support team and they are working hard to fix everything. I've gotten several issues resolved already. It's working better by the day so to speak. I use Windows and yes the map downloader is a Java application, but it works fine. There's an issue in Chrome/Chromium at the moment, but I was able to download the latest update with Firefox. I also get the OTA map updates regularly since 2019. There's only one that didn't show up, but I manually installed it on the day it came out, so maybe I just didn't wait long enough as it seems to take a few days before the OTA update gets pushed out.
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From: Tucson, Arizona
2004 CLK320 Cab, 2020 GLE350
This really happened. So I’m sitting in the barber chair getting a haircut a couple of days ago. My Apple Watch lights up and tells me the GLE is unlocked. I use Find my Phone and discover the car is parked at Costco, 30 miles away. My wife forgot to lock it so I take care of that. I also checked the fuel level and it’s down to 200 miles range, so I text her and remind her to get Costco gas. All with Mercedes Me, all while getting a haircut. What more do I want from this thing?
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From: Dorset, UK
GLC 450
This really happened. So I’m sitting in the barber chair getting a haircut a couple of days ago. My Apple Watch lights up and tells me the GLE is unlocked. I use Find my Phone and discover the car is parked at Costco, 30 miles away. My wife forgot to lock it so I take care of that. I also checked the fuel level and it’s down to 200 miles range, so I text her and remind her to get Costco gas. All with Mercedes Me, all while getting a haircut. What more do I want from this thing?
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Lake Oswego, OR
2020 GLE 450; 2023 BMW M2 Coupe
Mercedes Me Connect
I find it useful, but it certainly could be better. I use it most to check on my wife's position when I know she is due to come home. Our car is garaged almost all the time so we don't use remote start. Nice to be able to check fuel level and range without going out to the garage. I think the OTA updates were way overpromised - I've had two regional map updates and two "infotainment" updates in over 22 months of ownership.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,333
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From: Dorset, UK
GLC 450
Member
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 203
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From: Tucson, Arizona
2004 CLK320 Cab, 2020 GLE350
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 11,430
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From: San Francisco Bay Area
2019 C63CS
That sums it up pretty good. If you want an iPhone appliance on wheels than Tesla has you covered, but if you want a car primarily for the enjoyment of driving that also has some modern technology than MB/AMG have you covered.
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From: Orbiting the planet
This place is a joke.
Last edited by E55Greasemonkey; Feb 14, 2021 at 07:21 PM.
Member
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From: Calgary, AB
2021 GLE63S
Well, I have to say it is way better than my 2019 Cayenne’s app, that’s for sure.
+ start stop as a feature
+ door locks as a feaure
+ traffic is more detailed and loads more quickly - on the Nav via the app
+ restaurant types and fuel prices on the Nav via the app
+ three year free v. one year
Dunno, maybe I’m easy to please but it works pretty well.
+ start stop as a feature
+ door locks as a feaure
+ traffic is more detailed and loads more quickly - on the Nav via the app
+ restaurant types and fuel prices on the Nav via the app
+ three year free v. one year
Dunno, maybe I’m easy to please but it works pretty well.
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From: Florida (727)
As long as it’s better than the Mercedes Me app (the one before the “Connect” app). On my old E class I wasn’t able to use the app for about 1.5 years out of the 4 years I had the car. That does not include the times I would try to remote start when the app would decide to try to work, but then would provide me with an error message like “doors unlocked” or “windows open”.
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Dorset, UK
GLC 450
Correct. And they're all paid for. I'm smart with my money, don't have a need to impress others, and I know what years Mercedes still built quality cars instead of throw-away cell phones with wheels...And yes the one-sixty-lemon has been a disaster of a vehicle in the reliability department. I drove a GLB and it was a piece of crap, like the GLA with a new dashboard. I wouldn't trade it for my 172k mile ML350. Keep on spending buddy! Go rent (lease) one of those great new a-class to park at your apartment.
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From: Boise
2024 GMC Canyon Denali..... 2018 Audi SQ5
Correct. And they're all paid for. I'm smart with my money, don't have a need to impress others, and I know what years Mercedes still built quality cars instead of throw-away cell phones with wheels...And yes the one-sixty-lemon has been a disaster of a vehicle in the reliability department. I drove a GLB and it was a piece of crap, like the GLA with a new dashboard. I wouldn't trade it for my 172k mile ML350. Keep on spending buddy! Go rent (lease) one of those great new a-class to park at your apartment.
Buy what you want but you aren’t in any position to give advice to others on a car that you don’t own. A test drive is not a substitute either. If the price is important to you then you shouldn’t even consider a Mercedes new or old....there are a lot of great modern vehicles that are better than your old M’s at more budget friendly prices. But then they don’t have the ego badge.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2008
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From: USA
2021 GLE450W4 SUV
Speaking of OTAs, according to a recall notice, there's an OTA update coming in early April. The OTA update should be rolled out to lots of MBs....Number of potentially involved 1,292,258.
https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2021/M...UV/4WD#recalls
Inaccurate Vehicle Location for Emergency ServicesFailure of the eCall system may result in emergency responders being dispatched to the wrong location, increasing the risk of injury following a crash.
https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2021/M...UV/4WD#recalls
Inaccurate Vehicle Location for Emergency ServicesFailure of the eCall system may result in emergency responders being dispatched to the wrong location, increasing the risk of injury following a crash.
Last edited by jtjbt20x; Feb 15, 2021 at 08:01 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Atlanta
2022 Mercedes EQS 580
Correct. And they're all paid for. I'm smart with my money, don't have a need to impress others, and I know what years Mercedes still built quality cars instead of throw-away cell phones with wheels...And yes the one-sixty-lemon has been a disaster of a vehicle in the reliability department. I drove a GLB and it was a piece of crap, like the GLA with a new dashboard. I wouldn't trade it for my 172k mile ML350. Keep on spending buddy! Go rent (lease) one of those great new a-class to park at your apartment.
Also is your time so worthless that you choose to religiously read and participate in a board for a car you have no intention of ever buying? What a waste of time. If you value your own time so little, it is hard to take you seriously.
Last edited by stealth.pilot; Feb 15, 2021 at 09:08 AM.
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2012 CLS63
You seem to be implying that people who buy new cars are financially irresponsible compared to you. But a lot of the people on this thread are double digit multi-millionaires and spending $100k on a new Mercedes is something that doesn't bear thinking about. The bigger issue is the loss of time, having to deal with an old car that could kick the bucket any day.
Also is your time so worthless that you choose to religiously read and participate in a board for a car you have no intention of ever buying? What a waste of time. If you value your own time so little, it is hard to take you seriously.
Also is your time so worthless that you choose to religiously read and participate in a board for a car you have no intention of ever buying? What a waste of time. If you value your own time so little, it is hard to take you seriously.
ONE of the reasons I personally stopping buying brand new cars from MB is the tech, computers and poor customer service 
But that's just me.
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From: Washington DC
No more MB:(
Oh come on man! What is wrong with having spare time to peruse a forum one likes?? I spend free time here as well reading and educating myself about MB's, including the modern models and issues plaguing them! With everything becoming so digital and computerized it must be frustrating! And hey, nothing wrong with an older model MB! ONE of the reasons I personally stopping buying brand new cars from MB is the tech, computers and poor customer service But that's just me.
ONE of the reasons I personally stopping buying brand new cars from MB is the tech, computers and poor customer service But that's just me.
MBWorld God!
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From: on my way
2012 CLS63
Exactly, as if one needs to own the actual vehicle to post comments. It's a free forum! If someone doesn't care for another's comments then don't read them. Older Benz cars are super cool, I regret getting rid of a couple myself, wish I still had them. Unlike most of todays MB's, they had style...and class. Can't say that for many newer models, especially GLE's. Badge driven purchases they've become for many.
The thing is still a brute and gets tons of compliments and glances too
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2018
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From: Washington DC
No more MB:(
I spend a lot of time reading about the newer MB's and they have a good amount of complaints! TO ME, they don't look that great and have all the tacked on screens and buttons are disappearing......then again, I am 'old' now too LOL! They really are different cars from only a few years ago! My last brand new MB was in 2014 and even that one was the year before the center console touch pad......it was a nice car but I didn't see it lasting as an easy to maintain car so I sold it......it was not a lease either as I can't stand the leasing game. I have been very pleased with my, nearly 10 year old AMG with dials and buttons The thing is still a brute and gets tons of compliments and glances too
The thing is still a brute and gets tons of compliments and glances too Your CLS 63 rocks, super stylish and will age very well for sure!
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Joined: Jul 2010
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From: on my way
2012 CLS63
Yup, and the level of complaints/issues are significant, I couldn't imagine tolerating some of these issues. The expectation bar is lowered and what people will put up with just to drive the three pointed star is crazy.
And thank you
