AMG-1

I just think it is ironic that after all the criticism about the BMW design direction, Mercedes has obviously gone the exact same direction. It is unbeleivable how similar the inside looks. Big dedicated screen; "i drive" like ***, gear shifting at the steering wheel...... etc.............

Trunk lid....same applies.....

Turtle25

"i-Drive". There. I said it!

And what's with this "handling"? I mean, we've always criticized BMW for being so keen on it, and now Benz is heading in the exact same direction! Awful, really.

1SICKLEX

Audi now has it too as well as the Acura RL. And even with the controls somewhat improving, the automotive press still pretty much dislikes it.

TJWLS400

I hate it too, what do you have to do to turn on the A/C lol. You might have to fool with it for a few seconds. If I had an I-Drive in my car it would be me doing this

gbahri

You guys are all clueless.

Near the I drive there are 2 buttons.

One that says (radio/cd) and one that says (nav/ something else)

So really, you don't have to use I drive like you do on the BMW, you just click the button and it comes up without toggling. Also, everything on I drive can be used through the steering wheel, so really, you don't have to use the I drive.

For the A/C. You don't even use I drive.

MB Fanatic

The Climate control system has its own entire set of metallic composite switches on the dash. Look at the pictures again for the love of god.

cracker123

when you press any of the a/c control I am assuming the command display all the a/c stuff on the screen, but there is a small read out on the bottom of the screen for the current temperature and other things.

naadp

This is exactally what the A8 does when you turn the dedicated knob adjust the temperature. The LCD display next to the knob shows the temperature you're trying to set, as well as displaying it on the screen and offering you more options for which you'd have to select one of the four quadrant buttons on the MMI controller. After a few seconds it goes away.

I assume the MB unit will be very similar, except for not having the auxillary LCD screen, and substituting an intuitive knob for a set of cheap chromed plastic buttons.

david_101

for the time being, i cannot say "I-Drive."

i can, however, say "U-Drive," and without any hesitation.

ruykava

guys, look at this article:
http://www.benzworld.org/news/news.asp?id=292

look at the heading Operating concept: colour displays, direct-selection switches and COMAND controller

so naadp, you're indeed right about merc being similar to audi in this respect -- except they're substituting nice, weighty buttons instead of a fiddly knob which requires you to look down at a tiny screen to see what you're doing!

after all, the mouse is far from the computer screen yet no one here i'm sure has any trouble controlling it. imagine if you had to look down at the mouse for feedback!

naadp

I still like the audi concept with a seperate climate control unit (below) which activates on the main display when you adjust it, but at least there are auxillary controls.



Maybe I just like an excessive number of LCD screens in my cars.

cracker123

where did you get an Hertz Audi A6 ?

naadp

Scottsdale, Arizona. I've seen them at most airport locations, though. That one happens to be a monthly rental I use for work.

rusnakmb

Hi,

The new S-Class uses a similar i-Drive system to control, but believe me, it is lot more simpler than i-drive from BMW.

MB Tech - USA

I've used the system, it puts BMW's I drive to shame.

Not only is it easy to use, but the graphics and information displayed are awesome. For example, just in front of the controller is a switch for multi-contour seat control. When selected, you get a nice picture of the seat, and by turning the controller, you can select which part of the seat you would like to inflate, as compared to those incredibly confusing buttons that were located on the seat in the V220/W220. Wait until you see the radio selector, the screen has a retro look like an old 1970's face and an orange vertical indicator that smoothly moves left or right - the best part is that there is no little string to get jammed when moving the dial to select a radio station.

Also, there is dedicated A/C controls just under the screen, or you can use the controller.