Kratos-TM

There are 3 packages......M-brace, M-brace Plus, and MB Apps...

Should I get one, all three, or none?....

TomS

If I am reading the website correctly, you get a 6 month free trial of the basic MBrace and 3 month free trial of each MBrace Plus and MB Apps (mBrace2) so why not wait and see if you like it, then decide to renew. I saw no reason to include it with the order.

If I have that wrong, someone please let me know.

Kratos-TM

I think you may be right, now that I'm reading it again. Would love for someone to confirm this....

oswiff

That's correct. You get a trial when you buy the new car. You press the mbrace button and set it up when you take delivery. You speak with a live person and go through the setup process.

You can add the service when the trial ends. you have options as far as how many years you want to purchase, and the annual price goes down the more years you sign up for.

Also, if you do end up purchasing, it's prorated so you get back the unused portion if you cancel at any point.

Kratos-TM

Help me out because I'm a little behind......this allows the car to connect to a wifi hotspot sort of like our phones do correct? And if so, are we able to browse the web like a computer?

Also, what is the main selling point of mbrace? What do people want the most out of it?

TomS

Not exactly. If I recall, with mb2, your car has a modem that connects to Verizon's network. Your car can then offer a hotspot to five devices plus access internet streamed music and apps.

Great questions BTW. I think I understand it but was not sure. Your dealer should be able to confirm upon delivery. Bottom line, yuy don't need to add this to your order now.

Tom

SteveVukelich

Third party safety. My primary reason for getting mbrace is that if there is an accident, a breakdown, or a medical emergency I (or my wife) just pushes the emergency button for help. No thinking or fumbling for a phone required.

TomS

I thought the emergency feature was active regardless. What company would want the liability of litigating "I pushed the SOS button but no one came and my kid died". The other features would not be available. Can anyone confirm. My 2011 e350 is without these toys so I don't have experience but what I read in the manual.

Tom

TomS

As quick as we ask and answer these questions someone must surely be asking when we actually work to earn the dough to buy these cars.

SteveVukelich

Go to www.mbusa.com/mercedes/mbrace/packages
For $280/yr you get: automatic collision notification, SOS/emergency call, roadside assistance, automatic alarm notification, stolen vehicle location assistance, safe ride, valet protect, search and send, Route2Benz, Drive2Friend, toolbar widget, mobile app, remote door lock/unlock, remote horn and lights, vehicle finder, dealer connect, vehicle information, and message center. I am afraid the days of "freebies" are long gone.

TomS

I was talking about only the crash-activated call. I read it in the owners manual. I will check again later on and post what I find.

SteveVukelich

See the electronic owner's manual, pages 332-337




You must have a license agreement to activate the mbrace service. Make sure that
your system is activated and operational. To log in, press the MB Info call button. If
any of the steps mentioned are not carried out, the system may not be activated.


If you have questions about the activation, contact one of the following telephone hotlines: Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-FOR-MERCedes(1-800-367-6372) or 1-866-990-9007


Shortly after successfully registering with the mbrace service, a user ID and password will
be sent to you by mail. You can use this password to log onto the mbrace area under
"Owners Online" at http://www.mbusa.com.




The system is available if:


it has been activated and is operational


the corresponding mobile phone network is available for transmitting data to the Customer Center


a service subscription is available


the starter battery is sufficiently charged






Page 334: Same restrictions as above apply for emergency services.




You must have a license agreement to activate the mbrace service. Make sure that
your system is activated and operational. To log in, press the MB Info call button.
If any of the steps mentioned are not carried out, the system may not be activated.

SteveVukelich

Go here for the requirements: http://www.mbusa.com/vcm/MB/DigitalA...ll_9-24-12.pdf
A subscriber agreement is required.

Chucky300

You can definitely surf the web. This is my car and I was on Glenn Beck's website, The Blaze.



Here I am using the Facebook App



But to be honest, I won't be continuing after the free trial. The only viable feature is if you crash it calls the car. Otherwise, I don't need any of the services. (Concierge, Weather, Traffic, etc)

Wolfman

Basic Mbrace is great for a piece of mind for emergency GPS location, theft etc. Still expensive given that BMW provides these basic services for free for 4 years.

At $280 a year, that adds up.

MB Apps are complete crap. My iPhone does everything better (including navigation) and the Data transfer is sooooo slow (unless something has changed on the W222) that it makes it unusable IMO.

Never used or was thinking of using the concierge services. If I need to get something booked I use AMEX concierge...

Kratos-TM

Wow.....lots of great input. Chucky....really digging the Internet browsing and Facebook! And definitely need the emergency contact feature for roadside. This all sounds worth it to me. Wolf, thanks for the heads up on the slow apps.

oswiff

I also extended mbrace with my other MBs as it was the added safety benefit in the event of an accident.

I drive weekly to a weekend/summer house that has terrible cell service but mbrace works well so that's why I kept it.

06E55

I wonder if they will extend my current MBrace subscription to this vehicle? I was one of the people who got free MBrace for life when they switch from whatever it was to MBrace... I'm sure they'll find some reason not to extend it though...

oswiff

I believe that the Mbrace stays with the vehicle if you don't cancel it... but i'm sure your dealer will try to do something for you as it's just one more add-on.

oswiff

The only other service that Mbrace provided that I thought was interesting was the door unlock in case you lock your keys in the car. However, that's somewhat moot since keyless go doesn't allow you lock the door with the door handle if the keys are still in the car.

but if you lost your keys or something, you could still get into the car by calling the mbrace number on your cell phone.

Kratos-TM

Now that would be nice on my other vehicles. Hate it when I locked the keys in.

LETO

if you had to choose between command v. iPhone for web, which would you use?

Chucky300

Mercedes Benz apps are a gimmick. Nothing special. I'm only being honest here.

Agreed on the remote door unlock. Keyless go (which will be on 99% of S Classes) means you can't lock your key in the car.

Surfing the web - it is slow, yes. And truthfully, not needed. Every S Class driver has a smart phone.

Road Side Assistance can be contacted with your phone. Don't "need" to push a button.

Yes, if you crash and you are knocked out - they will call the car, and if that is worth $300 a year for your peace of mind - there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. And I happen to agree with you on that front.

However, in my humble opinion, that's the only reason to get it.

Concierge services are a thing of the past. They were great gimmicks to sell MBRACE but in truth, think about what you would need it for. Everything has been simplified.

Opentable makes your reservations easy.

Cheaptickets.com makes your airline trips easy (Or a simple call to the airline to transfer reward points)

Hubstub.com gets you tickets to ball games, and concerts. (Or again, call Amex and they will get you better seats that may be sold out elsewhere).

Not going to have Mercedes send someone flowers for me.

Not going to have Mercedes set up my Service appointments when a quick email to my SA will be suffice.

Weather updates? Got it on my blackberry (YES...dont kill me).

Stock updates? Please.

Traffic? Its got it on the Comand system already!

So what's the true real authentic reason to spend this kind of money?

TomS

The geo-fence feature is nice to see where the car is and where the valet has it, but that may not really be an issue. I do not suspect too many parents are tossing the teenager the keys to the S550 (except on homecoming or prom night maybe).

I am going to sign up for all of them and then decide if I want to keep it when the trial period is done. The one thing I think I will do without is the Sirius. Between Podcasts, streaming audio and NPR, I don't think I would use satellite radio that much, but that is what the trial will tell me.

For keeping track of the car, I use/plan on using Fuse, which is a personal cloud application to keep track of your car. The device plugs into your OBD-II port and it a nice way to integrate your car into your world and your Internet of Things (turn on the lights when you get home anyone?). http://joinfuse.com

103 Days

Kratos-TM

Hmm....great thorough thoughts Chucky. I'm with you TomS...this sounds like something we need to "trial" run first, and go from there....