alenyc

Good morning everybody,

Am I the only person disappointed that MB is NOT allowing 2014 and 2015 S550 to access the Remote Start feature through mBrace, considering that the only difference in 2016 cars is the NFC Sensor, which has no use in the remote start?

I think we should start to raise some hell with MB, obviously if others care....

Thank you

jbanks

I am also disappointed.

Wolfman

Would be nice to have but not an Mbrace issue. This is related to firmware and most likely hardware in the car itself. NFC is unrelated as you stated.

After all, the car needs to know how to start itself via remote request and turn itself off after 10 minutes of idle (with one allowed repeat).

If it's only firmware, then a service visit would be the minimum requirement.

Wish they would do over the air updates like Tesla...

xrayaz

I too wish for the remote start. It is great when I visit the cold/snowy mountains here in the winter(I am serious). . .
Michael in Arizona

alenyc

Well, if it is indeed only a Software Update issue, I think the 2014-15 owners should be entitled to the update, even if it has a price to pay. When I bought my 2015 S550 my dealer showed me the DOG and the only difference stated was the NFC. If I knew that the remote starter was implemented, I may have chosen the 2016....

Anyway, I hope MB does, since the S has some serious flaws (lack of memory recall from the keyfob among all) and the remote starter would be a good plus.

jbattan

My understanding after visiting with MB in Germany is that it requires a module in the car that's about the size of a pack of cigarettes. Mercedes offer a wide range of services in Europe under their "Mercedes me" umbrella, including "Connect me" which offers lots of cool smartphone integration, so you can see vehicle status, allow remote diagnostics, etc. They said it'll be a couple years, if ever, until Connect me replaces mBrace here in the US.

e55phil

I also drive a S class in Germany. It is true that they do more for the Euro driver and they always have.

Getting them to move off the dime will never happen.

We still have a lower cost of living!

Wolfman

I mentioned software and most likely hardware so it may not be updateable (in typical MB fashion). I will check with my service manager...

alenyc

I would gladly pay for a software/hardware update. I just feel betrayed since I was told there were no real improvements with 2016...

They should at least (charge us) give us a chance to update it, as Tesla does in silence while the owners are asleep....

Wolfman

Betrayed sounds a bit harsh for not getting something that they never promised in the first place.

Car manufacturers constantly make changes to the electronics of their cars, none if which is ever published. Just look at part number lists between model years; many which are not related to options.
I have been there in the past when trying to upgrade the phone system/cradles. Absolute nightmare.

I do agree with you though. Cool feature. I hope I can get it too. Very welcome for MN winters.

I also love the Tesla update system but that one also has limitations in hardware.
Just look at the latest AutoPilot feature.
This one only works if the cars was built after September of last year, not before...

alenyc

I agree with you about 'betrayed', although in this kind of price range, the manufacturer should try harder not to upset the clients, since there is at least a 3-4 vehicles choice all at the same quality level....still hard to get over the lack of 'key to memory' feature.

I also believe my disappointment is somehow related to the fact that having a Remote Starter installed on an S550 is a little hard apparently...

Thank you for your input!