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As I prepare to drop off my perfect 11k mile 2015 S550 today and pick up a basically identical 560-183, I wonder about a few things:
Will the improvements in the next gen Distronic drive assist be meaningful?
Has the sub standard navigation system (Bosch?) I’ve suffered with in past MBs been improved? Especially since the advanced driving features are partially dependent on the navi map data...
Will the next iteration of MBC be noticeably better? Sometimes I wasn’t sure it was working...
Will rear cross traffic alert finally be available as part of the new package?
These are great cars. No question. My favorite lux sedans. I’ve bought a lot of them. Just seems odd that having a navi system inferior to a Ford Fusion is a big miss by the group that should be looking after matters like that at MB. Same for rear cross traffic alert. The sensors are there...right?
Just some random muses as i move on to the next one...
If if anyone has personal ownership driving experiences to share that would be much appreciated.
I agree with your comments. I never use the nav system and stick with my iPhone paired with the car. I drove one with MBC and one without, didn't notice a difference and bought the one without.
Overall I love the car, but my Prius was way more intuitive with electronics.
German engineering is sometimes a little too cumbersome, IMO.
I too will be interested to see if anything substantially new will be one the '18, although I would buy the car anyway, based on it's overall performance.
2015 S550 Palladium/Deep Sea Blue, 2016 Tesla Model S 70D, 2015 Volvo XC70
Originally Posted by HSCLA
Will the improvements in the next gen Distronic drive assist be meaningful?
There was a comment from someone on the this forum awhile ago, saying that he was disappointed that the new Distronic Plus wasn't more of an improvement. Would be interested in hearing your opinions after you've had the 2018 awhile.
Strange about what the guy said about the Distronic plus not being much of improvement as in addition to my 2015 S550 I have a 2018 E63 AMG and the Distronic plus is much better in that car than the 2015 S550. It tracks much better in the center of the lane rather than wandering, has the feature where you can hit the turn signal and it changes lanes by itself and it will take much sharper turns without loosing it's ability to hold the corner. I would think you'd be better off all the way around with improved tech in the 2018. I know my 2018 E63 amg has many more sensors and is far more technical with the Distronic Plus and makes the 2015 feel primitive in this way.
Strange about what the guy said about the Distronic plus not being much of improvement as in addition to my 2015 S550 I have a 2018 E63 AMG and the Distronic plus is much better in that car than the 2015 S550. It tracks much better in the center of the lane rather than wandering, has the feature where you can hit the turn signal and it changes lanes by itself and it will take much sharper turns without loosing it's ability to hold the corner. I would think you'd be better off all the way around with improved tech in the 2018. I know my 2018 E63 amg has many more sensors and is far more technical with the Distronic Plus and makes the 2015 feel primitive in this way.
For me, this would be the sole reason to upgrade my 2015 for a W222.2 version. The Distronic Plus does work, but it’s not very smooth and certainly only works when it’s locked onto the car ahead of you. Would be awesome if it were smoother and worked better around curves.
2020 S560 Sedan, 2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, '24 BMW I7 on order...
Originally Posted by Socalsteve
For me, this would be the sole reason to upgrade my 2015 for a W222.2 version. The Distronic Plus does work, but it’s not very smooth and certainly only works when it’s locked onto the car ahead of you. Would be awesome if it were smoother and worked better around curves.
You know, I absolutely LOVE the Distronic Plus in my 2015. It’s not perfect, but I use it constantly and IMO, it works better than it should. If it is improved for the 2018 model, that will just great. That said, I can’t tell you how much I am looking forward to the Rear Cross Traffic Alert. Nobody seems to stop in parking lots anymore. They see you backing out of a space and if they are not waiting for your space, they zoom right behind you. Having this feature on the S Class us long overdue.
Well, here are some initial comments on my new 560. Only 100 Miles experience thus far...so please factor in...
the MBC definitely improved but some improvement could be due to the 19 rims vs. my former 20”.
The new steering wheel controls are easy to master and work well. The added Favorites mode is very useful to quickly recall navi destinations, media sources, massage settings, etc.
Even in comfort mode, the car feels more responsive
Surprises:
no CD player
eliminated under front seat storage bins
Center console space gone as well to make room for wireless phone charging pad
Same Burmeister 3D tweeter rattle on the drivers side A pillar (on rough roads) as my 550. I never had it addressed for fear of the tech creating another issue or making it worse.
Figured I’d just wait for the next car...oh well.
The next gen distronic steer assist is far better.
Car will pull away from a complete stop if stopped less than about 12 -15 seconds.
Graphics on HUD and CMD screen much improved
The car feels very familiar but also not. Hard to explain. Like your favorite pair of shoes but yet...
Overall, nice step forward. Except the Bosch navi. Same old quirks and limitations. I’ll probably be using CarPlay navi or google maps. I’ll play with it. Maybe more improved than it appears at first use.
Would appreciate hearing others initial impressions.
Regards
The big thing about the Distronic Plus feature that I miss on my W222 that I had on my 2007 W221 is where the speedometer gauges showed you the speed of the car ahead of you so that you could make a judgment call on whether to stay behind the car or pass it. For some reason , they eliminated that element of the feature. As the car ahead of you got within site of the radar, it would show an indication within the speedometer dial as to how fast the car ahead of you is going.
Just like Wolfman stated the early 2015 builds had them. The later 2015 builds did not have the seat storage compartments. I remember this since my ‘14 S had the compartments and after I received my ordered ‘16 S the compartments were gone. I remember talking to my dealer that they removed the compartments during the ‘15 model year.
Just like Wolfman stated the early 2015 builds had them. The later 2015 builds did not have the seat storage compartments. I remember this since my ‘14 S had the compartments and after I received my ordered ‘16 S the compartments were gone. I remember talking to my dealer that they removed the compartments during the ‘15 model year.
His is mid year build he said. Strange. just don't get Mercedes sometimes. They brag about all the new features for every model year in advertisements, etc, but they never say what they REMOVE. It's a great thing to have. I'll try to find out his actual date.
His is mid year build he said. Strange. just don't get Mercedes sometimes. They brag about all the new features for every model year in advertisements, etc, but they never say what they REMOVE. It's a great thing to have. I'll try to find out his actual date.
Some pics of other model S's with them below.
This has definitely been the subject of prior discussions. I love the fire extinguisher; this is a factory option outside the US and we used to have in our MB's in Europe. They were exposed though in lieu of the storage area.
I liked the storage in the seats but the W222 had tiny compartments compared to older models.
In general, the more options the car has, the less storage you get. I remember my center console storage was barely 2 inches deep due to the rear AC system and with the 3D Burmester you loose the sunglass compartment and trunk space and with the fridge the rear storage and more trunk space. What I personally miss is the closes storage in the doors. The open pockets are really unusable.
This has definitely been the subject of prior discussions. I love the fire extinguisher; this is a factory option outside the US and we used to have in our MB's in Europe. They were exposed though in lieu of the storage area.
I liked the storage in the seats but the W222 had tiny compartments compared to older models.
Yea, what's funny is, in my w221, the front storage came on all 07-09 models, then for 10-13 they were REMOVED. I bought them from a 07-09 and they were a direct fit, and nothing sticks out any further than the blank piece did. I figured maybe those storage bins stuck out further from the seat maybe, but they don't.
What's wrong with the NAV? Mine is a 2017 and it seems great to me.
Originally Posted by Streamliner
I agree. The NAV in my 2015 works just fine.
Nothing wrong with the old navi. The new is just that much better if you're into that type of stuff.
Originally Posted by Streamliner
You know, I absolutely LOVE the Distronic Plus in my 2015. It’s not perfect, but I use it constantly and IMO, it works better than it should. If it is improved for the 2018 model, that will just great. That said, I can’t tell you how much I am looking forward to the Rear Cross Traffic Alert. Nobody seems to stop in parking lots anymore. They see you backing out of a space and if they are not waiting for your space, they zoom right behind you. Having this feature on the S Class us long overdue.
You'll love the new distronic in 2018 then. It's miles better and it doesn't shut off when your hands are not on the wheel though it does nag you.
HSCLA ypu might check the tweeter rattle. Both of my s550 15 and 17 have had rattles in the screen covering the heads up display. Might not be the tweeter. .
So I'm noticing increased road noise intrusion into the cabin w/ my new 560. Keep checking the window switches to make sure they are fully closed!
And increased tire noise from the stock 19" rims w/ Michelin tires. Weird, since my 2015 550 w/ the optional 20" rims and Goodyear tires was SILENT. I'm freaking out a little sine the dealer will tell me they "can't verify customer complaint".
Anyone experiencing higher noise levels w/ the 2018 cars? Thoughts?
So I'm noticing increased road noise intrusion into the cabin w/ my new 560. Keep checking the window switches to make sure they are fully closed!
And increased tire noise from the stock 19" rims w/ Michelin tires. Weird, since my 2015 550 w/ the optional 20" rims and Goodyear tires was SILENT. I'm freaking out a little sine the dealer will tell me they "can't verify customer complaint".
Anyone experiencing higher noise levels w/ the 2018 cars? Thoughts?
i did notice a significant tire noise level when I test drove a 2018 S560 Sedan with 20” Goodyear too. So there’s also that!...
The big thing about the Distronic Plus feature that I miss on my W222 that I had on my 2007 W221 is where the speedometer gauges showed you the speed of the car ahead of you so that you could make a judgment call on whether to stay behind the car or pass it. For some reason , they eliminated that element of the feature. As the car ahead of you got within site of the radar, it would show an indication within the speedometer dial as to how fast the car ahead of you is going.
Thats slightly annoying, both my C63 and my 221 65 have that and I would miss it like you!
Yeah, the 20” Goodyear’s I had on the 2015 550 were run flats also. Quiet.
Really bummed over this unexpected negative isssue with the new 560. Week one of a 3 year lease.
01-17-2018, 12:46 PM
