Is Driver's Assistance Package a Must?
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2020
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2019 BMW X7 M50i, 2012 Mercedes GL450
Is Driver's Assistance Package a Must?
Hello everyone,
Mercedes doesn't offer the Driver's Assistance Package in my country on the 2020 S Class models (S450, S560) except for the Maybach variants which comes fully loaded with everything.
Budget isn't an issue for me, so i could go either way. How often do you use the driver's assitance features on a daily basis? My daily commute will be around 100km (60 miles) highway and city mixed
Although the Maybach has overall better drive quality and comfort by far, is the DAP significant enough for me to get the Maybach variant or stick with the normal S Class without DAP?
Thank You
Mercedes doesn't offer the Driver's Assistance Package in my country on the 2020 S Class models (S450, S560) except for the Maybach variants which comes fully loaded with everything.
Budget isn't an issue for me, so i could go either way. How often do you use the driver's assitance features on a daily basis? My daily commute will be around 100km (60 miles) highway and city mixed
Although the Maybach has overall better drive quality and comfort by far, is the DAP significant enough for me to get the Maybach variant or stick with the normal S Class without DAP?
Thank You
![Smilie](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
#2
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 8,557
Received 3,892 Likes
on
2,604 Posts
2019 C63CS
I'm answering this from a general perspective as MB offers the driver's assistance package in pretty much all their models. I have it in my 2019 C63S Coupe and it's the same system as in the W222. MB updated it with the 2019 FL. I can honestly tell you that I wouldn't wanna give it up. While an AMG is primarily supposed to be a driver's car, I do a lot of grand touring. Sometimes I'm on the road for up to 12 hours in a single day and it makes long distance driving so much more relaxing and less fatiguing. It's like having a co-driver who takes over some of the mundane driving. The system works very well. I also love how I can just tap the turn signal and the car will automatically accelerate and change lanes to pass other cars if the adjacent lane is free. Really makes for a very relaxed driving. Fortunately, I don't have a commute, so I don't find myself in traffic all that much, but when I do it's again great to have the driver's assistance. Letting the car follow the stop&go traffic keeps me more sane. As opposed to some of MB's competitors, the MB system stays ready for up to 30 seconds if traffic comes to a full stop and automatically resumes. It's actually intelligent and knows what kind of road you are driving on. On divided highways as said it stays ready for up to 30 seconds and also allows hands free driving for up to 30 seconds. On surface streets, it is more conservative due to the higher risk of potentially running over a pedestrian, but I don't really use the system on surface streets anyway.
So to answer your question, I use it all the time on long distance journeys and the moment I hit traffic, but I thought it was interesting that during the height of the COVID lockdown I hadn't touched it for several weeks, because a) I wasn't doing any long distance trips, and b) there was no traffic on the roads, but now that things have opened up, I have been going on some road trips and traffic around here has pretty much gone back to normal, so I'm back to using the system regularly.
So to answer your question, I use it all the time on long distance journeys and the moment I hit traffic, but I thought it was interesting that during the height of the COVID lockdown I hadn't touched it for several weeks, because a) I wasn't doing any long distance trips, and b) there was no traffic on the roads, but now that things have opened up, I have been going on some road trips and traffic around here has pretty much gone back to normal, so I'm back to using the system regularly.
Last edited by superswiss; 06-29-2020 at 01:18 PM.
#3
If you enjoy being at the controls of your car and in command of every little movement of the car, Driver's assistance package is annoying.
If you just want to get from point A to point B with as little thought as possible, Driver's assistance package is a necessity.
I have mine turned of since about day 4.
If you just want to get from point A to point B with as little thought as possible, Driver's assistance package is a necessity.
I have mine turned of since about day 4.
#4
Super Member
I have a 2016 Maybach and the drivers assistance is awesome. I will take issue with you though. ONE the Maybach does NOT come with everything, there are several options you can choose to add to the Maybach.
Two I have driven an S550 and I can honestly say that from the front seats there is NOT a big difference between the cars. Especially if you take a 550 and load it up you have essentially everything the Maybach has except for extra room for the rear seats. I will say one thing when you load up a s550 you are over 150K easy and the V8 Maybach is just sooo sooo close to that price and if your like me you splurge on the V12 because its not that much more..............
Two I have driven an S550 and I can honestly say that from the front seats there is NOT a big difference between the cars. Especially if you take a 550 and load it up you have essentially everything the Maybach has except for extra room for the rear seats. I will say one thing when you load up a s550 you are over 150K easy and the V8 Maybach is just sooo sooo close to that price and if your like me you splurge on the V12 because its not that much more..............
#5
Super Member
If you enjoy being at the controls of your car and in command of every little movement of the car, Driver's assistance package is annoying.
If you just want to get from point A to point B with as little thought as possible, Driver's assistance package is a necessity.
I have mine turned of since about day 4.
If you just want to get from point A to point B with as little thought as possible, Driver's assistance package is a necessity.
I have mine turned of since about day 4.
Good luck.
#7
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 618
Received 213 Likes
on
160 Posts
2023 GLE450, 2021 E350 / Used to drive: 2019 E300, 2021 + 2020 GLE350, 2019 E450 Wagon(s), 2017 E300
I am with Superswiss on this topic - Driver Assistance features are a game-changer for long drives. I just did an 800 mile round trip from NC to NY to see family (I couldn't stomach flying right now...) and was able to drive alone each way in a single day - about 13 hours from door to door. The only way I could do that safely is the Driver Assistance features - having the additional support to manage the space between you and the car in front of you and to remain in your lane really reduces fatigue. Of course you still need to pay close attention and actually drive the car, but I am amazing how much less fatigue there is with those features. I would not attempt more than 800 miles in a day, but I will be driving back to NY in August and I am not dreading it, given my experience on the most recent drive.
The following users liked this post:
Nice Ride (06-30-2020)
Trending Topics
#8
Super Member
I wouldn't want a car without it. It has to be the most common option so there are plenty to choose from that have it.
On short trips it can get annoying but the individual functions can be turned off. On the other hand, it can offer a significant safety net if you're being distracted by passengers, phone, etc.
On long trips or when you're tired, it's pretty much invaluable.
On short trips it can get annoying but the individual functions can be turned off. On the other hand, it can offer a significant safety net if you're being distracted by passengers, phone, etc.
On long trips or when you're tired, it's pretty much invaluable.
The following users liked this post:
Streamliner (06-30-2020)
The following 2 users liked this post by bkdc:
Lanzz (07-02-2020),
Streamliner (07-04-2020)
#10
MBWorld Fanatic!
It's the first cruise control I find worth using. I'm a pretty "active" driver and was skeptical but on my first long roadtrip I was sold. No matter your route, you can't have ONLY great curvy, empty roads that are joys to drive. Between those, there will be congested highway driving. Being able to switch on the radar cruise control makes highway traffic much less frustrating. Regular cruise control is almost useless at these times. Constant tapping on the brake and then restoring it when traffic moves is as bad as not having cruise control. With Distronic, it's all the autonomous driving I want. (I do turn off the auto-steering stuff, which doesn't work as well, in my opinion). But Distronic is a game changer.
The following 2 users liked this post by whoover:
Lanzz (07-02-2020),
Streamliner (07-04-2020)
#11
Member
I read that Mercedes purposely made their steering drift a little within the lane, compared to a Tesla that will drive arrow straight. The idea is that perfect steering is more apt to lull a driver to sleep.
The following users liked this post:
Lanzz (07-03-2020)
#12
Hello everyone,
Mercedes doesn't offer the Driver's Assistance Package in my country on the 2020 S Class models (S450, S560) except for the Maybach variants which comes fully loaded with everything.
Budget isn't an issue for me, so i could go either way. How often do you use the driver's assitance features on a daily basis? My daily commute will be around 100km (60 miles) highway and city mixed
Although the Maybach has overall better drive quality and comfort by far, is the DAP significant enough for me to get the Maybach variant or stick with the normal S Class without DAP?
Thank You![Smilie](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
Mercedes doesn't offer the Driver's Assistance Package in my country on the 2020 S Class models (S450, S560) except for the Maybach variants which comes fully loaded with everything.
Budget isn't an issue for me, so i could go either way. How often do you use the driver's assitance features on a daily basis? My daily commute will be around 100km (60 miles) highway and city mixed
Although the Maybach has overall better drive quality and comfort by far, is the DAP significant enough for me to get the Maybach variant or stick with the normal S Class without DAP?
Thank You
![Smilie](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
#13
Senior Member
![](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/ranks/veteran_army.png)
As you have seen above, you pays your money and makes your choice, based on your needs.
When my '18 S560 was new, I drove it 65 miles on two lane and four lane roads, and then turned off the assisted steering/passing and have never turned it back on in 33,000 miles. Late abrupt turning really bothered me.
I use cruise control and distancing all the time.
When my '18 S560 was new, I drove it 65 miles on two lane and four lane roads, and then turned off the assisted steering/passing and have never turned it back on in 33,000 miles. Late abrupt turning really bothered me.
I use cruise control and distancing all the time.
#14
MBWorld Fanatic!
I think the Distronic cruise control is excellent, and Blind Spot assist is invaluable. The automatic emergency braking works and really came in handy once in traffic.
The 'lane keeping' and 'steering assist' are annoying and I never use them.
Caveat ... these comments refer to my 2016. The features in the package may be different or work better in other models.
The 'lane keeping' and 'steering assist' are annoying and I never use them.
Caveat ... these comments refer to my 2016. The features in the package may be different or work better in other models.
#15
MBWorld Fanatic!
Blind Spot and automatic braking are both excellent systems and namely the latter should be mandatory just like ABS and ESP . I like to drive the car myself though but those systems are very handy in general
#16
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Corona Del Mar, CA
Posts: 7,387
Received 3,670 Likes
on
2,102 Posts
2020 S560 Sedan, 2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, '24 BMW I7 on order...
I use the Distronic Plus CONSTANTLY when on the freeway and sometimes on busy highways. It’s like having another set of eyes watching the road. You get distracted and turn your head for a split second and the guy in front of you slams on the brakes. Distronic Plus will save the day! Honestly, the Driver’s Assistance Pkg. Should be standard equipment on EVERY new MB, in my opinion.
The following 3 users liked this post by Streamliner:
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2022
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 365
Received 170 Likes
on
105 Posts
2020 S450 4Matic, 2022 GLS450 4Matic, 2015 C300
I use DA on road trips, I used to use it in my daily commute, but I found that went through brakes doing so. Interestingly I drove 7 of 9 hours yesterday and didn’t use it, but my wife who normally doesn’t use it did use it during the 2 hour stint that she drove. Maybe I’ll use it on the way home tomorrow!
#19
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Corona Del Mar, CA
Posts: 7,387
Received 3,670 Likes
on
2,102 Posts
2020 S560 Sedan, 2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, '24 BMW I7 on order...
I use DA on road trips, I used to use it in my daily commute, but I found that went through brakes doing so. Interestingly I drove 7 of 9 hours yesterday and didn’t use it, but my wife who normally doesn’t use it did use it during the 2 hour stint that she drove. Maybe I’ll use it on the way home tomorrow!
![Smilie](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
#20
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Pacific Northwest
Posts: 671
Received 262 Likes
on
179 Posts
2001 S600 V12 Sold, 2011 Jaguar XFR Sold, 2017 S550 4-Matic, 2018 S63 AMG Sedan
Yes, the adaptive cruise control (Distronic Plus) will eat up brake pads, but I find that to be a low price to pay for the comfort & peace of mind it provides. I use it in bumper to bumper freeway traffic (I live in LaLa Land California) and it prevents me from having to hit the brakes hard even one time, which always causes Mrs. Stream to YELP and that alone is worth a set of brake pads. ![Smilie](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
![Smilie](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
This video explains how LKA works:
#21
Senior Member
My 16' systems is not nearly as good as my wifes 21' Nissan Leaf but that is pre-face lift. But that said I use it all the same and wouldn't own a car without it. As stated doesn't eat brakes