I’m curious as to what a W223 is like WITHOUT the 3D Technology Package or the 3D Instrument Cluster. Obviously, the latter is included with the former, but does anyone have a 223 without either?

I ask, because I’m not really enthralled with the 3D feature or the Heads Up Display. I like the arrows showing where to turn when using Nav, but don’t need them in the HUD. I’m assuming that feature is still there without either of the mentioned options, or???

 

I don’t have either. I can’t speak for the 3D cluster, but I did initially miss the HUD. Now, I’m use to it and really don’t miss it. Navigation and other features common in the HUD are easily found in other screens.

But why a $100k+ car doesn’t come with a basic HUD as standard is beyond me.

 

Well, my car came initially with the standard hud and cluster, and I later upgraded to 3D cluster and ar hud. So I've had both.

My judgment:

- Standard HUD is a must. Unless you are a London cab driver and always have perfect knowledge of your surroundings. Not having to tilt your head down or sideways to check for the next turn, makes for a MUCH more relaxing driving experience. Which is what the S class is all about, right?

- AR HUD is... unnecessary. Yes it gives you additional visual guidance, alongside the directions already provided by the regular HUD. But it merely enhances the navigation experience, by a little bit. Nothing game changing. Your eyes are still going to be scanning that 2D image that came with the standard HUD, to get a better understanding of the junction.

And it's the same story with all the other little functions afforded by the AR HUD, like lane departure warning, side traffic warning.... The car already offers audible or haptic feedback when these events happen, even without the AR HUD. So really, the additional visuals bring nothing new to the table.

- 3D cluster is downright annoying. For one, the 3D cluster has a fan built into it, to dissipate the additional heat generated, and the continued whining of this fan introduces an additional source of noise into your cabin, definitely audible when you stop the car at stoplights, when the engine switches off. I find this annoying. And guess what? It will only get worse in a few years, as dusts inevitably accumulate on the fan, and components in the fan wear down from continuous spinning motion.

Then there's the additional '6-dots warning', which show up when the cluster does not have unobstructed 'line of sight' to your eyes. This limits the positioning of your steering wheel - if you have your wheel on the lowest position, the top of the rim will block some of the dots, triggering frequent warnings. If you like to drive in a relaxed position, with your hands stresslessly 'hanging on' to the bottom of the wheel, elbows at a natural 90° angle - you may not like this. (Personally I remedied this by placing a pillow under my elbow when driving, to compensate for the lifted steering wheel).

Of course, the 3D image is nice to look at. But the effect is only 'strongly visible' on certain cluster themes, like [Sport], or [Navigation]. I prefer the [Exclusive] theme on my cluster, and the 3D effect is just barely there with that particular theme. So definitely not worth the additional hassles and expense, in my use case.

 

Most MB owners feel the features they have on their car are important and the features they do not have, are not important. That is obvious as the owner has selected the features he/she feels important. But these things are very much personal opinions and things turn upside down for certain features for other owners.

I don't disagree much with the 3D cluster thing but the AR HUD in my opinion is a must for several reasons. And the AR HUD is a real 3D image experience, not just the 2D image with arrows as on the centre display (I've never watched the centre display if it even has those arrows on an AR HUD car).

Things also change a lot if we start discussing if one feature is worth the money over another feature. S-class cars usually have all the features the owner wants anyway. For me it is important to have those features that were introduced with the new model, like rear wheel steering or AR HUD.

Back to the question on the opening post, I've driven the wife's car (W213) with the AR navigation but no HUD and I find it much more difficult to follow navigation instructions on that car even if the display on the W213 is better positioned higher in the cluster.

 

Sure, the AR HUD is nice to have; it will always provide some benefit over the standard HUD, however minor it might be.

Thing is, in order to get the AR HUD, you must put up with all the inconviniences that come with the 3D cluster... I'm not sure this is a worthwhile trade-off.

 

I have the 3D Pkg. in my S580. I find that I never use the HUD and am thinking that if I go with another W223, it may be without either 3D option.

 

Cant imagine not liking this HUD, it's an area of the car where they knocked it out of the park. I do get that some people never look at them and it certainly it makes sense not to purchase something you don't use. On the other hand I wouldn't advocate someone cut off their ***** because they didn't take a shine to having sex right away: I'd suggest they keep trying and give it time; it will get better.

 

Re-starting this discussion. I am narrowing down my search for an S 580 e. My research has not been able to confirm the existence of a traditional Head-Up Display (HUD) on the W223. Trading my '20 Audi A8 L e, which has a tradtional HUD. I can't imagine driving a car without one now. That being same, I haven't been able to confirm that the W223 comes with a traditional HUD as standard equipment. If it does, then I'll have to make a decision on adding in the Technology Package in my order. If it does NOT come with a traditional HUD, then for me, I think the Technology Package with the AR HUD, will be a must.

Hopefully someone will be able to provide some insight into the HUD.

Thank you in advance.
Buck

 

No HUD unless you go 3D tech, get it if you're a HUD guy. It's a great HUD and the AR nav cues are genuinely useful once you understand how they work. The guys that don't like it... Party poopers!

 

I think the size of the screen on non 3-d looks better.

is there any difference on picture quality on 3d and non 3d versions?

I got the non 3d. It’s better.

HUD looks cool but I don’t got it sadly.

 

Same size screen in the US, you can always turn the 3D off as well. It's been a while but I didn't notice any difference with a 3D tech package car and one without when the 3D was off. I didn't drive them same day, they're may be a difference but nothing I noticed.