MBUX and Ergonomics Sucks
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 15
Likes: 2
AMG GT 63
MBUX and Ergonomics Sucks
Ok... how can I say this. Well I’m beyond upset at how horrible the MBUX system works. I’m also disappointed in the ergonomics of the whole GT63 set up. The buttons, the dials, everything. It’s just off. You have to go through way too many buttons and swiping just to.... well change the freaking channel or get to the next song. WTH Mercedes! And Apple CarPlay is constantly disconnecting. And what’s up with the touch screen being so far out of reach in a normal seated position? And the cup holders are worthless. The opening is too narrow. And the switches above the cup holder are placed way too low. My cups are constantly hitting them and to warm up the car I have to position my hand in an awkward position just to hit the switch. That’s if you don’t have a cup there. And there’s also no gap in the middle console for the phone chord to hang out of.
The interior design looks beautiful but is awful at execution. I can’t be the only one feeling like this. I almost feel like selling my car I’m so disappointed.
The interior design looks beautiful but is awful at execution. I can’t be the only one feeling like this. I almost feel like selling my car I’m so disappointed.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 17
Likes: 2
2021 GT63s
I agree. MBUX is counterintuitive, skipping to the next track takes too many presses. The screen is definitely a little too far away to easily touch while driving. I felt all of these things in the first two weeks of ownership. My advice? Give it some time. You will get used to it, I have developed muscle memory on skipping tracks (btw, you can just hit the next track icon on the touch pad and then swipe right quickly to advance to the next track). I don't mind it at all anymore.
Now as far as carplay disconnecting, ask your dealer about that. I don't have those issues.
Now as far as carplay disconnecting, ask your dealer about that. I don't have those issues.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 15
Likes: 2
AMG GT 63
I agree. MBUX is counterintuitive, skipping to the next track takes too many presses. The screen is definitely a little too far away to easily touch while driving. I felt all of these things in the first two weeks of ownership. My advice? Give it some time. You will get used to it, I have developed muscle memory on skipping tracks (btw, you can just hit the next track icon on the touch pad and then swipe right quickly to advance to the next track). I don't mind it at all anymore.
Now as far as carplay disconnecting, ask your dealer about that. I don't have those issues.
Now as far as carplay disconnecting, ask your dealer about that. I don't have those issues.
have you also noticed that while in CarPlay mode that you can’t change to XM/ radio from the control section in front of the cup holder? It goes to radio and then back to CarPlay again. The same for the controls over the steering wheel. CarPlay overrides your command to change from Apple Music to XM/ Radio
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 15
Likes: 2
AMG GT 63
I did but I honestly was too concerned with how the car drove to worry about CarPlay integration and where the “next track” buttons where and so forth.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 11,473
Likes: 5,358
From: San Francisco Bay Area
2019 C63CS
I have COMAND 5.5 in my car, but had a few loaners with MBUX and I have to agree. I was very enthusiastic about MBUX when it came out, but I've come to the conclusion that version 1 is a kludge. The UI is designed for touch, yet the touchscreen is very poorly placed as OP has observed. At 5'11" I can't reach it even in a A Class w/o leaning forward. The UI being designed for touch then means that trying to navigate it with the physical controls involves swiping multiple times all over the place to get to the right control. So, the placement of the touchscreen makes one wanna use the physical controls, but the physical controls are frustrating to navigate a touch UI. In addition, CarPlay is not full screen with MBUX, but it is full screen with COMAND 5.5. I'm generally not a fan of the side-by-side screens in the GT, E Class etc., because the steering wheel always blocks part of the center screen, which is I think why CarPlay isn't full screen. The placement of the touchscreen with MBUX 2.0 in the new S Class and C Class is much better and as much as I hate touchscreen only control in a car, I think the physical controls just don't work well with touch UIs, especially w/o a jog wheel.
Member
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 143
Likes: 31
2021 CLA 250
Don't understand the issue. It takes two swipes to change the track or station with the touch dot on the steering wheel if you configure the inset sub-display to Media. You do the same thing with the touch pad in front of the shifter. You can also use voice control, and of course the touch screen.
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 15
Likes: 2
AMG GT 63
exactly. For a sports/ performance oriented vehicle there shouldn’t be any swiping involved. There should be forward and back on the steering wheel and on the console. They have a million buttons for everything else but none for those basic controls. If I want to change the exhaust or suspension I don’t needed a dedicated button.
Member
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 143
Likes: 31
2021 CLA 250
The touch pad requires only one swipe to change tracks, plus there is literally a "next" button on the touchpad. Did you guys not consult the user manual to learn how to use and operate something you paid six figures for?
I get the ergonomic frustrations, we all would like an expensive thing to work exactly as we want it to. The GT 4Door had some other considerations aside from practicality. The cupholders are a pain because of how deep they are, but at least it fits a 20 ounce bottle, unlike the Maserati I used to own which will only fit a can. The layout is also very similar to other MB cars, so the blocking of the controls is not unique to the GT 4Door.
People used to joke that the impractical parts of a special car is what gives them character. We learn to live with and ultimately even enjoy these quirks, likening them to a ritual for being a part of a club, or an inside joke. That said, the GT 4Door is a lot less quirky than other 100k+ cars on the market. I for one can't fathom someone who can put up with the harsh ride and loud noise the car makes but wants to sell it because of they find it challenging to figure out at least one of the six ways to change tracks and the configuration of the cup holder.
I get the ergonomic frustrations, we all would like an expensive thing to work exactly as we want it to. The GT 4Door had some other considerations aside from practicality. The cupholders are a pain because of how deep they are, but at least it fits a 20 ounce bottle, unlike the Maserati I used to own which will only fit a can. The layout is also very similar to other MB cars, so the blocking of the controls is not unique to the GT 4Door.
People used to joke that the impractical parts of a special car is what gives them character. We learn to live with and ultimately even enjoy these quirks, likening them to a ritual for being a part of a club, or an inside joke. That said, the GT 4Door is a lot less quirky than other 100k+ cars on the market. I for one can't fathom someone who can put up with the harsh ride and loud noise the car makes but wants to sell it because of they find it challenging to figure out at least one of the six ways to change tracks and the configuration of the cup holder.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 673
Likes: 258
From: Los Angeles
Panamera, '63 Impala
The touch pad requires only one swipe to change tracks, plus there is literally a "next" button on the touchpad. Did you guys not consult the user manual to learn how to use and operate something you paid six figures for?
I get the ergonomic frustrations, we all would like an expensive thing to work exactly as we want it to. The GT 4Door had some other considerations aside from practicality. The cupholders are a pain because of how deep they are, but at least it fits a 20 ounce bottle, unlike the Maserati I used to own which will only fit a can. The layout is also very similar to other MB cars, so the blocking of the controls is not unique to the GT 4Door.
People used to joke that the impractical parts of a special car is what gives them character. We learn to live with and ultimately even enjoy these quirks, likening them to a ritual for being a part of a club, or an inside joke. That said, the GT 4Door is a lot less quirky than other 100k+ cars on the market. I for one can't fathom someone who can put up with the harsh ride and loud noise the car makes but wants to sell it because of they find it challenging to figure out at least one of the six ways to change tracks and the configuration of the cup holder.
I get the ergonomic frustrations, we all would like an expensive thing to work exactly as we want it to. The GT 4Door had some other considerations aside from practicality. The cupholders are a pain because of how deep they are, but at least it fits a 20 ounce bottle, unlike the Maserati I used to own which will only fit a can. The layout is also very similar to other MB cars, so the blocking of the controls is not unique to the GT 4Door.
People used to joke that the impractical parts of a special car is what gives them character. We learn to live with and ultimately even enjoy these quirks, likening them to a ritual for being a part of a club, or an inside joke. That said, the GT 4Door is a lot less quirky than other 100k+ cars on the market. I for one can't fathom someone who can put up with the harsh ride and loud noise the car makes but wants to sell it because of they find it challenging to figure out at least one of the six ways to change tracks and the configuration of the cup holder.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 577
Likes: 76
From: New York, NY
2021 Mercedes Benz e450 Wagon
A better design would be that useless menu button. Clicking it up or down for track selection would code the issue and terminate this thread's necessity.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 15
Likes: 2
AMG GT 63
I've been driving MB for decades. What you are suggesting is that the thumbpad requires only 1 swipe is and only if you are on the media "page" on the dash. If not, you have to select it, and then you can store to select the next track. However, if that page loses focus, even if it's up, you still have to "highlight" it, and then swipe. In practice, a double sword can become muscle memory, but it's a crap design.
A better design would be that useless menu button. Clicking it up or down for track selection would code the issue and terminate this thread's necessity.
A better design would be that useless menu button. Clicking it up or down for track selection would code the issue and terminate this thread's necessity.
every problem solved.
Super Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 528
Likes: 5
E500 4matic, 2014 GL320, 2013 C300, 2015 Stingray
I'm kind of surprised but no so surprised to read this thread. I had a E550 back in 2005 where the arrow button on the steering wheel would not take you to the next preset but autotune to the next radio station. I was shocked at the lack of function on the electronic front with that car. I replaced that car with a 2012 BMW 550, and everything inside just worked. I could scan thru radio presets AND phone numbers (last numbers called/received) with the scroll dial on the steering wheel. Info showed on HUD, eyes never left the road - I drive was great compare to COMAND. I now have a X5 45e, and was thinking of getting a GT53, but reading the issues w/ MBUX, not sure I'm interested in 2 presses to get to a preset. My test drives these days include testing two major functions that I use (surfing presets and phone access). Now my radar is up...I had read so many good things about MBUX...this is disappointing.
Aceman
Aceman
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 361
Likes: 55
From: Los Angeles, CA
2024 EQE350 SUV, 2022 SL55 AMGMG, 2022 C300
Ok... how can I say this. Well I’m beyond upset at how horrible the MBUX system works. I’m also disappointed in the ergonomics of the whole GT63 set up. The buttons, the dials, everything. It’s just off. You have to go through way too many buttons and swiping just to.... well change the freaking channel or get to the next song. WTH Mercedes! And Apple CarPlay is constantly disconnecting. And what’s up with the touch screen being so far out of reach in a normal seated position? And the cup holders are worthless. The opening is too narrow. And the switches above the cup holder are placed way too low. My cups are constantly hitting them and to warm up the car I have to position my hand in an awkward position just to hit the switch. That’s if you don’t have a cup there. And there’s also no gap in the middle console for the phone chord to hang out of.
The interior design looks beautiful but is awful at execution. I can’t be the only one feeling like this. I almost feel like selling my car I’m so disappointed.
The interior design looks beautiful but is awful at execution. I can’t be the only one feeling like this. I almost feel like selling my car I’m so disappointed.
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 20
Likes: 3
2021 AMG GT 43
I agree. MBUX is counterintuitive, skipping to the next track takes too many presses. The screen is definitely a little too far away to easily touch while driving. I felt all of these things in the first two weeks of ownership. My advice? Give it some time. You will get used to it, I have developed muscle memory on skipping tracks (btw, you can just hit the next track icon on the touch pad and then swipe right quickly to advance to the next track). I don't mind it at all anymore.
Now as far as carplay disconnecting, ask your dealer about that. I don't have those issues.
Now as far as carplay disconnecting, ask your dealer about that. I don't have those issues.
