One thing I like and one I don't
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2000 W210 E55->2003 R230 SL500->2004 W211 E55->2007 997TT+2007 E63->2010 GLK350->2012 E550 4matic
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 89
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From: Oregon's beautiful Willamette valley
2014 Mercedes-Benz E550 4Matic, 2010 Subaru Legacy 3.6R
I concur that the control systems are poorly done. The manual, and the system layout, is poorly conceived, poorly designed, and poorly implemented. We must not be the only buyers who find the system difficult. Mercedes-Benz is said to be contracting with Garmin for its next-generation nav system. I've blacked out all references to car models other than my own in the owner's manual, removed most Canadian references--some might come handy if the car needs maintenance in Canada--and all references specific to the station wagon. That, plus, extensive high-lighting and underlining helps. It is still the worst car management system I've ever encountered. Aircraft do it better, while dealing with more complexity. it is not a matter of reading the manual, but of developing intuitive on-the-road responses for a very difficult-to-use system. And, what's with the over-done safety guidance? I have already figured out that gasoline is flammable, etc.
This is my feeling on many of the aspects of this car - excessively complex design without any thought paid to how Joe Random User will interact with the systems, which results in unintuitive or hard-to-understand or just plain goofy behavior.
- navi system w/traffic is hard to use. Yes, I'm sure one can do everything I asked about doing, but it doesn't need to be so complicated. Other systems are not.
- totally agree with you on the high beams issues. For a long time I didn't think my high beams were even working because of the delay in turning them on.
- what on earth are rear fog lights? And why does turning them on affect other things?
- audio system has strange controls. To go from navi screen to bluetooth audio screen requires moving control to uppermost menu bar, selecting 'audio' than scrolling through and choosing 'bluetooth audio'. Or you can press 'disc' a bunch of times? What? I'm still trying to figure out if I can have two things on the screen at once, like audio info and navi data. This was trivial to do in my BMW but it doesn't even seem possible in this car.
- stereo sound quality is mediocre and, what's more, when I change the bass and treble controls, it does not have any observable effect on the sound. I'm sure there IS something else I don't know about using this system which is causing my adjustments to have no effect. What is that? How would I know?
- the manual is terrible. The paper manual which comes with the car doesn't even have most of this info. You need to use an electronic one to find half this stuff out. It's like Mercedes couldn't be bothered to print the latest rev for sale with their car.
But yes, when I'm flooring it, it's a lot of fun. When I'm driving and not flooring it...
I'm through complaining here. I know people don't like to hear it. I am just very disappointed and frustrated because none of these things are apparent in a test drive. Maybe the dealer did a poor job of telling me how to use the car but I've owned a lot of cars and I can usually figure out how to do things like adjust the bass or turn off voice navigation.
- navi system w/traffic is hard to use. Yes, I'm sure one can do everything I asked about doing, but it doesn't need to be so complicated. Other systems are not.
- totally agree with you on the high beams issues. For a long time I didn't think my high beams were even working because of the delay in turning them on.
- what on earth are rear fog lights? And why does turning them on affect other things?
- audio system has strange controls. To go from navi screen to bluetooth audio screen requires moving control to uppermost menu bar, selecting 'audio' than scrolling through and choosing 'bluetooth audio'. Or you can press 'disc' a bunch of times? What? I'm still trying to figure out if I can have two things on the screen at once, like audio info and navi data. This was trivial to do in my BMW but it doesn't even seem possible in this car.
- stereo sound quality is mediocre and, what's more, when I change the bass and treble controls, it does not have any observable effect on the sound. I'm sure there IS something else I don't know about using this system which is causing my adjustments to have no effect. What is that? How would I know?
- the manual is terrible. The paper manual which comes with the car doesn't even have most of this info. You need to use an electronic one to find half this stuff out. It's like Mercedes couldn't be bothered to print the latest rev for sale with their car.
But yes, when I'm flooring it, it's a lot of fun. When I'm driving and not flooring it...
I'm through complaining here. I know people don't like to hear it. I am just very disappointed and frustrated because none of these things are apparent in a test drive. Maybe the dealer did a poor job of telling me how to use the car but I've owned a lot of cars and I can usually figure out how to do things like adjust the bass or turn off voice navigation.
Last edited by marvinlee; Dec 14, 2013 at 06:57 AM.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 852
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From: Rural NoVA
'14 E63S, '13 G550, '06 E320 cdi, and a bunch of other stuff.
Said to work in conjunction with the rear defrost and automatically under certain circumstances.
We're supposed to get another batch of snow today, so I'm going to check it out a bit closer.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 67
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From: Edmonton, AB
2010 R8 V10, 2013 Cayenne GTS, 2014 GLK 250
On an aside, I have to say that on the Michelin PA4's, this vehicle has easily outperformed the Cayenne GTS I traded in for it. It just doesn't flinch with the snow. I have, when merging onto an empty road early in the morning, tried to have it lose control by pressing the throttle in the middle of a curved merge and it just tracks straight. In some instance, slip could be detected but the 4Matic arrested it right away. Confidence-inspiring!
Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
From: Oregon's beautiful Willamette valley
2014 Mercedes-Benz E550 4Matic, 2010 Subaru Legacy 3.6R
I have the E550 4Matic, not the AMG, but my car manual, at least, does not have content on a heated mirror. Am I just missing the right page to read, or has the heated mirror been deleted as standard equipment? I also do not have the eyeglass holder described on page 303, which I have since ordered from Germany.
The AMG product guy said that all US '14 E-class are supposed to have heated mirrors. He called it a "global standard fit."
Said to work in conjunction with the rear defrost and automatically under certain circumstances.
We're supposed to get another batch of snow today, so I'm going to check it out a bit closer.
Said to work in conjunction with the rear defrost and automatically under certain circumstances.
We're supposed to get another batch of snow today, so I'm going to check it out a bit closer.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 414
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From: NY
2007 Corvette Z06/2011 BMW M3
I am 99.99% positive that the steering wheel is not heated. Squatted down in the garage the other day to try and find a button somewhere that could activate it, but nothing.
On an aside, I have to say that on the Michelin PA4's, this vehicle has easily outperformed the Cayenne GTS I traded in for it. It just doesn't flinch with the snow. I have, when merging onto an empty road early in the morning, tried to have it lose control by pressing the throttle in the middle of a curved merge and it just tracks straight. In some instance, slip could be detected but the 4Matic arrested it right away. Confidence-inspiring!
On an aside, I have to say that on the Michelin PA4's, this vehicle has easily outperformed the Cayenne GTS I traded in for it. It just doesn't flinch with the snow. I have, when merging onto an empty road early in the morning, tried to have it lose control by pressing the throttle in the middle of a curved merge and it just tracks straight. In some instance, slip could be detected but the 4Matic arrested it right away. Confidence-inspiring!
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Super Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 723
Likes: 4
From: Calgary, AB
2014 E63 S
I can confirm that there is no control for the heated wheel. So unless it works automatically it isn't in there. Same as the heated mirrors so who knows. I have not felt the wheel get 'hot', but I drive with gloves when it's truly cold out.
Also there is only lumbar control on the passenger seat. No side bolster or seat bottom adjustability. That's a pretty big let down, lots of passengers in my C class marvelled at the bolsters and how they grab you in. It's fully adjustable on the drivers side but not the passengers. My wife would have appreciated the seat bottom adjustability and massage function. Lame.
Also there is only lumbar control on the passenger seat. No side bolster or seat bottom adjustability. That's a pretty big let down, lots of passengers in my C class marvelled at the bolsters and how they grab you in. It's fully adjustable on the drivers side but not the passengers. My wife would have appreciated the seat bottom adjustability and massage function. Lame.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
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2000 W210 E55->2003 R230 SL500->2004 W211 E55->2007 997TT+2007 E63->2010 GLK350->2012 E550 4matic
No heated steering wheel and PA4s
I am 99.99% positive that the steering wheel is not heated. Squatted down in the garage the other day to try and find a button somewhere that could activate it, but nothing.
On an aside, I have to say that on the Michelin PA4's, this vehicle has easily outperformed the Cayenne GTS I traded in for it. It just doesn't flinch with the snow. I have, when merging onto an empty road early in the morning, tried to have it lose control by pressing the throttle in the middle of a curved merge and it just tracks straight. In some instance, slip could be detected but the 4Matic arrested it right away. Confidence-inspiring!
On an aside, I have to say that on the Michelin PA4's, this vehicle has easily outperformed the Cayenne GTS I traded in for it. It just doesn't flinch with the snow. I have, when merging onto an empty road early in the morning, tried to have it lose control by pressing the throttle in the middle of a curved merge and it just tracks straight. In some instance, slip could be detected but the 4Matic arrested it right away. Confidence-inspiring!
Agree, I run the PA4s since last year on the 2012 E550 4matic and they're great.
By the way, quick question, on the E63S, is the ride height adjustable? Not sure if it will be usable to be able to increase ground clearance an inch or two for the really nasty snowy days..
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 723
Likes: 4
From: Calgary, AB
2014 E63 S
Thanks for checking. Yes, the button would be at the end of the steering wheel adjustment stalk with a red LED, which you twist it to turn on.
Agree, I run the PA4s since last year on the 2012 E550 4matic and they're great.
By the way, quick question, on the E63S, is the ride height adjustable? Not sure if it will be usable to be able to increase ground clearance an inch or two for the really nasty snowy days..
Agree, I run the PA4s since last year on the 2012 E550 4matic and they're great.
By the way, quick question, on the E63S, is the ride height adjustable? Not sure if it will be usable to be able to increase ground clearance an inch or two for the really nasty snowy days..
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Posts: 3,462
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FF. W212 E63 M156 non-pano 18" P2 ParkT NightV (gone but will be missed).
Super Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 811
Likes: 5
From: Calgary, Canada
'10 F150 FX4 SCrew. '14 S212S
I confirmed today that my wagon has no heated wheel or dead pedal.
Damn thing has a snow drift growing on it!
Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: NYC
'01 S500 AMG Sport, ABC,Distronic,Rear Side Shades // '10 E350 P2, Pano, BLK/ALM,4MATIC Sport
I have the E550 4Matic, not the AMG, but my car manual, at least, does not have content on a heated mirror. Am I just missing the right page to read, or has the heated mirror been deleted as standard equipment? I also do not have the eyeglass holder described on page 303, which I have since ordered from Germany.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 509
Likes: 36
From: Ohio
2021 GLS63
Should be there:
1. Folding mirrors.
2. Rear HVAC controls
3. Passenger multi-contour seat
4. Soft touch doors
Wish they were there:
1. HUD
2. Heated steering wheel. (Yes, the alcantara doesn't get that cold and I usually wear gloves, but when I drive my wife's X5, the heated wheel goes on for about 5 minutes and it is glorious.BTW, I have ****ty circulation in my hand so this is a personal thing...)
3. Actual seat heaters
4. Better COMMAND/Navi system with ability to show two things on command screen at once...(more of a pipe dream)
Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 139
Likes: 5
From: Colorado Mountains & Hilton Head Island
2022 GLE450, 2024 RAM 1500 Limited, 2014 E63 AMG S-Model 4Matic Wagon (sold), 2021 GLE63S AMG (sold)
I just read a preview of the new 2015 C Class. It's going to have HUD as an option - so E Class won't be far behind.
I guess we were a little too early to the party because that's one thing I really miss from my X5!
I guess we were a little too early to the party because that's one thing I really miss from my X5!
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 344
Likes: 1
'12 E63 Wagon
I've had HUD in a number of cars starting in '99 and in every case after about a month I just stop seeing it. Somehow I begin to completely ignore it. Maybe I'm too old school? No idea, but if I focus back to look 2 feet in front of me, my eyes go to the dash rather than the windsheild. I wouldn't pay for HUD again, though it keeps getting included (cept the E63, where I dont miss it).
My big complaint: Seat ventilation. These are ventilated seats??? I cant even tell. I hear some fan going in the dashboard but there not any indication that anything is working. My damn Tundra even does a better job of it. I bet Citroen even has a better working system (there, I said it).
The seat ventilation sucks SO MUCH I'm not even afraid to fart.
And thats a big deal. The women love their heated seats. Makes them feel warm in special areas in ways life apparently can't. Men, we love our ventilated seats. Cools us off in parts that just get too hot and clammy.
All I ask for is a car to accelerate like a crazed cheetah, carry my family, sound like a muscle car, keep me safe, and cool and dry off my gentlemen. IS THAT SO HARD???
(Sorry, it's Monday morning.)
My big complaint: Seat ventilation. These are ventilated seats??? I cant even tell. I hear some fan going in the dashboard but there not any indication that anything is working. My damn Tundra even does a better job of it. I bet Citroen even has a better working system (there, I said it).
The seat ventilation sucks SO MUCH I'm not even afraid to fart.
And thats a big deal. The women love their heated seats. Makes them feel warm in special areas in ways life apparently can't. Men, we love our ventilated seats. Cools us off in parts that just get too hot and clammy.
All I ask for is a car to accelerate like a crazed cheetah, carry my family, sound like a muscle car, keep me safe, and cool and dry off my gentlemen. IS THAT SO HARD???
(Sorry, it's Monday morning.)
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 723
Likes: 4
From: Calgary, AB
2014 E63 S
I found that the central heat gets hot quite quickly... as little as 30C oil temp and it was blowing nice and warm.
The vents are positioned perfectly to nicely toast each hand at 9 & 3... give that a whirl
