C350e anyone considering one?

[C350e Jan 2016]

My boss has same model C350e with the same heater booster problem....Mercedes dealer has had his car for last 11 days.......no wonder Europcar only have Skoda's left....Mercedes Benz car hire.....yes right !

 

[lookyhooky]

Disappointing news back from Lex unfortunately; I've attached the response but in summary: No.

The reasons given are that they don't like MB being able to track the car and that the built in MB breakdown recovery conflicts with the Lex policy.

I'm disappointed to be honest, but I can't see a resolution to this without stamping my feet and making a scene; something I'd rather avoid.

Hopefully rumours of a lease-friendly version of Mercedes Me are true and we will see this soon.

Have you (or they) consider that the remote services are configurable so you could switch on, for example pre heating and charge timers, whilst not having service/breakdown and geofencing activated?

Not perfect, but at least some functionality.

Also worth bearing in mind if you are a company car driver then you are paying BIK on the total list price (not list, less a little bit 'cause you haven't got all functionality) and was this agreed before you ordered. Could be worth discussing with your fleet manager?

And my final tuppence worth - so if you are aware that pressing the "I've broken down and need assistance button" will incur cost directly to you, surely it's the drivers choice whether to press the button or not? Location data might be a little more tricky to argue, other than to say "well I'm the 'keeper' of the vehicle for the next X years, and I don't mind Mecedes having the data - what have you got to hide Mr Leasing company?

P.S. My thoughts are my own and open to critique from anyone who care comment.

 

[B33fy]

Taking advantage of a tax loophole and then blaming the government for that loophole existing is such a lame point of view.

There are a number of c350e owners and prospective owners on here that are moving from an efficient diesel and have a driving profile of large miles per annum on motorways etc. that know that their consumption and fuel bills will go up. They don't care, as company miles are expensed and they save enough money on BIK. As the electric car grants are made from a limited fund, they are also using up the allocations here too.

Equally there are some owners that charge at home and work, and have a commute/driving profile that suits a hybrid.

Another holier than thou post.. Bottom line, we don!t make the rules.

if we choose to use them for whatever reason then that's our prerogative if not, someone else will always take advantage of them until such time the suits have a rethink.

Perhaps also critics of others buying the 350 for tax purposes need to aim their discontent at MB for designing a less than efficient car that meets the rules.

On the other hand just go buy a stereotypical Prius..

 

[TBKing]

Have you (or they) consider that the remote services are configurable so you could switch on, for example pre heating and charge timers, whilst not having service/breakdown and geofencing activated?

Not perfect, but at least some functionality.

Also worth bearing in mind if you are a company car driver then you are paying BIK on the total list price (not list, less a little bit 'cause you haven't got all functionality) and was this agreed before you ordered. Could be worth discussing with your fleet manager?

And my final tuppence worth - so if you are aware that pressing the "I've broken down and need assistance button" will incur cost directly to you, surely it's the drivers choice whether to press the button or not? Location data might be a little more tricky to argue, other than to say "well I'm the 'keeper' of the vehicle for the next X years, and I don't mind Mecedes having the data - what have you got to hide Mr Leasing company?

P.S. My thoughts are my own and open to critique from anyone who care comment.

Nope, completely agree with you.

The simple fact is that their argument is utter nonsense; but from the response I would assume they've been asked about the Mercedes Me connection a lot (we have at least 10 C350e's on order that I know of, so I doubt I'm the first to complain).

It's not rocket science; don't push the 'Mercedes Emergency Assist' button and be aware that MB can track the car.

The tone of the email suggests they are taking a hard line on this, so I'd rather not push them too hard at the moment. My Director also has one on order and I'm fairly certain he will have a few words to say regarding the App feature.

I wasn't aware the App features were configurable; I'll have a look into this and see if I can use it to at least gain some functionality.

 

[Dieseldrinker]

Regarding the Mercedes Me services, I believe that Mercedes should come up with a lease friendly version that the lease companies are happy with. It must be simple to split the offering and only activate parts of it.

The app is already split and you can select which parts you have active and inactive when you first register, so I can't see what the problem is. I have 11 of the 13 services activated but to avoid conflict with Lex services I have left 'maintenance management' and 'telediagnostics' disabled.

My vehicle is a Lex vehicle through my company but the app was activated by my local dealer without any questions.

Once you get your VIN number, register for the services and visit your friendly dealer - you may be surprised!

 

[stevehg]

Another holier than thou post.. Bottom line, we don!t make the rules.

if we choose to use them for whatever reason then that's our prerogative if not, someone else will always take advantage of them until such time the suits have a rethink.

Perhaps also critics of others buying the 350 for tax purposes need to aim their discontent at MB for designing a less than efficient car that meets the rules.

On the other hand just go buy a stereotypical Prius..

It's not being "holier than thou". I didn't attack anyone for doing what they are doing, or suggest they should have done something else, in fact in both posts I stated they could do what they like. I also don't see anyone else attacking them too.

I'm just raising the point that people trying to absolve any responsibility in their decision by blaming others and stating that "I don't make the rules", is just a cop out.

For those that have, I'm just saying to have the balls to state that you are taking advantage of the system to get a better car/reduce BIK because you can, and not blame it on anyone else.

That's not being "holier than thou", that's just requesting people to be open about the real reason for the decision.

 

[mbboyracer]

There are a number of c350e owners and prospective owners on here that are moving from an efficient diesel...

An interesting remark in amongst all the squabbling about Bik etc! I'm no road warrior, just a pensioner paying for it all up front from savings that are just wasting away; and I have no envy at all for you guys (galls?) who can enjoy the good stuff while slaving away at the coal face. And that includes using the bureaucracy legally to your advantage. There are plenty of examples where bureaucracy works against you.

Anyway, back to "efficient diesel". My C320cdi - a great car to drive as befits my Username - has returned 33.5mpg consistently over 40,000 miles and eight years. Increasingly short trips, admittedly; but on the long continental expeditions I've been lucky to see 40-41 mpg.

I hope for at least that from my C350e when I get it sorted. It's just that dreadful right foot of mine that I have to beware of...!

 

[ASnowman]

It's just that dreadful right foot of mine that I have to beware of...!

Ha ha
And my wife need lighter boots.
Haptic feedback is just the way to real pedal it seems.

 

[fields5069]

I'm absolutely taking advantage of the system, and it's probable that we PHEV drivers are doing it to a greater extent than a driver of a 1.6 turbo diesel. But we're all paying tax based on (legally) skewed results, so we're all responsible. I was responsible in my Prius doing 50mpg, again to a lesser extent but I was still paying less than I "should" have been.

 

[N_Jepson]

I'm absolutely taking advantage of the system, and it's probable that we PHEV drivers are doing it to a greater extent than a driver of a 1.6 turbo diesel. But we're all paying tax based on (legally) skewed results, so we're all responsible. I was responsible in my Prius doing 50mpg, again to a lesser extent but I was still paying less than I "should" have been.

Totally agree.

I'm not an extreme green eco-warrior at all ... I'm a petrol head wanting a tax efficient nice (fairly performant car) to run

As a consultant running a Ltd company I'm also writing off the capital expenditure against my corporate tax in year 1 (sounds crazy to me) but it's 100% legitimate and within the tax laws of the UK.

If I don't do it someone else will be and I pay more than my fair share of tax in other forms.

Swapping from a 3.0 ltr turbo diesel ...

 

[KirkA]

Guys at work really starting to rub it in, come on June.

 

[C350e Jan 2016]

My vehicle is also a Lex vehicle through my company but the app was also activated by my local dealer without any questions. In fact, they said they would look out for the registration number so they could activate. Having said that, they still have it as it broke down 12 days ago with "heater booster" problem.....

 

[C350e Driver]

Hi, sounds like terrible service from Mercedes Assist!!
I had an issue where an Ecotricity changing lead was locked to the car and although the Emergency Stop was pressed on the charging station, and the charging current was cancelled, the car would not unlock the plug. Mercedes Assist took 3 hrs to release me and they had to get telephone support from Germany to dismantle the back of the car so as to gain access to the charging point so as to mechanically force the lock to release. My support from Mercedes Assist was not a pleasant experience.

 

[SeanC350e]

My vehicle is also a Lex vehicle through my company but the app was also activated by my local dealer without any questions. In fact, they said they would look out for the registration number so they could activate. Having said that, they still have it as it broke down 12 days ago with "heater booster" problem.....

Mine has just failed PDI due to this fault. I am awaiting a part from Germany before they can deliver.


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[Wetpanda]

Guys at work really starting to rub it in, come on June.

Looking at that I think you are going to have bigger problems fighting over the charging bays!

 

[TheCorm]

Update on our companies Connect Me stuff.

We have cancelled our order with Arval and just about to order directly from Mercedes, so there will be no issue with us getting it enabled.

My current eta has moved from 29th april to 6th April (!!!) while my colleague who is getting the saloon has slipped into May.

The Heater booster issue sounds a bit concerning though?

 

[C350e Driver]

Charging Socket Outer Flap

Please note that the outer flap covering the charging socket is connected via a weak hinge and my hinge has fractured and broke off. I'm not too sure how this may have occurred and I can only guess that the flap has been knocked whilst the outer flap was open whilst left on charge.
The outer flap plate is approx. £9 to replace. However, the hinged section is moulded into the rear bumper and I'm waiting for Mercedes to quote the price for the full bumper replacement. I'm currently keeping the rain off the charging socket via the inner socket hinged cover.
I've expressed concern with Mercedes as to a potential design fault as it seems crazy that the petrol flap is a moulded removable casing around the fuel nozzle and yet the charging socket is moulded into the rear bumper and does not provide a quick replacement inexpensive part. :fail

 

[fourspoons]

Disappointing news back from Lex unfortunately; I've attached the response but in summary: No.

The reasons given are that they don't like MB being able to track the car and that the built in MB breakdown recovery conflicts with the Lex policy.

I'm disappointed to be honest, but I can't see a resolution to this without stamping my feet and making a scene; something I'd rather avoid.

Hopefully rumours of a lease-friendly version of Mercedes Me are true and we will see this soon.

That is the biggest pile of poo I've ever heard. I know for a fact Lex don't actively disable identical functionality that is available in BMWs (that don't require any such elaborate activation process). Having the SOS button connect you to MB assist is no different from having the phone number on a sticker in the windscreen (which they do) and dialling it yourself..... AND their argument about having to pay for recovery yourself would surely only apply once the vehicle is out of warranty anyway and we are some way off that....

Thankfully Alphabet had no problems confirming to MB they were happy for it to be activated on my lease car.

 

[fourspoons]

Please note that the outer flap covering the charging socket is connected via a weak hinge and my hinge has fractured and broke off. I'm not too sure how this may have occurred and I can only guess that the flap has been knocked whilst the outer flap was open whilst left on charge.
The outer flap plate is approx. £9 to replace. However, the hinged section is moulded into the rear bumper and I'm waiting for Mercedes to quote the price for the full bumper replacement. I'm currently keeping the rain off the charging socket via the inner socket hinged cover.
I've expressed concern with Mercedes as to a potential design fault as it seems crazy that the petrol flap is a moulded removable casing around the fuel nozzle and yet the charging socket is moulded into the rear bumper and does not provide a quick replacement inexpensive part. :fail

Agreed, I've noticed the flap on mine is rather flimsy. Anyone brushes it whilst walking past when its charging and it will easily come off I'm sure.

 

[B33fy]

It's not being "holier than thou". I didn't attack anyone for doing what they are doing, or suggest they should have done something else, in fact in both posts I stated they could do what they like. I also don't see anyone else attacking them too.

I'm just raising the point that people trying to absolve any responsibility in their decision by blaming others and stating that "I don't make the rules", is just a cop out.

For those that have, I'm just saying to have the balls to state that you are taking advantage of the system to get a better car/reduce BIK because you can, and not blame it on anyone else.

That's not being "holier than thou", that's just requesting people to be open about the real reason for the decision.

Like you did on the 350 owners club thread back in October 2015..?? When you critised owners and would be owners for the same thing. The only person round here that doesn't get it is you, and it's getting boring, so go find another moral high ground drum to bang elsewhere.