Keyless Go, Tyre Pressure Monitoring, etc, etc; worth it?

[calum]

Just mulling over options - nice position to be in of course - and looking at these two items. They sound nice, but seem to cost the earth for the relative convenience...

Anyone here with strong feelings as to whether they're options worth having? Any other non-obvious options I ought to consider?

thanks much...

 

[glojo]

Just mulling over options - nice position to be in of course - and looking at these two items. They sound nice, but seem to cost the earth for the relative convenience...

Anyone here with strong feelings as to whether they're options worth having? Any other non-obvious options I ought to consider?

thanks much...

Hi Calum,
I certainly have not got 'strong' feelings on either option. My wife is the main user of our car and the tyre pressure monitor is peace of mind for me. If the tyre pressure drops the monitor tells her.

I know a few people that have 'keyless-go' and they think it is very good, but I just could not work up the enthusiasm to order it.

Good luck with all decisions,
John

 

[calum]

thanks John.

I did like the idea of the tyre pressure monitor, but 470 quid seems a bit steep. A mate has just put those 10-quid valve caps on that pop up a red flag is the pressure drops by 2psi. Not as convenient, but perhaps better value

Keyless-Go; sounds a lot of fun, but I'm struggling to justify 860 quid to save me pressing a button on the remote

 

[glojo]

thanks John.

I did like the idea of the tyre pressure monitor, but 470 quid seems a bit steep. A mate has just put those 10-quid valve caps on that pop up a red flag is the pressure drops by 2psi. Not as convenient, but perhaps better value

Keyless-Go; sounds a lot of fun, but I'm struggling to justify 860 quid to save me pressing a button on the remote

Totally agree, in my particular circumstance it is all about peace of mind. I cannot check the tyre pressures and no matter whether it is daylight or darkness, I know the tyres on the car are at the correct pressure.

You must be realistic when buying a new car, especially where there are a lot of expensive, attractive options. I can never understand why leather is an option on such an expensive vehicle, but that is going off topic.

Neither of the two options you have listed are must have 'high priority' items.

Good luck,
John

 

[Steve_Perry]

One advantage of the tyre pressure monitoring system is that you can then fit 'run flat' tyres. That would give major piece of mind as having a high speed blow out usually results in a spinning car, run flat tyres offer much greater control should the worst happen at speed.

S.

 

[calum]

thanks John; have you tried checking the accuracy of the pressure monitor, against other gauges?

any other options you would consider a priority?

Interestingly, I've been told recently that my current CLK320 now has a lower residual value than it might have had otherwise because it's only got fabric seats. Shame they didn't tell me that when I bought it... I've gone for leather twin on the E350 order...

 

[calum]

Steve: what's the actual advantage of having the monitor using run-flat tyres? Just so you know it's happened?

 

[glojo]

thanks John; have you tried checking the accuracy of the pressure monitor, against other gauges?

any other options you would consider a priority?

Interestingly, I've been told recently that my current CLK320 now has a lower residual value than it might have had otherwise because it's only got fabric seats. Shame they didn't tell me that when I bought it... I've gone for leather twin on the E350 order...

You just answered my first priority. (Leather seats)

I am a bit of a skin flint, but spoil my hard working wife, so to match my skin flint temperament I would purchase from a different source a Nokia 6310i telephone, then order the hands free telephone kit.

I personally like the COMAND for all of its options (apart from cost)

The seats on the E-class are very good, but the optional seats are the icing on the cake but not 'a must have'

Do you garage your car?

If so I would recommend the remote door closing. (excellent option where you just press a button on the interior mirror)

If you have COMAND you can put over 1100 mp3's on one DVD, if you don't fancy that I would recommend the 6 CD changer?? CD changer or tyre pressure monitor???

Are you getting the Avantgarde. The bi-xeon headlights are to die for and are standard on the Avantgarde.

How much of your money have I spent??

On my 210 we had the standard climate control, this time I ordered the 4-zone and am very pleased with it.

I am not a big fan of the standard Avantgarde wheels and went for the twin spokes, but that is just a personal cosmetic thing.

I sat down and thought, thought again and thought again about options for our own vehicle. If I was to re-order it again I would get everyone of my own personal options plus Linguatronic, and the full AMG options. These though are certainly NOT, must have's.

I also asked my dealer to put heavy duty mats and mud flaps on (at no charge of course, and that is done AFTER I negotiate a price that I am happy with)

I hope I have not spent to much of your hard earnt cash,

Forgot to answer the tyre pressure question. I can only answer it in reverse. Whenever the monitor tells us to check the tyres then they do indeed need air, and I am fairly confident the monitor pressure matches our air pump guage.

Regards,
John

 

[calum]

thanks much John, very helpful.

My company fit a carphone installation, so that will have to be an after-market job. I don't get a choice as to handset, although it's normally a Nokia.

COMAND I went for (so won't bother with the CD changer - DVD MP3s here we come). I have the orthopaedic seats on my CLK currently, and find it's just too many buttons to fiddle with. I've heard the default seats on the E are good, as you say, so am sticking with them.

I got the luxury climate on my CLK and have been very happy with it, so went with the same (well, 4-zone this time) on the E order. Extra mats as you say...

Also Parktronic - never had this but I like the idea. Do you like it?

I'm going for the Elegance, but have already added the Bi-Xenons - with the swivelly ALS - to the order.

Also split-folding rear seats, rear side airbags, heated front seats (for my wife) and an upgrade to the 5-twin-spoke, 8Jx16 alloys.

Perhaps I should add the tyre monitor too...

and in Teallite Blue, which I see you have, too

 

[marcos]

I am not a big fan of the standard Avantgarde wheels and went for the twin spokes, but that is just a personal cosmetic thing.

I upgraded to these because I thought they looked a bit more sporty, a younger persons wheel, and then I find out John had them too, maybe I'm getting old and just can't face facts, I dunno

Forgot to mention, go for the air-matic, it's great as are heated seats but I personally wouldn't bother with keyless go but tyre pressure monitoring has it's safety use's as John said.

Don't bother with the silly swiveling lights, my freinds W211 has these and it's very difficult to tell if they make any difference such is the spread of light with the Bi-Xenon.

 

[calum]

thanks marcos - I've seen a few road tests where they mention 90% in light coverage with the swivels... haven't seen it for myself though. will look into it, ta.

I see the AirMatic is 1200 quid; a bit pricey for me; I drive like an old man anyway

 

[glojo]

I have just read Marcos's post, the active headlights are okay but certainly not a 'must have'

Regarding the telephone that your company gives you, I underestand what you are saying but the hands free kit that Mercedes-Benz supply is something I cannot recommend highly enough. As I have said I do understand what you are saying but I will make my case anyway.

The hands free kit can be operated from the buttons on the steering wheel, it links up with the COMAND for the telephone book. Has a beautifully concealed microphone. You can do texting and no doubt 'loads' of other options. It is completely concealed and therefore cannot be seen from outside the car.

Couldn't you just take the sim card out of your companies telephone and put it into the car system. Oh and the hands free kit also works through the speakers of the onboard hi-fi system.

Sorry for going on about something that you don't really want.

I just remembered I personally do not like the airmatic suspension. Sorry Marcos, the Elegance suspension is more 'comfortable'

The Avantgarde offers lots of options for little extra money. I elected not to select the 'sports suspension and did not need the airmatic. I would cost your options and see how it compares to an Avantgarde. The darker wood has certainly 'grown' on us and now I really like it along with the nice white dials.

Regards again,
John

 

[calum]

thanks John, I'll consider the telephone. I think it's the idea of spending 550 quid of my own money, on the pre-wiring and a cradle, when the company will fit a hands-free system for me. Admittedly, it won't be integrated, and it will be visible, but that's a lot of cash... still, worth a think

 

[calum]

and that 550 doesn't even include fitting the cradle, apparently...

 

[RichardM]

Also Parktronic - never had this but I like the idea. Do you like it?

I'd say this is pretty much a 'must have' on a car of this size. It makes parking so easy. This is the one things on the car I would really like miss if I didn't have it.

I really like the standard Avantgarde wheels, I just wish I'd gone for the 17" version.

 

[marcos]

Also Parktronic - never had this but I like the idea. Do you like it?

One of the things I missed of the options list and regretted, it is a long car and would I'm sure be very usefull as Richard says.

John wrote:

I just remembered I personally do not like the airmatic suspension. Sorry Marcos, the Elegance suspension is more 'comfortable'

I have driven W211's with and without air-matic and the difference in handling is amazing, with air-matic you stick to the road and the feedback is great and without everything just seemed woolly and unsafe, I do love a fast bend though

 

[glojo]

thanks John, I'll consider the telephone. I think it's the idea of spending 550 quid of my own money, on the pre-wiring and a cradle, when the company will fit a hands-free system for me. Admittedly, it won't be integrated, and it will be visible, but that's a lot of cash... still, worth a think

Hi Calum,
I cannot obviously comment on what is right for you, but I am just looking at my price list (that might well be out of date) and the cost of the complete pre-wiring package was £495 including all tax. There is a 'functions' screen on the dashboard and by using the steering wheel buttons you can scroll through your telephone numbers, select whatever number you require and connect the call from those same steering wheel buttons. (I love it) Obviously incoming calls are also displayed on the functions screen. It is an expensive option and only you can decide whether it is worth it. Sorry to have rambled on about this feature. It will teach you to ask me a question

Thetotal amount I paid and it comes with a cradle for the Nokia range was £495. I then purchased a 'new' 6310i from the local paper for £70. This compares with a Mercedes-Benz total price of £735!!

Hi to Marcos,
I understand what you are saying about the suspension and it is indeed very much a personal thing. We had an E-class with the sports suspension for a week and 'the boss' hated it. Not because of the handling, not because of the ride. She disliked it because she could feel and hear every bump in the road. I hope you understand what I mean by this, I am not saying the car bounced, or wallowed over every bump, more that it transmitted the information (how's that for tact?)

Parktronic is very good and it has replaced the dangling piece of string from the garage beam. My only complaint is that in most practicle circumstances if you wait for an audible warning, then you will hear the thump a second after the first audible warning. There is no audible warning until all the lights turn red. I would prefer a quiet, slow audible warning, getting faster and louder as you get closer. (just a personal thing) I own the estate so I cannot comment on the saloon, on the estate there is a repeater of parktronic behind the driver so if you either look in the rear view mirror, or look behind you can still see it. (The saloon might also have this feature)

The boss seldom if ever goes fast on 'twisty, turny' roads and hopefully does not exceed ***mph on the motorways So there is not the need for a sporty feel.

My own view is that the BMW is more for sporty drivers and the E-class is a nice comfortable car. This is a terrible generalization and I accept that the Avantgarde is a 'Sports', version and the AMG is stunning. I also think Marcos has made an excellent choice of vehicle and specification. He likes a 'sporty' feel to his car and that is exactly what he has.

Good luck,
John

 

[calum]

I cannot obviously comment on what is right for you, but I am just looking at my price list (that might well be out of date) and the cost of the complete pre-wiring package was £495 including all tax.

The total amount I paid and it comes with a cradle for the Nokia range was £495. I then purchased a 'new' 6310i from the local paper for £70. This compares with a Mercedes-Benz total price of £735!!

Hi John,

That's intersting; I'm only going by what is in the 1st October price list - I haven't checked this with the dealer - which is:

£770 Nokia 6310i mobile telephone with hands-free facility and telephone aerial
£420 Telephone pre-wiring with hands-free facility and telephone aerial
£131 Telephone cradle for Nokia 6210/6310/6310i handset

The £420 pre-wiring option explicitly notes that a separate cradle is needed, and that the cost of the cradle (£131) does not include fitting (it's not a factory-fitted item).

So, it has gone up a bit... still, it does sound very handy. Mulling it over...

Ta re Parktronic comments, and thanks also Marcos and Richard.

 

[RichardM]

I own the estate so I cannot comment on the saloon, on the estate there is a repeater of parktronic behind the driver so if you either look in the rear view mirror, or look behind you can still see it. (The saloon might also have this feature)

The saloon does also have this in the same place, so you can watch in the rear view mirror as you reverse.

On the phone option, one thing I don't like, and would put me off selecting this, is that the Nokia 6310i is a very old phone now. I know some people don't care about colour screen's and camera's but I do!

 

[glojo]

The saloon does also have this in the same place, so you can watch in the rear view mirror as you reverse.

On the phone option, one thing I don't like, and would put me off selecting this, is that the Nokia 6310i is a very old phone now. I know some people don't care about colour screen's and camera's but I do!

Your point is well put, but my 6310i is solely for the vehicle and as you know it is 'concealed' and never leaves the car. Are the telephone options controlled by the COMAND or the telephone, because if I get stuck I use the COMAND manual to tell me how to access all of the telephone options. This would then make the type of telephone academic? Mind you I cannot take a picture of the inside of my glove box. Dorry Richard that was my stupid sense of humour.

I just prefer to have the full use of the excellent hands free options of the Merecedes-Benz as opposed to a third party hands free system.

How easy is it to connect a third party system to the car so that the hi-fi system cuts out whilst you are on the telephone? Will it also go through the hi-fi speaker system?

Thanks for the post and sorry for my sense of humour,
Regards,
John