New C350 CDI Order!!

[This is Pete]

COMAND APS gives you (in addition to SatNav):-

* Address Book
* CD playback
* MP3 playback (via internal HD if optioned, and/or MP3 on CD/DVD)
* DVD playback
* Bluetooth phone
* iPod interface
* Linguatronic
* Radio/DAB radio
* Reversing camera
* TV

Some of the above are optional extras

 

[sweetmeister]

Was I just unlucky then,or does anybody else have the issue of road and wind noise in the C class saloon?

 

[RichardM]

COMAND APS gives you (in addition to SatNav):-

* Address Book
* CD playback
* MP3 playback (via internal HD if optioned, and/or MP3 on CD/DVD)
* DVD playback
* Bluetooth phone
* iPod interface
* Linguatronic
* Radio/DAB radio
* Reversing camera
* TV

Some of the above are optional extras

USB interface too. On mine the music register (hard disk) and ability to play music via bluetooth streamed over 3G from my iPhone is great. Driving to Wales today I was able to listen to Radio 1 Essential Mix from Friday night.

 

[NISFAN]

Was I just unlucky then,or does anybody else have the issue of road and wind noise in the C class saloon?

Hmmm, No....I personally think the C is very quiet. I test drove a F30 320D, and my C220CDi felt like a Maybach after the BMW.

I can talk normally at 100mph.....however, mine has the standard suspension and skinny tyres. In fact mine is that quiet on the motorway, I find the fan the biggest source of noise.

350CDI has a level of gruffness, so not entirely smooth.....but I think that is 'character' ........not driven a 250CDI.

 

[Pacamack]

Becker plus Audio 20 gives you:
- Bluetooth phone fully integrated
- USB interface
- DAB radio
- Voice activation for Sat Nav
- 6 CD Changer

I bought a 32GB USB stick for £20 which sits in the central arm rest and has all of my music on it. I can also stream music from my iPhone via Bluetooth.
The car comes with parktronic as standard so no need for a reversing camera.
I had TV/DVD in my previous E 500 and used it once in 2 years as you can't watch it whilst driving (which is a good thing).
If you want to fully integrate your iPod you can spec the media interface for an extra £200 but to be honest my £20 USB stick plus the Bluetooth has this covered.

I still don't see what I would be getting for £1500?

 

[This is Pete]

Was I just unlucky then,or does anybody else have the issue of road and wind noise in the C class saloon?

Wide, low profile tires = more road noise especially at high speed on certain kinds of road surface.

 

[Pacamack]

I find it a bit clattery at start up and low speed, but on the motorway it's as quiet and refined as my old W211 E500.

 

[NISFAN]

COMAND is an integrated unit.......there are benefits to that, you might belittle the things I mention but when you have comand you realise the level of integration.

Little things like it picks the time up from GPS, and modifies your dashboard clock to GPS accurate time. So no more wondering how late you are for your appointment because the clock has run slow by 5 minutes over the last 6 months. No more daylight savings adjustments, it just happens.

When in cities and tunnels and loses GPS signal, it uses the steering angle and wheel speed to carry on plotting your movements.

Has a more powerful ECU than a stand alone nav system, so works out routes in quick time.

The stored destinations are really easy to access.

POI are linked into the 'system' so if you find MB Milton Keynes for example the telephone number comes up, with option to call.

The TMC actually WORKS.....I will say this again, the TMC actually works. No other system I have come across comes anywhere close.....FACT.

The Audio output is better than Audio 20, so perhaps means HK is not required, depending on how much of a head banger you are.

You get a bigger map on a bigger screen.

It goes into night mode when the car does.

There are probably a whole host of things that I have forgotten....all I can say is it is a great system.

 

[Juani]

Was I just unlucky then,or does anybody else have the issue of road and wind noise in the C class saloon?

Iv come from golf gt sport 170,and must say c220cdi is a lot quieter

 

[markjay]

Also, COMAND integrates with the instrument cluster display and the steering wheel controls, though the Becker may do this as well I don't know.

(Another interesting feature is that screen that displays the angle of the front wheels both graphically in digitally... I suppose this should aid when staring-off in snow or sand)

 

[Pacamack]

Yes, Becker is integrated with steering wheel an instrument cluster. TMC also very effective so far.

 

[sweetmeister]

I find it a bit clattery at start up and low speed, but on the motorway it's as quiet and refined as my old W211 E500.

I agree,the noise on start up and initial move off sounded like a tractor,however like you say once sat at speed,be that 40,50,70 the engine noise was not noticeable,but the road and wind noise then took over!
Ive driven a lot of performance cars with wide tyres and stiff suspension but the road noise from the MB was far more noticeable,maybe it was the tyres themselves and a different tyre would be better??

Maybe I should go and take another one out and see if thats the same.

The salesman himself agreed the road noise was quite high.

 

[NISFAN]

Yes, Becker is integrated with steering wheel an instrument cluster. TMC also very effective so far.

Why the threads with people saying they hardly ever get TMC messages?

and the threads complaining about freezing?

I'm sure the Becker is a step above a free standing unit, but it is no comand system. Is a comand worth it? To me....yes!

At the end of the day, the OP asked what he should consider, and it shows how different we all are.....the last car I had a sunroof in I kept it closed and the hard inner blind closed (couldn't stand the sun glinting off objects in the car), so pano would mean nothing to me (I don't smoke which is why a colleague liked it). Same with memory seat, had it in my Volvo V70...never had a use for it, I am the only one that drives my car. I also never folded the mirrors once in the Volvo, yet people pay extra for that stuff. Each to their own.

 

[Dryce]

COMAND is an integrated unit.......there are benefits to that, you might belittle the things I mention but when you have comand you realise the level of integration.

It's not the functionality that is belittled but the VFM given the price.

And then there ar the rip off process for updates.

It has limited value for me because most of the times I need satnav it's in rental cars. I hardly ever use satnav in my own car.

Bluetooth? Well that comes near enough as a throw in with many cars these days.

And integration. Great. But at what price/ Comand follows on from the long tradition of decades ago where a manufacturer would charge £150 for a radio cassette worth £30 to £40.

So if MB throw it in the package then fine. But I can find better uses for £2K. And that's the measure I use when working out its value *to me*.

 

[NISFAN]

I agree,the noise on start up and initial move off sounded like a tractor,however like you say once sat at speed,be that 40,50,70 the engine noise was not noticeable,but the road and wind noise then took over!
Ive driven a lot of performance cars with wide tyres and stiff suspension but the road noise from the MB was far more noticeable,maybe it was the tyres themselves and a different tyre would be better??

Maybe I should go and take another one out and see if thats the same.

The salesman himself agreed the road noise was quite high.

Could well be type of tyre, or even tyre pressues too high. What size wheels was on it? 18"s

 

[NISFAN]

It's not the functionality that is belittled but the VFM given the price.

And then there ar the rip off process for updates.

It has limited value for me because most of the times I need satnav it's in rental cars. I hardly ever use satnav in my own car.

Bluetooth? Well that comes near enough as a throw in with many cars these days.

And integration. Great. But at what price/ Comand follows on from the long tradition of decades ago where a manufacturer would charge £150 for a radio cassette worth £30 to £40.

So if MB throw it in the package then fine. But I can find better uses for £2K. And that's the measure I use when working out its value *to me*.

Fair comment

Just to add you do get free updates for 3 years, and no sane person would pay full asking price.

 

[Dryce]

The salesman himself agreed the road noise was quite high.

I've found following a W212 at speed in some conditions I can sometimes hear the road noise from the car in front over and above the noise of my own car.

I'm pretty sure it's down to the prediliction for 18" or larger wheels and tyres.

 

[markjay]

...And then there is the rip off process for updates....

Good point. Are Becker map updates cheaper (or free)?

 

[kianok]

I have 18's on my C350 with conti contact sport tyres and I can honestly say that I don't notice any excessive road noise.

I think the volume on my comand system drowns it out

 

[NISFAN]

I have 18's on my C350 with conti contact sport tyres and I can honestly say that I don't notice any excessive road noise.

I think the volume on my comand system drowns it out

lol