Q's for anyone with 05 C-Class Comand

[zygote]

I'll be replacing my 02 C in April this year and am thinking of adding Comand to my next one but I have a couple of questions before I make a final decision.

- What has been added to the new DVD comand that wasn't in the previous CD version?

- How do you find the navigation instructions? I have an iPaq with Destinator on it but find that some of the instructions can be a bit ambiguous, like "keep left" when she should be saying "leave motorway". Also, the maps aren't entirely accurate so sometimes instruct me to turn the wrong way up a one-way street etc.

This last question is the most important; Does the DVD comand in the C-Class support playing MP3 DVD's like the E-Class? This might seem a tad trivial to be more important but I'd really like to replace that 48 disc CD wallet I keep in my car with something smaller, not to mention getting the majority of my CD collection onto a few DVDs.

Thanks.

 

[Steveatki]

W203 My 2005 Comand

I have no experience of the previous COMAND, but the current DVD based system doesn't play MP3 nor does it have any video capabilities. The only way to play MP3 is through the COMAND aux plug inside the glove compartment, although this means that COMAND can't control the playlist.

The Navigation system is very good, but only has 2D view as against 3D on most PDA based sytems, but the larger screen more than compensates for this. The directions given at roundabouts can be confusing at right turns, you are asked to "take the second turning on the left".

The maps are reasonably up to date and cover all Europe, with Post Code facility and House numbers. I do find that at high speed on motorways the map can lag behind actual position. Also you need the telephone pre-wire and CD changer if you want COMAND at it's best.

I think the system is worthwhile but in my view only if you have the engine you really want, I personally,would choose a 230K without COMAND over a 200K with. Luckily I have a 230K with COMAND

 

[zygote]

Thanks for the info Steveatki.

but the current DVD based system doesn't play MP3

Damn! That's a real bummer. Looks like I'll be going for a Saab 9-3 Vector Sport with the business pack then, doesn't play MP3s either but you get a whole lot more kit, including an integrated phone with sim reader in the boot.

Oh well.....never mind, I wasn't really looking forward to having to deal with the clowns at Western Mercedes service center for another 3 years anyway.

 

[Shude]

The stupidest thing comand ever says to me is "prepare to keep straight on". Still not worked out exactly what it means but if you do indeed keep straight on you get to where you wanted to go .

 

[SilverSaloon]

Oh well.....never mind, I wasn't really looking forward to having to deal with the clowns at Western Mercedes service center for another 3 years anyway.

is that the one at Willowbrae Road? if so i know what u mean; charged me over £200 just to say my instrument cluster could not be configured. Steve in the netherlands managed to configure it for cost of postage.

proves dealers are definatly not the best source for help/parts!

 

[zygote]

is that the one at Willowbrae Road?

No, I'm talking about the service centre at Slateford, next to the Shell. Didn't know the dealership on Willowbrae road had a service centre!

Can it be any worse than the one in Slateford I wonder.... Every time I give them my car to fix something under warranty, they hand it back saying it's fixed, only for me to discover that the fault is still there. Sometimes they excel themselves and make it worse Muppets, the lot of them.

This is why I'm thinking of changing brand. I feel cheated though because I love everything about the C-Class, I just can't cope with the sub-standard service centre.