Signed on the dotted line

[8ig_steve]

Ordered my new C220 today so looking forward to delivery.

It seems my order was just in the nick of time, unless you want (and want to pay for) a Command system as apparently the Japan crisis seems to mean standard radios and some metallic paints are not available after June build.

As an aside. I must be missing something because I can't see what the Command system does that is worth £2000.

Also I have been browsing the forum and I really need to know what the model numbers, W201 etc are. Is there a list somewhere??

 

[npuk]

Template:Mercedes-Benz vehicles - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

First three numbers of your VIN is the W number, in your case W204.

 

[st13phil]

As an aside. I must be missing something because I can't see what the Command system does that is worth £2000.

Congrats on ordering the new car. Now's the hard part: waiting for it!

In answer to your question, I also don't think COMAND is "worth" £2k, but having had a car with it fitted for the last year-and-a-bit I can't deny that it works very well and is much more convenient than the alternatives. For example, Linguatronic sounds like (no pun intended) a gimmick but is actually really useful; the phone integration is good and the navigation system is a model of clarity. But it's overpriced and there is plenty of room for relatively small improvements that would turn it from something that is very good to something that's superb.

BTW, did you get the free Becker MapPilot?

 

[rf065]

In answer to your question, I also don't think COMAND is "worth" £2k, but having had a car with it fitted for the last year-and-a-bit I can't deny that it works very well and is much more convenient than the alternatives. For example, Linguatronic sounds like (no pun intended) a gimmick but is actually really useful; the phone integration is good and the navigation system is a model of clarity.

Overpriced is an understatement!
You can get a TomTom which is a better sat nav & a Bury hands free kit that also has the best "linguatronic" system I've ever used for a grand total of £400 fitted professionally. Who are Mercedes trying to fool?

Russ

 

[st13phil]

Overpriced is an understatement!

I'm a master of understatement

 

[verytalldave]

I agree that COMAND is an expensive option, but in some part does add to its resale value when that time comes. Personally speaking, seeing a new MB with a windscreen mounted satnav is just not on. Brings down the whole image.
Aside from anything else the COMAND installation gives an improved audio quality. I believe the audio section of COMAND is by BOSE, who while not being ultimate in hifi, is certainly better than most. Someone told me you get better speakers with COMAND than with the standard installation, but I dont know that is correct.
All I know is, my COMAND system sounds excellent.

If you only specify one option, then make it COMAND (after leather of course).

 

[timskemp]

Dave - I've explored the options well and the COMAND will only give better audio quality if installed with the harman system. Also the parametric EQs are not in the COMAND menus as they are in the basic audio, so tailoring and use of alternate speakers is restricted.

Additionally, when you see Bose in a car they have had little input other than some consultancy and a licensing fee.

COMAND is something I've toyed with having installed, but now I've got my speaker upgrade done it would require the addition of a DSP to get the audio quality I have with the Audio 20.

It's great to have for the screen and the integrated satnav and linguatronic, but for audio it adds nothing.

Bottom line, in a W204 do not order COMAND without Harman...

 

[st13phil]

Also the parametric EQs are not in the COMAND menus as they are in the basic audio, so tailoring and use of alternate speakers is restricted.

That's an interesting omission I didn't know about

but now I've got my speaker upgrade done it would require the addition of a DSP to get the audio quality I have with the Audio 20.

Maybe I missed it, but what did you end up with and how did the install go?

 

[timskemp]

That's an interesting omission I didn't know about Maybe I missed it, but what did you end up with and how did the install go?

OK - I kept the Audio 20.

So far, Focal KR front speakers, rears remaining stock (for now), Rockford 10" slim sub in boot with an Alpine MRP-500 amp.

Will be building a custom iPod preamp (or getting an official iPod interface, not sure yet) and will probably add a 4 channel amp to drive the front speakers - but not in a rush right now - I've got 90% of the sound I want, just need to add the amp for more dynamic range.

 

[Benzowner]

Interestingly, my first MB was a 260E with no audio, an extra, but came with cruise control, a gimmic! Hell no, I would not be without cruise control now, at the time my right foot could have controlled the speed of the car, but paid the extra for cruise, funny world really I think the same goes for Comand, once you have had the system it is difficult to accept a car without it. Yes you can get cheaper sat navs, yes you can get cheaper audio systems, but my right foot was not as good as cruise

 

[rf065]

I think the same goes for Comand, once you have had the system it is difficult to accept a car without it. Yes you can get cheaper sat navs, yes you can get cheaper audio systems, but my right foot was not as good as cruise

Coming from a different angle, once you've used a cheaper sat nav, it's difficult to accept a car with comand. Cheap TomToms work better, are upgraded over the internet mostly for free, or £30 to £50 gets the latest maps, can use all manner of POI's like speed camera databases etc etc. The latest models are now even fitted with touch screens.

Compared to a cheap sat nav, comand will always be years behind and cost fortunes to update, sat nav technology changes every month, comand will never keep up with this rate of progress.

Russ

 

[Privatedoc]

well I have command and like it, that said, my iphone 4 sits on a brodit mount and runs camera alert too, it bluetooths to the command so phone integration is good and as for music, my old HD 40gig ipod does sterling service in the glovebox with the merc ipod kit....just a bit clunky to find tracks.

to be honest, sat nav is going the way of aircon......lack of it will pull values down but it is almost expected in quality marques (i mean factory fit)

hell, even toyota aygos come with it and 5 a new aygo with satnav is less than the cost of 5 commands!

would you buy a manual box jag/merc etc??? just look at the used prices.

All said and done, mine was used so it had all the kit on it...I doubt I could have added the £8000 worth of extras it has.....someone/some company has funded that lot for me!

 

[Privatedoc]

ps, I sometimes use my iphone co-pilot app for 6 digit postcodes/ newer streets etc! ha!

 

[Deadhead]

I replaced the audio 20 in my S211 with Comand. Didn't change the speakers or anything else. To my ears FWIW the sound quality is noticeably better.

 

[spinaltap]

Save yourself more than £1k by having the Audio 50 installed instead of Comand: - I did.

 

[rf065]

hell, even toyota aygos come with it and 5 a new aygo with satnav is less than the cost of 5 commands!

Interesting you mention the Toyota Aygos, I though that was the same system as Renaults now use, the Sat Nav is a TomTom built into the dash?
That surely will be the end of comand when all the other car manufacturers adopt the same system.

Russ

 

[Pappilo]

Coming from a different angle, once you've used a cheaper sat nav, it's difficult to accept a car with comand. Cheap TomToms work better, are upgraded over the internet mostly for free, or £30 to £50 gets the latest maps, can use all manner of POI's like speed camera databases etc etc. The latest models are now even fitted with touch screens.

Compared to a cheap sat nav, comand will always be years behind and cost fortunes to update, sat nav technology changes every month, comand will never keep up with this rate of progress.

Russ

I know I may start to sound like a broken record cos I repeat this same statement everytime a COMAND for/ against argument comes up but just like Russ said, once you get used to a cheap satnav it becomes difficult to accept COMAND.

My satnav solution cost me all of £40! Yes £40! I already have an Android phone with a 3.7' screen so I bought the Copilot application for the phone for £26, a vent mount (I also think a suction mount on the windscren of a new Merc is a No No) for £5 and car charger for £10 and voila, satnav done!

 

[RAG]

I find that these for and against arguments generally revolve around the people that didn't spec COMAND justifying their reasons for not doing so, the bottom line is it is a financial decision and I would challenge anyone to argue the point of not speccing it if money was no object.......

 

[st4]

I had COMAND in a loan 212 and a CLS. With the 212 it was usable and barable, and sited in a good place. In the C220cdi the screen is up high.

On my era of car, (211 and last CLS) its actively worth avoiding a second hand car with it. It does not work, its slow, hard to input details, hard to see, fiddly.

Personally, parktronic, tinted windows, xenons, and the sports pack is all you need to add, unless that is, you really want leather. In referance to the above post, I could have sourced a used car with COMAND, but I chose to have one without it. I could have paid more for one with it, but I chose not to.

COMAND costs about £2000 and cars with it are about £500-£1000 more valuable. So in real terms, the COMAND car depreciates more, but if you want it, its good.

BTW, tel prewiring in Audio20 gives you all the intergration you need.

 

[RAG]

I had COMAND in a loan 212 and a CLS. With the 212 it was usable and barable, and sited in a good place. In the C220cdi the screen is up high.

On my era of car, (211 and last CLS) its actively worth avoiding a second hand car with it. It does not work, its slow, hard to input details, hard to see, fiddly.

Personally, parktronic, tinted windows, xenons, and the sports pack is all you need to add, unless that is, you really want leather. In referance to the above post, I could have sourced a used car with COMAND, but I chose to have one without it. I could have paid more for one with it, but I chose not to.

COMAND costs about £2000 and cars with it are about £500-£1000 more valuable. So in real terms, the COMAND car depreciates more, but if you want it, its good.

BTW, tel prewiring in Audio20 gives you all the intergration you need.

I completely agree re used cars, however my statement above refers to new cars with the latest generation of COMAND, I maintain if funds permit its a no brainer to spec it, I must also add that far too many people compare it to a TomTom... It is not just a Sat Nav unit.