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Comments
I've heard a lot of conflicting stories about when Comand was going to come available and I would love to hear from anyone who has it installed on their C240 or C320 or knows of someone who has it installed. Basically, most dealers discouraged me from ordering it, claiming that it would set my delivery back till April.
Are there any 2001 C-class's with Comand out there? Will mine be the only one come December?
I can't remember who complained about the C-Class not being available with V8 power - you can be helped! If you are willing (and able) to cough up DEM 180,000, which as of today translates into USD 79,000, you can get this nice, little V8 bullet from BRABUS.
For the full technical information, click here.
Tarik
No need to get out of the car to scrap the snow off the headlamps. Just use the headlamp washers (which are a lot more high-tech than you think; even the way the droplets are shaped is calculated) and squirt the snow off with the heated washer fluid. Frankly, I like the headlamp wipers even more. Unfortunately, MB has bowed to the gods of aerodynamics and has stuck to the flush mounted washers instead.
Another reason for headlamp washers is that when the headlamps are coated with even a little bit of dirt, the light is scattered by the dirt and this can become glaring to oncoming driver. With the 3X brighter light (compared to the halogens) from the HID Xenon headlamps, this effect is exacerbated. As such MB requires that the Xenon headlamps be bundled with the headlamp washers. FYI, headlamp washing systems have been mandatory in Scandinavian countries since the 1970's.
Drew/aling
Townhall Community Leader/Vans Conference
My salesperson said that they are starting to receive extra Cs from Mercedes (ones that hadn't be ordered by someone).
Presta
the high beam lights are not xenon on the c-class. however, the high beam lights do actually add a lot to the xenons. my acura tl xenons are so bright that the high beams don't even make a big difference.
Why are the high beams not HID? Because HID Xenon bulbs take about 30 seconds (or more) to warm up to full intensity. It is in this warm-up state that the beam appears extremely bluish. After the warm-up stage and into the steady stage, the lights are an intense white. Usually, drivers only use the high beams for a few seconds at a time. As such, the HID lights won't be very effective since they require this extra warmup time.
To counteract this problem, the Porsche's and MB's headlamps (both made by Hella) employ unique reflector mechanisms that actually redirect the reflectors - and hence the light beams - upwards. These components are expensive, of course, which is why you only find the technology on these two very pricey flagship vehicles...at least right now.
Drew/aling
Townhall Community Leader/Vans Conference
Well, the darn thing still makes a weird sound when the brakes are applied softly after driving for a considerable distance.
Further, I was told by the service manager that all MB brakes "squeal". Is that true?
My patience is getting quite short with this problem. Of course, the brakes don't squeal all the time, so I get my hope up that the problem is fixed and then it starts again.
I am starting to hate this vehicle. It drives great and I have not had other problems, but every time I start to brake I am reminded of the problem.
Anyone have any new suggestions for me to take to the service manager? Do I need to contact MB?
Thanks
As to price, I think everybody's pretty much paying straight sticker, no extra markups, other than the inflated price for the CD changer. :-)
And to answer Bubba's question, I am 32 (almost 33), so I guess I'm a little younger than the target market, but not by much.
The breaks on my c320 are quiet, and I haven't had any problems opening the trunk.
They don't sound serious, but I know they can be frustrating, especially when the dealer doesn't solve them right away.
open using the remote or trunk release. The salesperson said it was because the valet feature
was engaged. To "turn off" the valet feature, remove the small silver key embedded in the remote
into the trunk's key hole and turn right or left(can't remember). For more information review your manual about the valet feature....
Hope this helps.
Thanks,
Bill
Sirus32- I'll check that out! We did try the key in the trunk, but I didn't think of the valet feature, I'll get the manual out and check it out. I'll let everyone know if it's that simple. If it turns out to be that, it'll be interesting to find out how the valet feature was engaged in the first place.
I know the manual for C is terrible..
It's hard to find out all nifty features unless you read them all.. I know you tried all these but I wanted to summerize for other owners also.
I will jot down all I know..(including other helpful comments above)
Trunks - My trunks opens with the remote when I press it for 1 sec. You have to press it firmly for a sec. Also, in the manual, you can lock the trunk with the mechanical key in the remote. If it's locked with the key previously, it won't open even with the remote until you unlock it with the key. There's a lever where the license plate lamp is. try to unlock with the metal key and pull it and see what happens..
Brakes-This was a good one. "Service Manager said all MB's brakes squeal". What the heck are they talking about? For me, I haven't seen a single MB that squeals...yet.. You should complain a lot. You don't want to drive 40K+ car that squeals.. Check other dealers if possible.
Trip computer - Yes, it doesn't reset everytime when you stop the engine. I never found the exact number from the manual but, I think it resets it you don't start the engine like an hour or two.. I want to find that out also. I warm up my car up to 80 degrees before I leave my house in the morning, it takes 10-15 min. because of that my MPG is all wrong. I guess I can reset "After Seset" section after I warm up the car..
Windows & Sunroof Open & Close with the remote - In the C manual, if I remember right, they talk about that in two places. On one page, it states that it only works with InfraRed feature of the remote, but on the other page, it doesn't. I had to read the whole manual to find that out.
So.. if you forgot to close your windows or sunroof before you get out of the car, point the remote to either side of the two front doors(that's where the sensors are. On handles), and press and hold "Unlock" - to open all, or "Lock" - to close all, after one sec. it will start closing.
Daniel.
Daniel.
On gas mileage .... From the readout I am getting 13-15 mpg in stop and go traffic, about 16mpg around town, 28 mpg going 65mph, 25.5 mpg going 80mph. Overall mileage driving to and back from work is about 22 mpg. The readout of the "reset mileage" is higher by about 10% from actual mpg at the pump, but comparison is only based on two refills.
On brake squeaking .... mine makes a small squeaking noise when my foot is not solid on the brake pedal. I guess that's normal.
The IR remote is for automatic lowering/raising of the windows, and works only at close proximity.
Paid $1500 for the xenon + headlamp washer. Not much difference between the xenon and the regular halogen lamp. Could have saved the money for the sport package. I wish there's a switch for the auto-dimming mirrors. I need them bright to look out for patrol cars - especially after the 1000 miles breakin period.
I am still getting used to the foot parking brake. Drove the car couple of times with the parking brake engaged and the display lighted up like firework. Quite a scary sight.
Some questions:
1) I see no screw holes in the front bumper, how do I attach the front license plate?
2) Does the car has variable suspension? It feels more solid when I corner at high speed than at slow speed.
3) Does the "variable service check" remind me other maintenance items like timing belts, replace coolant and brake fluid etc?
4) The manual recommends adding the MB fluid to either water or commercial windshield fluid. What is the function of the MB washer fluid?
hey everybody,
Just picked up my C320. Glacier white, java interior C2. And, after only 14 miles doing errands around town I can safely say, "It's worth every penny."
Must go show off to my friends. More later.
I doubt they checked the air pressue on the spare because I don't think there is one!
Sincerely,
nfotx
Re auto dimming mirrors -- I also have some concerns about my ability to identify Highway Patrol cars behind me at night -- although not as much as when I used to commute 120 miles round trip, half of it at night.
Re front license plate -- the dealer is suppose to drill the holes for you. The license plate holder should be in the trunk. I elected not to have the holes drilled yet (figure I'll try to get by without a front plate for as long as I can) and they made me sign a form proving they had offered to do it.
Tarik
Drew/aling
Townhall Community Leader/Vans Conference
for a 2001 CLK 320. Thanks.