New E class -some more info.

[hawk20]

Worth going to MB’s international website for more info and moving pictures of the new E class.
http://www3.mercedes-benz.com/mbcom_v4/xx/en.html
One of many clever features is a camera that reads all speed limit signs and let’s you know the limit –just in case you missed it, got distracted or whatever.

Plus Blue Efficiency engines. Way lower emissions. And although the C class in Germany has the new diesel engines, last time I looked they are manual only. But the new E class will have Auto as well, which will suit most UK buyers.

And if you forget to look in the exterior mirror and check the blind spot before overtaking, it will warn you when there is something in the blindspot part of the mirror. Wow.

Plenty more toys for those who like them. Personally I try to choose less toys so as to have less to go wrong and less depreciation. But every year something new crops up on my essential list. I now love Parktronic and memory seats and folding mirrors.

The German site is: -
http://www.mercedes-benz.de

 

[television]

Volvo invented the warning when someone is overtaking some 6 years ago,,One day Hawk you will love Distronic, when I get back into my V70R its such a pain with normal cruise control

 

[hawk20]

Volvo invented the warning when someone is overtaking some 6 years ago,,One day Hawk you will love Distronic, when I get back into my V70R its such a pain with normal cruise control

I expect I will. The stakes keep rising!

On the blind spot thingy, the MB one sees someone in the blindspot on the mirror and sends you a warning.

On Volvos I have seen there is a blind spot area on the glass marked with a dotted line but no warning is shown or sounds. Have they done such a warning?

 

[jberks]

Seems the technical arms race is alive and well.
Anyone see the new 7 series? A camera at each side of the front bumper that displays on the screen as you pull up to a junction. So, even when you can't see past the hedge to your left or right, instead of blindly inching out, your bumper is normally already far enough out to be able to see and you get the full picture!.

 

[television]

I expect I will. The stakes keep rising!

On the blind spot thingy, the MB one sees someone in the blindspot on the mirror and sends you a warning.

On Volvos I have seen there is a blind spot area on the glass marked with a dotted line but no warning is shown or sounds. Have they done such a warning?

Volvo got the award for this here
http://www.roadsafetyawards.com/national/view.aspx?winnerid=107

 

[hawk20]

Volvo got the award for this here
http://www.roadsafetyawards.com/national/view.aspx?winnerid=107

Thanks, Malcolm. Clever stuff.

 

[television]

Thanks, Malcolm. Clever stuff.

Anything electronic is so cheap theses days, so many things are now a viable proposition, good for boy & Toys

 

[hawk20]

Anything electronic is so cheap theses days, so many things are now a viable proposition, good for boy & Toys

Yes but so expensive for others to repair once the guarantee runs out. Try Xenon lights. Mine went under guarantee on a previous Mercedes -over £1,000 if it had not been.

And many electronic faults are a so and so to find. And labour is dear while finding them.

The old manual seats never went wrong and were very adjustable. I now have memory, electric seats and I admit that I love them. But all the motors to drive the squab, the backrest, the headrest, the mirrors and the steering wheel and all wired up and stored in an ECU, I just dread to think of the cost if it all goes wrong one day.

But I chose to have them, knowing the risk, so I can hardly grumble. Wife drives the car at least once a day and so do I, so they are a godsend.

 

[television]

Yes but so expensive for others to repair once the guarantee runs out. Try Xenon lights. Mine went under guarantee on a previous Mercedes -over £1,000 if it had not been.

And many electronic faults are a so and so to find. And labour is dear while finding them.

The old manual seats never went wrong and were very adjustable. I now have memory, electric seats and I admit that I love them. But all the motors to drive the squab, the backrest, the headrest, the mirrors and the steering wheel and all wired up and stored in an ECU, I just dread to think of the cost if it all goes wrong one day.

But I chose to have them, knowing the risk, so I can hardly grumble. Wife drives the car at least once a day and so do I, so they are a godsend.

I love looking for these weird faults, its a challenge to me to see what has gone wrong.

People are not as strong and fit as they used to be, so the risk of back damage lifting the seat adjust bar must be avoided.
Cars have become so wide now that it is impossible to reach the near side mirror when driving:-|

Without question the cost of servicing is going to soar when these cars are a few years old, the £4k cost of an engine ECU on a BMW 7 series means that the cars a no longer viable to repair. This would be the trends as it is today, the more the makers put on, the more cars in the workshop, and all manufactures are the same