You ain't seen nothing yet

[LateNightCable]

Originally Posted by GIR All I have to say is stop being so pesimistic and embrase the advancements, you know you want to everybody else is doing it.

Uh, I don't know about anyone else, but I've never been one to care what everyone else is doing. I'll march to my own drum, thanks. And whether those are really " advancements " is up for debate.
The Traffic Information System could only become manditory on new cars, so if you drive a 20 year old car, you're in luck!

I'm willing to bet as well that BMW and Audi would follow along with that nonsense - how sad.

You have to realize that some people do not want to drown in the latest technology with the car beeping at them and doing things on it's own. People like GIR or Gramos would love it. But to others, it would be a nerve wracking pain in the ass.

[thepolarfoxqx]

i have been driving a mercedes for the summer actually. I have been in san diego driving an S420. Yeah, that's a 2. Try 1998.

My observation of mercedes is that their seats, despite seeming at first stiff, are amazing for long drives. They are very very calm and collected. They feel floatier than they are. They also assume the driver has an IQ of 45, the climate control on that thing had like 2 modes, Auto and Off. Why can't I decide how much air of what temperature hits my face?

I am suspicious of all the new stuff being added, for fear the attitude of it all might be the same. I do have faith though that mercedes will restore the quality that my 1998 has to the 05, and the S will retake it's standing as the ultimate luxury sedan.

[qramos]

They also assume the driver has an IQ of 45, the climate control on that thing had like 2 modes, Auto and Off. Why can't I decide how much air of what temperature hits my face?

Polarfox has been doing a ton of writing. Welcome back. Regarding the quote, that is the only thing tends to get irritating. THe climate control sometimes goes crazy with the fan in an effort to correct the temperature quickly. It also can't take into account the radiant heat of the sun shining on you through the windows. And it gets really annoying sometimes that it takes more effort to adjust it, than to just shut it off and roll-down the windows. Most systems are not like that though. THey are usually pretty user friendly.

My observation of mercedes is that their seats, despite seeming at first stiff, are amazing for long drives.

In the last two years Merc has somewhat abandoned their old seat style, in favor of a new, cushier style, especially in the S-class cars. But I didn't have any gripes about the older ones because, although not being as soft as a caddy's seats, they just fit really well and were comfortable, especially on long drives. I did not get the new ones on my 2002 E- class, but I have seen them and they look really really nice.

[thepolarfoxqx]

i've not really had long term exposure to a really new S-Class seat, but i am familiar with their traditional seat, it's like an old BMW seat but springier and more supportive. They were really were good. I think the germans are pandering too much. The real bread and butter buyers, the loyalists like the stiff steering, the stiff, yet not harsh ride, and the seats that worked a lot better than you'd expect. The S420 i was driving was beautiful in terms of function. I test drove a new E500 and while it was impressive, it just didn't feel merecedes to me.

As far as the climate control goes, the jag and the audi have over-rides that are fairly functional (if ill designed) that allow you to effectively control the climate control without using the automatic function, benz just gives you like auto, full power and off. basically it's like trust us to run it or don't have it. For benz buyers i guess that works, but as an old bmw fan, i like the mechanical driver in total control thing.