Yesterday, I asked TTAC’s Best and Brightest if Ford’s “surprise and delight” features (e.g. capless fuel filler, built-in fridge) were a suitable starting point for its latest ad campaign. You know; as opposed to slightly larger concerns (e.g. reliability, durability). Today, I’d like to expose broken mechanical teeth re: Mercedes “annoy and disappoint” features. Sure, I could unleash a major rant about the humongous clunk that occurs when my GL450’s gearbox gets confused. But let’s sweat the small stuff, shall we? What brilliant engineer/design team decided it was OK to put an MP3 connector in the left side of the glovebox, right next to the owners’ manuals? Where, exactly, did Mercedes think I was going to put those books when playing my iPhone? Did they really think I’d want to shuffle manuals after shuffling songs? Next: how much time, intelligence and money is required to see the need for—then design, craft and install—an indentation that allows the MP3 cord to remain connected and undamaged with the glovebox closed?
Then there’s the $320 Rube Goldbergian folding dog guard I bought and returned (within ten minutes). The Mercedes-branded device uses a parts bin seat belt mechanism to attach to the anchors, and requires tightening and untightening to secure and release each hook. And it still wobbles while I’m driving. And it leaves three feet of excess fabric for the hounds to chew on. Per buckle. What kind of organization would approve such an obvious kludge?
But wait! There’s less!
Don’t get me started about the GL’s second row seats; they make a church pew seem like a La-Z-Boy, with a gap between the top and bottom cushion that could swallow a dozen crayons—and has. Or the rear cargo light that reacts to bump thumpery by dropping out of the roof and dangling in front of the Schnauzers like a sausage on a string. Which wouldn’t be much of a problem if I’d bought the dog guard, as there’s a one foot gap on either side of the netting. Don’t tell me: a bad dog trainer blames his SUV. Yeah, yeah.
Note to Mercedes: engineered like no other car in the world is not supposed to be a diss. You built your rep on OCD engineering. The 300 6.3 SEL’s cooling fan stopped when you opened the hood. Don’t get me wrong, I love my truck. But sometimes I get the distinct feeling my truck doesn’t love me.
You have a daily driver that’s enjoyable like I do.
You have children like I do.
Sell the truck. Buy an Odyssey. Tuck your penis between your legs into a tidy mangina and drive them around in a blissful 4 wheeled womb with ergonomically correct iPod and dog accessories available by the boatload. Keep the change. Like I do.
Wow, those are some pretty easy fly balls Mercedes dropped there. The MP3 connector is especially asinine. That’s the kind of thing you’d expect to see on thereifixedit.com where someone had spliced an mp3 connector into the back of their 1986 car stereo, not OEM equipment on a newish Mercedes. Shameful.
You’ve got a German vehicle. Haven’t you figured it out yet? You’re supposed to be DRIVING, not listening to mp3 files. Next thing you’re going to say that you want cup holders and space for your food, so you can eat while you’re moving.
Be greatful that Mercedes allows you a radio, and it picks up anything other than traffic reports.
IGB:
Sell the truck. Buy an Odyssey.
Actually, that’s what he traded on the truck. Don’t get him started on that one.
I’ve always seen Mercedes as FUGLYMOBILES for old people. A car for a wealthy old person who doesn’t want a Cadillac or Lincoln. From the bee-hive grill from the Hitler era to the 90s to today’s cow catcher grill…. they’ve always just appeared generic at best and hideous at worst. Their interiors are forgettable and utilitarian. Why people find them appealing is beyond me…..
Robert Farago: Don’t get me wrong: I love my truck. But sometimes I get the distinct feeling my truck doesn’t love me.
Mr. Farago, you forget that it was designed and engineered by Germans. You will therefore love the truck on its terms, and, if you don’t, that is your problem, not the truck’s.
Or how about a slightly longer cable for the MP3 player so that the socket could be located in the armrest storage area? And a small passage in the armrest storage cover so that the cable could be routed out for the driver/passenger to operate the MP3 player? They accomplish these engineering feats on a cheaper Acura.
Mercedes engineering is highly overrated when the price is taken into consideration. For $70,000 you had better get top engineering.
About the only two things I enjoy about the 2002 E320 4matic my parents gave us are the following:
1. Suspension/4WD system is unstoppable in heavy snow, snow drifts, and Idaho’s poor state highways (because of the winters).
2. Weather band radio. The Bose system sucks, and it seems that the subs don’t do anything. The WB is a nice addition.
But this thing has so many disappointing small-issues that don’t make up for the advantages of having such a car…no matter the age. At least I haven’t had to replace any sensors yet, my dad has replaced a few ABS, SRS, EBC, ESP…just the safety nannies. And it chews tires (Michelin, Continental, Nokian), but it’s a heavy car and is 4WD.
We’ll use the car (it was free) and maintain it until we have enough cash to buy a Flex or XC70 (yes, I’m considering a second Volvo). The Mazda is fine for the two of us, but my little brother is buying it this winter and the Volvo is worth more sitting in the garage than selling it. Yes, I have a Mercedes and it doesn’t sit in the garage…I’m not ashamed and I could care less.
If you were concerned about reliability, you wouldn’t have bought a GL. In our stats it makes other Mercedes look reliable, much less Fords.
I know yours hasn’t had these problems (yet?), but many other owners have had problems with broken exterior door handles (basic, you’d think) and the air suspension. And if you owned a diesel, the intake tubing might pop off.
If the GL450 sported a Pentastar instead of a Mercedes bombsight, almost nobody would buy one. Perhaps we should have a TTAC list of the ten most overrated vehicles. Mercedes would have a bunch of spots on such a list.
If Hyundai can get the details right, why not the once mighty Daimler-Benz? Oh right, they don’t even get their own name right anymore. Just Daimler, like a washed up pop star.
The term “German Engineering” is for those car-illiterates whose information is outdated. I thought you were better than that. But then again, I cannot fault you for that, because there are people still believing the earth is flat.
It’s a German thing, and not particular to M-B. My dealer decided to place optional I-Pod holders in what was supposed to be their Passat’s glove box manual shelves (I don’t even have an I Pod). So the book just lays in the main glove compartment space taking up half of the space. If I can’t figure out how to take out the player adapter, I’m going to wrap the book in a plastic bag and move it into the trunk–into the spare tire well as there’s plenty of real estate, there.
The term “Mercedes engineering” is only slightly less obsolete than the term “Chrysler engineering”.
jthorner :
October 9th, 2009 at 12:43 pm
Perhaps we should have a TTAC list of the ten most overrated vehicles. Mercedes would have a bunch of spots on such a list.
—
I will start:
1) 2010 Fusion. Drove it and I wonder if I was given a counterfeit one, because it’s not close to what’s been described on the Internet.
2) Chrysler 300. A lot people said good things about it at introduction. Now it seems they were all paid (but failed to disclose?).
3) Anything VW. They don’t even look good. I always wonder if the 52452431 online fan boys are actually one person hired by VW.
I get the same feeling from other German trucks. Something tells me that German engineers don’t treat trucks (which are not part of it traditional product mix) with the same level of respect than they do cars.
wsn: +1 to a TTAC “most overrated” vehicle award.
“Mr. Farago, you forget that we at Mercedes do not make mistakes. Any faults you may perceive with the car are actually your fault.”
I bought a kit from Chrysler to integrate my ipod into my ’06 Jeep Wrangler’s stereo. The ipod lives happily with the owners manual in the glove box, but it is entirely controlled through the stock stereo. You’d think MB could have thought of that.
What is this truck that everyone keeps speaking of?
Not to be an apologist, but maybe the thinking is that if the MP3 player is concealed inside of the glove compartment, it will be less like to tempt smash and grab thieves?
As for the dog net, it has built in slack in case of an accident?
And the falling dome light is actually a zoom feature?
We effected the following radical fix to make room for the Ipod in our Merc’s glovebox: removed the owner’s manuals. Turns out the car drives just as well without them.
On a slightly more amusing note, the customer rep at our local dealer vehemently denied that we’d be able to get the Ipod to play through the factory system without a $1K aftermarket box (which she helpfully offered to install). Her explanation for the existence of an auxiliary jack in the glovebox was that “Mercedes installed that for future models but it doesn’t work on yours.” Hmmmm.
A few fiddles through nested menus on the generally unintelligible Command system (fiddling having proved more efficient than attempting to learn anything through the now jettisoned owner’s manuals) and sweet music poured forth through the factory system. A $9 cord procured from Amazon enables volume control through the radio. Sounds great.
I say that any car that can perform the (according to its own dealer rep) impossible can legitimately claim to be engineered like no other.
I think the last truly great MB was the w126. The engineering is simple yet OCD throughout, and they are beautifully made from quality materials. The w124 saw the material quality start to slip, and the w140 saw the complexity and “features for the sake of features” mentality begin. By the late 90s these two traits had combined to destroy what had been Mercedes-Benz.
After a decade of unreliable mediocre cars, they are now building a few decent cars, but they are just cars, totally lacking that precise mechanical “machine tool” feel that makes older Benzs so cool.
Herr Farago,
The iPod interface was given to you for the purpose of listening to music while reading your manuals. Which, by the way, you should be doing only after exiting the Autobahn and coming to a complete stop.
For maximum driving experience, we suggest you change your behavior.
Sincerely,
Germany
I see Robert found a fix for the iPod cord problem:
http://thereifixedit.com/2009/10/06/it-gets-am-and-fm/
Hat tip to Selektaa.
My mom’s C230 Coupe was an excellent example of engineering for engineering’s sake.
The cupholder? In the center console under a little door. Press on the cupholder door and it would move out of the way gracefully. A shiny silver button then activated the cupholder, and it would pop up, rotate around about 90 degrees to the right, and the arms would spring out. If I remember correctly, it interfered with the passenger’s left elbow when deployed.
All of this to hold something no larger than a can of soda. One can of soda. Just give me a hole in the console, with an accommodation for a mug handle. kthxbai
shiney2,
Ditto the w124 – I own a 1993 400E and a 2006 SLK280, and the old w124 has far less squeaks and rattles, even after 16 years on the road. But forget about putting an iPod in the glove box because… there isn’t a glove box! Just keep your eyes on the road and your hands upon the wheel.
Sounds like Chrysler….Oh wait a minute, it is, it just costs a WHOLE lot more.
“Sure, I could unleash a major rant about the humongous clunk that occurs when my GL450’s gearbox gets confused”.
Please do. I really love the WRGMG installments.
OMG, that “thereifixedit” site is hilarious! And very very scary. Those guys must be brain damaged, holding cargo in place while riding on the backs of pickup trucks.
If one of them fell off and got hit by traffic, I think the other drivers should be allowed to sue the shit out of them for stupidity. Assuming they survived, that is.
I remember sitting in the a C-Class coupe (this was after CD players were commonplace in many lesser vehicles). The CD player was optional (at that price point?)and…wait for it…installed in the glove box. People, I’ve said it before and I will say it until I am blue in the face. Mercedes makes lousy cars, especially considering the price.
Um, this huge arse SUV is definitely made for the US market, not the European one. If they want to make money by selling crap to us, it better be FOR us: with huge cupholders, fat seats for fat people, and a user-friendly Ipod connection, and with uber good A/C!
>:O
My Flex has the USB connector in the console with cord cutouts so that you can put the MP3 player on a rubber coated ledge on top of the console or an elevated, fuzz covered ledge inside the console if you like your MP3 player out of sight.
Ford has its own issues (have you seen the chopped up mess that is the driver side footwell of a D3?), but they do electronic toys right!
The good news is that you are a responsible dog owner Robert, unless the dogs hate your Ipod choices. http://www.mystarcollectorcar.com/
If you have an issue with the auxiliary input then clearly you should start listening to Cd’s more.
how much time, intelligence and money is required to see the need for—then design, craft and install—an indentation that allows the MP3 cord to remain connected and undamaged with the glovebox closed?
About 15 minutes with a Dremel tool and a few attachments.
Hey I’m used to putting spin on stuff for clients so here goes – they were just way ahead o’ ya, they were assuming concealment a feature and wireless a given.
Mercedes lost their way many years ago when they became infected with McKinsey types. Whoosh – years of reputation wiped out just like that. Years of internal fighting and strife.
Yes, they are slowly improving with their new models, but it will take years if not a few decades to get back to where they once were. I bet that wasn’t factored into anyone’s cost model.
New Audi’s have the iPhone interface in the glove box as well. I think it’s the same mentality Germans have in that they don’t drink or eat while driving; they don’t mp3 or iPhone either.
Friend of mine recently got a GLK with the MP3 cable in the same spot. The new COMAND, or whatever, is an ergonomic disaster.
Subaru Legacy has a channel in for the 1/8″ jack or 12v power in the center console. There was not in the craptastic Impala that we rented to go pick it up.
You should be able to use the keys on your steering wheel to control the function of the MP3 player so you don’t need to let the cord hang out of the glovebox.
I am sitting here contemplating the purchase of a C class and things like this really, really make me hesitate. Not that BMWs are any better in ergonomics beyond driving, but seriously, before setting up the production lines, take the f’ing concept out for a drive and decide how to place things. It kills me that entry level Hondas get details right that luxury cars manage to screw up again and again.
They each need a usability czar – a mother with three bratty children who has absolute say on gimmickry.
Hey Robert. You may love your Mercedes but it will not always love you back- sort of like having a German girlfriend. I can’t stand iPODs and MP3s because they sound like shit. Their sound quality reminds me of those crappy transistor radios we had when we were kids. The Mercedes 7 speed automatic is an absolutely wretched device that never downshifts when you want it to and yes it will sometimes clunk like the tranny in a 66 LeSabre with 180000 miles on it.
I (or close family members) have owned various Mercedes from each of the past 5 decades. The build quality used to be the marque’s most endearing characteristic. Part of that was the pride that the D-B organization took in being “an engineering company.” Das beste oder nichts, and all that. Times have changed. Much of the technology pioneeered by them has been adopted by their competitors. I have a W211 E350 sedan. I like it, but I don’t love it. It’s just a nice car. Nothing special. The old billet-like structural solidity that the E Class was known for is now a distant memory. They are probably working on the W212 replacement as I type. I respectfully request that they bring back a structure like the W123.
Seems to me that the company has lost focus on just what its mission is. Does the world really need a C Class, let alone and A or B Class?? Considering how awesome the cars used to be, it’s kind of sad.
86er :
October 9th, 2009 at 12:54 pm
What is this truck that everyone keeps speaking of?
This.
Can it haul reasonable quantities of lumber/stone/dirt?
Are you worried about dirt/dents/scratches/comfort?
Will your friends (or kids’ friends) ask you to help them move?
If you answered no to any combination of these questions, you are not driving a truck.
Shoulda brought an S class.
Thank you jacksonbart. It had to be said.
But seriously, MB needs to just ditch COMAND and in its place put a holder for the iPhone. It can do whatever COMAND can do for a lot cheaper, and a whole lot more.
If they don’t like Apple, they can cut a deal with Google/HTC and install an Android holder. Same difference.
RF, you should have got the LS460h. You seemed to like it.
Mercedes vehicles are completely over-rated with very few exceptions over the years. I’m thinking the 1960s SL280 manual convertibles.
SherbornSean :
I like COMAND in my s550. Why the hell would mercedes Benz design part of the car to use a product the driver may or may not even use – a product they don’t manufacture?
The best place for an MP3 player is the arm rest. Inside the armrest. USB cables should be in there.
Robert aren’t you glad you don’t own a Lexus with their floor mat design flaw and solution?
…an indentation that allows the MP3 cord to remain connected and undamaged with the glovebox closed?
I think there are too many scenarios to design for these days. you want your MP3 player outside the glovebox, some people like it in there, another guy wishes it was in the center console. Subaru was able to get it done with my center console, it has two passages for wires while it is closed. But Subarus don’t come with armrests, so I had to get the armrest extension, which, of course, does not have the indentations. It is good I keep my iPod inside there.
I guess if I dropped 70k for a Benz I would expect it to do all I need it to and make me toast, without having to fix things, but that is unrealistic probably, so better to just avoid buying expensive stuff and expecting too much. A good case for buying cheaper vehicles really.
My solution is to just modify what I can. Takes some thought and time, but no car is designed exactly for how you want to use it.
Germans don’t always get this wrong. In my A3 (sans the unnecessary glovebox iPod kit) there’s a nifty compartment below the flip-up centre armrest (which has its own internal storage bin). Inside is the auxiliary audio input jack and a 12-volt outlet. There’s room for an iPod/iPhone and the cables, but if you want to keep the device outside, the cover slides and can be left open just enough for the cord. I’d give it a 9 out of 10 for execution. Incidentally, the Bluetooth integration has also performed flawlessly with my iPhone, and operating it is pretty darned intuitive compared with some applications I’ve seen.
But, hey, let’s forget that a Buick Enclave will do everything the GL will, with aplomb, and will cost about $30,000 less…it’s GM. The horror!!!!
What’s odd:
German cars used to feature something called “ergonomics.” You know, controls that are clearly marked and easy to use, and placed in such a way that they make sense?
Now, its the Germans who are pushing forward with uber-controller silliness. BMW did it first with IDrive, but Mercedes followed, but Audi is by far the worst.
Take the A6. Great looking interior, but the whole MMI interace is out of driver’s line of vision, and controlled by buttons that all feel alike. But there’s more! To increase the fan speed, you have to adjust the temperature setting; there is no fan speed adustment. To open the glovebox, you have to press a button on the center console, but to close it, you have to push up on the box lid. To turn on the radio, you have to use a small knob to the right of the shifter, and use the MMI “wheel” to change the settings. And if you like pushbutton start, you’ll love the A6 – one button turns the car off, the other turns it on.
Great car, but WTF?
I actually have a iPod for each of my cars so I’m not constantly plugging and unplugging. I think you can afford to do the same. They’re not that expensive if you’re driving around in a $70k+ SUV.
Why would you need access to the player outside of the glove box? When it’s plugged in, you can’t do anything with the interface. Everything needs to be controlled through the stereo / steering wheel anyways.
I take all the manuals out of the glove box and put more useful things in there. The manuals are now in a case in the back of the car, since we rarely refer to them.
2009+ GLs have a 40gb hard drive. If you have one of those, why don’t you just put all your songs on the drive?
Oddly enough, the accomodation of iPods/MP3 players is something that less expensive models seem to do better. It’s almost as though the marketing people were thinking, “it’s okay…the older people who can generally afford the more expensive models are less likely to use all of this techno-gear.”
Sort of like the reason why cheap to moderately-priced hotels almost never charge for wifi, but expensive ones do. But don’t get me started on that…
I have an S-class and a better Idea.
Why not just use the MP3 CD player’s 6 disks?
I have an iPhone and I don’t use it for music. I connect it to the car simply to charge it.
Is there anyone among the B&B who doesn’t own an S-class? I’m starting to think it outsells the Camry and Accord.
But back to the MP3-to-CD idea, it’s not the best solution if you’ve downloaded your music from iTunes…there’s a limit to Training room shoes (if not rare) vehicle to lack the ability to do this as seamlessly as a Ford Focus.
Is there anyone among the B&B who doesn’t own an S-class? I’m starting to think it outsells the Camry and Accord.
But back to the MP3-to-CD idea, it’s not the best solution if you’ve downloaded your music from iTunes…there’s a limit to how much you can legally copy these. I’ve actually done this with tracks from CDs, but these have no such restriction.
What’s unfortunate is that this expensive (if not rare) vehicle lacks the ability to do this as seamlessly as a Ford Focus.
Flashpoint wrote:
Why not just use the MP3 CD player’s 6 disks?
Because 6 MP3 CDs would only hold a tiny fraction of my music (not to mention the hassle of burning the discs)?
I don’t use my iPhone to play music in the car either … I’ve got an old 40GB iPod Classic for that (and it just stays in the car). Unlike the iPhone or iPod Touch, it’s got a clickwheel … allowing it to be operated without taking my eyes off the road.