Mercedes admits "Electronics Overkill"

[Kirby]

"A great many of the improvements which have been made in vehicle technology over the past decade or so have been down to electronic development, but it's possible to have a nagging suspicion that the manufacturers are overdoing it.

The manufacturers are beginning to think along similar lines - or at least Mercedes-Benz is. Its electronics vice-president Stephan Wolfsried has admitted that "last year we removed over 600 functions from our cars - functions that no one really needed and no one knew how to use."

He added that failures in integrating these parts into the overall electronics structure meant that all they were doing was causing malfunctioning of more important items.

The most recent problem Mercedes experienced in this area led to a recall of 650,000 cars world-wide last month, due to possible malfunctioning of a new electronic braking system developed in conjunction with Robert Bosch."

 

[Dinan55]

Finally somebody admits to it, nobody needs or ever uses all those useless toys that only cause problems instead of increase convenience. Most car manufacturers are obviously in some sort of electronics gadgetry war right now, competing against each other to find out who can release more useless bullsh*t in a shorter period of time.

 

[bmw046series]

What about the iDrive system? I have to admit it is pretty nice.

I have owned my Z4 for nearly a year now and I have had absolutely no problems, 21,000+ miles later!

It depends what they do with it, if it’s functional or if it’s an addition like electronic braking system. One example, the head-up display that’s something that is useful you can’t replace mechanical with electronic when mechanical already works –well.

There is an article in May’s issue of BMW Magazine about software and electronics running cars, they basically said software doesn’t run low or wear out.

 

[codex57]

What about the iDrive system? I have to admit it is pretty nice.

I have owned my Z4 for nearly a year now and I have had absolutely no problems, 21,000+ miles later!

It depends what they do with it, if it’s functional or if it’s an addition like electronic braking system. One example, the head-up display that’s something that is useful you can’t replace mechanical with electronic when mechanical already works –well.

There is an article in May’s issue of BMW Magazine about software and electronics running cars, they basically said software doesn’t run low or wear out.

iDrive is almost universally reviled. Lots of people think it's overly complicated. Then there are the cavemen like me who thinks the manual system in BMWs and Mercedes are already overcomplicated cuz they're not downright basic like in Hondas or Toyotas.

Software may not run low or wear out, but they're almost never fully developed and tested before they're put into the market place. Perfect example is any Microsoft product. Real world example: the idiots who wrote the software telling the computer when someone is "emergency" braking the the new Mercedes electronic braking system.

 

[Bimmerlife]

Finally somebody admits to it, nobody needs or ever uses all those useless toys that only cause problems instead of increase convenience. Most car manufacturers are obviously in some sort of electronics gadgetry war right now, competing against each other to find out who can release more useless bullsh*t in a shorter period of time.

I totaly agree with you!

I was thinking when I'm gonna order a new BMW, I will probably ask them to even make me manual windows.

Too much electronics just makes the car more heavy.

 

[aNoodle]

I totaly agree with you!

I was thinking when I'm gonna order a new BMW, I will probably ask them to even make me manual windows.

Too much electronics just makes the car more heavy.

Good idea! Can you specially order manual windows...i'm not sure I've ever seen 'em on the 3 series.

 

[Bimmerlife]

Well the lower models in Europe like 316, 318 comes with manual windows. Maybe they can do that on 330 too.

Even a Ferrari Enzo has manual windows.

 

[MrElussive]

Power windows are the best. In fact, I love power windows so much that I hate it when cars don't have the auto one-touch up and one-touch down.

 

[bmw046series]

A simple car is what makes the European Luxury car the best (verus all other cars), runs simple, drives perfect, and comfortable to drive.

 

[bahnstormer]

power windows is a bad example

here's a good one -
open trunk thow bag in slam trunk 5 seconds total
press button 1, wait 8sec for trunk to open, toss bag in, press button b after going to menu 4 and wait 8 sec for trunk to close.

wtf?!

 

[dzervit]

Bring me the gizmo's.... I love 'em. You can never have to many gadgets, except when the engineers get confused and they lead to failure... d'oh!

They shouldn't take the gizmos away, but refine them so they don't break sheet and people KNOW they are there!

 

[Bimmerlife]

Of course its good to have the electronics but did you ever replaced a motor for power window? Probably not.

I did few of them and believe me replacing them is not a walk thru the park.

 

[gbf1lm]

power windows and locks are good. power seats suck, i hate them.

$.02