Blind Spot Assist
Discussion
I have it on my E class. It came as part of the Driving Assist package (Blind Spot Assist, Lane Tracking, Distronic Plus).
Personally, I wouldn't say it was a must have, but I do have it activated, it works well and is a good back up to checking your mirrors (we are human and circumstances can lead us to making mistakes). During the 26k miles I have done in the car it has alerted me twice when I had not noticed a vehicle coming alongside, as I continue to look where I am going it would be too strong to say it saved me from an accident, but it would have allowed to act more quickly saving potentially critical fractions of a second that could make all the difference.
In truth, in 25years behind the wheel, 24 years without Blind Spot Assist have I ever crashed into another vehicle alongside me? No! Is it useful and does it provide additional piece of mind? Yes. Does the fact it has never happened before mean it can't happen in future? No.
The main reason I have Blind Spot is that I wanted Distronic, I find this the single most impressive improvement in driving safety and comfort in recent times, I would not order such a car without it. It transforms the concept of cruise control into something more usable in real life and really comes into its own when driving conditions deteriorate (rain, fog, snow etc.).
Lane tracking is completely useless as I frequently drive along narrow, rural roads and if it was activated I would probably have white finger syndrome from the constrant vibration of the steering wheel, this device remains OFF!
Hope this helps.
Regards, Neil
Personally, I wouldn't say it was a must have, but I do have it activated, it works well and is a good back up to checking your mirrors (we are human and circumstances can lead us to making mistakes). During the 26k miles I have done in the car it has alerted me twice when I had not noticed a vehicle coming alongside, as I continue to look where I am going it would be too strong to say it saved me from an accident, but it would have allowed to act more quickly saving potentially critical fractions of a second that could make all the difference.
In truth, in 25years behind the wheel, 24 years without Blind Spot Assist have I ever crashed into another vehicle alongside me? No! Is it useful and does it provide additional piece of mind? Yes. Does the fact it has never happened before mean it can't happen in future? No.
The main reason I have Blind Spot is that I wanted Distronic, I find this the single most impressive improvement in driving safety and comfort in recent times, I would not order such a car without it. It transforms the concept of cruise control into something more usable in real life and really comes into its own when driving conditions deteriorate (rain, fog, snow etc.).
Lane tracking is completely useless as I frequently drive along narrow, rural roads and if it was activated I would probably have white finger syndrome from the constrant vibration of the steering wheel, this device remains OFF!
Hope this helps.
Regards, Neil
I completely agree about the Distronic. I specced it on my 2007 CLK and find it the single most useful 'toy' on the options list. I picked the car up from the factory in Bremen and promptly drove out into the worst rainstorm I think I have ever driven in during 44 years!
I quite literally couldn't see any vehicles ahead and because I was on a motorway, couldn't see anywhere to pull over either, so had to keep going. The Distronic was still able to see a car ahead and kept me far enough behind it until reaching a rest area several miles up the road where we could stop until the rain eased.
Likewise, I wouldn't spec a new car without Distronic now either.
I quite literally couldn't see any vehicles ahead and because I was on a motorway, couldn't see anywhere to pull over either, so had to keep going. The Distronic was still able to see a car ahead and kept me far enough behind it until reaching a rest area several miles up the road where we could stop until the rain eased.
Likewise, I wouldn't spec a new car without Distronic now either.
Phunk said:
Great, thanks, I'll make a note of that. Looks like it might come in useful...Goodle, was it..?
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