Adaptive Smart Cruise Control

[Jez]

Did that work as well as their Voicetronic system

The Mercedes S range gets all new tech but it's only when it trickles down to the masses as standard that it becomes truely effective.

It works perfectly on my 2003 SL, ive never tried it on the older S-classes though, but it is the same system so i'd guess it works fine.

The only limitation on the old systems was that they only slow down to as low as 20mph whereby the cruise disengages, this was addressed in the 2006 S-Class which has Distronic 2 featuring proper stop start. This was still a full 9 years ago, this is very old tech now

 

[pepsilol]

Used it plenty of times and it's great.

People who dislike it usually fall into the can't afford it category or fight against technology category cause they're hardcore drivers who turn off DSC.

 

[Kyle009]

It is good on long motorway cruises, especially in the 50mph average limits (especially when you get behind someone who brakes for the cameras). My only grip is that it keeps you a little bit too far away from the car in front which encourages people to move into your space.

 

[Jez]

My only grip is that it keeps you a little bit too far away from the car in front which encourages people to move into your space.

You can select your distance on the Mercedes' systems, is the same not true of most others. I assumed that would be pretty standard.

 

[Helios1234]

The Mondeo system also lets you select the distance to the car in front. I suspect this is the same system used on Volvos and older Jaguars.

 

[Jim99]

You can select your distance on the Mercedes' systems, is the same not true of most others. I assumed that would be pretty standard.

Likewise on VW.

 

[Jonnycoupe]

Just used it this morning in 520d SE. Gap setting of 1 out of the 4 was still a bit 'gappy' for those ninja gap occupiers. It had HUD aswell which was great for showing status of cruise/ACC and queue.

 

[MooMoo444]

The driver. Why would it be anything other than?

Then what is the point of these systems? You're just adding unnecessary risk to driving. That's why I can't see them catching on.

 

[Jez]

Then what is the point of these systems? You're just adding unnecessary risk to driving. That's why I can't see them catching on.

You cant see them catching on?

They were launched in the late 90's on high end luxury cars, they have slowly become more and more common to the point we are at now where even a VW Golf has it.

That seems like the very definition of "catching on" to me

 

[geekman]

You can select your distance on the Mercedes' systems, is the same not true of most others. I assumed that would be pretty standard.

You can set the distance on mine, but the minimum distance at 80/90MPH is too large to be practical on a moderate/busy motorway.

 

[RSR]

Ive got this on my Cayman GTS, it was a expensive option but its one of the best options on the car other than the brakes.

 

[apatia77]

Then what is the point of these systems? You're just adding unnecessary risk to driving. That's why I can't see them catching on.

How is it a risk, the car will slow down or stop if you don't to do it yourself, saving you from a potential horrible accident.

Also the ACC I was using in Kia had the option to change the gap level between cars, the lowest setting was perfect for a more aggressive driving where the gap was just perfect so that other cars would not get in the space in front of your car. The faster I was going then the bigger the gap was which makes actually sense.

Anyway we are used to driving in UK with very small gaps in between cars which is actually illegal in some countries and very dangerous too.

 

[MooMoo444]

How is it a risk, the car will slow down or stop if you don't to do it yourself, saving you from a potential horrible accident.

Also the ACC I was using in Kia had the option to change the gap level between cars, the lowest setting was perfect for a more aggressive driving where the gap was just perfect so that other cars would not get in the space in front of your car. The faster I was going then the bigger the gap was which makes actually sense.

Anyway we are used to driving in UK with very small gaps in between cars which is actually illegal in some countries and very dangerous too.

It's the automated nature. It promotes laziness of the driver and then the system might fail. Maybe I'm just too paranoid to put faith in such a thing. It's a bit hypocritical of me really as I've gotten into the habit of just letting the cars auto lights do its thing..

 

[Jim99]

Then what is the point of these systems? You're just adding unnecessary risk to driving. That's why I can't see them catching on.

Isn't it less of a risk? Both you and the car can activate the brake, as opposed to a singular point of failure when it isn't enabled?

 

[apatia77]

Isn't it less of a risk? Both you and the car can activate the brake, as opposed to a singular point of failure when it isn't enabled?

Well obviously, I guess most accidents happen because someone doesn't break in time (or whilst changing lanes).

I guess some people don't realise that you can still brake by yourself if you want to, you can even use the accelerator to accelerate faster than the ACC would on its own (good when overtaking in single carriageways).

 

[Howard]

I've driven a Volvo V40 which had it, and it was an absolute godsend in the roadworks on the M3.

I tried to retrofit it to my car but I wasn't successful .

 

[Cosimo]

Had it in my previous BMW 5 Series and it was great to use.

 

[SDK^]

Then what is the point of these systems? You're just adding unnecessary risk to driving. That's why I can't see them catching on.

It's less risky, insurance companies put cars in lower groups with it fitted.

 

[Stephen B]

total convert here, drove my 83 year old mum and misses up to Montrose last weekend, unfamiliar roads and lots of distractions, Golf ACC use was 2nd nature 20 mins into the trip.

gonna have to watch when I jump back into the M135i

 

[SDK^]

You have your R Estate ?