[sleepyhead]

Seems like this is a real hit or miss with people. I personally like it since it makes the dash's shape look less bulky and the center "stack" less cluttered (on the CLA it is already cluttered enough without a screen in it). But many also consider it tacky and cheap, especially since it looks "stuck on." I'm actually most surprised by my Apple worshiper friends who I thought would like the idea of an iPad on their car. The only thing I don't like about it is that until it becomes more common, I don't like the idea of a big iPad sitting like a satnav on my dash for any would be car thief to see.

I know Mazda and Skoda along with Mercedes is going along with the "stuck on" look. Buick has a halfway big lump attaching the infotainment to the dash where it is on the Merc. Audi and Aston both have versions of a pop up that when up is similar to the Merc. Some Toyotas also have an infotainment that is somewhat similar. So it's not a purely Mercedes thing.

Anyways what are your thoughts?

 

[Tonyride]

I like it.

 

[icwhatudidthere]

I neither hate it nor love it. I don't really get the point of the Audi A3 hide-away screen though. When do you ever not want it out? You need it for the reverse camera and audio controls at least.

 

[Armchair Bronco]

One of the sales reps I talked to this week said that there were plans in the works to have a direct connection between an iPhone and the dashboard Infotainment display sometime in 2014. He said it would be more like the offering that you can get on the Mini Cooper that just acts as a bigger display for your iPhone (although without a touch screen).

I personally think the Multimedia Package is very overpriced, and it's the one option I'm not at all interested in. Also, given the choice I would much rather use my iPhone's MotionX GPS than *any* offering from MB, Audi, BMW or Ford.

 

[icwhatudidthere]

Is he referring to the Drive Kit Plus for the iPhone? I think that's already available.

 

[mr.smith]

I think that the nav screen placement could be improved. I don't think the stuck on look is good from a design standpoint. Things should look integrated with eachother, as if they are all part of the whole. The screen looks like it doesn't actually belong. There is enough room with the three vents underneath for Benz to improve upon the design.

I think this set-up would be cool if it was a mount for your iPad or tablet. you could take it with you and then put it back when you get in the car. Then the design would have some type of purpose. Right now I think it is a glaring missed opportunity.

 

[vracer]

Question - -

If you are in the Nav mode listening to a favorite FM station, and want to change to a favorite AM station, do you have to change to "Audio" - "AM" - and then select that station? Or, can you just push a preprogrammed button that will take you there with 'one click', never leaving the Nav mode?

 

[Armchair Bronco]

Is he referring to the Drive Kit Plus for the iPhone? I think that's already available.

I hope not. I got the impression that he was talking about something entirely new that would work with just about *any* existing apps on the phone, including a GPS system like MotionX.

The Drive Kit Plus, AFAIK, only exposes things like Twitter, FB, and some news feeds. But it's not deeply integrated w/ the phone.

The next time I'm at the dealership, I'll try to clarify what he meant.

 

[booker]

I saw in the other CLA forum a guy was handed a citation for leaving his electronics exposed. the Copper thought dudes vehicle was a risk for break in because he left his GPS on the dash!

I don;t know, the Toyota integrated nav pretty well...

corolla BTW

 

[sleepyhead]

I saw in the other CLA forum a guy was handed a citation for leaving his electronics exposed. the Copper thought dudes vehicle was a risk for break in because he left his GPS on the dash!

The cop shouldn't be allowed to do that since his state allowed the vehicle to be sold there as is. That means that the state deemed it legal with that thing there, regardless of whether or not it looks like a iPad giftwrapped for a thief (which I do).

 

[BenzFan]

I had my friends ATS for a week and the CUE system in his car was crap, went to a BMW after that and then tried out the CLA's system at a dealer close to me and it's not that bad. Im not complaining.

 

[vracer]

To Clarify & Bump My Question Above -

This pertains to a car with Premium and MM packages. Does anyone here have a car like that?

 

[Tonyride]

To Clarify & Bump My Question Above -

This pertains to a car with Premium and MM packages. Does anyone here have a car like that?

Yes, I do.

 

[booker]

Yes, I do.

so whats the answer...

vracer

Question - -

If you are in the Nav mode listening to a favorite FM station, and want to change to a favorite AM station, do you have to change to "Audio" - "AM" - and then select that station? Or, can you just push a preprogrammed button that will take you there with 'one click', never leaving the Nav mode?

 

[Tonyride]

so whats the answer...

I'll answer that question for certain when I get back home tomorrow. I've been in Canada all week so I don't have access to my car right now.

 

[icwhatudidthere]

AFAICT, memory is only active for the function you're on. So if you're in FM, the presets are only FM presets.

 

[vracer]

Thanks, Tony,
After arriving home, you have two minutes to kiss wife (no dallying here) and one minute per kid. Then it is into the car: In Nav mode - switching back and forth between preset AM and FM stations.
Basically the reason I'm asking the question is because in Model Year 2007, BMW made a mid year change/improvement to their I-Drive. They added 6 programmable 'hard' buttons that could take phone numbers, radio stations, whatever. So you could be driving down the road in Nav, or whatever and call a particular number, change between audio bands, or do just about whatever you wanted (6 presets limitation) without having to change modes, and sub-modes, make choice, and then finally change back to original. (All the while putting every two year old kid on the block at risk for his or her life.)
This was/is considered a huge I-Drive improvement. And you don't have to 'trust' the vaguerities of voice commands.

 

[Tonyride]

OK, here's the deal. What ever source of music you're listening to (FM, AM, SAT) using the phone keypad will take you to preset stations for the source you're listening to. So if you've got the Navigation screen on and listening to FM and you want to go to preset #4 but still keep the Navigation on the screen then just push the "4" button on the phone keypad. A brief channel indication will appear in the middle of the Navigation screen.

 

[Red Jupiter]

I like the infotainment system. I have the Command/Harmon Kardon system from the Premium/Multimedia packages. My only issues the the MB Apps are really slow. My iPhone is much faster so I won't be renewing them after the trial expires. Voice command work well once you learn the right command to speak.

 

[Red Jupiter]

I had my friends ATS for a week and the CUE system in his car was crap, went to a BMW after that and then tried out the CLA's system at a dealer close to me and it's not that bad. Im not complaining.

I have to agree. When looking at the ATS, the biggest drawback/turnoff was the CUE system. It was slow, non-intuitive, just a total fail!.

They should fire the person who decided that the touch sliders are above the raised surfaces and the labeling of the functions is below the raised surfaces.