SLK350-knob+button-o-rama mess

4063 Views 32 Replies 13 Participants Last post by Bazzle, Mar 19, 2006

geekapoo

Discussion Starter · Mar 17, 2006

when test driving the SLK350 last weekend, I was stunned by how cluttered and messy the dash was. TOO MANY knobs/buttons (and they want to make cell phones in cars illegal cause the are a distraction). The worst part was that the car I drove had a low end stock stereo.....sounded like shit and no fader control. The problem was that it is so integrated in the messy dash as to be awkward to pull out/replace.

Myself? Yea, the outside of the car looks nice but darn if the inside ain't bad news. Was a big factor in my decision to go with a different car (TT)..

Geekapoo[

)]

1 - 20 of 33 Posts

430

· #2 · Mar 17, 2006

I like the interior of the R171's. It is the outside styling that I just cant come to like. Certain angles are fine but that nose is awful and the rear is a bit bland.

G-Benz230

· #3 · Mar 17, 2006

IMHO,

there is no comparison between the 350 and the TT interior, the 350 is far superior and way better looking, designed and styled.

Shinigami

· #4 · Mar 17, 2006

I like the styling of the interior and exterior.

I'm a bit of a geek, so all those buttons go down just fine with me

Actually, I kinda felt "empty" while driving an SL 55 today. It felt like there was less stuff on the dash (although the doors, seat, etc, all had a lot more buttons here and there).

nickwilcock

· #5 · Mar 17, 2006

Well, I agree. Far, far too many nerd-pleasing knobs and tits in the R171. And an ugly clash of so many different switch styles as well.

The interior looks quite cheap with those awful 'sandblast finish' switches and the warthog scrotum texture to the panels.

It just doesn't have anything approaching a luxury feel about it. Nasty, hard plastic visors etc...

The whole interior needs comprehensively tidying up and restyling with better quality materials, fewer switches and less silly stylistic gimmicks.

The external appearance is now starting to look quite dated before its time. Sure it sells well, but it simply doesn't have the classic appeal of the R170.

Nice engines and seats though.

Katika

· #6 · Mar 17, 2006

Gotta love how different aspects of the car appeal to people, or not. Like Shini, I am a gadget guy...and I can make quick sense of the so-called clutter. Now the last time I drove a BMW 7 series, I could not get over the one too many stalks on the steering column [it has like 3, as I recall: gear shifter, turn signals, and steering column]. I always had to be careful not to hit something else as I moved my hand around the wheel.

Perhaps the longer you own the car the easier the feel for where everything is becomes, but is all that really necessary ergonomics wise??? Interestingly enough, when my brother drove my SLK he mentioned how he kept hitting the cruise control stalk while trying to engage the turn signals; he wondered how I put up with such an annoyance...I laughed and told him hey you get used to it after a while.

Just thought I would share this experience...

geekapoo

Discussion Starter · #7 · Mar 17, 2006

G-Benz230 - 3/17/2006 8:37 AM

IMHO,

there is no comparison between the 350 and the TT interior, the 350 is far superior and way better looking, designed and styled.

Obviously I don't agree.....but to each their own. My pref is SLK320 > TT > SLK350....but everyone loves his/her car for their own reasons. You do however have to admit that if one wants to gut the POS stock SLK350 stereo (the low end one), there are significant problems.

Too many damn friggen knobs/buttons.....people should be looking at the road, not their cell phones or dashboards.LOL

Geekapoo[

)]

geekapoo

Discussion Starter · #8 · Mar 17, 2006

Need I say more?

ROFLMAO.

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G-Benz230

· #9 · Mar 17, 2006

Didnt say it was perfect, but better than the TT, thats all. too many button indeed in the COMAND, should have been a touch screen.

page62

· #10 · Mar 17, 2006

geekapoo - 3/17/2006 12:59 PM

Gotta agree. That looks ... well ... ummm... cheesy. [:I]

On the other hand, it could be worse. They could have one of those STUPID i-drive type controllers in there...

G

· #11 · Mar 17, 2006

I like neither the interior or exterior.

geekapoo

Discussion Starter · #12 · Mar 18, 2006

the number of buttons is borderline insane.......12 on one side, 8 on the other AND that's just counting the top part of the dash! what the hell were they thinking?

geekapoo

Discussion Starter · #13 · Mar 18, 2006

one thing I do like is how they have illuminated things on the dashboard......really did not care for the orange in the SLK320 (but I guess VW spoiled me with the blue...)

larryk

· #14 · Mar 18, 2006

geekapoo - 3/17/2006 9:38 PM

! what the hell were they thinking?

No offense meant, but I guess the same thing you were thinking when you decided on your avitar [

)] Makes me nauseous everytime I read one of your posts [xx(]

aceangel

· #15 · Mar 18, 2006

Lets see, a standard keyboard has about 104 keys... and this has around 60? Doesn't seem too bad - sorry I'm more tech-inclined [

]

forker

· #16 · Mar 18, 2006

IMHO, the difference is that you're not attempting to guide a ton and a half at 60mph through city traffic - ie people - while you're driving your 104-key game, in which conditions CTRL+ALT+DEL doesn't allow players a new start. But, that's still waaay too many buttons. Perhaps the DCX planners thought the target audience would be spending most of their time in stationary traffic so would be in need of something else to do..?

larryk

· #17 · Mar 18, 2006

forker - 3/18/2006 1:20 AM

IMHO, the difference is that you're not attempting to guide a ton and a half at 60mph through city traffic - ie people - while you're driving your 104-key game, in which conditions CTRL+ALT+DEL doesn't allow players a new start. But, that's still waaay too many buttons. Perhaps the DCX planners thought the target audience would be spending most of their time in stationary traffic so would be in need of something else to do..?

Don't let the legislators EVER see this car! I heard a blip on the radio today that legislators in a particular US State (didn't catch the name) are planning to pass a bill that would ban not only cell phone use, but down to making it illegal to change a radio station or even TALKING to a passenger while driving. Gotta love these bums [xx(]

nickwilcock

· #18 · Mar 18, 2006

I counted 62 separate buttons and switches in that picture, let alone any soft keys in the on-screen menu.

Why?

What on earth can possibly be so complex? An absolute overkill of switchery.

The only extra things I would wish for in my SLK32 AMG are:
1. A front/rear fader.
2. A boost gauge.

I bought a car to enjoy driving it - not to provide a completely unnecessary HMI nightmare stress zone!

If some geek fiddling with one of these pointless switches drives into the back of someone, I will hardly be surprised.

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slknow

· #19 · Mar 18, 2006

You already bought a TT? Why are you still here?

geekapoo

Discussion Starter · #20 · Mar 18, 2006

slknow - 3/18/2006 9:43 AM

You already bought a TT? Why are you still here?

I loved my SLK320.....and I love cars....that is why I'm here. Why, you have a problem with me discussing Mercedes at a Mercedes chat board?

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