New MY17 C43 Wagon Owner - Experience/ Dog advice/ Tune

[James-gbg1e]

Hi folks,

Picked up my '17 C43 Wagon yesterday, absolutely loved the long drive home... such an assuring car to drive and after an initial 5 minutes swearing at the Command UI I pretty much instantly fell in love with it.

There are a few questions I had, so I'm hoping there will be some owners here to point me in the right direction:

1. Command, mines got the Command Online 8.4" screen and Burmester system. I've no idea when the maps are from, is there an easy way to check and can these be upgraded? Can the system be upgraded at all? I have a Merc warranty in place, so wasn't sure if a dealer can do anything or if there's a stupid cost involved.

2. Dog, we've got a Labrador and I need to get the boot sorted for her. There's a wealth of terrible products out there with all manner of awful fit, velcro to ruin your boot, rattles... but good products seem thin on the ground. My ideal would be floor, boot lip and ideally a divider (front to back) so as half of the boot could safely be packed with suit cases or shopping, whilst the other reserved for her. Anybody recommendation with first hand experiences?

3. Tune, I've been talking to MSL about a remap. Definitely considering a Stage 1 remap and handheld, does anybody have experience of using them, how transformative is it to the car? I'm going to keep it stock for a month to understand any issues with the car, but I like the idea of squeezing more from it. I've a warranty with MB until 2023, but the ability to flick to stock/tune for servicing with a handheld seems handy... that being said, I know in the event of a serious borkage MB could see the ECU has been written to, but wouldn't be able to prove a tune, perhaps...

4. Misc, I noticed on my drive home yesterday that when in Sport+ rolling to some lights and then trying to accelerate away in a semi sensible manner the car got itself in to some horrible kangaroo action like I was hopping on the clutch or something... embarrassingly s**t. Is that normal at slow speeds 5-10mph? Seemed like it didn't know which gear to grab or something? Presume people keep to Comfort/Sport when slow speeds and flick to Sport+ when moving 20mph and up? Or, does my car have an issue? Didn't notice any issues on the rest of the drive.

Thanks all.

[bobsavage789]

James-gbg1e said:

Hi folks,

Picked up my '17 C43 Wagon yesterday, absolutely loved the long drive home... such an assuring car to drive and after an initial 5 minutes swearing at the Command UI I pretty much instantly fell in love with it.

There are a few questions I had, so I'm hoping there will be some owners here to point me in the right direction:

1. Command, mines got the Command Online 8.4" screen and Burmester system. I've no idea when the maps are from, is there an easy way to check and can these be upgraded? Can the system be upgraded at all? I have a Merc warranty in place, so wasn't sure if a dealer can do anything or if there's a stupid cost involved.

2. Dog, we've got a Labrador and I need to get the boot sorted for her. There's a wealth of terrible products out there with all manner of awful fit, velcro to ruin your boot, rattles... but good products seem thin on the ground. My ideal would be floor, boot lip and ideally a divider (front to back) so as half of the boot could safely be packed with suit cases or shopping, whilst the other reserved for her. Anybody recommendation with first hand experiences?

3. Tune, I've been talking to MSL about a remap. Definitely considering a Stage 1 remap and handheld, does anybody have experience of using them, how transformative is it to the car? I'm going to keep it stock for a month to understand any issues with the car, but I like the idea of squeezing more from it. I've a warranty with MB until 2023, but the ability to flick to stock/tune for servicing with a handheld seems handy... that being said, I know in the event of a serious borkage MB could see the ECU has been written to, but wouldn't be able to prove a tune, perhaps...

4. Misc, I noticed on my drive home yesterday that when in Sport+ rolling to some lights and then trying to accelerate away in a semi sensible manner the car got itself in to some horrible kangaroo action like I was hopping on the clutch or something... embarrassingly s**t. Is that normal at slow speeds 5-10mph? Seemed like it didn't know which gear to grab or something? Presume people keep to Comfort/Sport when slow speeds and flick to Sport+ when moving 20mph and up? Or, does my car have an issue? Didn't notice any issues on the rest of the drive.

Thanks all.

I have a W205 C43 (the saloon), but can advise on some of your questions:

1) As far as I’m aware, MB offer(ed) free map updates for the first three years. As yours is a ‘17 plate, I suspect you’d have to pay a main dealer to update it. I think it’s around £150. Of course, there may well be non-franchised options for map updates. For finding out the map version you have: 1) Select Options when in nav mode 2) select Map Content 3) scroll to bottom of list and select Map Version (courtesy of MB Cub: I suggest you sign up if you haven’t already).

3) There was a thread in another section of PH not so long ago where someone struggled to get a Civic Type R repaired under warranty, as it had been mapped (allegedly not by him). I honestly wouldn’t go near any tuning if you plan on keeping the warranty: I believe dealers can find out if a car’s been tinkered with. However, if it’s a risk you feel comfortable taking, go for it.

4) I think this is a trait for all C43s (well, it happens in mine). I think it’s to do with the throttle being so sensitive in sport+, due to the revs being kept so high. I find that any slight dab of accelerator pushes me back into my seat, meaning my foot loses solid contact with the accelerator pedal, with the process repeating over and over in stop/start conditions. For traffic light grands prix on the other hand…

Anyway, enjoy the car: mine always makes me smile when I get a bit of empty road ahead of me!

[Tin Hat]

I have a W205 estate rigid plastic boot liner that is almost new from my C63- if you pm me, you can have it for a token donation to charity?

The rear parcel shelf mechanism in mine had a dog guard built in, yours may also have this?

Ps, I’m in London, I don’t think it will go in the post......

[James-gbg1e]

bobsavage789 said:

I have a W205 C43 (the saloon), but can advise on some of your questions:

1) As far as I’m aware, MB offer(ed) free map updates for the first three years. As yours is a ‘17 plate, I suspect you’d have to pay a main dealer to update it. I think it’s around £150. Of course, there may well be non-franchised options for map updates. For finding out the map version you have: 1) Select Options when in nav mode 2) select Map Content 3) scroll to bottom of list and select Map Version (courtesy of MB Cub: I suggest you sign up if you haven’t already).

3) There was a thread in another section of PH not so long ago where someone struggled to get a Civic Type R repaired under warranty, as it had been mapped (allegedly not by him). I honestly wouldn’t go near any tuning if you plan on keeping the warranty: I believe dealers can find out if a car’s been tinkered with. However, if it’s a risk you feel comfortable taking, go for it.

4) I think this is a trait for all C43s (well, it happens in mine). I think it’s to do with the throttle being so sensitive in sport+, due to the revs being kept so high. I find that any slight dab of accelerator pushes me back into my seat, meaning my foot loses solid contact with the accelerator pedal, with the process repeating over and over in stop/start conditions. For traffic light grands prix on the other hand…

Anyway, enjoy the car: mine always makes me smile when I get a bit of empty road ahead of me!

Thanks for the reply!

1. I'll be checking it out, do you know of any cheaper ways of getting updates from indies etc? Presume you mean MB Club? Yeah I've been reading up plenty, not joined yet, though I shall.

3. Yeah it's definitely a worry in case of something going wrong - the extra power is so alluring... I do wonder how much hassle it is for them to check, I'd understood it was an ECU out job and back to HQ for them to properly tear down, but that may be internet talk.

4. Yeah, you may well be correct there in terms of my foot pogoing... think i need to play with Sport/Comfort for slow rolling starts, more time in the car. Glad it's not just something unique to mine though!

[James-gbg1e]

Tin Hat said:

I have a W205 estate rigid plastic boot liner that is almost new from my C63- if you pm me, you can have it for a token donation to charity?

The rear parcel shelf mechanism in mine had a dog guard built in, yours may also have this?

Ps, I’m in London, I don’t think it will go in the post......

Thanks for the offer chap, I'm midlands based so wouldn't make sense for me personally, but not to say I don't appreciate your gesture. Thanks all the same!

[Tin Hat]

James-gbg1e said:

Tin Hat said:

I have a W205 estate rigid plastic boot liner that is almost new from my C63- if you pm me, you can have it for a token donation to charity?

The rear parcel shelf mechanism in mine had a dog guard built in, yours may also have this?

Ps, I’m in London, I don’t think it will go in the post......

Thanks for the offer chap, I'm midlands based so wouldn't make sense for me personally, but not to say I don't appreciate your gesture. Thanks all the same!

No probs, enjoy your new wheels!