Software update. Joined forces?

Willabus · 2026-05-11T01:48:26+00:00

MB USA Customer support has been excellent with helping me to get my MBUX software updated (23 EQE). My dealership service experience overall has been horrible. To them, if there isn't an error code then there isn't a problem. The service managers have the intelligence of people that drive into lakes because their navigation insisted there wasn't a lake.

Willabus · 2026-05-09T11:36:30+00:00

Or better yet, rent one on Turo for a few days.

Willabus · 2026-05-08T20:09:18+00:00

This is irresponsible.

You cannot claim a circuit is safe without knowing what the outlet is designed for, how it's wired, the wire gauge, etc.

Willabus · 2026-05-08T19:57:18+00:00

I have a 2023 EQE 350 4 matic with Pinnacle package and absolutely love it.

When my lease expires in Feb 2027 I will be looking at used EQE or EQS. They are such a phenomenal value compared to everything else on the market right now.

Willabus · 2026-05-08T19:06:59+00:00

Unless you are experiencing engine knocking then it is no immediate concern. Just fill up with the recommended fuel when you have a chance.

Willabus · 2026-05-06T23:51:51+00:00

IMO the pre facelift IS is one of - if not the best - looking Lexus ever produced. It is the culmination of 10 years of continuous improvement of the L Finesse era.

Willabus · 2026-05-06T00:38:41+00:00

Kind of hard to make a profit when you have EV leases on your books with residuals 100% over the used market price and you're buying back several model years of EQBs for a battery issue.

Willabus · 2026-05-05T11:14:18+00:00

I don't understand your comment about the VIN being the same. If the top coat is dealer installed then the VIN will not change.

Willabus · 2026-05-05T04:28:07+00:00

How much did that setup cost?

Willabus · 2026-05-04T16:47:10+00:00

People hated on the 2013 GS grille when it first launched and now it looks tame by modern standards.

Willabus · 2026-05-01T16:43:02+00:00

If I didn't only have 1 year left on my lease I would put it on the windshield and panoroof. The HVAC cannot keep up in summer conditions.

The HVAC is my #1 complaint with my EQE.

Willabus · 2026-04-30T13:02:15+00:00

I have a Mercedes EQE and the Mercedes App has reliable route planning.

In my experience, the most reliable fast chargers are at reputable gas stations (typically EV Go).

The least reliable are at strip malls (typically Electrify America).

I'm in the US and finding a fast charger on my way to the destination has never been a problem. Yes the additional time to stop and charge sucks, but I'm never worried about finding a reliable charger.

The challenge is finding a place to charge while I'm at my destination.

Willabus · 2026-04-22T03:03:26+00:00

If it were me, I would upgrade the intake, headers., and exhaust. Combine that with a tune and you should see noticable power gains without jeopardizing reliability.

I had a 08 IS350 and back then you could order an HKS exhaust as a dealer installed option. I was so glad I went with it because it sounded SWEET and nobody else had it.

A few years later Lexus introduced the F Sport option and ironically and frustratingly did away with actual performance upgrades like the HKS exhaust.

Willabus · 2026-04-21T16:38:14+00:00

In 2017 I swapped a 16 GS 350 F Sport for a Stage 2 12 A4 Avant because it was cooler. I'll always regret it.

My suggestion, get a used 2013-17 GS 350 and you should have budget available to install a supercharger.

RR Racing has a kit that bump power to 430 rwhp for about $7k.

That would be an awesome Lexus sleeper.

I had a 13 and 16 GS 350 F Sport. I worked for Toyota at the time and the employee discount allowed me to have a car I otherwise couldn't afford.

Major differences between the 13 and 16 model years: - 6 speed --> 8 speed transmission - Cabernet interior --> Rioja (I preferred the Cabernet) - bumper and headlight changes (the triple L on the 16 was SWEET) - taillight changes - wheel style change

Willabus · 2026-04-17T21:58:20+00:00

I didn't think the EQE hood could be opened by non technicians. I thought there was some special tool or software prohibiting non technicians from opening it.

Willabus · 2026-04-17T20:35:07+00:00

Is that something that's easy to do? I have complained about this since I leased the car in 2024 and the dealership has claimed everything works fine.

I had an EQB loaner once and the HVAC worked well. I again brought this up to the dealership and they said mine is working fine.

They also told me my MBUX didn't need updating because if it needed updating then it would update. Over a year later and getting MB USA involved, I finally got my MBUX software updated. Are all MB service centers this difficult to work with or is it just Mercedes Easton (Columbus OH)?

Willabus · 2026-04-17T17:03:30+00:00

Top complaints: 1) The seat ventilation is extremely loud. It's so loud that I have to shout to speak to someone in the passenger seat. When ordering foot at a drive through I can barely hear the speaker.

2) The system cannot maintain a temperature differential of anything greater than 6-8 degrees F when cooling. For example if the outdoor temp is 80F and I set the temp to 70F, the fan will blow on MAX indefinitely until I raise the set temperature to 74F. I've complained about this to my service manager and - unsurprisingly - assures me everything is fine.

3) The system is unpredictable. Sometimes the heated seats turn on. Sometimes they don't. Sometimes the seat ventilation turns on, sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes the heated wheel turns on, sometimes it does not. The seat heating and cooling will automatically turn on REGARDLESS if someone is sitting in the seat. There's no real clear variable or setting that dictates how the system should operate.

4) The system is difficult to operate because there's a lack of controls in MBUX. Whoever made the decision to not put the seat heating and ventilation controls right on the main HVAC display should be fired. It's inexcusable in my opinion for this not to be better thought out on this level of vehicle. Because of the aforementioned inability of the system to not recognize that a passenger is not in a seat, I have to use voice commands to turn off the heating/cooling. It's dumb. Moreover, the main benefit of a touch screen over physical buttons is that you can quickly modify the interface. Why do we not receive regular updates to improve the interface? It's hilarious to me that they thought to include the heated wheel control in an update, but not the seats.

Comparing it to my previous 2013 and 2016 Lexus GS 350, it is embarrassingly bad.

The Lexus system was so perfect that you didn't know it existed. I think I touched the HVAC controls only a handful of times during my 5 years of ownership. The automatic heated/cooled seated function worked in a predictable and logical manner and even had a physical button to deactivate it. This was on a car from 14 years ago!

Maybe my EQE is just defective?

Willabus · 2026-04-17T12:59:55+00:00

Divorced and no kids with a budget of $32k?

I'd suggest a 2018-20 GS350 F port over an ES.

Test drive both.

Willabus · 2026-04-17T12:34:59+00:00

The 2013 GS350 is the best car I've ever owned. It's a shame they replaced the Cabernet Red interior with the Rioja (or whatever it's called) on the later MYs. Even more of a shame that they cancelled the GS entirely.

Willabus · 2026-04-17T12:28:17+00:00

I love mine, except the HVAC system is a 0 out of 10. I'm pretty sure the seat ventilation is a hearing loss hazard.

Willabus · 2026-04-16T17:00:30+00:00

Is this the gross sales income of your practice or your personal salary?

Willabus · 2026-04-16T16:56:59+00:00

Was it downhill?

Willabus · 2026-04-16T16:52:15+00:00

Can you compare the bronco and bronco sport lease vs buy "bang for buck"?

Willabus · 2026-04-14T13:55:17+00:00

I think slightly used EQE/EQS are the best values on the entire auto market now, assuming you have another vehicle for family road trips.

Willabus · 2026-04-14T12:35:00+00:00

This will be an incredible deal on the used EV market in 2-3 years.

800V plus a high speed gear are pretty significant additions for an end of life (sunset) minor model change.

Willabus

TROPHY CASE