Mercedes Crosswind Assist

I have been reading the Hymer brochure for their Mercedes Sprinter based MLT in which they offer options for: Multi-function Steering Wheel with Trip Computer, High Beam Assist, Collision Prevention Assist, Lane Change Warning, Light & Rain Sensor, Bi-Xenon Headlights, Halogen Fog Lights, Headlamp Wash, Seat Heaters, almost everything that are standard on a Mercedes car. The cost for the lot is substantial but it would be nice to have the choice for my next Auto Sleeper.

The brochure also states that all Sprinters from 2015 have Crosswind Assist as standard with a note that pre 2015 vehicles can have a software update, when next serviced, to install this feature. The MB video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7S3emBK1sPA) is certainly impressive.

Has anyone had this upgrade applied to their Sprinter, was there a charge and how much?

Not something I have had a problem with but thanks for the heads up!! Would go for that too....

Hi just looked at your post i think your asking a lot for a small van.As i said in my post i think the most important is a spare wheel and suspension..ive got a wheel rack spare wheel and full air suspension..i guess self levellers is aways a bonus but its all about compromise like when you buy a van The bigger the better.. Wish we could all be rock stars...Happy Days.. Love my stanton..Just to say on my trip to USA 90 vans at the resort all 40 foot drive through pitches with boats m bikes and cars at the back for towing Let us know how your getting on Tony?????

Seems to be available as retrofit for Sprinters from Jan 2012 if fitted with Adaptive ESP.

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Answer from my  excellent Mercedes dealer today, yes it  can be done and the cost is about £120 plus vat, to me that is one mod I am getting!

What year is your Sprinter?

May 2012. Is yours a euro 4 or 5?

Euro 5 I think, Reg Mar 2011, built Mar 2010. I need to call Mercedes with VIN and see if it can be added.

Just checked with MB Milton Keynes. Retrofit not available on my age vehicle. Seems like the Jan 2012 build date is the cut off. Shame.

Booked in on 29th at MB Truro, they have never done the job before so will let you know how it works!

The plot thickens...booked in today to have the work done but MB did not have the required software from Germany, in conversation though the technical guy almost suggested it was not something he liked or would want doing!

Has anyone with a newer van any experience of what it is like in reality, I spoke to Marquis and they didn't even know the later sprinters had these electronic upgrades!!

I am now questioning whether it is worth doing?

Thanks
'hog...

After many conversations and a lot of help here is the situation:-

Spoke to Mark at A/S who told me the xwind assist was simply not available and would not work on the chassis cab so back to the local Merc dealer.. They were exceptional and contacted MB technical in Germany who could not understand this because why should it work on a Hymer and not an Autosleeper! They also said of course the chassis cab is exactly the same as the van, including the box van and it works perfectly well on that!

They sent all the dimensions, weights etc to Germany and reconfirmed there is no reason whatever the Winchcombe/Worcester and all other MB vans should not have this fitted as an aftermarket option.

MB have now offered to fit the system FOR FREE at my next service ( told you they were good!) and will remove it if I am not 100% satisfied that it works properly.

Will keep you all up to date but will have it done after a short trip away and let you all know how it goes!!

Thanks for the update Groundhog. I am waiting for my service (due next month) but was not expecting any issue as the MB website clearly states that ALL Sprinters can be retro fitted if they have ESP which was standard from late 2013. I will try for the FOC fitting (no labour is involved once plugged in for the download) but maybe you will be the only member of that club.
The video is so impressive and I have had two incidents in +70mph winds that would have benefitted from the upgrade.

Mine goes in on May 09th, the relevant CD has to be ordered from Germany but if your MB dealer does not have it or trouble getting it, Mercedes Benz South West in Probus near Truro have one, sure they would send it up your way.

Nice looking Morgan in the background by the way, tempted myself but we live 200 yards from a well known Morgan dealer and hire place so lots of them around here.... garage is for sale by the way with all its stock if you want another one....

My service is 11th May. Just asked for a quote for the Crosswind assist, £216 inc. VAT and a week's notice to obtain new codes for the vehicle. Also explained that the ESP symbol will flash when Crosswind Assist is employed as opposed to the windsock symbol which appears on the 2015 and later models.

Seems a lot of money but it also seems very effective in the video.

Has anyone who has it as standard on the 2015 Mercedes any comment on how effective it is in windy conditions?

I was quoted 125 so they are doing you no favours there...

Following this thread we wondered whether we have Crosswind Assist on our MH, we thought we should have on a 2016 AS model, on a, presumably, 2015 chasis.  So we rang our local MB dealer.  Very helpful they were, looked up our MHs details on their database and told us that, yes, it is fitted on our MH.  We'd never noticed anything, so perhaps haven't driven it yet in conditions windy enough.  His response to that was: that's the idea, you shouldn't notice anything, the point is that it keeps you steady.  You may see the symbol on the dashboard flicker on and off when it comes on, but unless you happen to see it, you wouldn't know it was working.

He did say that it's not specified on every vehicle, only panelvans, but of course the base vehicle is in essence just that, before the conversion by AS.

Not sure if the vehicles count as panel vans in MB speak, technically the base vehicle is a Chassis Cab and A/S don't use MB Panelvans only VW and Peugeot/Fiat.

steamdrivenandy wrote:Not sure if the vehicles count as panel vans in MB speak, technically the base vehicle is a Chassis Cab and A/S don't use MB Panelvans only VW and Peugeot/Fiat.

OK, as a mere female I bow down to your male superiority in the precise description above 

I was in a hurry when writing it yesterday so will describe it better than in my original post: He did say that it's not specified on every vehicle, only on panelvans; some chassis cabs apparently have been specified to have it.

All Sprinters since early 2012 have had Active ESP system as standard. Cross Wind Assist can be activated on them all. Panel Vans may be activated by default.

Shame autosleeper don't understand that and Marquis had no idea what I was talking about, good product knowledge eh!

As long as it has a cab and four wheels converters are generally only interested in the bit they build. Dealers should be more aware of this complete package they're selling, but rarely are.

Most MB dealers don't know about the retrofit of CWA, so don't be too hard on AS.

I would normally agree with you Peter but I was told categorically by Mark at A/s it was NOT possible to add this to the chassis cab, I suggested it was and it was repeated quite firmly IT IS NOT POSSIBLE!

He probably asked a MB Dealer.