EKY

I am planning to have Steve install the "rear" only parktronic sensors on my '05 SS.

I wanted to do the front, however it will remove that "amber" lens on my bumper strips thus making it "technically" illegal. Since this car is a lease, I don't want to get rid of that lens. (I don't think my dealer will have a problem with the rear only.) Steve/Wanda suggested that I could drill holes into the existing bumper strip, although it is not reconmended. That way, I could keep the amber lens there. Additionally, Hawaii has an annual "safety check" where they check these types of things (lights, lenses, drivability, brakes etc..) on a car every year. So if I don't have that amber piece, I'd be more of a pain to get a required annual safety check.

What do you guys think? Should I pass on doing the "full" system or should I try and have the front sensors placed into drilled holes of my existing strip?

Jim Banville

I don't see the need in parktronic on cars this small. I wish my huge SUV had it though!

EKY

Jim, I agree. I guess it's more for the "cool/wow" factor since it's not avail. in the U.S. as an option. I didn't need it on the RL's I had before and those were pretty big compared to my W203.

respdoc

Not only that...but on a leased car..

I guess you could return the parts to stock when your ready to turn it in and eBay the parktronic parts..but seems a little extreme for the end result..IMO..

Saprissa

on a leased car, it's definitely not worth the amount of work involved.

You have to run a main harness across the length of the car, install display units (front or rear or both), replace the switch row, mount strips (front & rear), there are bumper harnesses for front & rear too. Activate PTS. Basically, taking apart a lot of things, and then having to do it all again at the end of the lease.

Carlos

Saprissa@aol.com

nlpamg

my car was purchased, so I'm not in the same boat, but I'm thinking of having mods done and in 3-4 years or so when I trade the car in, removing all the mods. I know that the dealer won't give me extra for the mods (it'll just be a windfall for whoever buys the car from the dealer next), so why not use them and remove them and at least recoup a few bucks from the mods later... you have the enjoyment of your mods, and then waste some money on it, and recoup some of what you spent later on...

JohnCL

I would not waste all of the time and effort on a leased vehicle. It is alot of work from what I hear. I also would not even consider doing half of a parktronic install. If you decide to do it I would do the front and find some sort of amber side marker. I would be really curious to see if anyone would notice the marker was not there. I mean, I have the euro strips on my car and you would never know that there used to be a marker there. Most vehicle inspectors around here are lazy mopes that just make sure that you have wipers and working lights and a horn that works.

Bottom line, all or nothing and if you decide to go through with it seriously consider the amount of work involved and also remember Steve probably won't be around when you decide to remove all of the hardware to turn in your vehicle.

MJ50

i agree w/ john...
not worth doing significant mod to a leased car unless you plan to purchase when lease is done. better to save up mod $$$ and get a nicer car later (lease or purchase).

CitronC230K_03

you know you guys can say what you want, but parallel parking is a breeze with the help of PTS.
i wouldnt do it on a lease, but since im purchasing my car, i did full front and rear PTS. there is the wow factor, but when you are trying to parallel park in the city streets like san diego, where even in a C-Coupe you arent sure, PTS makes life easy!

MJ50

i fell in luv with PTS after i've seen it in action on s-class.
quick question doug,
do the sensors also detect objects in the middle (right in front of where front license plate is)?

Kar don

why would you do this on a leased car. It involves so much work and to give it all up in a couple of years is a waste!

nlpamg

like I said in my last post, lease or purchase it doesn't matter. it'll all be a waste. my car is a purchase, but I don't plan on keeping it for more than 3-4 years, so if I do anything, it'll be coming off...

EKY

I agree with what most of you have said. I originally leased the car not thinking I would love it this much. Is it possible to finance the current payoff without any penalty? I'm not sure how it works. Thanks in advance.

MJ50

when lease is done, u have an option to keep the car by financing it or just return it.

CitronC230K_03

yes it does detect in the middle where the plate is. the sesnors form an invisible bubble, which overlap in the front bumper and down to the ground. when you come close to say a parking space cement bolck thingy, if they are large enough they are detected, even though they are still low enough to tuck under the bumper.

CitronC230K_03

here is a PTS demo from MBUSA.

same concept on the C.

http://www.mbusa.com/brand/models/te...arktronic.html

MJ50

awesome... thx doug...
btw, did u hardwire the sidemarkers or r they hidden inside?

CitronC230K_03

even though the front sensors are kinda far apart in the front unless you get really close the the object directly in the center line of the bumper you will see it on the display. about a 2 inch space on the center line of the front bumper and maybe 3 inches out is to close and cant be detected. but you will see it on the display before it gets that close.

my side markers were wrapped in high temp tape when i had euro impact strips. they have been that way for about a year and a half.

gaiex

If you drive in Europe you will say the oposite
So little roads and parking lots, that is a exercise to park the car sometimes
Thats why I have PTS from factory, available here in Europe for the C class

gaiex

hey CitronC230K_03, did you painted the little grills down on the bumper???
It looks like chrome paint
Its nice, it match with the 05' grill

WaveyKat

is it possible to install the Parktronic system and still keep the amber light on the side by the way how much does it cost ? the Parktronic system stuff

Saprissa

Custom job, YES.
OEM parts, NO.

What you would have to do, is get the Euro bumper strips with PTS holes, and then cut out the side marker light outline.

over $1K / in tons of parts + labor.


Carlos

Saprissa@aol.com

EKY

Saprissa.. I have good news. Wanda just informed me that she spoke with someone at their local MB dealer. Here's parts of her message...

"It seems that we can get US spec front bumper strips at our local MB dealership with an extra hole for the amber corner light. Meaning that you can keep the amber corner light (Steve will fit the front strips around it) AND get the strips with PTS holes without having to drill them in the existing bumper / strips.

Steve wonders why this is not being offered in the US - but it seems that
this is not possible at the other end of the ocean. :/"

I'm really looking forward to the install later this month

MJ50

that's kinda nice...
pic?

EKY

Steve will be in Hawaii towards the middle/end of the month. After the install, I will deffinetly post pics.