pixelfreak

Anyone knows when the digital version of dual-zone climate control (basically the one you see in C320) is going to be available as an option for C230 sport sedan? I am planning to buy C230, but I will wait if this option is coming out soon, because I don't really like the look of the analog version.

Thanks!

PS: Have tried calling dealership, they asked me if I can drop by to discuss this, geez...

Outland

You can get part later. Just get the car.

MJ50

yup, that can be ur 1st mod

vdubpower

the 320 doesnt come with the digital either, only in europe i believe

MBc230

Supposedly the 2005.5 models are gonna get them (or until they use up all the analog ones in stock), but it's the same part in the 2005 CLK's as well. I asked the parts guy and he said it can be ordered for $265 (2005 CLK digi control). Only thing he added was that even though it's the same, MB doesn't install it for you nor do they offer warranty for it, so install at your own risk.

pixelfreak

Hmm, you think I can shoot an email to MB headquarter in Germany and ask them about this? Wonder if I can get one factory-installed if I were to order through European Delivery...

Why did they put analog in the first place, BMW 3 series has all digital panel, although you have to add an extra cost for dual-climate I believe.

Thanks!

mikefl52

I would doubt it. The car you order through ED is US spec and therefore it makes no difference whether you do an US delivery or European delivery.

If you get the 2005 brochure for the sports sedans and coupes (unfortunately the latter is no longer available) and look at the individual options the digital climate control (which is not just a digital climate display but also has some other nice enhancements) is shown there, but has a note saying it is not currently available (at the time of writing the brochure).

I would go into your dealer and see what option number it is and include it on the order form and again I bet you can do it (or not) independent of where you pick the car up.

inFiniTE LooP

http://www.mbusa.com/brand/container...e=sedan&menu=4

2nd column, 3rd one down, it had digital climate control last year too, i dont know when it was ever introduced, but in all the C320s i remember, it has had digital climate control.

inFiniTE LooP

so they're completely compatible? i know for my 2004.5 C230, when i tried to have Steve install digital climate control for me to replace the analog, he tried 2 different units and neither of them worked, it was always a hit or miss thing when it came to replacing the analog with the digital. but i guess they've changed it in 2005

Jim Banville

I PREFER the analog. You can make changes MUCH more quickly using the spinning knobs on the analog unit than the "press repeatedly, or press and hold" buttons on the digital units.
I can understand people wanting the digital unit - it looks clean, modern and "high end". If MB had just put a couple digital temp readout windows on the analog unit that corresponded to the temp you select w/ the temp knobs (like that in my Sequoia ), everyone would be happy!

inFiniTE LooP

that would certainly be ideal for me as well, that's how it is in the Honda Accord, spin the knobs and the digital readouts change, i think it's the best way to go.

Jim Banville

Leave it to the Japanese to "please" me yet again

CitronC230K_03

yeah just like digital climate control for 01-04 models. install it yourself, its not a big freaking deal.

pixelfreak

Okay, just called a dealer again and no, it's not available even as an option and no plan so far on including it. So my only option is to take the one from CLK and install it at my own risk. Hopefully the dealer won't charge me hell for the labor if it turns out to be incompatible.

Other than that, my only complain the mercedes is (please hold all your flaming) the recently discontinued maintenance program, which is a bummer (but I heard it only covers fluid change?)

CitronC230K_03

the dealer will not take back the part more than likely because it an electronic item. second, install it yourself. save the $100 an hour labor rate.

pixelfreak

Hmm, thing is, I am not a car-guy, I am a computer-guy. Tell me to build a computer from scratch, I will do it in 1-2 hours. Installing something like this...hmm, I would cry all day if something major goes wrong (say, scratch on dashboard by screwdriver?)
Unless of course, if the installation is a no-brainer that a 12-year old can do.

CitronC230K_03

dude, i wasnt either. when i bought my car i was a network engineer. im still not a car guy. its easy to take the center console apart once you find out how. trust me. ive done it several times. install Audio10, install Aux line to COMAND (after i had COMAND installed), install digital climate control, install switch row for parktronic, install switch row for interior motion sensor.

its easy really. you just need to know where the screws and tabs are located.

scorchie

Before everyone starts writing about installing the digital climate control into 2005 cars without it... you better try it before you tell other people to do it. We've done a lot of experimenting with this and the experiments have not been very good (as opposed to the 2004 and earlier cars, where the chances were much better that the unit works pretty close to properly).

Then again, I concede that we may have no idea what we're doing. But if the person doing the install has no idea either, then the results may be similar.

-s-

Jim Banville

Scorchie, are you saying you have tried installing a 2005 CLK digital climate control into a 2005 C class car?

CitronC230K_03

true dean. reading this thread i was under the impression it couldbe done. someone should make sure it can be before forking out the money or be willing to be the test car to see if it can be to pave the way for others.

pixelfreak

Or maybe I'll just get a used 2003 E320 instead
KBB price is just a tad more than a new C230. Still got 2 year free maintenance to go, higher class than C, and less depreciation when you sell it :p

ctC230K

i would really like to put digital climate control in mine, even my 323i had that! fiddling with knobs to adjust the heat sucks.
has anyone installed it in their 05' c230?

CitronC230K_03

pushing buttons can be as much a pain in the @$$ as fiddling with knobs. i thought the knobs were easier, i do like the looks of the digi climate control over the knobby version which is why i have the digi climate control.

Jim Banville

"Looks" are ALL the digital climate control has got going for it.