Is getting the p2 worth the extra money?
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00' 330i
Is getting the p2 worth the extra money?
It seems like most of the people on here that I've seen that are ordering their new c-class is only getting the p1 and not the p2 also. I was planning on getting the p2, because of the bi-xenon headlights, but now maybe I'm thinking I should just save that extra money. Anyways is getting the xenon headlights worth the extra money??
Last edited by Jewelz0376; Aug 24, 2007 at 03:31 PM.
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From: San Antonio
2008 C350
I ordered P2 for my 350. It was between that and the 18 inch rims for $1000. When I decided against waiting indefinately for the 18's I had the extra cash in my budget for P2.
The main appeal to me for P2 was the Bi-Xenon HL's and the LED rear blinkers. My wife likes the auto shade in the back for the future kiddos.
If you live or frequently drive in rural areas where the added visability would help I'd say it is worth it. I live in a big city so my choice in getting them is purely asthetic, and in that case I would only get P2 if you can afford it.
The main appeal to me for P2 was the Bi-Xenon HL's and the LED rear blinkers. My wife likes the auto shade in the back for the future kiddos.
If you live or frequently drive in rural areas where the added visability would help I'd say it is worth it. I live in a big city so my choice in getting them is purely asthetic, and in that case I would only get P2 if you can afford it.
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From: Rowland Heights,CA
W203 (sold), W204 (sold), W124
I would say it is worth the extra money. The Bi-xenon headlights give you better vision at night and the rear LED lights make the car look nicer. Plus you get the rear sunshade which is very helpful during hot days like summer.
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From: West Los Angeles
2014 C350 Sport
It was a no brainer for me on the 350 as P1 comes standard and BiXenon rocks.
However, on the 300, a lot of what is great about the premium package comes with P1, with P2 only adding xenon (at the expense of almost costing as much as a 350).
If you've got the cash, go P2, if you're in a 300 and have P1 already, get the 18" Rims instead, in a 350 it's a much harder call for some if your budget is already stretching thin.
However, on the 300, a lot of what is great about the premium package comes with P1, with P2 only adding xenon (at the expense of almost costing as much as a 350).
If you've got the cash, go P2, if you're in a 300 and have P1 already, get the 18" Rims instead, in a 350 it's a much harder call for some if your budget is already stretching thin.
Last edited by coolal; Aug 24, 2007 at 07:03 PM.
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MY2001 C320
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00' 330i
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From: New Jersey
E550 4MATIC
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From: SEATTLE WASHINGTON USA
'08 C300 Lux Barolo Red Beige Leather P2 MM 18" wheels '84 944
Bi-Xenons later? Noooooo...
<<Well bi-xenons can be added later, it just is more difficult than wheels.>>
My '01 C320 was equipped with low beam only Xenons and when Bi-Xenons became available I upgraded. Retail for each headlight assembly was $1200. That's $2400 for the pair. Through a dealer contact I obtained them for $600 each.
To install them, the front bumper cover had to be removed. I decided to let the dealer do the install (one hour shop time) after looking at what was required. After 4 1/2 years with them I would NEVER go back to plain old halogen lights. Further, OE Bi-Xenons have self-levelling and you cannot fit this later since there are level sensors on the RR and RF suspension with associated wiring.
The other factor is resale value. Five years down the road, there will be plenty of 204s on the used market and those without Xenon and navigation will be tougher to sell and will have less used value.
My '01 C320 was equipped with low beam only Xenons and when Bi-Xenons became available I upgraded. Retail for each headlight assembly was $1200. That's $2400 for the pair. Through a dealer contact I obtained them for $600 each.
To install them, the front bumper cover had to be removed. I decided to let the dealer do the install (one hour shop time) after looking at what was required. After 4 1/2 years with them I would NEVER go back to plain old halogen lights. Further, OE Bi-Xenons have self-levelling and you cannot fit this later since there are level sensors on the RR and RF suspension with associated wiring.
The other factor is resale value. Five years down the road, there will be plenty of 204s on the used market and those without Xenon and navigation will be tougher to sell and will have less used value.
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I completely agree that the OP should get the bi-xenons from the factory, I was just clarifing that it is possible to add them later because someone said that they could not.
Your dealer installed them?? I asked several dealers and they refused.
Your dealer installed them?? I asked several dealers and they refused.
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MY2001 C320
Not really. It has cornering light where fog lamp turns on when you signal a turn, but the Bi-X (code 612) does not track. The tracking active Bi-X only comes with intelligent lighting system (code 622) that is not available in US or Canada.
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S6
All this talk about resale value is over the top. Personally, I buy a car according to my needs, not the needs of the "next" buyer whom I will never know, and even if I did, so what? Secondly, a car is a depreciating asset, so any money you spend(new or used) is going down the tubes, unless you plan on giving this car to your great-grand-children - yeh, right. So buy what you like, and adjust. At the very least you're driving a Mercedes Benz, a car that will hold it's value far better than the majority of alternatives, regardless of segment.
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2005 C230K Sport Sedan, 6 speed manual
I would grudgingly vote "yes" on the P2 package. It is expensive for what you get. Nonetheless, it is much more expensive to try and add the features (e.g. bixenon) later.
The bixenon lights have already been discussed, but I think they are great for night driving.
The P2 also includes the fold-down rear seat. I bought this feature on my W203 and I am glad I did. Although I don't use it daily, it is nice to have available. Occasionally, I see something I want at Costco or Lowe's that is too large for the trunk. It is nice to have the cargo flexibility. I don't think the fold-down seat can be added later.
The bixenon lights have already been discussed, but I think they are great for night driving.
The P2 also includes the fold-down rear seat. I bought this feature on my W203 and I am glad I did. Although I don't use it daily, it is nice to have available. Occasionally, I see something I want at Costco or Lowe's that is too large for the trunk. It is nice to have the cargo flexibility. I don't think the fold-down seat can be added later.
Last edited by alpinweiss; Aug 26, 2007 at 04:49 AM.
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None of the P2 options can be PROPERLY installed aftermarket, wheels obviously can.
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Duck taping a turbo is not the same thing at all.
Last edited by pmb600; Aug 26, 2007 at 02:16 PM.
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2005 C Wagon (No snickering please!)
Bi-xenon retrofit kit
Not true. The factory offers a full retrofit kit with level sensors, and washer system. The WIS has full instructions on how to fit the new bumper, washer system, wiring harness, and calibration of the axel sensors. Easy? No. Cheap? Never.
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c300 sport
Well in my opinion, if it really came down to it.. i would rather choose the Multimedia package which is a better all around package imo (Navi, Great sound system, 6 disc DVD changer, 7" screen) than the p2 simply for the xenons. That p2 package is a joke.. if you want xenons, you have to pay for the rear shade, heated seats, dimming mirrors... who really needs that junk? for less than 1/10 of the price, you can just pick up a high quality aftermarket xenon kit (which i plan to do).. so you can have the multimedia package AND xenons (albeit, not adaptive) for virtually the same price.
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C300 4Matic P1 18" rims
My dad has an ML350 2008 and he opted to not get Xenon Lights. He keeps cars for pretty long and maybee he is old school lol. The reason most cars dont come with xenon lights especialy the cheaper cars is have u seen what the price of changing a Xenon bulb vs a regular bulb is. Most people who buy high end cars dont mind the price but i dont think most people who buy a Civic want to pay $$$$$ for a bulb.
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Well in my opinion, if it really came down to it.. i would rather choose the Multimedia package which is a better all around package imo (Navi, Great sound system, 6 disc DVD changer, 7" screen) than the p2 simply for the xenons. That p2 package is a joke.. if you want xenons, you have to pay for the rear shade, heated seats, dimming mirrors... who really needs that junk? for less than 1/10 of the price, you can just pick up a high quality aftermarket xenon kit (which i plan to do).. so you can have the multimedia package AND xenons (albeit, not adaptive) for virtually the same price.
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From: Kirkland, WA
c300
I've have xenons on every car I've owned since 99 (5 total) and now bi-xenon on the latest. Switching between my cars and the loaner cars when mine's in for service I've developed the opinion that xenons are meh. The cut off is usually so low from the factory, that they're downright scary on dark country roads. And when they're calibrated correctly, they give me just a teeny bit more sight distance than a decent halogen. That could be all it takes of course.
But I'm at the point now, where if it's standard on the car, or it's optioned on the car I'm negotiating for, fine. But I'm not going out of my way to get them anymore. They're mass produced enough now, that they shouldn't be nearly as expensive as they are.
Rest of the stuff in P2 isn't a must have for me. Trunk is big enough without fold down. Perforated sun shades don't really work as well as you think for rear facing infants because of the angle.
But if you don't mind a 300 quickly approaching 40k then no reason not to get it.
Resale is a moot point. People buying used know they're getting what they can get and typically don't get too picky over options as much as condition of the car. In fact, I'd say you'd get less value out of expensive options at resale value time compared to what you paid for them.
But I'm at the point now, where if it's standard on the car, or it's optioned on the car I'm negotiating for, fine. But I'm not going out of my way to get them anymore. They're mass produced enough now, that they shouldn't be nearly as expensive as they are.
Rest of the stuff in P2 isn't a must have for me. Trunk is big enough without fold down. Perforated sun shades don't really work as well as you think for rear facing infants because of the angle.
But if you don't mind a 300 quickly approaching 40k then no reason not to get it.
Resale is a moot point. People buying used know they're getting what they can get and typically don't get too picky over options as much as condition of the car. In fact, I'd say you'd get less value out of expensive options at resale value time compared to what you paid for them.
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I wouldn't buy a car without Xenons if they are available. The fold-down seats are also extremely useful if you need to move things (which I often do). The rear shades are nice, although I cannot speak for infants.
