Mers2010

Hello World

I am getting a new C300 and my dealer is pushing to get it with P1. It is ~ 2 K extra and i really find useful only auto dimming mirrors and folding 40/60 back seats. i can actually leave without auto dimming mirrors, but do you really need folding back seats? Where does one put his skis if the seats are not folding?

C300Sport

The folding back seats are, for me, a must. I couldn't find a manual trans with any options so my car did not come with them. I just purchased the seats and parts and am waiting for a nice warm weekend to try to get them in. I would say go with the P1 if you can.

TaxEsq

I regret not getting the P1 for the rear folding seats ONLY. I don't care much for anything else that was offered in that package in 2010 except for that...which when you don't have it, its a big let down. I can see why MB makes it an option, you almost certainly need it. Heck, even my first car, a 1991 Honda Accord had them (std equipment).

Azn_C300

P1 isn't that important really. If you want to store skis, get a roof rack. If you really want rear folding seats, check junk yards. Odds are rear seats are undamaged and it's actually pretty easy to remove them.

Mers2010

That is actually a great idea (I mean the junk yard option). I totally concur with other members that folding rear seats are nice, but Azn_C300 has got a good point. Skis can go up the roof rack.
Now comes another question: could anybody share experience with the lighting package? Does it make car appearance or driving experience that much better?

AZN Optics

Save the cash and get HIDs for your heads and fogs.

DCubed

I got it simply for the memory driver seat, I am 6'1" and my wife is 5'3" and it saves time re-setting the drivers seat every time. Sirius was going to be a forced option on me as I was getting MM and for the $1500 price difference I ended up with P1 and I dont regret it.

encoder

@ Lighting Package:

To me, this is a no-brainer. I was given a loaner once without it. Night driving was.. well.. night and day

It made it feel like a different car -- totally different nighttime driving experience. It really struck me how much I've loved the HIDs without even knowing it. Once I was driving with fogs on (don't usually do that) and an E-class happened to be next to me on this 4 lane road and he also had his fogs and HIDs. You coulda played baseball in the road ahead of us. I was proud that day

(Speaking of which: Oh god i want that E550 Sport. That will be the next car.)

Derspeed

Folding rear seats in the P1. Lucky.

jctevere

In the 2008 and 2009's the P1 package is a must. But now with the 2011 after Mercedes switched around the packages, it really offers nothing good. I would say the separate heated seats option is a must if you live in cold weather, that's about the only option I would recommend if your trying to skin the cat.

My sister's non-p1 2011 doesn't have the auto dimming mirror. Most people wouldn't notice because its still the fat mirror (not the piece of junk little one most other cars have without dimming). But she is missing the lighted compass and garage openers. It also has a tiny black tab on the bottom to dim the mirror. While driving I do find it a bit less "un-luxurious" and get glare from the mirror and side driver mirror in her car (which I don't get in my p1 car). But I doubt I would really notice it if my car didn't have this package and I wasn't so used to it.

The folding seats are about the only other thing you might want to consider. It never really is a problem for me. There is not much I can't fit in the car whether its in the trunk or the back seat that I would be able to fit if I had folding rear seats. For the times I desperately need it I just borrow my parent's suv...

BoostedThrills

We took off the P1 and ordered a pano roof and heated seats instead. Heck, even ditched the 4Matic and 7spd auto for 6MT RWD and added the multimedia package, lol. Simple enough to find a wreck in the bone yard and grab the folding rear seats if we absolutely need them.