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Standard 6 disc CD changer in TRUNK?? WHY??

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Old 10-19-2002, 08:27 PM
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Thumbs down Standard 6 disc CD changer in TRUNK?? WHY??

I just found out that the 6 disc Factory installed CD-Changer is Standard and is put in the TRUNK. Why does Mercedes insist on doing that??? That is such a pain in the A$$. Even my Acura CL Type-S, which costs about 1/4 of the total price of my CL55 has a 6 disc in-dash player. Why are we sooo behind the times here Mercedes?? Let's get with it.

What do you guys think??
Old 10-20-2002, 12:48 PM
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I agree....

Mercedes doesn't really do it for me as far as audio goes!! Your buying a 100,000+ car and the CD changer is in the trunk!?! I beleive you can opt and get a glove box mounted CD changer, which would be a little better. They probably mounted in the trunk because there is no room for it in dash because of navigation, controls etc.

As far as Acura goes, they are just a very good company in my opinion. For the price you get a lot out of an Acura!
Old 10-20-2002, 12:51 PM
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They do this on all vehicles, not just the CL55. It was a real pain at first, however I have gotten used to it.
Old 10-20-2002, 01:14 PM
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Originally posted by Accord
They do this on all vehicles, not just the CL55. It was a real pain at first, however I have gotten used to it.

See, my problem is, I cant justify paying well over 100K and have to "get used to" a flaw in the car that can be easily addressed. Sure, I mean, I can get used to it and load my cd's in before every trip and if I want to change it to a different one from the cd's in the magazine I can pull over to the side of the road and switch them, but WHY? I just dont see the sense behind it. If they can stuff a 500h.p. engine in it, fans in the seats, radar sensors in the bumper, etc. etc. Can't they spring the extra $ to hire a guy from Acura to solve their CD problem? My 96 S600 and 99 SL600 both have CD changers in the back.......and I still dread them. Ok, im done blabbering.
Old 10-20-2002, 01:29 PM
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I would have liked to see them put the 6-disk CD-Changer below one of the front seats. Like where the medical kit is, they should put it in the same spot but on the other seat.
Old 10-20-2002, 03:21 PM
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2003 CL55
MB is way behind in audio. The Bose sound system in my 02 CL 500 is not nearly as good as an older BMW system in our 740i, although it is much better than the Bose in my 00 CLK 430. I believe that the 03 CL will allow a CD to be played in the dash mounted unit, unlike the 02's that accept only the Comand system nav CD. The other problem with a retrofit of a CD magazine in the CL is that the glove compantment is barely big enough for the MB manuals in their little leather case. There is also not much room under the seats, although I think that the trunk mounted magazine is easier to access than something under the seat or in the back seat area of the CL. It is a mystery to me why MB cannot install the type of sound system that $100,000 plus cars should have. If it is any consolation, Porsche installs Bose systems in the 996's including $120,000 Twin Turbos. For whatever it is worth, the Bose demo CD that came with my 02 C4S sounds far better than any of my original CD's in either the Porsche or the CL. One of the Bose techs who works on the Porsche systems suggested that the demo CD was optimized for the car. BTW, there are few adjustments that I have been able to use to improve the CL's sound system.

Last edited by victoryroad; 10-20-2002 at 03:24 PM.
Old 10-20-2002, 03:35 PM
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2003 CL55
Look, we all want the other attributes of the CL more than an optimal sound system and MB obviously knows that they do not need to address the audio system or for that matter the Comand system with up to date technology or ease of use.
I actually do not have much trouble with Comand after a year of using it, but it is rather primitive. I have gotten used to it I suppose. Let's be grateful that MB didn't put in anything like the I-Drive system that BMW used in the 745.
MB is listening to the market though, as evidenced by the major upgrade in the AMG 55 engine's output. They even upgraded it after its introduction in Euro versions of the SL55 that had only 463bhp.
Old 10-20-2002, 03:43 PM
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Originally posted by victoryroad
Look, we all want the other attributes of the CL more than an optimal sound system and MB obviously knows that they do not need to address the audio system or for that matter the Comand system with up to date technology or ease of use.
I actually do not have much trouble with Comand after a year of using it, but it is rather primitive. I have gotten used to it I suppose. Let's be grateful that MB didn't put in anything like the I-Drive system that BMW used in the 745.
MB is listening to the market though, as evidenced by the major upgrade in the AMG 55 engine's output. They even upgraded it after its introduction in Euro versions of the SL55 that had only 463bhp.
Bear in mind that all 2003 CL's and S-Classes will have the new DVD Comand system. I am sure we will see many other improvements to the electronic systems aswell, including the sound system.

I am very pleased with the Bose sound systems in our S500 and S600. However, the only music I listen to is classical, so if you plan to blast rap music with the volume all the way up, then of course the sound system will not hold up; it wasn't designed for that.
Old 10-20-2002, 03:48 PM
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2003 CL55
Glad to learn about the DVD based Comand system, as I expect my CL 55 in the first couple of months of 03. The only music that I do not listen to is rap, but still find my BMW's system much better than the 02 CL500's, especially for classical music or opera.
Old 10-20-2002, 03:56 PM
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2003 CL55
I understand that the 03 CL will not have the new brake system of the SL or the E class. Also, our SL 500, scheduled to be built in the first decade of Nov. will have the CD Comand system, as far as I know, which seems a bit odd given the DVD system for the CL and S class 03's. What accounts for MB's apparently contradictory decisions ?
Old 10-20-2002, 04:00 PM
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Accord I agree...

Mercedes in general targets older and more laid back customers in my opinion. So that being said the sound sytems will be for low volume classical, jazz etc. Bose is a pretty good company for this kind of thing. But everybody knows that Bose lacks bass and its not a system targeted for rap and rock being played loud.

I on the other hand listen to rap and rock at a high volume. So obviously I am unhappy with the sound system. I admit it is alright but not that great for the kind of music I listen to. I was thinking about going all out and customizing the car but I decided this would be a long and costly, so I opted not to.

-AmgBoy
Old 10-20-2002, 05:20 PM
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Originally posted by Accord
Bear in mind that all 2003 CL's and S-Classes will have the new DVD Comand system. I am sure we will see many other improvements to the electronic systems aswell, including the sound system.

I am very pleased with the Bose sound systems in our S500 and S600. However, the only music I listen to is classical, so if you plan to blast rap music with the volume all the way up, then of course the sound system will not hold up; it wasn't designed for that.

Is this 100% sure Accord?? Ive heard MANY conflicting rumors and from what I understood, the 03 CL's and S's will have the DVD navigation but not until March or so of 2003. Lots of people have told me that my car which will be arriving in december will have the CD version, which sucks.
Old 10-20-2002, 05:22 PM
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Re: Accord I agree...

Originally posted by AmgBoy
I was thinking about going all out and customizing the car but I decided this would be a long and costly, so I opted not to.

-AmgBoy
Im going to changing all inside speakers to MB Quarts. Very rich and crisp sounding speakers. They are a little costly, but well worth it.
Old 10-20-2002, 05:25 PM
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Originally posted by AndrewEclipse
Is this 100% sure Accord?? Ive heard MANY conflicting rumors and from what I understood, the 03 CL's and S's will have the DVD navigation but not until March or so of 2003. Lots of people have told me that my car which will be arriving in december will have the CD version, which sucks.
Yes, I am 100% positive. We have been guarenteed by MBUSA that the 2003 S600 that we have on order (Which will be arriving in mid-January) will have the new DVD Comand system.
Old 10-20-2002, 05:31 PM
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Originally posted by Accord
Yes, I am 100% positive. We have been guarenteed by MBUSA that the 2003 S600 that we have on order (Which will be arriving in mid-January) will have the new DVD Comand system.

So, how can I check if my December Delivery will have the new DVD Comand?? Or can you check for me? I dont know how this all works.

Thanks
Old 10-20-2002, 05:45 PM
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I was told all cars built from December on will have the DVD Comand. Are you sure that your car will arrive in December? This means you will have a late October or early November build date; that just seems too early. Do you know if your car has gone into B3 status yet?

I wish us consumers were able to check the status of our cars online without having to call the dealership each time.

On the W211 E-Class, they are not coming with the DVD Comand system until spring of 2003, and Mercedes-Benz is offering an upgrade kit for them which is basically plug and play. If your car does not come with the DVD Comand, you should ask your dealership about that. Just a tip, go directly to the top of the food chain and speak with a Sales Manager or another higher up; I have learned in my experience that the salesmen are incompetent

Last edited by Accord; 10-20-2002 at 05:50 PM.
Old 10-20-2002, 05:53 PM
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November 3rd build date. I guess Im screwed, because its a December 15th delivery. Damn........I got all happy for a few minutes there.
Old 10-20-2002, 05:57 PM
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Ouch, you have about one day until you go into B3. Call your dealership first thing tomorrow morning.

There is still hope .
Old 10-20-2002, 05:58 PM
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Originally posted by Accord
Ouch, you have about one day until you go into B3. Call your dealership first thing tomorrow morning.

First, what is B3. Second, call him and tell him what?
Old 10-20-2002, 06:02 PM
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B3 is the build status of your car when you have 13 days until production. Once you go into B3, you cannot make any changes to the options and whatnot on the vehicle.

Call your dealership and ask if there is a DVD Comand upgrade, or if there is anything else they can do for you.
Old 10-20-2002, 06:04 PM
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Ok Great. Thanks alot for your help Accord. I'll try to call tomorrow and I will give you the update.
Old 10-20-2002, 06:05 PM
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Originally posted by AndrewEclipse
Ok Great. Thanks alot for your help Accord. I'll try to call tomorrow and I will give you the update.
Anytime .
Old 10-20-2002, 07:05 PM
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My CL600 is oct10 production and I know for sure it will have not DVD.
Old 10-20-2002, 07:54 PM
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Originally posted by absent
My CL600 is oct10 production and I know for sure it will have not DVD.

Doesnt that **** you off?? Do you know of any upgrades for us? Me and you are in the same boat here.
Old 10-20-2002, 08:41 PM
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Initially, MB was giving the shaft to all of the W211 E-Class owners. They cannot even order their cars with Comand until the Spring. Many people complained, so MB is now offering an upgrade kit which can be ordered now, and installed in the spring.

If MB goes out of their way to make people who buy their 50k cars happy, then they will surely do something to make the people who buy their 100k cars happy.


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