awiner

Saw a 2004 CL55 today. Interesting to note that the 04's are coming with the same brake/gas/e-brake pedals as the 2003+ SL's. The silver ones with the black rubber bumps on them.

Not too sure if I like the look or not yet.

I think some pure aluminim racing pedals may look good. The ones that Ultimate Pedals ( .http://www.ultimatepedals.com ) look interesting. They may be a little 'over the top' though.

Also noticed that there is a new black plastic piece on the right side of the Y pipe just on top and to the rear of the super charger.

Don't know what it does or changes however.

The DVD NAV offers a tape cassette player again, however does away with the CD 0 slot in dash.

The DVD reader for the NAV is located just above the 6 Disc CD changer in the trunk.

There is now a SAT button for the optional SAT Radio.

Also an extra center mounted Bose Speaker for the new "Cabin Surround" sound system.

Tire-pressure monitoring is now standard.

Other than those items, no other noticeable changes.

rgbyhkr

That's incorrect. When you use the eject feature to access the tape slot and the nav system slides up (I think it's up for the tape), it would appear that their is no CD 0 slot up front as only a tape slot appears. However, when you hit eject, you have an option that says CD/DVD. If you choose that one, the nav display slides the opposite way and reveals a CD 0 slot (note that this slot will accept and play video DVDs but, at least on US models, the video can not be played on the nav screen although you will be able to hear the audio).

awiner

Thanks for the correction. I am glad they didn't forego CD 0 as many people use it.

Thanks !

rgbyhkr

Adam,

No problem. My geeky nature got me out to test a variety of things in anticipation of my new car. I tried a few things out on an 04 CL in a local dealer's shpwroom a while back as the 04 CL and S Nav/Audio systems are the same. I was also able to confirm that the front slot plays MP3 CDs (ID3 tag info was recognized and displayed) and supports CD-Text. I didn't see a glove box aux input though.

CL55NYC

Im confused...why would they re-release a tape deck for US models when it is a discontinued media format?

Seems very odd of MB to do that. Why not just add a firewire port to allow playing of MP3's through mobile devices like iPod or other MP3 players.

Dissapointing.

I hope they upgraded the voice command system...in my '03 I find it very cumbersome to use.

rgbyhkr

Probably because cassettes were around for so long and MP3s, while popular with younger generations, may not have deep market penetration in MB's target demogragraphic. I'm happy with the retention of the cassette player as many publishers in the audiobook world seem attached to cassettes, especially for unabridged titles.