Othello

I am about to trade my W208 CLK against a W209 CLK, but the thing is I have to make concessions on some options. While my actual CLK was a floor model (the waiting list at that time was about 1 year), I would like to build this one from the ground up, options speaking. So what would be your priorities, I am allowing myself about 6500 USD in options.

DO you think if I get the command later on, it will retain all functions as an original option model.

I would like leather, but this can be done afterwards, they did a pretty good job with my current CLK.

Parktronics, that's a valuable option, I am dying for the Keyless GO too. Automatic gear is an option here in Europe.

Metallic Paint : can't go without that !

AMG styling kits : what do you think ?

TV Tuner ? Disctronic ?

Memory Pack; I have it on my actual car but barely use it, what about you ?


From 1 to 10 here are my preferences:

1: Metallic paint
2: Automatic Gear
3: Command system
4: Keyless GO
5: Parktronic

6: Leather
7: Linguatronic
8: Disctronic
9: Memory Pack
10: Xenon lights .... can this be added later ?

and a cup holder :-)

What are your priorities ?

Othello

Here's the work they did on my car, the leather is light grey ! The interior was black before !

CLKfanatic

I have been reading several articles stating that the 209 will have options such as Air Suspension with lowering capabilites and All wheel drive....is this true and is this gonna be available in the US??

- HP -

What type of CLK? 270CDI/200Komp/200CGI/240/320/500/55AMG?
> Auto trans is already stock on 320/500/55AMG

If I'm on a limited budget, I would prefer a fully equiped CLK240/320 over an "empty" 500 or 55 - just my personal opinion.

If this doesn't help, my priorities would be as follows:
1. Security:
> xenon, parctronic, side bags for rear seats, etc.
2. Convenience:
> auto dim mirrors, std phone, auto climate control, CD-player/good sound system, memory seats (if more than 1 frequent driver), Comand (if car used for business trips), etc.
3. Luxury:
> Distronic, leather, sun roof, keyless go, linguatronic, etc.

northbenz

The Distronic option (at least for now) seems way over priced. An additional $3000 for a glorified cruise control? Also have heard it is a danger when cars cut in front of you as your vehicle responds by braking when you don't want it to. Seems this might encourage drivers to not leave excess safety gaps ahead in order to keep following vehicles from slipping into the hole in front and causing one's brakes to keep jamming on. Of course, if you live in an area of lots of fog I think then the option would be worth having since that is when it could be really useful.

Would welcome hearing from those who have actually used this option in their S Class vehicles to comment.

CLKfanatic

Personally the options I value the most would be things like heated seats, heated steering wheel if available, Xenon headlights because they look so damn good, sunroof, lighted door sills.....however if you got the CLK55 mostly everything is standard. Also I wouldnt get the distronic option or the cellular phone, they are way overpriced, but if you have the money then why not??

CLKfanatic

Xenon headlights can be added later, however I don't know if they will look as good as factory installed Xenons, I myself plan on getting my CLK with factory Xenons and adding Xenons to the foglamps.....

FEMI

Definitely get the command from the factory.
Whatever options you decide to get, order from the factory, it is cheaper that way. If I have to choose, my priority will be as follows:
1. Leather interior (affects resale value)
2. Sun roof (it affects the esale value)
3. Command ( a must)
4. Tire monitoring system)*
5. Xenon ( It can be added later on)
6. sport / AMG option. ( you can install this later on)
7. TV tunner

Options I can skip on
Parktronic ( you can buy rear view camera and install it later on,
it will look and work better with the command screen. The parktronic system they have now is useless, series of beep and bars of light on the dash board.

Distronic; overpriced and if you live in the city, it is useless, too much traffic lights and people cutting in front of you

Keyless go, I love this option, but I can do without it. It will be good for showing off.

* Tire monitoring system is essential because here in USA, the government will start mandating manufacturer to instal the system in their car from 2005 onward (Firestone/Ford scandal) This will be like the airbags. Also after market tire monitoring system doesn't look good. You will have to decide where to place the display unit. Later on you can buy run flat tyres and free up the space for the spare tire

Othello

Thanks for your inputs, I am starting to have a clearer idea of what I want. Speaking of rearview, where would you put the camera, without sacrificing the design ?

FEMI

http://www.icon-tv.org/Back-Up%20Mon...Systems.0.html

http://www.nav-tv.com/reversecam.htm


The links above should be helpful

FEMI

http://www.nav-tv.com/reversecam.htm


http://www.infiniti.com/discover/Mod...tes/1,9280,637|184|,00.html


With The New Q's available RearView Monitor*, a small camera at the rear of the vehicle sends live, full-color video directly to the Vehicle Information System whenever you engage reverse. RearView Monitor is a first for any luxury automobile. When it's time to back up or parallel park, it may give you a new appreciation for 20/20 hindsight.



http://www.redhummer.com/myhummer/RearView/

http://www.rearviewsystems.com/56colrearsys1.html

http://www.electronics-pluz.com/bacviewrearv.html

http://www.nvsystems.com/rvsys.htm

http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/pw/mirror.htm

http://www.wintrontech.com/rearview/

SteveZ

If I was you, I would just get every option possible, you will regret it later if you dont.