I've finally convinced the wifey to upgrade to a new E-Class or CLK, both 320's. For the 209, are there options that are must-have's or one's that I can pass on? Bi-xenon's are a must. Are the appearance and stereo options worth it?

 

I just picked up my 2004 CLK 320 yesterday. I absolutely love it. It feels so solid, and from what I hear the performance only improves as it breaks in. I got Brilliant Silver/Ash, Comfort package, lighting package, moonroof package and appearance package. I also got the CD changer

Comfort package - the seats are very comfortable. It's really nice to be able to adjust the side bolsters and the thigh support. I don't see adjusting the lumbar on the back very often. I was a little disappointed that it doesn't do the massage feature as it says it does on the website, but that might have been a bit overrated anyway. I can't comment on the active ventilated seats yet, but if you do a search, it seems that most people are pleased with them. I will comment when the weather gets warmer. I think you could get away with just having heated seats, and skip the comfort package. It's nice to have, but not necessary

Lighting package - definite must have. The xenons are great, makes the car look really sharp at night. When you put the high beams on, you can practically see a mile away. The high beams seemed really high, but maybe that's because I've never had bi-xenons before.

Moonroof package - kind of a must have. With the pillarless style, driving with the windows down and the moonroof open will be an absolute blast. Rear sunshade is cool, too

Appearance package - this enhances the look of the car 100x. Unless you are going to get aftermarket rims, these appearance package rims are gorgeous. They totally add to the look of the car. Plus they look relatively easy to keep clean. I personally didn't like the way the aluminum trim looked, so I got the burl walnut trim. The pedals and the larger exhaust is nice, but the appearance package is basically the wheels, and they are worth it.

COMAND - I didn't get this, as I have GPS on my Pocket PC (an option that works really well, as I can take it from car to car and it only costs $300) I have heard that Mercedes is a bit behind in their GPS technology (no DVD, not overly user friendly, etc)

Distronic - I almost never use cruise control, so it was never an option

Parktronic - If you're always parking in close quarters, it's worth it. Not for me

Designo - ehhh. didn't do it for me. I don't need my car to look like my coffee

I think that's basically it. I have gotten nothing but huge compliments on the car. It looks so good. It has even exceeded my expectations. People that bash the car must be jealous. It exudes elegance from top to bottom, inside and out (especially inside) Coming from a BMW 330ci with leatherette interior, there is absolutely no comparison.

I have even enjoyed using the touch shift. My dealer told me that the brakes will wear out quickly if you use them hard. He recommended down shifting when exiting highways, etc, and letting the engine and tranny slow down the car, it makes it that much more fun to drive the car and saves the brakes. I don't know that i'll do it forever, but for now it's good.

Good luck on your decision. I have driven both the E and the CLK. You will not be disappointed.

 

In Canada, the CLK comes with individual options and only one package, appearance package.

I did not take the appearance package because in my opinion, the burl walnut trim is a lot more elegant than the aluminium trim. In Canada, the appearance package has to come with the aluminium trim. Moreover, for the 16-inch tires, I will use them for a year than upgrade to 17-inch performance summer tires. The 16-inch wheels will be used for winter tires only later.

My 2004 CLK-320 Coupe has the following options: Bi-Xenon, heated seat, CD changer, sunroof, rear spoiler, Bose sound system. So far, I am very happy with my choice of the car and its options.

 

Don't forget Keyless Go.

The best $1000 I have ever spent.

 

I guess I just don't understand Keyless Go. If money is no object, then I suppose it's a good thing. I have been driving for 11 years. Many of you have been driving a lot longer than that. I am used to pulling the keys out of my pocket to start the car. I don't consider it an inconvenience to do it. I would think it would be cool to see people's reactions to pressing a button and having the car start, but beyond that I don't see it as that big of a deal. If money was limited, I would much prefer that $1000 goes to heated seats, xenon headlights or the appearance package, something that really enhances the appearance or convenience of the car. What is the real world advantage to having Keyless Go?

 

I do not have Keyless Go. I myself do not think this is an important option but I do understand why people would pay $1,835 CAN for it.

Although not recommended, many people would like to start the car remotely and let it warms up by itself. This is particular useful in some cold areas like Montreal.

 

If this is their desire, wouldn't they be disappointed? I do believe that you have to be in the car, brake pedal depressed, when you push the button. this would be no different than turning the key. in addition, if you have heated seats, you'll be warm relatively quickly. i have always thought that fuel injected cars should never be "warmed up" get in the car and go, just don't accelerate too hard and keep the RPMs under 3000 until it's fully warmed up. it takes a lot longer for the car to warm up when it's idling than when you are moving.

 

I never heard that it's not good for fuel injected car to be warmed up. What I heard was it's not necessary to warm up the car for too long.

I personally do not warm up my car for too long. I start to drive off once it starts to run smoothly. This usually take 10-20 seconds in warm weather).

I guess it all depends on the area you live in. When I used to live in Montreal and when it gets to -30C, everything is frozen and it does need 5-10 minutes before you can drive off.

 

Do a search on the internet for warming up a car, you will find this a million times...

Fuel injected cars (1986 or so and newer)
Just start the car. Do not pump the throttle, do not push on the throttle during cranking, just turn the key and start the engine. Allow it to idle for about 1 minute, then begin driving. On newer cars (86 and up) , allowing them to idle for 5 minutes is bad for them. Driving easy for the first five minutes is the key, because the engine will warm up faster driving it than it will just sitting there idling.

 

I like what I odered

Command a must
I like the apprarance package, but ordered with the walnut trim
Lighting a must

these other two guys have good ideas but wish they would stop hijacking this thread!

 

Carbon9, thanks for the info. I'm leaning towards the same options you have.

 

We are merely discussing the merit of the Keyless Go option. This is exactly what this thread is about, how useful are certain MB options.

 

....but I was getting sidetracked with the warming up and starting an engine, not the keyless go, I did give both of you mention on you ideas pertaining to the thread.

 

The command system is still CD base, so the coverage is not good at ALL!!!!! This is a big waste of money. I have it in my car and I wish didn't get it all the time I try and use the useless system.

 

I guess there are varying opinions of the command system. It's certainly not as flashy as some of the new DVD-based navigation units out there but I use mine all the time and it works fine for me. It does what it's supposed to do, which is give me turn by turn instructions to a destination I key in.

The Nav in my girlfriend's Infiniti FX looks a lot cooler with the 3-D birds-eye view but we essentially get the same benefit out of each one.

The biggest pain with the CD system is on trips where you cross the boundary of a particular CD. But fortunately for me, I use 1 CD for 99% of the time.

 

well said Eich
Can't wait to get my Comand, will be getting mine within 2 weeks from Steve which is going to save me AUD$4500 + tax! compare to the dealers!