Barney

For those of you in the ordering process.

I know some of this has already been posted.

Unlike the 2002 model which had a 2-zone fully automatic a/c system, the 2003 comes with standard unit that is inferior for the 320 and an optional improved unit, I believe for both.

2-zone Thermatic is a non-digital system that looks pretty cheap though I imagine it works fine. It is certainly not state of the art. This is what comes standard in the E320.

A 4-zone Thermatronic option is available and really adds quite a lot. Firstly, the controls are all digital. Second, the rear left and right seats get their own digital controls that can either be controlled from the rear seats or from up front, say for children riding in back. Each of the four zones is regulated by taking into account the amount of sun in that zone as well as outside temp. The Thermatic doesn't use sun sensors at all. The upgrade also adds 2 additional air vents in the rear in the back side of the B pillars. Lastly, an activated charcoal filter with automatic as well as manual settings is only available with the Thermatronic. All this for only $550. (I've seen this price in several places and confirmed with my dealer). A pretty good deal considering manual rear side window shades cost $320 by themselves.

I'm not entirely sure what comes standard on the E500, I think it may include all of the above. At the least, it is a 2-zone Thermatronic system.

Once the cars show up at the dealers this will become more obvious. All of the brochures I've seen thus far (and I don't have a full brochure yet) show the digital a/c system on the E500 so it can be misleading.

jamesp

taken from the full brochure: " 4-zone CFC-free automatic climate control w/four individual digital temperature/airflow controls, and automatic control of blower speed and airflow distribution (w/manual overide). activated charcoal filter w/smog-sensing automatic recirculation of filtered cabin air. 4-way sun sensor. rear cabin operating panel w/dual temperature controls plus controls for airflow direction and blower speed. low-draft/high volume dash-top diffuser vent. rear cabin air vents at rear of front console and adjacent to rear doors. seat belt sensors allow climate control to focus first on occupied seats."

Callaway

The 500 comes with the 4 zone Thermotronic (no such thing as a 2 zone version) described above.

You can see the Thermomatic version in the current M Class trucks,it looks and works very similiar to the new E Class version

rayscar

You can also see it in a 360 view on mbusa.com under explore the new E

bmms8

yea your right, the e320 doesnt come with sun sensors, or a better filter

KShortill

IMHO, it seems cheap for MB to downgrade the basic airconditioning system in the E320. My 1999 E320 4matic wagon has sun sensors and the charcoal air filter.

rayscar

I agree it does sound cheap but it may be partially offset by the $2K reduction in the base price.

Barney

I was pleased to see the $1,500 reduction to the base price of the E320 but it looks like all of that is taken up by now having to pay for full leather which previously was standard on the sedans (extra on the wagons). I'm not really complaining, I was expecting this to be a hidden price increase, i.e., base price unchanged but leather now an extra option.

bmms8

it really isnt downing the a/c system....there are controls in the back like the 2002 models...and the a/c i would think might be better....it isnt digital though, thats all....but the system itself is prob good