All of the following packages are available on the MY2004 E320 and E500 Sedan 4-MATICS:

No numbers were available for the '04 E class with respect to pricing. Option sheets were available for full review and Mercedes has gone with "packaging" for the MY2004.

322 The "appearance" package is basically the '03 sport package minus the white faced gauges and the sport badging. I assume that the bi-xenon headlamps are of the new cornering design, but the official list does not specify cornering lamps. The list includes bi-xenon headlamps with washers, black birds eye maple trim, blue tinted glass, LED brake lights, semi-active suspension, sculpted side skirts, front bumper, rear apron, sculpted side skirts, 17" sport wheels with 245/45/R17 tires. The E320 requires leather interior and semi-active suspension, both of which will be included in the price of the Appearance Package on the E320 (these items are standard on the E500).

325 The "rear seat" package includes a ski sack, split-rear seat and a fold-down front passenger seat to accomodate long skis.

317 The "comfort" package has the active ventilated seats (AVS) AND drive dynamic seats (DDS).

319 The "lighting" package includes bi-xenon cornering headlamps (low and high beam) and headlamp washers.

320 The "entertainment" package is the HK Logic 7 system with the in-dash multi-CD changer.

323 The "heating" package includes heated seats (front and rear???) and heated steering wheel.

324 The "sunroof" package contains the glass sunroof, rear and side door window shades.

326 The "premium" package has AVS, DDS, bi-xenon cornering headlamps with washers, HK Logic 7, CD changer, glass sunroof, rear and side window sun blinds.


Optional Equipment Availability includes:

Metallic paint (No Charge E500), leather upholstery (Standard E500), V60 telephone, V60 telephone WITH Voice Control System, distronic, parktronic, wood/leather steering wheel, rear side door sun blinds, AVS, multi-contour seats, panorama sunroof, solar panel (requires panorama sunroof), DDS, heated steering wheel, tire-pressure monitoring system, semi-active suspension (Standard E500), COMAND system with DVD navigation, POWER rear sunshade, 4-zone climate control (Standard E500), HK Logic 7 DSS, 6-disc CD changer, heated front seats, electronic trunk closer, keyless go

I saw some options posted earlier but I don't remember postings of the packages. I hope this info is helpful...

 

is this a "better" source then previous postings? it still appears you cannot get the basic sunroof without the blinds.

 

No better... no worse. It appears that for MY2004 you will only be able to get the glass sunroof as part of the "sunroof package" which also includes the rear power sunshade and the rear side door sunshades.

However, the rear window shade and the rear side window shades are offered separately as individual options... BUT the glass sunroof is not.

I guess MB figures that if you're ordering a SUN-roof, then you must live in a SUN-ny climate, and therefore, you would need a collection of SUN-shades.

Doesn't that make you feel all SUNNY inside?

 

I have a 04 E-500 4-Matic on order with option #440 Sun Roof only. Don't have a final confirmation, but I didn't want the blinds or shades. Also, I ordered the appearance package but didn't know the white gauges will no longer be part of this package. Is this a true fact?

 

I'm staring right at the order guides for the MY04 E500 4-MATIC and option "440" does not exist. All the optional equipment in the 400s are the following:

401-AVS
406-Multicontour seats
413-Panorama sunroof
419-Solar panel
432-DDS
443-Heated steering wheel
475-TPMS
489-Semi-active suspension (standard on E500)

Optional Package #324 is the "Sunroof Package" which includes the glass sunroof, rear window sunshade, and rear side door sun blinds.

Regarding the white faced sport package gauges, my dealer could not confirm the change back to black gauges. This is information from the web...

 

i guess mbusa.com will be updated with the 2004 information soon.

 

NuBenz

I originally got the #440 sunroof option from my dealers book. Will check with him this week to confirm. Maybe this option was discontinued...who knows? Regarding the white guages you mentioned getting this information on the web. Which web site??

 

The info came off of this site, but I don't remember which thread. I did a search but can't find it...

I'm still trying to confirmation on the gauge issue from my dealer.

 

What is 820? My dealer checked my order and everything was as I had requested but it also had 820. Could this be a code for tourist delivery?

 

MB-JIM, I was just at the dealership to check on my order. Code 820 is Tourist Delivery as you suspected.

I did find out a few other things that were surprising. First, every time I've had them pull the NetStar order something has changed and my salesperson isn't aware of what MB is doing. It appears as though the Sunroof Package, which was supposed to include the regular sunroof, rear window shade, and side roller blinds has been discontinued. On my order, what was previously the Sunroof Package had been changed to sunroof only. Code 414, I believe. The rear window shade was available as a separate option, and the side roller blinds weren't even on the order list, so we assume they are no longer available.

I also had him check the codes for the bi-xenon cornering lights. There has been some discussion on another thread about the availability of the cornering lights as part of the Appearance Package. The code for the cornering lights was 319 (I don't have the print-out so sorry if these aren't exactly correct) and it was the same on the detail list for the Lighting Package and the Appearance Package. So, again I assume that the cornering lights will be part of the Appearance Package.

I didn't have time to have him track down the info about the availability of the white face guages on the Appearance Package. I will be very disappointed if those are discontinued.

It sucks that they will let you order a 2004 model, but without pricing, and without the security of knowing that what you originally ordered is what you'll end up with. For those of you with an order pending for a 2004, my advice would be to check and double-check the NetStar info to be 100% sure you're getting what you thought. I will be mighty pissed if I get to Europe to pick up my car and find it isn't exactly what I ordered.....

As I find out more I'll post again.

 

Thanks Mallard for the info. As of yesterday when my general manager checked my order still showed the #324 which is the Sunroof with rear sun screens. It would be a shame for them to arbitrarily remove the sun screens without giving us the opportunity to add them back in. I have had the rear sun screen on my last several MB's and would really miss it here in Phoenix.

 

It may well be that the deadline for slotting a car for tourist delivery forced some changes due to non-availability of certain options or combinations by the delivery date. Typically (US) car dealers enter orders for the un-priced cars with options starting in July. Some options or colors at that time are shown with delayed availability and a probable month of availability. The factory also has pre-entered cars for production which will be assigned and delivered to dealers as part of their initial allocation for showroom stock. These factory-spec'd cars have a limited range of options to streamline initial production variations and colors and will keep the production pace they want. I would expect MBNA does the same.

Customer orders are typically not changed, but will be held out of production until option availability issues are settled. That can delay ultimate delivery, but the order won't be changed without notice to the dealer via a special status code on the listing of orders.

Stock orders for the dealer can be changed by the factory. When they do that, they send a broadcast message noting the substitution and they add a "tracking code" to the car and option sheet to identify the factory substitution. Again, they do this to keep the production pace even without specific equipment that was initially ordered on the stock unit.

All this happens because the line starts on a given date, and not all the option/production issues have been settled, but the show must go on!

 

it sounds like you will be able to add the rear blind in along with your standalone sunroof, but the side blinds are not available. the side blinds issue aside, the ability to get a sunroof without being forced to take the rear blind is good IMHO.

 

Great explanation from Jim256...

I don't exactly know about the MB ordering process, but with Porsche, customer ordered cars have your name printed on the computerized order request sheet showing all the options requested and a code for the current "status" of the vehicle. For example, "ORDCLA" stands for "order cleared and accepted".

I agree with Jim256's description that "the show must go on". If MB is unable to fulfill a customer's order to spec, then the factory should notify the dealer who should notify the customer.

Mallard, your situation is unique. A new '04, early production, with EURO delivery! Heck, my dealer doesn't even have pricing information yet! Plus, your car does not have to sit on a boat, clear customs, and then get trucked to your dealership. Your time course is really short for production to delivery, and you might be stuck with what the factory gives you, which just doesn't seem right.

Either way, I'm sure your car will be beautiful! Keep us posted on your trip!

 

I have reviewed the dealer ordering guide for '04 E class that we have access to in netstar and appears that the "stand alone" sunroof (code 414) is available only on the wagons. On the sedans however, as suggested here, the only way to order the roof is the sunroof package (324) including the rear power shade and the manually operated side rear widow blinds.

As per an 08/13/03 internal press release from MB (posted prreviously) the previous "sport package " is now the "appearance package" and includes "black (new) gauge faces, with matte chrome instrument cluster surround."

 

August 13, 2003

To: All RGMs, ROMs, Market Managers

Re: Model Year 04 E-Class “Appearance” & “AMG Sport” Packages

We would like to take this opportunity to reiterate some optional package changes effective with Model Year 04 ordering.

· The Model Year 03 “Sport” Package E3 gets a name change and new code (322), and will now be called the “Appearance” Package as of Model Year 04. There is no change to the content, (other than deletion of the fender and gearshift lever badges*). This package is already available for ordering on both the sedan and wagon. The package will continue to be comprised as follows:
o (Requires optional Airmatic suspension and leather upholstery on E320). 17” 5-spoke alloy wheels with 245/45WR-17 high-performance tires. Sculpted lower bodywork. Blue-tinted glass. Black grille with five chrome ribs and chrome surround. Active curve-sensing (new) Bi-Xenon High intensity discharge projector low-beam and high-beam headlamps. Heated headlamp washers. All-LED brake lamps. Black (new) gauge faces, with matte chrome instrument cluster surround. Matte chrome gearshift surround. Black birdseye maple wood interior trim with polished chrome outlining.
o $3,880 on the E320. Projected order rate: 8%.
o $1,410 on the E500. Projected order rate 25%.

· The “AMG Sport” Package Code 321 is new for Model Year 04, and will be available on both the sedan and wagon. Production availability will be announced separately. At the time of this writing, the AMG Sport package will not be available on 4Matics. The package will consist of:
o AMG front & rear bumpers, 18” 5-spoke AMG wheels (not E55 AMG wheels; see photo below) in a staggered setup (8x18”245/40ZR18 front, 9x18” 265/35ZR18 rear). Sculpted lower bodywork (like “Appearance” pkg.) Two visible chrome exhaust pipes. “Sport” fender badges & gearshift badge.
o $4,800. Projected order rate: 5% E320, 10% E500.

 

This is just a point of extraneous info, but if you order any Chrysler product, your name and address is entered with the order, your name appears on the on-line order listing with the current status of the vehicle, and when it arrives, there is a barcode sticker on the windshield indicating it's a SOLD order and your name is even on the Monroney label on the car. I've seen this on several Chrysler products I have ordered since about 1997. Customer orders have priority and price protection if there are subsequent pricing changes.