I picked up a 2004 Brochure today and here is some information gleaned from it:

The 7 Speed is definitely on the E500 and will be on from the beginning as verified by a MB rep.
The sunroof package does include the rear sun screen and side sun screens.
The MPG and accelleration numbers haven't change. It looks like for some reason they didn't want to re-test the car for the USA Market. Obviously the numbers are wrong.
The gas guzzler tax is still on the 500.
I think the 500 wheels are different than the 320's. When you look at the photos in the brochure, the E500's wheels are always a blur but definitely look different than the 320's.
There is an item included called "Cooling Amplifier" which I wonder if this is a new "Gateway" to overcome the high temperature problems here in the desert?

 

they list the fan unit on the audio gateway in the brochure? anything about changing radio presets via the steering wheel!

 

Whats the word on Pricing? Did they bump prices or are they the same as 2003?

 

No word on prices but I think they will be released next week, probably on Monday. No guarantee.

 

That pisses me off about the MPG. 100's of thousands of dollars would have been saved. I resent that.

 

any info on the E55 in there?

 

MB Jim:
Any details surrounding the color of the gauges on the sport package. There seems to be a lot of debate about replacing the white faced dials with black on another thread. Also, my dealer informed me the side window sunshades that should be part of the sunroof package in '04 have been temporarily discontinued. Power rear sunshade still available. Something about the availability of them for initial production. Can anyone else verify this?

One other unrelated question for anyone - I've ordered the voice activated phone option and would like to know if I can purchase another motorola v60 (mercedes issued) phone from the dealer and have it also work as a 2nd phone. Basically one for the wife and one for me. Will the system recognize seperate phones and properly sync up (e.g., to show my phone book when mine is plugged in and her's when her's is plugged in). Any advice is appreciated.

 

If you ordered the UHI-Bluetooth option, you can have up to 6 different units connected. Here are something that the UHI can do:

“Bluetooth” telephone with state-of-the-art radio technology now available

Also available as an optional extra is a “Bluetooth” telephone. The cordless hand-set works with cutting-edge radio technology and can be used in combination with the fixed-installation car telephone. A mobile phone is also available as an alternative. Both telephones are fitted with a hands-free facility and can be operated using voice commands (LINGUATRONIC), or via buttons on the COMAND screen or multifunction steering wheel.

The mobile office with Internet access and voice control for all functions

As an option, the new COMAND system can be adapted to function as a mobile office, giving the driver and passengers the benefit of WAP Internet access, enabling them to send and receive SMS messages and e-mails, and providing a personal address book function for good measure. Access to the MB Portal will be possible in the near future, as will voice control during a journey, allowing all COMAND functions to be controlled by the driver or front passenger’s voice. The LINGUATRONIC system already available for the telephone and radio will be extended for use with the navigation, TV, Internet, e-mail, SMS and address-book functions in the new COMAND system. There is even a voice recorder on board, allowing short messages to be recorded quickly in much the same way as with a dictating machine.

 

Thanks for the reply oslo but sounds way too technical for what I was looking for. Is this Bluetooth option a MB offered option and if so no one at my dealership told me about it when I asked them the same question. Kinda strange but I found most of the sales agents I spoke with (at numerous dealers) were generally not that knowledgable about the packages and options. In fact, it seems like I have more knowledge than they do from reading this board. Anyone else experience this?

I'm really not looking to add a non MB feature - just looking to keep it simple.

 

That's my experience too. Sales Reps are not educated well enough. The UHI (Universal Handy Interface) is option 381, and it's a new option for MY2004.

 

Re E55 - There are four pages on the E55 469 HP 0-60 4.5 Sec.

Gauges with appearance package have black dials with a silver panel.

Sunroof Package #324 is shown with rear sunshade and roll up sunshades. I have this optiion on my E500 Euro Delivery order for Oct 8th pickup which my salesman checked yesterday and it still shows #324 with no information on a delayed availability

 

Even though I am a sales rep. I am not offended by your statements!! Also, I would like to add that the option code you mention (381) is not in our Netstar system on the West Coast. I am not sure where you got your info., but it is not available in So. Cal. Are you located in another part of the country or even better where did you get your information and is it on a order print out that you have?

 

Sorry MarcusBenz.... As my nickname says, I'm located in Oslo (Capital in Norway). On my orderlist, it is called MB WAP-Festtelefon with option code 381. If you run the German Car Configurator, you will see it there. There is one with Teleaid, and one without.

Here are the option list on my order: (in German, but you figure out). This is a 240E Wagon:

Klimatisierungsautomatik 4-Zonen-THERMOTRONIC EUR 800,40
Komfort
Abstandsregeltempomat ("DISTRONIC") EUR 2.366,40
Außenspiegel elektrisch heranklappbar EUR 243,60
Cupholder EUR 34,80
EASY-PACK Fixkit EUR 226,20
EASY-PACK Heckklappe (autom. Öffnen/Schließen) EUR 574,20
Garagentoröffner im Innenspiegel EUR 249,40
KEYLESS-GO EUR 1.183,20
PARKTRONIC EUR 754,00
Scheibenwaschanlage beheizt EUR 191,40
Sonnenblenden m. beleucht. Spiegel EUR 110,20
Lenkung/Schaltung
Getriebe automatisch 5-Gang EUR 2.030,00
Stauassistent SBC Stop EUR 0,00
Multifunktionslenkrad beheizt EUR 290,00
Parameterlenkung EUR 214,60
Radio/ Kommunikation
Dachantenne EUR 0,00
CD-Wechsler in d. Mittelkonsole hinter Schalterleiste EUR 452,40
MB WAP-Festtelefon EUR 1.102,00
COMAND APS EUR 2.900,00
Sound-System EUR 754,00
Sprachbedienungssystem LINGUATRONIC EUR 458,20
Räder und Fahrwerk
AIRMATIC DC (semiaktive Luftfederung) EUR 1.148,40
Sicherheit
Bi-Xenon-Scheinwerfer mit aktivem Kurvenlicht EUR 446,60
Scheinwerferreinigungsanlage EUR 0,00
Einbruch- und Diebstahl-Warnanl. m. Abschleppschutz EUR 301,60
Sitze
Fahrdynamischer Multikontursitz links EUR 643,80
Komfortsitze vorn inkl. Belüftung EUR 1.154,20
Sitzheizung elektrisch Vordersitze EUR 0,00
Memorypaket EUR 916,40

 

MarcusBenz - since 381 is not a U.S. option and you seem to be more knowledgeable than most of the other salespeople I've spoken to, can you answer my question about use of multiple v60's?

Also - did you experience a problem ordering the side window shades for a customer like I did?

 

You can purchase an additional V60 phone from your dealer (I'm told ~$500). Either phone can work with the COMAND system.

The side sunshades is not an option for now (if ever). But, you have the Sunroof package, which may (or may not) include side shades.

 

I think there's more cooler option on 2004 car huh!!!

 

MarcusBenz is probably one of the most knowledgable sales reps around the board, let alone anyone I've come across. He was right in telling me about the black guages AND silver background on the appearance package up front, before I placed an order, and before anyone else had any idea. Let alone many other extensive details when I first started working with him months ago. Don't knock him! Hes good people, and an enthusiast.

 

are the MBUSA.com is already updated their new E to the 2004 one?

 

Nope. same old "03 packages... they will probably keep it that way so the masses will be more inclined to buy up the rest of teh 03's. Those who are genuinely interested in 04s, they figure will take the steps to inquire with a "knowledgable" salesman

 

no, not yet!

 

we had a thread on this before, for the USA, the consensus seemed to be that the UHI was NOT bluetooth capable. which stinks. you can get a bluetooth handsfree unit installed in the Neon for $400.

so in Norway, the UHI is bluetooth?

 

MB-JIM,
You are lucky your car still has the Sunroof Package. I had ordered that option and it was deleted by MB and replaced with option #414 Electric Glass Suroof w/Tilt. If the issue was with the side door blinds, as stated earlier, I don't understand why they didn't replace my Sunroof Package with the roof AND the rear sun-shade. Oh well, nothing I can do about it now. The car is in production as we speak (Decade 2 September). Hope yours has it, let me know if you get confirmation once your car is completed.

 

as I recall from the last time this came up, 414 is only an option on the wagon. is your order for a wagon?

 

No, I'm getting the sedan. Got the print-out of the NetStar order that shows option 414. I also verified this through MBUSA and was told option 414 can be on both the sedan and wagon.

 

ok, well so much for the idea that 414 is not available on the sedan! i am happy about that, the rear shade is OK, I don't like the side shades.