I also have the color matrix, will post later

 

you bad bad boy....
thanks for the scoop....any idea on when we will get prices?

 

And nabzy does it again!!

Thanks nabzy!

BTW: what's the deal with the Harman Kadon Sound System?? What happened to the Bose?? This is starting to sound like a BMW option?

 

i heard a rumor that merc is dropping bose in favor of harmon kardon.

also, note 413 - panoramic roof - sweeet!

 

Why is COMAND always being delayed? You would think that it's the gold standard of navigation systems.

 

Certianly on the E class, MB have dropped the D2B fibre optic ring, and replaced it with a different (newer) technology called MOST which is basically a Becker led protocol.

I think this happened because the new (dvd based) COMAND is supplied by Becker, and MOST is Becker's current "interface" protocol for networking all the high-end stereo components

It seems that they have used it as an opportunity to update all the phone/vcs/cd/comand/amp stuff, and Harman Kardan seem to have won over BOSE on the AMP/Speaker front ...

Last time I did some research, MOST seemed to be more expensive than D2B, and didnt really offer more that was useful in todays car environment ...

Interestingly, there doesnt seem to be much evidence that MB have adopted the new (dvd) COMAND system in anything except the E class ... however, Im sure time will tell :-) Maybee this is because they are having to delay the new COMAND because it doesnt quite work yet ...

Interesting also, that the order guide shows COMAND as option 352, which was/is the option code for the current COMAND. If you looked at the W211 price list on mercedes.de the DVD based COMAND is option 527.

Cheers
R

 

Nabzy,

Could you post the color/upholstery matrix?

Also, the second page says that the options are for the E500. Is the first page the options for the E320? I'm asking because the 1st sheet says "E-All Models".

I'm also curious because, about a month ago, the head of Mercedes-Benz said that the E270 CDI would be offered in the US, in addition to the E320 and E500. But few MBUSA officials said that this would not be the case.

 

Regarding the Harmon-Kardon sound system, that was the first thing I noticed when browsing through the options.

I drive a 15 year-old BMW, but I've heard that the Bose system in medium-aged to new Mercedes is not that good. I've also heard complaints about the 'premium sound system' in new 5- and 7-Series BMW's. I'm guessing maybe Mercedes has decided to address the problem of the Bose system by choosing a different brand of audio system.

Does anyone know if the 'premium sound system' in the larger BMW's is Harmon-Kardon? I know it's an option on 3-Series, but I'm not sure about the bigger cars. If it is, then it doesn't seem like M-B would be improving anything by switching.

 

The HK sound system on the BMW suck. I have it in my M-Coupe but I decided not to get in on my X. On the X, it was an $1900 option so I got an aftermarket one instead. I'm dissapointed MB switched to the HK system.

Here's a link to my modyfied X (page 2 is the best to see what I've done):

http://www.dmewired.com/albumgarage/....cfm?viewid=35

 

Yes the first sheet is for the E320, sorry the scan didnt come out so well. It says all E models meanign E320 and E500, the dealer could have printed the E320 and E500 options seperately if he wanted....as far as the color matrix, your wish is my comand