p010sp0rt8

Hey Guys, i was just wondering what are some of the must have options when getting an E, we're looking into one and i'm trying to make sure i get everything that is worth it... Nav is a given, and same with bi-xenons. Other than that what else is worth it?

I'm also wondering how you guys think this car will compare with lets say the 05 acura RL, the 05 GS430, 04 SC430, and 05-06 M45, these are all new body styles and i believe will have more standard features than the E

Barry45RPM

See my signature below. Theyre all neat, Prioritize them & get what you can afford. They belong in a car of this stature, if you can afford them. Enjoy your car!

BMcD-E500

I'll assume money is not the #1 issue so here are the items I would definitely get again:

CD Changer - Gotta love that hidden door.
Pano roof - once you have it you can't go back to the regular sunroof.
Keyless Go - Not a must have but now I love it.
Ventilated seats - very nice.
Sport package/appearance package - looks better.
I would not order parktronic again - just don't use it much.


As for those other cars coming out - I will definitely look at them. I drove the M45 and it hauls but i couldn't get over the drab looks.
The new Acura RL looks good and should be reliable.

Good luck!!

Bruce

BudC

My minimums...Sunroof, CD player and Entertainment Package.

If money wasn't too important, I'd get the Premium Package.

moa4r

My favorite and "must-have" options on new eclass:

navigation, panoramic roof, keyless go, HK soiund, and if possible, appearance pack.

my .02, HTH, FWIW, GL, etc...

zam2000

Moonroof & sport package worth it to me.

I haven't ultilized any other extra options that I had on mine (wood & leather steering, GPS, premium sound, ventilated seat, shade....).

If resale value of the W210/W220 is anything for indication, sport package help the most on used car value. Most other options hold little value (or none), compared to cost at new, when car sold as used.

glojo

Is the 'Garage Door Opener' part of any US package? If not and providing you have remote opening garage doors I would highly recommend this option in your new car.

Good luck with the new vehicle.

Regards,
John

rarenaro

I thought the garage door openere is standard on all models - base.

etenn

It is in the U.S.....but must not be in the UK and maybe other parts of Europe.

glojo

Absolutely correct. Just like cup holders, another cost option in the UK.

It is always very wise not to assume that the 'national' version is standard to ALL countries.

Regards to you all,
John
Dusky Torquay

p010sp0rt8

thanks for all the replies..
i was wondering what is the difference between the appearance pack and the AMG appearance package?

i was on the mbusa and it says you get the exhaust with the amg, and the front bumper.. but the appearance gives u side sills and a front bumper upgrade too? so does the amg package not have side sills upgraded??

DavidNJ

Let's start with: We don't have MY05 prices (except for the CDI).

That said, you didn't say if you are looking at an E500, E320, or E320 CDI.

In any case, dealers here always order the sunroof (now only in the sunroof package, $1550), CD Changer ($420), and heated seats ($680). You also said you are getting the nav system ($1220) and the light package ($1200, more on that later).

The sunroof package, CD Changer, and nav are included in the $3950 premium package. For the extra $760 you get the entertainment package ($550 over the CD changer) and the drive dynamic seat ($1,180). While the drive dynamic part is questionable, the multicontour part was $780 when offered in the past. I would get the premium package.

Now lets talk about the appearence package. In MY '04 it was $3880 on an E320 and included premium leather upholstery ($1500), the light package ($1220), the airmatic suspension (otherwise not available on an E320), 17" wheels (otherwise not available on an E320) and some trim items that work better with some colors than others (dark grey wood trim, silver instrument cluster, led taillights, some different end caps front and rear). On the E500 it just includes the lights and the trim items; the other items are standard. For the E500 it is a styling choice.

So, if you were planning to get the premium leather on an E320 then the increment to the appearence package made good sense. Would it make equally good sense at $4500 or $5000? I don't know. It is not available on an E320 CDI.

Now lets talk about the heated seats. I don't think you find anyone anywhere who has had them who wouldn't buy them again in a NY minute (I'm from NY, I know those minutes.) IF you already have the leather upholstery, you have three heated seat options: heat seats for $680, the heating package which includes both the heated seats and a heated steering wheel (my wife loves her heated steering wheel) for $920, or the ventilated seat for $1250 (it includes the heated seat). If you read the posts, people who have the ventilated seat seem to think it works well. Also, in my unsubstantiated opinion, I think the leather on the performated seating surfaces is higher quality (at least in MY04) with ventilated seats. We went with the ventilated seats. You need to decide for yourself.

I love the park distance control on our BMW. Parktronic ($1080)was a necessity for us. We also got the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS, $400). Without it, I find I don't check the tire pressures often enough, especially in bad weather (the pressures go down in cold temperatures.)

We also got the sat radio (digital sound from outer space is better than analog sound blocked by the mountain ranges in north central New Jersey. We also got the phone with VCS.

By the time our car lands the new MB system, using customer provided Motorola V600s or V710s, will be available.. We have voice activated phone in your BMW and we use it all the time. All the time. With handsfree laws popping up all over the place I recommend. If you include it on your purchase and it is VPC installed, it is residualized in the lease. Otherwise it isn't.

The Panaramic roof is way cool. It also can't be ordered with the Premium package. And should you also order the solar vent system with it? That makes it a little expensive. We didn't get it.

Keytronic seems like a mixed blessing to me. It will be on ALL the Japanese cars in this class next year. However, to at least, it may be a little too automatic. You still need your hand to open stuff. You just don't have to fumble for the key. Uncertain, we punted.

Distronic wasn't available on the CDI. MB wants two arms and three legs ($3010 in MY04) for it.

Well, that my $.02 and $.02 and $.02 and $.02 and etc....

David

theitalianjob

the must-have's are...

Apprearance package - gotta love bird's eye maple and wheels
Parktronic - useful when you're parking in a small space
Wood/Leather steering wheel - nice touch
Keyless Go - its a cool function
Moonroof (not pano) - The black roof on the pano destroys the car IMO, so I'd just order the regular one
CD changer - of course

Just my .02

W211 Ryda

Must have for me were the white gauges, birdseye maple, Command w/ 6 disc changer, sport rims, and 4 zone climate control. I kinda regret not getting the Parktronic system now. It’s kinda hard to see and estimate when backing up in tight places.

LA320OWNER

Drop the CD Changer and buy an Ipod . For $400 versus the $500 on the CD option you get access to 4,000 songs throught he AUX jack verus less than 100 on your 7 cds.

See:

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...highlight=Ipod

and

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...highlight=Ipod

for starters

Brav

get everything excep the worthless phone and distronic.

Brian_I.

I'm getting the Premium Package on mine.

DavidNJ

Two things I just noticed:

1. Distronic is only available on the MY05 E55

2. Appearence package may no longer include Premium Leather on the E320.

David

RAD

One cool feature that hasn't yet been mentioned is the automatic trunk closer--cool feature.

Another thing that hasn't been mentioned is (from my experience, at least) the ceiling difference in the rear seat when the pano roof is installed. When I sat in the back seat of a W211 with pano, my head touched the ceiling (I'm 6'1"). However, with the regular sunroof, I can easily sit in the back without hitting my head.

Hands-free phone is great for me, as are the other items in my signature.