rlsolomon

I'm feeling stupid, but I can't find anywhere on MBUSA what the standard headlight is in an E550 (2012). I see that Premium 2 adds Bi-Xenon, but not what's in the Premium 1 / No package versions...

All that makes me ****u*me it's a halogen system, but it would be nice to know for sure.

Thanks in advance,
Richard

BM2BZ

welcome aboard !

with or without p1 = halogen
p2 = bi-xenon

it should be listed under the standard features/equipments or whatever they called them.

rlsolomon

Thanks! I thought so too (listed under standard features) but I must be being stupid because I couldn't find 'em.

Aside from the $$$$ my only problem with P2 is the auto trunk closer. I've got 2 kids and when we travel I might occasionally pack the trunk on my A6 to the "slam it hard" point

I'm concerned the trunk closer will get upset by this...

Thanks again,
Richard

BM2BZ

i don't have p2 so i can't answer your question regarding the "slam it hard" point. but i don't think it's something hard to get used to. in fact, you might get spoiled by it in a day or two. there is a big red button right by the trunk and it's almost impossible to miss. even if you do, once you are trying to pull it down and you should feel the difference than regular non auto trunk closer. that's the time for you to press the button.

rlsolomon

Gotcha. My concern was more that the trunk closer would detect the resistance of coats, etc piled on the load and refuse to close. I don't often overfill it, but when I've got all the ski gear in except for the coats, I don't really want to try and repack to get that last squishable cubic foot - so I've just said "oh well" and used the bigger hammer If the trunk closer will let me force it closed I'm good, but if it bails out as soon as it senses resistance then I might be hosed.

Richard

Tjdehya

The auto trunk closer is only used when you press the button. You can slam it shut if it wont close on its own will no ill effects.
You can pretty much treat the trunk as if you dont have this feature installed if you want or need to.

LOVE MB

You can slam it hard and it'll close just fine. That’s what my wife does as she's not used to closing it automatically yet...

rlsolomon

Thanks guys! I guess I'll put P2 on my "want" list then - and assume I can continue to abuse my trunk at will

Richard

LOVE MB

P2 was must have for me!
for only $2500 more you'll get all that:

Bi-Xenon headlamps with Active Curve Illumination
Adaptive High beam Assist
LED front turn
LED Daytime Running Lights
Headlamp washing system
Corner-illuminating front lamps
Keyless-Go
Electronic Trunk Closer

rlsolomon

Yeah, for some reason I had it in my head that I got Xenon just not Bi-Xenon w/o P2 - I'm not going to buy another Halogen-equipped car! H/L washer is a nice to have, as is Keyless-Go, electronic trunk closer is still a rather-not, but I'll live with it

Thanks,
Richard

steph280

I still don't understand why MB wouldn't put Xenon as standard equipment in a car this caliber. Back in the W211 days Xenon were fairly new and expensive, understandably they would make it an option; but now even the Hyundai's have it as standard on their Genesis models.

LOVE MB

I'm with ya. Once you go Xenon you'll never go back...

BM2BZ

it's been a bit over two hours and 12 posts, you are still sitting in front of your computer ?! unglued your butts and run down to the dealer before your new ride ****** by other dude !

BenzE350

Simple answer is that Mercedes can make more money by bundling in extras.

The "gotta have" feature with the P2 is the bi-xenon lights - everything else is nice but not really "necessary." So your options are to 1) Pay an extra $2500 for the P2 package so you can have decent lights to drive safely at night, or 2) Save $2,500 and risk an accident because the halogen lights offer poor visibility.

xolinlevh

agreed! put after market ones in my W204, then when i got my E550 made sure i had the P2 package

WEBSRFR

You can always manually slam shut as much as you like and press the button at other times I love this feature when I'm using both my hands to carry stuff. You can engage the button with just your elbow.

leonardsigne

there is a big red button right by the trunk and it's almost impossible to miss.

troymir350

Bi xenons are huge I agree but what surprised me is the adaptive high beam. Take a drive at night in a hilly area with your high beams on. In deer country or not. It's amazing. The headlights actually lead you up hill and around corners with the high beams. Really the most awe inspiring option of P2 IMO.

And you can stuff the trunk to no end. The 550 has load leveling I believe which is even better.

rlsolomon

Ok, ok, I give - SOLD on P2

Now you bring up the whole "airmatic vs agility" discussion I've been leaning towards the "agility" suspension figuring it's less to break in 10 yrs.... I'm guessing you guys are going to talk me out of that too????

Thanks a million for all the helpful replies! I've gotten more useful info here in a couple of hours than on some other forums in a couple of days!

Richard

WEBSRFR

I thought the load leveling was for the wagon only though I'd love to be proven wrong. Can someone confirm?

oggie

I have airmatics. I loved it. Rides like a dream.

T.H.Carrera

airmatic is not for people who plan to own the car for 10 years or so .... its a BYOTCH when it goes out and VERY costly to fix out of warranty ..... On the other hand the agility suspension is SO stiff It will crack your bones in 10 years .... pick your poison.

BM2BZ

i totally disagree with you on this one ! it could take you a couple of months or longer to get all these useful info than on some other forums .

BenzV12

LOL

Well, you can also close the trunk by pulling forward the trunk release button located lower in the driver's side .However, keep your hand on the button to the point of it closes otherwise it will refuse to close .
I have discovered this thru owner's manual

Another thing, if the trunk senses something wrong with your packaging it pops back when you press the red button inside the trunk lid .
This is what happened :
My auto trunk feature didn't work neatly , I scoured the trunk area and I removed the hydro jack and it worked . The reason behind was that plastic cover to the hydo jack was rubbing against my accessory bucket and at some point either of these contacted the trunk hinge lol

rlsolomon

That was my concern - it sounds though like I could just close the trunk the old-fashioned way when it's overstuffed. I can live with that. I'm sure I'll grow to like the trunk-closer. I just don't want to be stuck not able to close my overstuffed trunk when I'm already annoyed at how long it's taken the family to get packed, and all the crap they came up with, and how long it's taken me to jam all that crap into the trunk

Thanks all!
Richard