Same build added and missing accessories
#26
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,075
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From: Seattle, WA
99 ML430, 01 CLK55, 07 R63, 15 E63 Wagon
Indeed. If anything, the newer ones have more features standard. For the purpose of this discussion, they're the bullet point-worthy items. Just off the top of my head, all E class now come with the equivalent of the P2 Lighting package, folding seats & folding mirrors are included in the Premium 1 package. Flipping through the brochure for the 2009 E vs. 2003 E, there's a huge difference in what was standard equipment. Almost everything which was optional in 2003 was standard by 2009.
I'm still torn on it though -- I'd rather have the option of adding things than have them gone entirely. I know there are price targets they're trying to hit, and no one certainly expects a mass-produced E-Class to be built with no consideration to price like a 6.9, but I still miss things...especially that missing piece of wood -- it's something I'll see daily.
I'm still torn on it though -- I'd rather have the option of adding things than have them gone entirely. I know there are price targets they're trying to hit, and no one certainly expects a mass-produced E-Class to be built with no consideration to price like a 6.9, but I still miss things...especially that missing piece of wood -- it's something I'll see daily.
#27
Funny you mention those options -- the upgraded AC + passenger massage seat were two things I wanted on this car. I'll gladly pay to put back the missing piece of wood trim around the HVAC controls. Considering that our Canadian neighbors get some of this, it can't be too difficult for Merc to put them back in. I already paid the SPC fee for my car, I wouldn't have minded throwing more options on the car.
At the same time, playing with the Canadian & German website configurations, my car wouldn't be possible to get from them as I'm having it built now, at least not without spending some heavy $$$. They had some neat options, but also some strange restrictions on which packages had to be added to the car for certain features.
Maybe I'm the oddball buyer. I basically want an S, without everyone knowing I paid for an S... hence the E I ordered. Looks like a normal E on the outside, optioned up on the inside where people won't see it unless they know Mercedes well. I think understatement's more of a Euro thing.
At the same time, playing with the Canadian & German website configurations, my car wouldn't be possible to get from them as I'm having it built now, at least not without spending some heavy $$$. They had some neat options, but also some strange restrictions on which packages had to be added to the car for certain features.
Maybe I'm the oddball buyer. I basically want an S, without everyone knowing I paid for an S... hence the E I ordered. Looks like a normal E on the outside, optioned up on the inside where people won't see it unless they know Mercedes well. I think understatement's more of a Euro thing.
#29
I'll gladly pay to put back the missing piece of wood trim around the HVAC controls. Considering that our Canadian neighbors get some of this, it can't be too difficult for Merc to put them back in. I already paid the SPC fee for my car, I wouldn't have minded throwing more options on the car.
#30
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 573
Likes: 5
From: Los Angeles
'19 MBZ E450 Wagon, '19 BMW 530e
Looks like they have deleted that off the 2015 model.
BMW does these sneaky deletes as well. My new Z4 35is is supposed to have cigarette lighter plug under glove box as found on my friend's 2011 model. My new 15' Z4 has an empty hole where the plug used to be.
BMW does these sneaky deletes as well. My new Z4 35is is supposed to have cigarette lighter plug under glove box as found on my friend's 2011 model. My new 15' Z4 has an empty hole where the plug used to be.
#31
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,075
Likes: 28
From: Seattle, WA
99 ML430, 01 CLK55, 07 R63, 15 E63 Wagon
Funny you mention those options -- the upgraded AC + passenger massage seat were two things I wanted on this car. I'll gladly pay to put back the missing piece of wood trim around the HVAC controls. Considering that our Canadian neighbors get some of this, it can't be too difficult for Merc to put them back in. I already paid the SPC fee for my car, I wouldn't have minded throwing more options on the car.
At the same time, playing with the Canadian & German website configurations, my car wouldn't be possible to get from them as I'm having it built now, at least not without spending some heavy $$$. They had some neat options, but also some strange restrictions on which packages had to be added to the car for certain features.
Maybe I'm the oddball buyer. I basically want an S, without everyone knowing I paid for an S... hence the E I ordered. Looks like a normal E on the outside, optioned up on the inside where people won't see it unless they know Mercedes well. I think understatement's more of a Euro thing.
At the same time, playing with the Canadian & German website configurations, my car wouldn't be possible to get from them as I'm having it built now, at least not without spending some heavy $$$. They had some neat options, but also some strange restrictions on which packages had to be added to the car for certain features.
Maybe I'm the oddball buyer. I basically want an S, without everyone knowing I paid for an S... hence the E I ordered. Looks like a normal E on the outside, optioned up on the inside where people won't see it unless they know Mercedes well. I think understatement's more of a Euro thing.
I'm looking into retrofitting the passenger massage after the fact- looks like about $4K in parts for my designo 63 interior (new seat leather is required). Should be less for non 63 and even less for non designo/nappa leather etc. 581 is about 50 parts required and so many things need to be removed (including the dash). IMO a huge project and maybe not worth it. But I hate having that stupid blank area in the back under the climate control! Looks so cheap.
I've ordered the matching designo trim for the door armrests (4 pieces), 2 "ledge" pieces on each side of the center console, and the AC surround back in July. So far only one of the ledges have come in and I'm still waiting for all of the other ones! designo stuff is a PITA to order from MB- it takes forever, hence why I ordered it shortly after I ordered my car. I'd recommend sending MBenzNL.nl an email about what parts you want as he's got the best prices and knows exactly what you need. He's the master of MB retrofits and you don't have to dig for all the part numbers necessary like I did. Cost isn't too bad for these pieces, somewhere between $113-$200 a piece.
#33
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 10,557
Likes: 18
From: Earth
Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
Unfortunate that they took away the wood trim from under the door armrest. Was a nice touch. Quality craftsmanship is always best realized in the details.
#34
I did opt for 839-Laminated Acoustic Glass, Front and Rear on my car. I'm hoping it makes somewhat of a difference. For the price ($300), it's probably the best bargain of any of the options available on the car. Almost makes me wonder why they don't throw that one in by default. I couldn't see spending $500-600 for a steering wheel upgrade.
Re: "missing" door trim underneath the armrest, it's just been replaced with aluminum, not a complete de-content like the missing piece around the climate controls. Seeing they did this next to the center console and the minimal price difference between the parts, I think this was purely a style issue rather than decontenting again. Personally, I like the aluminum better as the wood trim that low on the door was almost never noticed. To be honest the only time I noticed that wood trim was when the upper wood trims were sun-damaged in the 2010-2013 E350s but the lower one would still be the original color.
Re: "missing" door trim underneath the armrest, it's just been replaced with aluminum, not a complete de-content like the missing piece around the climate controls. Seeing they did this next to the center console and the minimal price difference between the parts, I think this was purely a style issue rather than decontenting again. Personally, I like the aluminum better as the wood trim that low on the door was almost never noticed. To be honest the only time I noticed that wood trim was when the upper wood trims were sun-damaged in the 2010-2013 E350s but the lower one would still be the original color.
#36
My E350 is a 4/2014 build as well. I didn't realize the missing wood trim until you guys mentioned it. Now I find myself bothered by it every time I get in the car! It's true that ignorance is bliss!
I'm also missing the right side trunk net, and I do have the aluminum pedals as well. Those I like, I didn't expect them because the models in the showroom didn't have them when I ordered mine.
I'm also missing the right side trunk net, and I do have the aluminum pedals as well. Those I like, I didn't expect them because the models in the showroom didn't have them when I ordered mine.
#37
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,075
Likes: 28
From: Seattle, WA
99 ML430, 01 CLK55, 07 R63, 15 E63 Wagon
One other piece of decontenting that I forgot until Beemie reminded me of it is the matching wood trim immediately under the speedometer (and behind the steereing column). This is now matte black plastic as of mid 2014.
Trim being deleted and replaced with black plastic or aluminum is decontenting to an extent because it's cheaper for MB to only make one part than 5-6 depending on the trim selected.
Trim being deleted and replaced with black plastic or aluminum is decontenting to an extent because it's cheaper for MB to only make one part than 5-6 depending on the trim selected.
#38
I agree with those who have said ignorance is bliss! But now that we can't un-see the black plastic, I've made a couple of crude photos of the trim pieces that have been changed/decontented between pre- and post-facelift W212 in case it helps anyone in tracking down parts. Let me know if I've missed any pieces here. Thank you all for bringing these details to light!
#39
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 359
Likes: 27
Past 03 SL500,03 C240, 07 E350, 07 ML350, 10 ML350,11&14 E350 X2 2017 E300, 2017 C350e & 2000 S500
On my 4/10 build with the black wood, There is wood underneath the doors. but its a aluminum on the burlnut wood build.
#40
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 405
Likes: 45
S213 E450 4Matic, W111 220SE - prior cars: 3x W212, W210 E55 AMG, W202 C43 AMG, W126 300SE
I just picked up an earlier build 14 E350 - it has wood under the armrests, wood around climate control, under the gauges etc. along with both trunk nets, but black pedals. I actually prefer the silver trim alongside the console - it should wear better than the shiny wood - on my prior car, those high spots showed scratches easily.
The mounting points are still there for the "trunk nail" - I like the hook, and installed one myself in the new car. It shouldn't be too expensive to fit in a facelift car.
The mounting points are still there for the "trunk nail" - I like the hook, and installed one myself in the new car. It shouldn't be too expensive to fit in a facelift car.
Last edited by fintail; 11-16-2014 at 06:16 PM.
#41
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 359
Likes: 27
Past 03 SL500,03 C240, 07 E350, 07 ML350, 10 ML350,11&14 E350 X2 2017 E300, 2017 C350e & 2000 S500
I just picked up an earlier build 14 E350 - it has wood under the armrests, wood around climate control, under the gauges etc. along with both trunk nets, but black pedals. I actually prefer the silver trim alongside the console - it should wear better than the shiny wood - on my prior car, those high spots showed scratches easily.
The mounting points are still there for the "trunk nail" - I like the hook, and installed one myself in the new car. It shouldn't be too expensive to fit in a facelift car.
The mounting points are still there for the "trunk nail" - I like the hook, and installed one myself in the new car. It shouldn't be too expensive to fit in a facelift car.
#43
2015 W212 interior trim changes
MY 2015 E250BT has the burl walnut trim, which makes for a pleasant contrast to the black interior. IMO, the additional aluminum trim pieces, now underneath the walnut dash segments, on each side on the centre console, underneath the armrests and surrounding the dash vents all serve to brighten up the interior.
As one or two other forum members have discovered, the trunk 'tree nail' is easily installed into a 2014/15 W212, cost about $12. Unfortunately, the right side trunk net is not available as a separate part. One would have to purchase the entire right side liner of the trunk for a pre-facelift W212 and install it - ultimate cost would likely make no sense.
As one or two other forum members have discovered, the trunk 'tree nail' is easily installed into a 2014/15 W212, cost about $12. Unfortunately, the right side trunk net is not available as a separate part. One would have to purchase the entire right side liner of the trunk for a pre-facelift W212 and install it - ultimate cost would likely make no sense.
Last edited by DerekACS; 11-16-2014 at 08:34 PM.
#44
I actually prefer the silver trim alongside the console - it should wear better than the shiny wood - on my prior car, those high spots showed scratches easily. The mounting points are still there for the "trunk nail" - I like the hook, and installed one myself in the new car. It shouldn't be too expensive to fit in a facelift car.
#46
#47
The installation spot is the same as before, with the holes already drilled. All you need to install is a torx-head screw driver. I suspect that the tree nail is compatible with a comfort box, but I am not absolutely sure since I do not have one in my car.
#49
Thank you for the info. The pics seemed to show that. It does look like the climate control wood surround would be the easiest to plug in. If one could get a part number from a member that has a first of the year 2014 black ash trim.
#50
On the plus side for changes, the 2015 CD player is a single disk unit with RECORD feature. The previous CD player was a 6 disc with no record feature.