AmpliFIRE

Hi all, new member here. I just picked up a 2016 e350 demo over the weekend. What an incredible vehicle! I am however disappointed that it didn't come with a backup camera. The one I test drove had a camera, but the dealer said that one had been in an accident and they wouldn't sell it as a result. They assured me that the one that I bought had all the same options, as the MSRP is exactly the same. Unfortunately I figured out when I got home that it has the extra sensors in lieu of a backup camera. Needless to say I'm not a happy camper. The dealer said they can't do anything since the price is exactly the same and it's too expensive to add a factory camera.

Anyone recommend a reasonably priced solution? Thanks in advance.

PaulE550

There are a few different third party options out there. Obviuosly not the same as the factoty installed version, but if your car doesn't have the right wiring harness and Command hardware / software then third party is definitely cheaper. Crutchfield has one option that uses your cell phone and perhaps Mid City has a more integrated option.as well. Sorry to read you found out about the lack of rear view camera after signing for the car.

cetialpha5

What's your VIN? The backup camera should be standard with the P1 package. You didn't get one with the P1 package? Most of them had the P1 package.

AmpliFIRE

Yup, I've got the P1 package...but camera isn't listed on it. See attached window sticker.

PaulE550

Yep. The vehicle has Parktronic instead of the rear view camera. Unusual to get a E350 built that way, but someone (either dealer or potential customer who backed out) special ordered it that way. No cheap way for any dealer to add that option to your car.

belarus27

So many other options but no rear view camera? usually its otherwise , a camera but no parktronic. hmm

cprx7

If you press the issue with your dealer they should be able to get you into a different car with all the options you want. Some dealers offer return within a time frame and miles. Good luck

fosterelli

Ditto what cprx7 says.

First, look at the FTC cooling off period to see if it applies. Three business days so hurry. https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/article...-rule-may-help CORRECTION - does not apply.

Then, most dealers will have some grace period - some even hold paperwork for 72 business hours just in case they need to back something out. And sometimes financing doesn't get finalized for several days (not sure if you financed).

But time is critical, so if you're going to press the issue, do it today.

Rogue Leader

Are you sure the camera isn't disabled in a menu somewhere in the COMMAND system? Thats really bizzare. I thought P1 included it, and usually the Parktronic option has the surround cameras as well. I may be wrong here but just hoping that maybe its a simple mistake to make things easier for you.

cetialpha5

Yeah, it's strange that it doesn't have it. Maybe something weird with the parking assist. On my 2011, I have parktronic and I also have the rear view camera. I only have parking guidance though, there wasn't assist til 2014. Or MB is continuing their trend of removing features that used to be there in previous versions.

Also 3 day right of rescission doesn't apply to cars. Active parking assist is also supposed to include surround view so maybe you can use that when backing up?

Brochure is here so it tends to say there's a camera.

https://www.mbusa.com/vcm/MB/Digital...edan_Wagon.pdf

fosterelli

This is correct, I just did some more digging for OP's state and NJ doesn't have anything on the state level either. OP's only hope is a flexible dealer (or a slow-paperwork-filing dealer).

AmpliFIRE

So here's the deal. They only have one more 2016 in stock (with the options/colors I want...including the camera) which is the one I test drove. Actually, the other one has the wood color trim instead of the gray which mine has...and I do prefer the gray. They said that the reason they didn't sell me that one was because it was in an accident (not sure what the extent of the damages were). They are still willing to swap my car for that one, but do I want one that's been in an accident? I asked if they would give me the accident car for less than the one I have, but the answer is no since I'm leasing it. Both cars were loaner cars and have around 6k miles.

AmpliFIRE

Here's a pic of where the camera should be.

sakodik

Did you run your vin number? If possible, return the vehicle to the dealer and find another vehicle there or somewhere else. Avoid the accident one, it will haunt you later one way or another. AND WOOD? Ash wood is the only wood!

I had the opposite problem you are having when I searched for one. All had camera, but some didn't have parktronic.

AmpliFIRE

By wood, I mean the accent color was brown inside...not gray like the one I have.

sakodik

I know its the trim you're talking about. Your sticker shows "black ash wood trim", which is the only wood I would ever get after piano black. Burl wood? PASS on it unless its a P3 car lol.

cetialpha5

Yeah, he still didn't post the VIN. A vin decoder will tell if it really has the camera or not. Maybe it's not enabled in the dash, mine has settings for the camera that I haven't played around with.

konigstiger

To avoid further speculation, this vehicle does not have nor was it built with rear camera per data card & EPC.

Rogue Leader

He did post a pic however, theres a blank but the camera is not there.

That car has to be a like a 1 of 1, thats bizzare.

PaulE550

You should NOT accept the car that was involved in an accident. Even if it is for less, since who knows at this point what was damaged and what YOU will be on the hook for going forward. As an example, some things may crop up as chronic issues. I doubt the dealer would agree to pick-up any future repair costs that you encounter later on as a result of the accident. So don't create more problems for yourself.

Bottom line is if you can't get a W350 car with the options you want from this dealer and you can't unwind the deal, then see if you can get another model MB that's close to what you want for the same cost. Yes it is a trade-off you shouldn't have to make, but if your only E350 option at this dealer is your current car with missing rear view camera or a car that has been involved in an accident, looking at other MB models for a lease isn't that bad. As others have already stated, time is of the essence. However, the longer you wait, the less the dealer in incented to make things right.

AmpliFIRE

I know an excellent local aftermarket installer that will install a camera for me at a reasonable price. I called the dealership, and they've agreed to pay 1/2 of the cost. I think it's a pretty fair compromise and I'm most likely going to go that route. I did get a GREAT deal on the car after shopping around, so all is not lost I guess...

PaulE550

Sounds like a reasonable conclusion to the problem.

davidjohnbamber

X2

fintail

Glad you were able to find a fair resolution to this weird issue.

What's the build date on this car? I have an earlier build 16 E250, which has both parktronic and camera. I've never seen one like this before.

fintail

I've thought about this, as weird configurations interest me, and these cars can be spec'd fairly uniquely for a relatively high volume mass market product. The window sticker for my car (image attached) parcels out the features differently. On mine, parktronic is an extra cost option, and the rear camera is listed at no cost. The OPs car seems to have a P1 configuration like W213. Maybe something was updated later in the run.