Lolxa

Hello, I purchased a 2010 E550 with the night vision package with it, a year later and still looking around on online auto websites, I have yet to see another E550 with the night vision package (even when the listing says "fully loaded", which I think means all options ticked, they always lack the night vision package) just wondering if this was a unnecessary option at the time or just super rare option. Everyone's input is appreciated!

KEY08

Unless you live in or drive consistently in rural areas why would you order this option? The new Full LED lights are bright and track with the turn. I think glancing down st the NV screen is also a distraction to keeping your eye on the road. Obviously, it's just not a popular option.

tresean1

Depends on how you look it at and which years your 'search parameters' included: I believe NV was a very rare and commonly foregone option for 2010-2013 W212; hence why it was discontinued altogether for 2014+.

For the two reasons above, is probably why you don't find many cars with it.

I will tell you, my 535i has it, and (even though it's better than MB's system) I think I may have used it only about 5 times (3 of which was to 'wow' friends/family with the 'cool feature'). It's distracting for the most part, so anyone without it is not really missing out on anything. It's one of the options that's cool to have but, at $2,600, it's definitely a waste of money, IMO. I'd rather get an upgraded sound system or wheels or warranty with that money.

cetialpha5

Well it was about a $1700 option so it all adds up. Probably in the same category as real leather, doesn't get ordered that much and most people end up with MB-Tex. But yes, fully loaded cars are hard to find because they cost so much when they were new. But they're great as a used car, so few are out there that it doesn't really add to the book value.

I believe technically the Bixenons were brighter and they always had active curve illumination as turned about 12 degrees from side to side. It's sad that they got rid of the headlamp washers after 2014.

Lolxa

Thanks everyone for the reply, I can understand the reason of the rarity, when I bought the car, I didn't even realize it had it (super lucky). My car doesn't have LED headlamps, just bi xenon with curving. I do use my night vision when its heavy fog late at night as it does pick up heat signatures as fog blocks most of the light making it visible only so far. Plus it looks really cool when it does pick up a white hot glowing individual and puts a box around them on the navigation screen, kind of like in Call of Duty.

belarus27

Very rare... i only seen 63 amgs with them around those years.
Pretty cool option... mostly for wow effect , and just to have it. Otherwise no need for it

cetialpha5

You could say the same for many other options, power trunk closer, pano roof, headlamp washers, etc., they're all cool to have though.

belarus27

Power trunk is the option i use daily , and love it , maybe even more useful than night vision lol , headlight washer once in a while here n there... but yes i get your point

retna7

Mine has it and the times I've used it - I was glad I had it!

tresean1

I agree, I use my power trunk features on my cars daily too; probably the most utilized alongside Keyless Go/Comfort Access. I wouldn't necessarily put power trunk/pano roof/headlamp washers in the same "useless feature but cool to show off" category as night vision, etc. The former have mechanical/physical uses, whereas the latter is more of a "cool technological gadget".

Peachy

When I was searching for 2010 and 2011 E550s, none of the ones I saw here had the night vision package. I wasn't specifically looking for it either though, so maybe it was something I looked over.

homeofstone

I have only used the NV on my E63 5 or 6 times other than to let the grandkids play with it. I also never use the active AMG seat, I set the seat and leave it.

thefisch

When I was actively shopping, I saw it on maybe 1 out of 50 or 75 cars online. Very rare.

cetialpha5

Yeah, it's very rare, I usually only look for the ones that had Bixenons and very few of those had night vision. It seems like around 1 in 10 had the bixenons so you're getting into the super rare option. But I bet you didn't pay that much over book if any for it. It's one of the best/worst things about MB, those options new are expensive but used they add virtually no extra value. Which is why if you're not in a rush, you mind as well look for one that's loaded, about the same price as one that isn't.

Lolxa

Yeah, last year my 2005 ml500 had a mechanical issue, so I decided to switch a new ride. First E550, was the one I bought, and just so happen to have NV package, I thought the bi xenon was a part of the p2 package?

tresean1

Yes, bi-xenon was part of P2 package. LED headlights were not available on any cars in 2010, except for Acura RLX, Lexus LS600h, Cadillac Escalade, and Audi R8.

jahquan3

Good to have a feature like this. You never know when you might need it and it definitely can't hurt to have what is essentially a safety feature.

markgm

It is pretty rare. I don't regularly use it, but I like a car to have every possible option! As for folks calling cars "fully loaded," people throw around that term without knowing what options a model comes with. I can't tell you the number of 'fully loaded" cars I saw that only had the P1 package.