lesterm

Just wondering... when I was looking for cars, I really wanted PDC, but didn't see any G500's with the option. I suppose it's not really needed, but a cool feature to have nonetheless.

Does anyone here have it on their G?

DUTCH

Do you mean the rear park assist, aka "Parktronic"? It is supposed to be an option on the MBUSA G500's.

I have it on my pre-MBUSA 2000 G500. It's a nice gadget; but, if you can use your rear view mirrors, it's not necessary.

lesterm

yeah, parktronic. My dealer told me that it was an option, but that would require ordering the car, and that would take a few months at least. I wanted parktronic, but I guess my rear view mirrors will have to do.

jimmyg

I'll be adding it to my 2002 G500 by buying the parts. I broke my bumper off-roading and since I'm going to replace it, might as well get one with the holes cut. The other parts aren't too expensive.

It's good to have since you cannot see small children, shopping carts, and other small obstacles behind. I haven't hit anything in 18 months of paralel parking my G500...but I'm more concerned about hitting someone!

lesterm

That's a good point! Do you happen to know the approximate cost of retrofitting rear park assist? I'm assuming that MB could do that, yes?

jimmyg

I think it was about $900 including the bumper...but you could save money buy having a body shop just cut holes in your bumper for the sensors.

Your dealer can look it up in their system.

abercrombie

Here in NYC there are always tight spots to get in and out of, ie parallel parking, garages with cement walls, elevators in parking garages, Valets etc. It is completely usefull especially if you consider that a replacement spare tire cover, can cost $1000 to replace, according to MB Manhattan. They said that the body shop couldnt fix it and that a new one would have to be ordered, then color matched, etc. Many of the G's that I see in the city, four or five so far, have severely dented rear tire covers, so I guess that the parktronic is the only way to avoid the perrills of NYC Driving... the greater Offroad!

dtkw

I am sure it's a nice feature but hell, I have been driving for so long without one and haven't hit anything. Even with the Suburban, you just have to back up slowly.

lesterm

my spare tire cover already has dents from garages. good thing the dents aren't *that* noticable. UGH.

dtkw

Inside the garage, I could see the backup light reflection from the wall, after a while I could judge how close the rear is from the wall. You just have to pay attention and go slow.

lesterm

Well, I live in New York, and don't park my own car. It's all up to the garage attendants to ensure nothing happens with my car.

dtkw

OH WELL, those guys should learn to be patience with your cars. Or the building should put a stopper near the walls.

lesterm

My garage guys are pretty careful, but the problem arises when you park your car in a foreign garage. The guys at most places just don't care.

dtkw

I understand what you mean. When I was living in Los Angeles, going out to eat at the places with valets, God, they drove the cars and parked them like they're racing against time. Anyway, perhaps you should get one from Andy.

lesterm

get what from who? lol

dtkw

Oh well, if you go to Classified, you'd find some good gadgets for sales. One of them is the partronic kit. Even with that, I don't know if the valet guys would care to pay attention to them.