I've always wondered...
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 24
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From: Los Angeles, CA
C230 Kompressor
I've always wondered...
Let's say I buy whichever benz model, but I get it completely stock. Like, no Premium Packages or COMAND NAV or Panaroma Sunroof or anything like that...
My plan would be to save up some money to upgrade later... and my question is if that will be possible? Can I go back to the dealership a few months later or whenever and ask em to install the options I've wanted to get but wasn't able to when I first bought the benz.
My plan would be to save up some money to upgrade later... and my question is if that will be possible? Can I go back to the dealership a few months later or whenever and ask em to install the options I've wanted to get but wasn't able to when I first bought the benz.
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Joined: Sep 2006
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merc
It is interesting how that works- On the Build Your Own portion of my dealer's website (FJ) it lists BIX Lights as a $790 option on the C280. Then I asked my service advisor how much it would be to install them on my C240... close to $3,000! 
Get the package.
Get the package.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 511
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From: Nuevo México
2005 C230K Sport Sedan, 6 speed manual
The answer is YES, you can add almost any feature later. The question is, are you willing to pay the price?
A car equipped with a sunroof uses a different roof than a car without a sunroof (from the factory). There are aftermarket sunroof kits, but I would not want to cut a hole in the roof of my Mercedes. In terms of retrofitting a factory panoramic sunroof, I would imagine this would cost several thousand dollars. Again, anything is possible, but......
As previously mentioned, retrofitting lights (Xenon) and other factory options are also really expensive. Most aftermarket lights are not up to factory quality. Many aftermarket stereos are not very compatible with MB.
Maybe a better question is do you really NEED all of the optional features? A Mercedes is a fine quality car, regardless of options. Some options, like sunroofs don't age very well as a car gets older. My car is rather basic, and I really like it.
I think you would find it cheaper to buy a Mercedes with few options now, and trade up to a car with more options later.
A car equipped with a sunroof uses a different roof than a car without a sunroof (from the factory). There are aftermarket sunroof kits, but I would not want to cut a hole in the roof of my Mercedes. In terms of retrofitting a factory panoramic sunroof, I would imagine this would cost several thousand dollars. Again, anything is possible, but......
As previously mentioned, retrofitting lights (Xenon) and other factory options are also really expensive. Most aftermarket lights are not up to factory quality. Many aftermarket stereos are not very compatible with MB.
Maybe a better question is do you really NEED all of the optional features? A Mercedes is a fine quality car, regardless of options. Some options, like sunroofs don't age very well as a car gets older. My car is rather basic, and I really like it.
I think you would find it cheaper to buy a Mercedes with few options now, and trade up to a car with more options later.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 24
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From: Los Angeles, CA
C230 Kompressor
Hm, thanks for the answers. So what I'll be facing is the price. Yikes... and that's the same damn reason why I can't even get the options in the first place 
I agree with what you said Alpin, a benz is a benz. But there are a few features I can really do with too.
I agree with what you said Alpin, a benz is a benz. But there are a few features I can really do with too.
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Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Irvine, CA
2008 E550, 2012 GL450, 2014 GLK350, 2015 S550, 2020 GLC350e
When you do "build a car" certain options can be done at the dealer, and it will say so, but yes, prepare to pay the price.
I just finished seeing a dealer about a ML350/500. An option thats $500 from the factory is $1500 via the dealer afterwards.
I just finished seeing a dealer about a ML350/500. An option thats $500 from the factory is $1500 via the dealer afterwards.
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From: Arizona
BMW FTW
If you cant afford to pay outright for the car, and have a stable income for the next few years or so you might want to get into leasing especially if you like new cars every few years. Now days with mercedes I dont know why anyone would outright buy the car since after the warranty goes out the cars are basically hell and expensive to maintain.
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Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 24
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From: Los Angeles, CA
C230 Kompressor
If you cant afford to pay outright for the car, and have a stable income for the next few years or so you might want to get into leasing especially if you like new cars every few years. Now days with mercedes I dont know why anyone would outright buy the car since after the warranty goes out the cars are basically hell and expensive to maintain.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Irvine, CA
2008 E550, 2012 GL450, 2014 GLK350, 2015 S550, 2020 GLC350e
Actually, the inventory I saw at Fletcher Jones Newport Beach was pretty close to bare bones. They only had 6 MLs, none of them were ML500's, none had Airmatic or P3, most just had P1, MB-Tex, etc.
They said if you want a fully loaded car, special order. Same with all 5 dealers within 20 mins of me.
They said if you want a fully loaded car, special order. Same with all 5 dealers within 20 mins of me.
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Joined: Oct 2006
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From: New Jersey
E550 4MATIC
If you are planning to lease, then you probably don't want to modify your car later for two reasons. One, the lease contract will not allow many types of modifications and you will have to pay tons of fees when you turn the car in or have the car restored to original condition before turning it in. Two, even if they didn't charge you fees, why would you want to put xenons or something at your own expense into the car and then give them back the car with this for free? If you want to do any significant modding to your car you really should buy it or finance it. And I would highly recommend getting the COMAND and any other options you want when you buy it from the factory. Also on the W204 (2008 C-Classes) the COMAND system will not be easy to retrofit like it is now. Since the new COMAND will be a flip up screen it would require changing out a lot more stuff and you would need the control knob on the arm rest. So upgrading in a non-COMAND 2008 C-Class will be close to impossible.
Btw, these cars will be popular when they first come out, and the lease rates will be high. If you wait a bit you might be able to save money by not paying just because its new, and instead put that money into getting the options you really want.
Lastly, when these cars hit the showrooms I would highly suggest going and looking at every option available and deciding carefully what you want. I didn't get Xenon and COMAND and I'm regretting it now. And even if I do upgrade, you will not get the factory warranty on it since it was done after the fact.
Btw, these cars will be popular when they first come out, and the lease rates will be high. If you wait a bit you might be able to save money by not paying just because its new, and instead put that money into getting the options you really want.
Lastly, when these cars hit the showrooms I would highly suggest going and looking at every option available and deciding carefully what you want. I didn't get Xenon and COMAND and I'm regretting it now. And even if I do upgrade, you will not get the factory warranty on it since it was done after the fact.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Arizona
BMW FTW
If you are planning to lease, then you probably don't want to modify your car later for two reasons. One, the lease contract will not allow many types of modifications and you will have to pay tons of fees when you turn the car in or have the car restored to original condition before turning it in. Two, even if they didn't charge you fees, why would you want to put xenons or something at your own expense into the car and then give them back the car with this for free? If you want to do any significant modding to your car you really should buy it or finance it. And I would highly recommend getting the COMAND and any other options you want when you buy it from the factory. Also on the W204 (2008 C-Classes) the COMAND system will not be easy to retrofit like it is now. Since the new COMAND will be a flip up screen it would require changing out a lot more stuff and you would need the control knob on the arm rest. So upgrading in a non-COMAND 2008 C-Class will be close to impossible.
Btw, these cars will be popular when they first come out, and the lease rates will be high. If you wait a bit you might be able to save money by not paying just because its new, and instead put that money into getting the options you really want.
Lastly, when these cars hit the showrooms I would highly suggest going and looking at every option available and deciding carefully what you want. I didn't get Xenon and COMAND and I'm regretting it now. And even if I do upgrade, you will not get the factory warranty on it since it was done after the fact.
Btw, these cars will be popular when they first come out, and the lease rates will be high. If you wait a bit you might be able to save money by not paying just because its new, and instead put that money into getting the options you really want.
Lastly, when these cars hit the showrooms I would highly suggest going and looking at every option available and deciding carefully what you want. I didn't get Xenon and COMAND and I'm regretting it now. And even if I do upgrade, you will not get the factory warranty on it since it was done after the fact.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,240
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From: New Jersey
E550 4MATIC
Possibly the best time to lease is when the new model comes out and they have a few in inventory, so probably 1-2 months after the release date.. That way you have a very high residual value, but also knowing mercedes they still assign high residual values to old models that are totally unrealistic.
Btw, if anyone in the northern NJ area is looking for a BMW, go to BMW of Denville and speak to Agata G... I can't remember her last name but it starts with a G. She is the coolest, best sales person I have ever met at any brand of car dealerships. Really knows her stuff and is a pleasure to talk with.
