Good observation! They took it out for 2008. If I remember correctly, it's now tied into the windshield washer and they operate together.

I personally prefer the dedicated switch. Just because my windshield is dirty, that doesn't mean I want the entire front of the car to get sprayed with blue windshield cleaner.

All the glass in those 320/450's that have the 3 Zone is IR Glass. It is not a tint but is integrated into the laminated glass itself. The Privacy effect is a tint I think.

If you tint the front passenger windows I would look for a high IR/UV product. That is what I intend to do...I would also like to tint the windshield within the lawful spec.

The headlamp washers only operate on every 5th cycle of the windshield washer, so you will not have it going on every time you want to wash the windshield.

Ok that is what I figured was the case. Thats how Jaguars are, and BMWs I believe too. Does the GL feature the active cornering feature as well?

From what I've read and heard, these guys are the ones to go to for (in particular) windshield tint. I'm not positive but I believe they might be the technology, if not the brand name, that MB uses on its 3-Zone 320's & 450's as well. I've seen a demo of the stuff against a halogen bulb and was exceptionally impressed, even against competitor film put out by that competitor as a demo.

Best 'o Luck to ya!

STP

Yes...the lighting is quite something.

Mr Jack, you might have said it earlier and I missed it but which camera/lens combo are you using?

I am using the Canon 40D SLR and the EF-S 17-55mm F/2.8 IS Zoom. The lens is absolutely the sharpest non L lens Canon makes. The results are self evident.

NJ, Thanks for posting your photos. Do you miss the S? Your white S was so beautiful.....

It was a beautiful car but I wanted a change. I really don't miss it...there are some features I miss like the COMAND idrive control and fancy displays on the screen. But all in all I am very pleased with the GL...the ride is much better than I expected.

Ahhh, thanks for the clarification. That's not so bad after all. On my wife's Lexus RX330, if you wash the windshield while the headlights are on, then you get the lights sprayed as well on the first cycle. At least MB give you a chance to avoid spraying the front of the car.

Your welcome...see page 208 in the manual. The counter resets when you turn off the lights.

Beautiful MB...

I really like your Benz cup NJ.......... Matches the interior!

Thanks. Here is another shot featuring the MB cup...:-) It is really tough to get a real black black on the upholstery and leather surfaces. I really had to play with this image to get it into gray...notice the blue tone on the dash top. That is from the blue glass filtering the light.

nice shot....

have you tried shooting RAW and then adjusting the WB accordingly?

That was shot RAW and I used curves to get this close. I have a plan tomorrow to shoot in the garage with external flash or set up a tripod and shoot high ISO. Without any sun shinning through the windshield I think I can get the exposure right and get the deep black I want to see.

NJ, the metallic rim( and sides for that matter ) of that MBZ cup looks a bit scary to me for the sun soaked 115 degree climate you live in !

ahhhhh...........

I see your a picture guy like me.......... Would like to share pics with you someday.... Not to go off topic but here is a pic i took of are skyline.

thought you might enjoy it?

WOW- The black interior is awesome! I orginally had ordered my white exterior with Ash interior. We changed our order and we now have to wait an extra 11 days to get the Black interior but I am very happy based on looking at these photos! Less than 1 month to delivery; I hope!

Really has not been a problem till you mentioned it...:-) I guess it is usually in the shade and cools down pretty quickly when the A/C go max.

Nice shot. You can see some of my stuff at www.nevadajack.us A lot of snap type but also some nice images.

I had been a beige interior buyer but I am very pleased with the black interior. I bought a little California Duster to keep it looking clean. The black shows nice with the burl walnut also.

You're going to have to provide light internally, a reflector or something, to get the colors true because any light at all through the windows is going to shift you towards the blue. If you use a powerful wide-beam flashlight, then bounce it off of a shiny winsheild cover, that might diffuse it enough and make it bright enough that you can set an ISO that'll kill most of the light through the glass. Touchy, but doable. You'll get a fairly contrasty interior that should drop the blacks very deep, and the higher ISO will keep the highs from blasting out.

Then again, I might have no idea what I'm talking about.

STP

LOL...not bad, thanks.

The best result is going to be inside and shoot a long exposure with no exterior light source of any strong intensity. I think in the garage with the door open should do it. A 1600/3200 ISO with a DOF setting of about f/6.3 should give a sharp overall image and post processing and NR can clean up any noise in the shadow areas. The other option will be a diffuser on my external flash and bounce it off the white headliner. BTW...I do have an idea of what I am talking about...LOL