Jlight

Now I know it would not be off the shelf but...

Can you add Distronic to a GL if it does not come from the factory with it? Not talking about through the Dealer but "custom"??

oknish

I wouldn't _even_think_about_it.

MARK CUMMINS

I Would Email Steve @MBENZNL.com or S_Krabbenborg re the Install
Steve has retrofitted DISTRONIC to Several MBs using all OE Mb parts

Dodson

I'm sure it could be done. Sounds a bit dangerous, do-it-yourself installation of a system to track the speed of the car in front of you. Although, 20 or 30 years ago, my father installed a digital cruse control into an old truck we had, so…

Any way, I don't think that there would be too many aftermarket systems of this kind on the market, so you'd probably want to get all of the parts and wiring harness from MB. You'd have to find a reel helpful MB parts/service person, just to figure out what you need. Anything can be done.

mkaresh

I'd expect it to be ridiculously expensive. Might be cheaper to trade the car for one with it.

Wolfgang

Should'nt be that difficult to retrofit. Here are some parts gleaned from EPCNet for the GL320 CDI. They are available for around $1500, plus installation. To compare ex factory Distronic costs $2200.

Nevada Jack

There is also a protective plastic cover for the star and wouldn't it be necessary to replace the cruise control stalk as well. How about the display for the speedometer? I just think the integration would be more difficult than just putting in the sensor unit behind the star?

Factory Distronic on the the 2007 GL was $3100!

HoustonRider

You could just watch the road in front of you and save the $2k.. but that would be like carrying a map instead of using the Nav..

Wolfgang

Installation on the GL550 might be more difficult than for the GL320 CDI or GL450 due to the larger star in the grille. The display in the speedometer probably just needs to be turned on similar to the navigation screen. The stalk might have to be changed. The harnress may have to be custom made since I doubt it's preinstalled. Here's a larger picture of the radar sensor.

http://www.whnet.com/4x4/pix/radar_sensor.jpg

oknish

I am pretty certain that stalk will need to be changed since the distance control (how far to stay back from car in front) is on the stalk. You will have to configure speedometer as well since Distronic adds it's own "ticks" to the speedo.

oknish

I know...............wonder why they dropped the price? To increase it's popularity?

Nevada Jack

It's outdated by it's own replacement called Distronic Plus. I had ordered it on my original 320 order but was not upset it was not in the 550 and would not order it unless they replace it with the Plus system.

StevethePilot

WHOA! That went from five listed parts and $1500 to a whole bunch of awfully expensive "might's" and "probably's" in two messages!

I think that's settled it for me.

SUNILP

IT can be installed, I have installed several distronic systems. Distronic PLUS cannot be installed and no mention on when it will arrive for the GL or ML ever.

03LX470

To clarify, the Distronic on the GL is the old generation, not the Plus version? I thought it was Plus across the complete MB vehicle line by now...

Is it just the hidden technology thats different between the two or any upgrade in the features available to the driver?

I drove an E500 few years back and it did not have the distance adjustment on the stalk (at least I didnt notice one) but my GL does. This led me to believe that the GL might have Plus version....

03LX470

What are the differenes?

benzmodz

Shopping list
-----------
- sensor
- sensor mounting kit
- grille insert for distronic
- grille (if necessary)
- DTR compatible horns
- Horn mounting fittings

- wiring harness (if orderable)
- coding and installation

- cluster coding
- gateway coding
- ECU coding (if needed)
- ESP must be compatible (usually is)

Assuming that the radiator support is correct for DTR then it should be OK.

Nevada Jack

Major differences with Plus. The main one being it will stop the car if necessary. The other is that with Plus there is no Parktronic Buttons on the bumper. This feature in Plus uses the short range radars in both the front and rear bumbers to alert you to obstructions.

The GL (320/450) do NOT have the Plus version of Distronic.

To even consider retrofitting Distronic in a current GL is really not a smart move in my estimation. Either do without it in the 550 until they get Plus as an option or wait it out. I think the S and CL are the only models right now with Plus...but I have not checked the options lists on any other models.

To be really frank...it is nuts to consider retrofitting Distronic into a GL without it.

Wolfgang

Distronic Plus also includes Blind Spot Assist starting with MY08, which might be interesting for the GL, due to its small mirrors...

http://www4.mercedes-benz.com/e/cars...E6.html#N2B2EC

By the time Distronic Plus comes to the GL, if it ever will, the S might have DSRC or DSRC Plus...

Nevada Jack

I was not aware of the Blind Spot Assist Wolfgang. That will be great for the S since the mirrors are really small on it and tear dropped shape besides.

Distronic of some kind is coming to the GL550 since the bracket is installed behind the star to accept it. I could only hope that it would be the Plus system but that would push the base price higher if offered as standard, and as an options would not come cheap.

(I would also hope it is not Plus knowing that I missed out on it again...my original S order bounced it because of a shortage of units.) But if it is the same old Distronic, then I would not feel as bad...I imagine since the bracket is on the current GL, they could do a production upgrade on the '08 models and offer it as an additional option.

emayer

Great info.

Looking at the GL550, the sensor mount is present. The grill will not need replacing as the star insert is removable. I think the necessary dash hardware is present. Simply a matter of installing the sensors and coding the system. As for cost?

SUNILP

all ml's and gl's and R class cars have the mount present. You must swap the stock star with a 3d plastic star to protect the sensor and prevent the distronic sensor dirty error message.

Can Drive 55

Do you know whre someone could get the star. I doubt that it would be available through M-B because the 550 star is larger than the one on the other models and their plastic (distronic compatible) star would be too small.

Wolfgang

Presumably MBUSA will eventually list the larger one for the GL550 in the EPC once it becomes available. The pic shows the standard size, which possibly could be adapted somehow in the interim?

oknish

I thought Distronic was not availble for 550 since it had to be redesigned due to the new grill. So can you use Distronic from 450 on a 550?