Adding Distronic to the GL -- Can it be done
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From: S. FL & MI
Currently Driving a BMW 325 Sport Wagon
Adding Distronic to the GL -- Can it be done
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"??
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"??
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From: Jacksonville Florida
209/W210 Estate /W211 modded by MBENZNL
I Would Email Steve @MBENZNL.com or S_Krabbenborg re the Install
Steve has retrofitted DISTRONIC to Several MBs using all OE Mb parts
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From: Reno, NV
SL500, ML350, 2 GL550's (on order)
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.
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.
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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.
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2011 E350 Cabriolet..White and Almond Mocha
Factory Distronic on the the 2007 GL was $3100!
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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!
Factory Distronic on the the 2007 GL was $3100!
http://www.whnet.com/4x4/pix/radar_sensor.jpg
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From: LA LA Land
'07 GL 450, '02 S 80 T6
Originally Posted by Wolfgang
The stalk might have to be changed.
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From: LA LA Land
'07 GL 450, '02 S 80 T6
Originally Posted by Nevada Jack
Factory Distronic on the the 2007 GL was $3100!
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2011 E350 Cabriolet..White and Almond Mocha
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.
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From: Scottsdale, AZ
2004 RX330, 2008 Scion xB, 2001 Honda Insight Hybrid, 2010 Toyot Prius v ATP
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.
I think that's settled it for me.
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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....
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From: Sydney, Australia
W203 slightly modified
-----------
- 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.
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2011 E350 Cabriolet..White and Almond Mocha
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.
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.
Last edited by Nevada Jack; Oct 6, 2007 at 09:34 AM.
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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.
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...
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2011 E350 Cabriolet..White and Almond Mocha
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...
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...
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.
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From: Bucks County PA
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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.
-----------
- 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.
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?
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From: Houston, TX
2015 E250D
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.
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From: Texas
2005 E55
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.
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