Hey guys, lurker here....

We currently have a '98 ML320(R.I.P )'99 ML320 and '99 E320 but we're in the market for a ML500 Inspiration Edition right now. We've gone to Fletcher Jones and Caliber Motors to check out the trucks....the ML has really matured since the early models!

So my question is, does the ML500 Inspiration Edition come w/ H.I.D.s stock?

 

According to MBUSA the HIDs are not included. Option 172 (Xenon headlamps with Washer system) is a separate item.

 

I don't think so. They are still an option in the US.

http://www.mbusa.com/brand/container...odelCode=ML500

Click on build your own.

 

yeah, I thought it was a seperate package...but all of the in-stock ML500 and ML350 Inspiration Packages didn't have H.I.D.s listed in the list of options...I'm hoping its standard because then we'd have to have a custom-built ML...that would take 3 months. :o

 

I'm not sure if they made them that way??

 

damn, that's retarded...why would they have a car optioned like that without xenons? ugh.

So would you guys rather have Xenon and no inspiration package or Inspiration package and no xenon? I have xenon in my CL-S and I couldnt go back to regular halogens. But this is for my dad, so....

 

I would stick with the regular ML500, but have the wood trim changed to the Inspiration wood.

 

how about the silver-trimmed gauges? can those be swapped out too?

 

Yes, they are only $50~80 I think.

There is a thread in www.mbnz.org in the ML Forum.

 

here's the thread if anybody else is interested!

http://www.mbnz.org/forums/messages....0&id=21&view=t

 

Yeah basically the main reason to get the Inspiration model is the AMG seats - the AMG grille you can get for less than $150 nowadays and the other chrome pieces are also relatively easy to obtain.

 

You can also factory order the AMG seats if you want.

Anything can be factory ordered. At least it can be in Canada. Whatever you want, obvious the price will reflect it though.

 

Oh - I wasn't aware the AMG seats can be ordered w/o the Inspiration Edition or the ML55 - that may be a Canada-only thing. In Canada, you can order any option without a package, or so I hear - people have Halogen lights with the washers (which in the US only comes with the HIDs), etc.

I don't believe the seats are available separately in the US - they pretty much stick (sometimes unfortunately) to the packages.

 

Yeah, in the US you can only order things that are available to order. Weird how that is, huh?

See MBUSA.com for what's available in what combinations.

Since I want both Inspiration Edition AND bixenon lights, if I had to buy a car without one, I would take it without bixenon (since this is a 30 minute upgrade).

However, if I wanted to custom configure an ML, today I could do it and have it in about 5 weeks. The demand isn't as high as it used to be, and they have open build slots in the next couple weeks. Since the car is made in the USA, delivery is only 3 weeks.

I've got a build date of 1/16!

-s-

 

The issue with not ordering the bixenons when you put in your order is that there are issues with installing the bixenons. Installing the '02/'03 bi-xenons in pre-'02 MLs (with the wire adapter) works fine, but for some reason, installing them into '02/'03's seems to cause flickering problems and the like.

People at benzworld.org have tried and have had such problems.

 

The issues are so minor I can't believe that it's being called an "issue".

If you retrofit them to a pre-'02, then fine. (I did it without the adapter.)

If you retrofit them to a MY02/03, then you plug them in, and have your dealer version code the car to "HID - PRESENT". Takes all of 5 minutes. I had this done to my G500, which incidentally, does not have an HID option available, but does have the option to enable it in Star Diagnostic. It took them less time to do it than it took me to write this message. I of course brought a few cigars for the service advisor (who did it himself), and there was no charge.

I would consider this step a part of the install, thus, no "issue".

-s-