GregW / Oregon

I guess I wouldn't mind BSA, but the LKA goes too far - I can follow lines. I will check with my salesperson, though.

YYZ-E55

Correct; this is the package I was referring to.

GregW / Oregon

Okay, that is true. I wish 234 were available separately, because I have no interest in the Lane Keeping Assist.

YYZ-E55

Get it, Greg! I'm 100% with you on the lane keeping assist, but you can disable it in the IC menus. The blind spot assist is well worth $850 on its own.

GregW / Oregon

Well, I don't think it's worth it to me, especially if it's an audible alert vs. visible. I'm used to turning my head before executing a lane change.

papaz

I hear ya.... and me too. But my concern actually lies with the fact that I'm not the only one driving the truck. And while I'm sure she always checks her blindspots, it gives me a little more peace knowing it's there. Therefore, it made my build. Just sayin'.

duckiefx

Good choice of options Greg but it sucks to have to wait till March 2012 for the lighting package which was told to me by 3 different dealers here in NY. I couldn't wait so I pulled the trigger 3 weeks ago and went without the lighting package.

YYZ-E55

I set my mirrors properly (ie: so you cannot see the side of the car) and I do a shoulder check as well, but the BSA has still saved me a couple of times - it catches those hidden people merging in, etc.

Also, it provides both a visual (red triangle) and audible (beep) warning. The audible warning only triggers if you hit the turn signal stalk.

Anyway, no more sales pitch from me, I promise

jean7of9

This is a valuable info and not a sales pitch. We need to know every available input/experience from you, the first buyers. It is the best way to understand/evaluate these new features. That's what this forum is all about. Please keep them coming.

YYZ-E55

My 2 cents for Canada: definitely spring for the leather package (MLP). It transforms the interior - ARTICO stitched dashboard, real leather (smells great) and black headliner (regardless of seat color). It is especially great with grey or beige interiors, as you get the tone-on-black color combination (black upper dashboard).

GregW / Oregon

I agree. Everyone has to make their own cost/benefit decision, but the details of the features are valuable. If I could get the Blind Spot Assist by itself for say, $300, I'd jump on it. $850 is too much for this feature for me if I don't want the Lane Keeping Assist.

rush1169

How to adjust your mirrors to ELIMINATE the blind spot - this may be old hat for some, but I've been driving for more than 20 years and never learned this until I read this article and gave it a try. Strangely, manufacturers make it almost impossible to adjust your side mirrors to eliminate the blind spot. I say "almost" because in most every car I've tried, the proper position is right at the stops of the adjustment range, but I've always just managed.

Once in the correct position, your side mirrors will be very strange in your peripheral vision. However, stick with it and you can completely trust that a glance in your mirror that doesn't display a giant car is a clear lane. I've been "reformed" for at least a couple of years and still cannot believe how well this works. Many people I've shared this with revert back to their old and blind position just because they didn't give themselves time to adjust. For me, it was truely a revelation

Edited to add: To make a quick setting, for the driver-side mirror move you head towards the driver window so that your cheek is touching the glass then adjust your mirror to just see the side of your car (a "normal" position for the mirror). For the passenger-side, lean towards the center of the car such that your eyes are "down the center" of the car and adjust that mirror to just see the side of your car. That works every time for me.

One more edit: Pull up to a stoplight such that the car next to you is in your blindspot. Then adjust your mirror until that car you couldn't see becomes a big, mirror-filling image and you are set.

YYZ-E55

Any reason for getting the RSE pre-wiring? It's not even offered in Canada, yet it seems rather popular in the US.

rush1169

Adds power adjustment stuff to the passenger seat if you get it (in the US).

GregW / Oregon

Seat memory; seats are power standard. US has wierd packages.

jean7of9

YYZ-E55,
Thanks. My plan is to order in May 2012 the 2013 ML-550 Model with all available options (including Designo) for August/September 2012 delivery. By that time I expect all new equipment (V8, HID Lights, Leather, OFFROAD, Night-Vision etc...) will be fine tuned for production.

GregW / Oregon

Looked at the Panorama sun roof yesterday and decided to add it to our order. I think the extra light will be good with a black interior. The power sun shades are effective, though I worry about one more thing to go wrong. I also like the black roof that comes with it agaoinst the white; it will go well in the garage next to my white M3 with carbon fiber roof.

Waykool plantz

I didnt include the Y90 in my revised P95 order as i feel with the 801 Black leather Sport Seats the interior will be too dark. Black/Aluminum/Grey should look hot

GregW / Oregon

I changed from diesel to gas, and my build date moved from early June to late May. I could have gotten a late February build with Lighting, but without the Handling Package, so I'm going to wait. I also have a pre-order in for a 2013, which I'll get instead if the switchover is in June as I've heard.

YYZ-E55

GregW / Oregon

Well, if I lived where you do I wouldn't have, but here's what I weighed:

- Diesel here is more expensive than premium, sometimes 10% or more.
- Diesel fuel is not available at all stations, probably about 1/3 in urban areas
- Diesel fuel quality seems real iffy sometimes (water, etc.)
- Diesel maintenance is higher with DEF, fuel filters, etc.
- BlueTEC weighs weighs 287 lbs. more than the gas model; not good for handling
- Early models have had initial rough running when cold
- Environmental advantages seem pretty minimal from the data I've seen
- I'm used to a higher revving vehicle
- I have no real need for the higher torque
- $1,500 added cost
- Do probably 80/20 urban/highway driving

Balanced against that are the better resale and the fact that the puddle lights work!

YYZ-E55

Fair enough. Unless you're running highways a lot (and not freeways either; the BlueTEC does best in the 50mph range), it probably isn't saving a huge amount when you factor in the added cost/litre, AdBlue and the up front BlueTEC surcharge.

I have to admit, the new 3.5L DI engine is really great!

tjg0024

Greg- Did your build date change with the recent shortage of pano roofs?

lboudreau

I know this question was for Greg, but my build has not been changed. Still first decade of March (the 9th)

GregW / Oregon

No, despite ordering 10/30, I didn't get potential dates until 12/27 of 5/25 for a gas or 6/5 for a diesel with the two three problem options I need (Lighting, Handling and Panorama) from a fairly szeable dealer. So, I'm still at 5/25 AFAIK, which would mean delivery mid-June. Problem is I'm leaving the last week in June for Spain for 3 weeks, so I'm thinking I'll just wait for 2013s at this point if a late August delivery projection holds true. Very frustrating.

This rollout has been a fiasco from my point of view, and if there was an alternative I was interested in, I'd be on it. I had the very first deliveries in my state of the W163 & 164 and all promised options were available from the start. Now we've seen delays in several options and even floor mats and roof racks are on backorder. Something in MB's planning is seriously awry. When you **** off your enthusiasts and don't care that's a problem coming.