300DTurbo

I just moved to TX where people don't believe in parallel parking as we did day in and day out when I lived in Chicago. So... I was wondering if you think I should shell out the extra $970 and get PARKTRONIC.

PARKTRONIC:
- 4 sonic proximity sensors front & rear
- Motorized steering control
- Parktronic

I don't think I'll ever use the parallel park feature, but I want to know if the proximity sensors are worth it.

Thanks,
Merry X-Mas (time to open presents)

batuceper

I have a Lexus with rear camera and proximity sensors, no Parktronic.

I find the rear camera extremely useful, the proximity sensors were great for a couple of years. Then they started playing up, so now the screen lights up like a Christmas tree and the car beeps when I put my car into reverse, or when I stop at the lights and cars pull up next to me, or when it rains. I took it to Lexus quite a few times after the first couple of years, and they keep trying to adjust the sensors, but to no avail - they say the sensors get dirty regularly, so go off all the time. So now I just put up with the beeping.

So I am just happy with just the rearview camera in my Bluetec, and the lines really help. No need for Parktronic.

In Texas, you probably get a chance to parallel park at most .1% of the time (and when you go for your driving test). It's quite fun to watch people trying to parallel park in Texans, you can always tell the Texans from the northerners.

Cartronics

Do a google search and you will find that studies find cameras FAR more valuable than sensors. Sensors (not necessarily for parallel parking) can miss a lot of obstacles. Cameras are available as an order option in most cars, and are available as an aftermarket in all cars.

GregW / Oregon

Pretty expensive if you're not using the auto parking feature. Plus, you get those ugly dimples in the bumper covers, I assume.

71406

Got it and love it. Worth every penny.

Kate0506

+1!
I own a 2010 GL and have parktronic on it. (I realize there are a few differences, main one being that it parks itself) You drive somewhere, and have to parallel park your car...and you have it there. I had a 07 LS460 before my GL and it had the self-parking option on it. I never used it, but the sensors were awesome. They make it so easy to park. Like...parking distance in the front. You always know how close you can park to the wall inside of your garage, to the lightpole, etc... It's $1,000 but it could be something that a future buyer (IF you sell your car) might want.

listerone

I've yet to find it even slightly useful.If I had ordered from the factory I wouldn't have even considered it.That's still my attitude.

YYZ-E55

A "must have" for me, even with the rear-view camera. If it saves one bump, it's paid for itself.

300DTurbo

Thanks for all the input guys! Hope you all had a great X'mas.

Question: There is some sort or parking sensor display that is on the dash it looks like it sits over the front vent/speaker grill.

Is there a way to place that somewhere else?

Is it hardwired in?

Wasn't the biggest fan of that.

300DTurbo

Went to the Dealer and well... My order is locked in shows "RED" on their screen which means No changes can be made at this time!

Does anyone know a good corporate # to call to try to add the $970 PARTRONIC feature to my custom build?

Dealers says the order is locked in and ready to roll no changes... I don't buy that.

Thanks!

venchka

Don't quote me on this, but my understanding is that Condition Red occurs 2 weeks or less before build. I believe that is a firm cut off of changes.
However, I have been wrong before.

Wayne

Anabolic Frolic

300D,
My ML has Parktronic w/ Park Assist. When I ordered the car, I suspected that the Self-Parking feature would be gimmicky and cumbersome to use. However, I have to say it is quite the opposite. The park-assist feature is well integrated and is VERY simple/quick to use. Most of the parking in my neck of the woods is of the parallel variety and I am quite profficient at parallel parking without assistance. I figured I would never actually use the park-assist feature. Now that I've had the car for 2 weeks, I must admit I've used the park-assist feature almost exclusively. I simply drive by a parallel parking spot, once I've passed by the spot, an icon lights up on the instrument cluster. I slip the car into reverse, I am asked if I would like to use park assist, I simply click "OK" on the steering wheel and off we go. There is no cumbersome menus to fumble through. You do not have to activate the feature ahead of time, it is always looking for parking spots when driving below a certain speed. Using park-assist, I can parallel park just as fast, if not faster than parallel parking the vehicle on my own. It is quite hassle free and easy to use.

tjg0024

For the questions as to if you can make any changes, I went through the same thing, One day I could change and the next day when I wanted to make a change, I was told I was totally locked out. I asked if they could call and I guess they did or at least said they did. The dealer told me that the order was completely locked.

My ML Bluetec was just replaced due to some issues that I had and my original car did not have parktronic. They replacement does and I absolutly love it. There is even a car icon on the COMMAND screen that shows where objects are.

300DTurbo

calling mbusa right now will update with good/bad news

cashking

I absolutely have to have it on ALL my cars. I use this feature multiple times a day. Worth every penny.

katiesdad7

Not to much parallel parking in my area so I didn't get it. I tried it on the demo car and it worked great. I just don't need it in my area. I do love the radar cruise and the active lane keep. Use them all the time.

300DTurbo

I have a Priority 1 (P1) place in the queue right now... I have a guarantee that I will be receiving my ML (WITH the lighting package) by Mid March 2012. HOWEVER, I can no longer add the PARKTRONIC as this will drop me down to (P2) and I will lose my place in the queue.

I think we will be without the pesky beeping, and that little dome on the dash and the roof of the trunk. - I'll be getting out to help guide into parking spaces...

Should I raise hell with MBUSA and see if they can get it added? For $970 why not, I'll live with those little domes, and discs on the bumper.

Any thoughts?

300DTurbo

thanks for the replies! I could have swore someone made a great point earlier? Steve from TX? but I guess the post is gone!

serge01

when did you place order?

300DTurbo

Dec. 2011 with option to makes changes up until Feb 2012

batuceper

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