YYZ-E55

Did you inquire with MBUSA to see if you can delete code 846? It's not factory forced.

gplank

I asked the inventory manager and he says his response from the factory is that they could not delete them. But armed with that code, I'll ask again and let you know.

Thanks!

P.S. Has anyone tried this for their MY13 ML550 order?

27T

She makes a very good point. The irony is that some owners with kids say RBs are indispensable to allow them to climb in.

Retractable boards with a "retract button" by the rear doors might be an answer. Too dangerous I guess unless they will not retract if it recognizes weight on them.

skw

I'd be in that other camp. I'm dying right now w/o them especially as the ML sits higher than our MDX did. My 3y/o can properly buckle herself into her car seat. So w/ the Acura, I'd just open the door & she'd climb in and strap in while I loaded whatever else into the car. Then come back around, check the straps, close the door, & off we went. No, it's not a big deal or major hassle for me to lift her in, but it was just a routine that we had gotten used to.

gplank

Response from my SA so far, who at first said no, but now after giving that delete code: "if it can be deleted, it will need to be done through the distribution office, which is in NY. My GM just left a message, as the NY office is closed. We should hear back from them tomorrow. I will let you know what I find...".

Does that make sense?

YYZ-E55

Makes perfect sense. It will have to be someone who can modify the ordering files (certainly not at the dealer level).

gplank

Well, no luck. This is what the dealer said today via email after looking into it further:

'I do not know where you received the 'delete code' info, however, it is incorrect. U.S. distribution office in N.J. informed us that is not possible. The factory does not deviate from items listed as 'standard.'”

Any other ideas?

YYZ-E55

Shame, but no.

gplank

What made you think this would work? Have you ever known the factory to delete a standard item like this before?

YYZ-E55

They are not factory standard, they are MPC standard.

Factory standard = forced by the factory, cannot be removed (unless substituted)
MPC standard = added by the local market to the base vehicle to suit local preferences (eg: heated seats)

The running boards are MPC standard - the factory says you can either have 846 or not (they don't care), but the MBUSA Product Manager for the M-Class decided to make them standard.

Benz Werd

They're standard here in Australia on all W166 ML variants, which I'm happy about because I think they look great, gives the car (or truck in US talk) a much tougher look IMO ....