ciparis

I've just purchased a new '13 ML350 Bluetec with most of the options I want (lane-keep, logic7, panoramic roof). Distronic was missing, but at least the radar-based collision avoidance is included now.

It looks like at least the older MLs were pretty simple to upgrade to Distronic. I'm guessing now it's a bit harder, with the cruise control stalk being different, but I'm still curious how expensive it would be. Has anyone done it lately or looked into it?

Same thing for the ambient lighting; I mentioned in another thread but this is a better place to ask, I think.

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iankayem

I suspect there should be no change required to the control lever, and if you have collision avoidance, then I suspect you have the radar sensor, so to get distronic to function it may only be a need to swap a computer, and have it turned on by the dealer.

Doesn't sound hard and possibly cheaper than buying a whole new car.

Ambient lighting probably requires a whole new dash.

cookstar

It sounds simple until you get to your dealer and they want to charge you $$$$$$ for something that costs $ as an option. There are several people here asking about installing things that you could get as options and the general consensus seems to be that they charge you an arm and a leg for the option if it has to be dealer installed afterwards.

maybe a bit offtopic but.....I inquired about the AMG rims which fall under the sport package for $2900 in Canada, if you want to get it afterwards its more like $7000 (rims and tires)+ labour

stas2007

you have to be crazy to spend 7k on wheels:
my AMG rims and tires costed me about 1000$ total:
ml63 rims-900$ (OEM, used)
continental tires 1300$
as soon as i got my car I swapped them over than sold my new 19 inch rims and tires for about 1200$
total cost:1000$

Idk about distronic, but even single color ambient lightening would be a nightmare due to amount of wiring you d have to do

xxGenericSNxx

Ask MBenzNL. Be prepared to pay at least a few thousand.

cookstar

Thats what the dealer quoted to me, its actually 7000+13% tax + labour so closer to 10 grand....

fabbrisd1

Adding distronic or ambient lighting after the fact quite simply not possible in North America.

xxGenericSNxx

Nothing's impossible. It just depends how much you want to pay.

fabbrisd1

let imaginative conjecture run its course - simply not possible

xxGenericSNxx

Distronic has been retrofitted many times by a few members on this board. It's certainly doable.

ciparis

That's what I've been reading, as well. I especially wonder if the collision prevention radar makes this a little easier now, at least as far as grill replacement & radar wiring harness goes.

I'm guessing that adding a heated steering wheel is pretty straightforward. I didn't think I'd miss that so much after having it on my E350, but with a cold snap (relatively speaking) here in SF I already miss it.

xxGenericSNxx

For my R Class, if I wanted to add the heated steering wheel it wouldn't be too difficult because I have heated rear seats. I believe I would plug in a wire from the steering wheel to the heated rear seat module.

As for Distronic I wouldn't be so sure about it "being easier." This is mainly due to the fact that even though your car has Collision Prevention Assist, nowhere on the front end do I actually see the sensor. It's certainly not behind the star in the grille and you obviously don't have a Distronic grille. Like I said earlier, if you're serious about doing this retrofit, contact MBenzNL also found on MBenzNL.nl. He will give you all the information and parts that you need. He has done some amazing retrofits including putting Distronic on a C Class where it isn't even an option (until recently). I bought my ventilated front seat retrofit kit through him and it was a breeze to install.

YYZ-E55

Steering wheel should be straight forward - you need to replace the steering column (which includes the DIRECT SELECT lever, turn signal indicator, cruise lever, etc) and the steering wheel itself. Then you need to have the car re-coded.

DISTRONIC is another level altogether. But you will for sure need a new grille and star, as well as the DISTRONIC module. At least you have the passive safety systems (blind spot/lane keeping assist) which are part of the DISTRONIC system and could presumably be upgraded to be active.

jbondox

Someone said the same about adding factory bixenon to the new 166 platform.

I could add distronic plus to it.

I am in the process of doing the birds eye 360 camera also...

Stick money in my face I will come up with a solution

cookstar

waste of time and more importantly money, of course the impossible usually becomes possible if your throw enough D's at it

akki2000

Can you please help me with distronic plus on 2013 ml350 & bixenon headlights? I can pay for your services.

Thanks
Anil

tspat

I have E63 2013 and I live in US. Can you help install distronic plus?


Thanks
Pat

jrsmith_68

I know this is an old thread, but I just saw this and I had to comment, I just completed adding Distronic Plus to my 2015 ML400. I also completed it at around $1000. Mostly used parts off eBay, however did opt for a new Video/Radar control unit and new Mercedes Star for the grill. Patient shopping over the course of a year made it affordable. Well, I also got crazy lucky and found the long range radar module for $99. That will never happen again!

David Coyle Jr

I'd love to get that parts list of what was needed, I have a 2014 ML350

jrsmith_68

This is what I needed.

JohnnyC

hmmmm something not correct. Did you change out the steering stalks?

jrsmith_68

Yes, third part number from the bottom, 1669000408. Although, I had Distronic working without changing the steering control module. You just couldn't change the follow distance. It defaulted to 1.5 seconds. (range is 1 -2 seconds)

Also, you will note that the ESP module is missing. I thought I would have to change it, but it works with the 1669013400 module. I also didn't change the instrument panel. It just doesn't have the segmented illumination in the speedo. Due to forward collision warning, it has the red DTR light which does its job.

JohnnyC

ah got it. I am going to add distronic in my GLK as well so all this information is very helpful!

JohnnyC

Did you need all three wire harnesses?

jrsmith_68

I didn't. Bought 2 and modified the existing parktronic harness (1665404907) as it was easy to add one twisted pair and the power to the second medium range radar.