H3D

Does anyone know if MB (any country) have a soft pet/cargo barrier option for W166 ML models?

I'd rather not go with the metal cage style barrier, as I'll need to take it out from time to time in order to fold the seats down, so I can transport flight cases to the airport. (I'm a photographer & travel constantly overseas frequently with a LOT of equipment)

The metal barrier looks well made but its not really a practical solution for frequent removal.

Hoping that there is a simple net solution that attaches to the mounting points inside the car as I have right now with my Audi Q5.

Thanks in advance

Benz Werd

Good morning H3D. Greetings from cold & rainy Melbourne!

Yes, mine came standard with the EASY-PACK load compartment cover which also includes a net that retracts and attaches to the mounting points on the roof just above the rear windows. The whole thing can be easily removed if necessary .... see my attached photos.

Hope that helps. Nice choice on the 550 btw, I'm sure you'll love it!

Cheers

H3D

Hello Aussie

Looks like a that would be a workable solution for... Would just have to use a bungy cord to keep the load cover flap from dangling like a large chew toy for the pups!!! Lol

I don't think we get the same thing here in the States. All the load covers I've seen so far haven't had the vertical screen built in.

I've had a similar problem with my Q5. Audi wanted $700 for a soft pet barrier Ended up doing a McGuiver job on an old BMW X5 soft pet barrier. Cost me around $30 for some basic hardware from a climbing store, 20 minutes of cursing/swearing & it fit perfectly in the factory roof mounting

Do you happen to know the measurement across the vertical net, from mounting point to mounting point? If its close to the X5 net, I might be able to make that work as a last resort!

Looking forward to getting the Beast in October... Arctic White exterior, Black climate controlled leather, Premium 1 pack, MB Tex wrapped dash, Aluminum trim pack, Ambient light, heated/cooled cup holders, AMG 20" Titanium powder coated rims, Harmon Kardon, Trailer hitch.

Cheers Mate

Benz Werd

Yes, from mounting point to mounting point it's 1030mm, or 40.55 inches.

That's weird if you don't get them over there though, I would have thought they'd just make one type that's standard across the range. As far as I know they're standard in all new MLs over here. Perhaps you can order one from MB Australia and have it shipped over?

I know how it feels waiting for the beast to arrive. I waited just over 7 months for mine. Your specs sound good. You're gonna love the HK sound, although I'm also having a speaker rattle issue at high volumes, same as some other members. Seems to be an easy fix at the dealer though. The heated/cooled seats, and wrapped dash are a must, along with the ambient lighting. And the lighting package should be standard too, it is just awesome! The panoramic roof and black headlining are also quite special but not everyone loves them. There's been some comments made about the pano roof causing the interior to get too hot in summer, but I've had no problems with that, and it does get very warm over here sometimes.

Adding to my 'nice choice on the 550' comment on my earlier post, I also congratulate you on moving up from Audi to the 'proper' German auto-marque

My bro is an Audi man, he's got a Q7 V8, and we're always comparing our toys. It's a nice rig, but it just doesn't quite seem to have the finish and refinement of the Benz IMO.

Hope October rolls around nice & quick for you too!

challer

I tried to buy this in the US but no dealer could find it in the system.

GregW / Oregon

Yeah, it's not in the Accessories brochure. I just sold the one that came with my '06. It should come with the special order 942 Cargo Management System option, so should be orderable as a part. I wasn't able to get this on my '12 because of Airmatic, apparently.

frtdog

I have the Cargo Management System (ordered it as an option) and it is not as complete as the one was for my '06 was. There is no large barrier net. It has the side track adjustable tie downs and a smaller barrier type thing but like I said it is nothing like the old one. Greg I don't know what Airmatic would have to do with it as the system has nothing to do with the suspension. It is all confined to the cargo area.

Benz Werd

Sorry to hear that guys, I didn't mean to make you all envious by posting those pics. But that sucks, and is typical of Mercedes-Benz making things available in one country but not the next. I can't see any reason why they couldn't offer this cargo barrier worldwide. I have Airmatic too, so that claim makes no sense either.

GregW / Oregon

Airmatic has an air tank in the spare well - that's all I can think of. Maybe reduced the room available for mounting the rails? But it was confirmed the CMS was not orderable with it. I never used the net, but really miss the rails with adjustable tiedown loops.

another_geek

I have the cargo management system on my ML63 and airmatic. I'm not sure why the system wouldn't let you order the combination other than maybe a marketing decision.

frtdog

Greg said "Airmatic has an air tank in the spare well - that's all I can think of. Maybe reduced the room available for mounting the rails? But it was confirmed the CMS was not orderable with it. I never used the net, but really miss the rails with adjustable tiedown loops."

This must be a 2012 thing as I had the cargo system (with rails) on my Airmatic equipped '06 as well as my '13. I do remember that my salesman wasn't sure if the cargo system could be ordered but we put it on the order anyway and it came through. I noticed on other cars I have ordered that I would put an item on the order that I wanted and left it up to the factory whether to install it or not and it worked. Bottom line, if you want it put it on your order, you never know.

twodivers

I tried ordering the CMS on my '12 ML BTC. Couldn't get it, but it was because of the the lockable spare compartment that was part of P2 (if I recall correctly). Apparently MB didn't want to have too many combinations of covers, as the rails for the CMS result in a different width cover. Or so I was told.

clk200

There are different "Easy Pack" fittings which causes some confusion. There is Easy Pack "Fix Kit" (Code 942), which is the floor rails and ancillary fittings, and the Easy Pack Load Cover which comes in two versions. Easy Pack Load Cover (Code 723) WITHOUT security net roll and Easy Pack Load Cover (Code 541) WITH security net roll. Code 723 and Code 541 are mutually exclusive (as one is an upgrade of the other), so Code 723 must be deleted in order to add Code 541 (Load Cover with net). There is no incompatibility of codes 723 / 541 with other equipment. Code 942 (Easy Pack Fix-Kit) is (predictably) incompatible with codes 888 and 892 which are the underfloor load compartment options. There is not incompatibility of Code 942 with either of the Easy Pack Load Covers (Code 723 or 541) or indeed with Airmatic.

For the record, I have Airmatic with Easy Pack Load Cover WITH security net roll (Code 541). Code 541 is generally an obscure option (not least because 723 is usually fitted as standard) and I only realized it was available after I placed my order. Fortunately I could change on time. I understand it is not possible to (easily) retrofit as it has completely different mounting points. As you can see from pictures posted above, the load cover with net has protruding mounting brackets, while the standard load cover (code 723) has recessed mounting points.

iankayem

The Australian fitted unit comes with retaining bracket mounted into the roof which would be troublesome to fit aftermarket.

And the flap of the load cover is the perfect height to induce pets to test their teeth.

I suggest a total fabrication job would be cheaper, better and easier in the long run.

gbellinas

Hi, does anyone know the part number for this item?