madolfsson

Hello,

I signed the contract for an S550 Launch Edition last week, sight unseen (I did test drive the black/black demo car quite heavily).

It should arrive to the dealership later this week (arrived to the VPC this weekend), but I am really anxious to see what the color combination will look like. Does any one any photos of an LE car? I have searched the web (including ebay) but no luck so far.

The exterior is designo Graphite and the interior Sahara Beige. Unfortunately neither option is available on the MB Built-a-car website... I did find similar sounding colors on the German site. If anyone has some pics please post them.

madolfsson

Also, I purchased the Bluetooth Interface Module last week from wireless4mb. Will let you know how (if?) it works with my Treo 700w when I get the car. They had a list of pre-approved BT phones (the Treo was not in it, but some BlackBerry's were).

madolfsson

Found one! Looks great! Except for the Sirius antenna hump on the trunk. I though they had integrated into the roof one by now. Oh well, hopefully by the time the S63 comes out...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/07-Me...QQcmdZViewItem

Lov2xlr8

i like that exterior color. are you getting the same rims, b/c they look nice?

BTW how much did the BT module cost?

ewde1

thanks for pix!!!

madolfsson

The 19" rims are standard on the LE model. The BT module cost $350.00.

jmrdmd

Looks much nicer than I thought! I'm waiting to hear from my dealer on one!
Jan

shoes

I ordered one of these, sight unseen as well. Designo Graphite is one of the all time greatest MB colors that I have had on previous cars (E55 wagon, CL65). It looks like a combination of flint gray with lots of color flakes in the sunlight.

From the pictures posted on ebay, the wheels are a turnoff to me, resembling the launch edition wheels on the CLS500.

The bigger turnoff are the lease rates, the money factor being .00355-.00375.
In addition, ventilated seats is not included. I will drive mine soon (hopefully) and decide.

madolfsson

I like the wheels, but the lack of ventilated seats and Distronic bothers me too. I only plan to keep it for little more than a year though, and then swap an S63 (May '07 or so).

Lov2xlr8

thanx

Nevada Jack

If you don't mind, what was the MSRP on the LE? Someone on another forum said $100K but I thought that was low.

Thanks

ruykava

hmmm, that's nice, and personally i like the look of the wheels.

but i'm slightly surprised there aren't independent rear aircon controls on this car? i would have thought the launch edition would be completely specced out :p

madolfsson

Base price $85,400
P88 Launch Edition Package $13,500
Destination $775
Gas Guzzler $1000
--------------
$100,675

Nevada Jack

Thanks. Nice package.

akburton

I have an order in for the Launch Edition believing that it would be totally spec'd out. I later find out about the lack of distronic cruise control (which I can live with) but the lack of ventilated seats is a major concern. My dealer told me that the leather on the launch edition is too fine for the active ventilation to be installed. Anyone know if that is true?

F_Porsche

the car in the pics looks really nice. the colorcombo is one of my favorites

ClayJ

I'm not buying that at all. I have seen every level of leather that you could imagine used in a MBZ with the ventilated seats option (well not super cheap leather like latigo or whatever). I would think that it is more likely a supply-chain lack of components problem providing for the unavailability....

JAdmiral

I wish they had Sahara Beige as a regular interior choice. For my tastes, I think the Cashmere is too yellow.

Anyway, I too am curious to hear how the bluetooth module works. I have a Samsung i730 (not on the approved list), but have high hopes it'll work. If not, I'm sure some phone hacker will find a way to make it work.

On a completely unrelated note, I have about 10-12 weeks until my S550 arrives. How in the HELL am I supposed to pass the days waiting for it, without driving myself completely batty?

*sigh*

Yeah, didn't think you'd be able to help.

madolfsson

Just a quick update. My S550 is still at the Jacksonville VPC, the dealer claims the VPC is short on phone modules or something like that... Hopefully I will get it by mid-week.

The Bluetooth Module (PN B67875839) did arrive earlier this week. I the tiny box I got the module itself, a brief installation instruction's pamphlet and an even briefer quick-start guide.

Brief summary on usage (have not actually tried it yet):
1. Connect to vechicle port.
2. Press pairing button on module for 2-3 seconds.
3. On your phone, search for devices and enter pass-key 62782 when it sees "MB PhoneSystem".
4. You should be good to go.

Note: The adapter will only search once automatically after startup for a mobile phone for about 30 seconds. If not found, you have to establish the link manually by going to Telephone -> Telephone -> Telephone On using COMAND.

eagleeye

Beautiful color combo, but man is that thing ridin' high. Reminiscent of an Audi Allroad. Is the car in the pics set at the high ride height (is the suspension on the S550 adjustable) like on my E55?

akburton

I test drove the Pewter S 550 this past weekend. It did not have the distronic cruise control or the rearview monitor. After testing out the ventilated seats I can live without it. Now I wish the Launch Edition had the distronic plus. My initial thoughts on driving this car were, WOW this car is HUGE and the gas peddle felt a little stiff. Everything else was smooth and quiet as expected. The ride and seat comfort was great once I found a comfortable seat setting.

Nevada Jack

Can you tell me if the seats in the P1 Option that cool and heat are the Multi-Contour without the massage...or are they the standard seats?

I want to make sure I get the Multi-Contour seats but reading everything I can find on the subject it is just not clear. I want to be able to adjust the air pressure in the various portions of the seat...I don't need the massage feature but would order that option to get the Multi-Contour feature.

Thanks

akburton

The model I drove yesterday had the P1 package with the active ventilated seats and heated seats. From what I have read to the multi-contour seats and massage are one in the same and come with the P3 package.
[IMG]Options Pic[/IMG]

madolfsson

I picked up the car this evening from the dealer (LE, which has P3 option + moonroof). It is great! I can't really push it yet with such a new engine, but I kicked it once or twice and the pickup is fantastic. Will post some images tomorrow evening.

The BT module works well with my Treo 700w. As expected the address book on the Comand system doesn't work (or at least I haven't figured out how to use it), but incoming calls shows caller id and are easily answered. I can dial either from the Treo, the Comand Sreen, or the dialpad in the arm rest. The audio is instantly transferred the car speakers.

I tested the night vision system this evening for about 20 min, and it works OK but gave me a headache. Maybe I got disoriented staring at the small screen with no depth perception and limited field of view.

Nevada Jack

Great stuff...will be looking for the pictures.