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Advice Please: Must-have options for S55

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Old May 25, 2006 | 08:35 PM
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Advice Please: Must-have options for S55

As I start my search for a used S55 (probably 03 or 04). . .

Would you help me focus by listing what you think are the five most important options to look for on an S55? Also, which options do you consider to be unnecessary?

Thanks Compadres.

(wife, over the past couple of months, has been progressively taking over my C32, and I am game for something roomier, so let the S55 search begin!)
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Old May 25, 2006 | 09:53 PM
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I don't think there are any must-have options for an S55. Anything remotely performance related is standard. You could spend a lot more on the back seats (rear A/C, rear seat heaters, adjustable rear seats, four place seat package) but unless rear-passenger comfort is a big deal to you, you can take what you get. Power trunk closure and keyless go are closer to "Stupid Mercedes Tricks" than must-haves for me, but I am aware that some owners swear by them. I find Parktronic annoying, but again, that's me. Like I said, the important stuff is standard. Consider it liberating.

If you want a phone, the dealer can install at least the wiring and voice control, and send you to the new partner for the cradle or Bluetooth puck. BTW, even the voice control gets old fast. I wouldn't consider it a big deal either.
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Old May 25, 2006 | 09:55 PM
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Excuse me if some of these options are already standard, but here's my list anyways.

1. Active curve illuminating bi-xenon headlights
2. Multi-contour/massage seats
3. Parktronic
4. Distronic
5. Active Body Control (I think it's standard)

But don't worry, most of the S55's I've seen are very well equipped, I wish I could say the same for the S65.
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Old May 25, 2006 | 10:39 PM
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1, 2 and 5 are standard.

You have to decide for yourself whether park-nanny is a must-have.

While I occasionally use the cruise control, I can't imagine disengaging enough from the driving experience to use Distronic if traffic is significant. Again, it's very subjective.
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Old May 25, 2006 | 10:41 PM
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Ps

I don't like the look of the Parktronic transponders. I prefer the lines of the bumpers sans warts. Again, it's a personal preference.
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Old May 26, 2006 | 12:21 PM
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Also, was the S55 made in any color other than black, white, silver, and gray? Seems like that is all that I see on the market. Was there a red or a blue?
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Old May 26, 2006 | 12:42 PM
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Originally Posted by Vomit
Also, was the S55 made in any color other than black, white, silver, and gray? Seems like that is all that I see on the market. Was there a red or a blue?
Those are just the most popular colors. Fletcher Jones has a blue 2003.
http://www.fletcherjones.mercedescen...NG74JX3A346972
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Old May 26, 2006 | 12:58 PM
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One More Thing

You probably know this, but the DVD COMAND in '04 is a big improvement over the CD COMAND in '03. It's more than just coverage (all of North America on the single DVD.) The new model calculates routes faster, has a better user interface with soft keys and plays .mp3 files. The '03 COMAND was an interim unit that was really just a facelift with a bigger screen of the older unit. I would consider an '04 versus an '03 more important than any option because of the COMAND differences.
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Old May 27, 2006 | 10:37 PM
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Originally Posted by whoover
You probably know this, but the DVD COMAND in '04 is a big improvement over the CD COMAND in '03. It's more than just coverage (all of North America on the single DVD.) The new model calculates routes faster, has a better user interface with soft keys and plays .mp3 files. The '03 COMAND was an interim unit that was really just a facelift with a bigger screen of the older unit. I would consider an '04 versus an '03 more important than any option because of the COMAND differences.
Thank you. This is exactly the kind of info I was looking for. I have owned a car with a CD-based nav sys, and it was a major PITA to change discs on long trips.

Thanx to the other posters too, it sounds like the S55 options are pretty limited. I really don't use cruise control, so distronic is probably a waste for me. Parktronic is somewhat more useful. Keyless go might be nice. Other than that, I think I will just focus on colors and miles. Leaning towards pewter with black interior. Anyone know if there was more than one type of wood trim with this color combo?
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Old May 27, 2006 | 11:44 PM
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Originally Posted by Vomit
Leaning towards pewter with black interior. Anyone know if there was more than one type of wood trim with this color combo?
Standard was light chestnut. You'll find that most of them were delivered with the burl walnut option. The Designo editions had special woods. I think there were a couple of other wood options (elm and poplar, perhaps) for separate order, but I've never seen any of them.

Personally, I think the standard chestnut would look best with a black interior, but you'll probably find most of them with burl walnut. That combination looks pretty good too.
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