Sirius_Investor

If your SL500 did not originally come with parktronic, can the dealer add this feature, after-market?

LovinMercedes

No, sorry.

MBZFAN55

Obviously, the factory installed Parktronic cannot be installed now, but there are numerous "aftermarket" companies that offer similar devices. Listed below is one and I am sure if you do a little Internet search you will find many more.

http://www.sportsimportsltd.com/paasvebase.html

It's really one of my favorite Benz options.

carlosfernandez

I got it in my car and it's very usefull, trust me. If I change my cor for other MB I MUST request it as an Option.

amdeutsch

Actually it can. Just not by a US dealer. But you can get the parts and can get it done. Its all a matter of $$$$$$$

NeilC123

Hi,

I have never had parktronic on any vehicle. Can I ask how does it work exactly? Is it different for the sl than the slk?

Thanks

Sirius_Investor

I believe it works something like this, when you go in reverse you can hear an audible beeping noise, as your rear or front bumper gets close to an object the beeping gets louder and more repetitive. As you are point blank next to an object the beeping should be obvious

tiggerfink

I just do not understand why the dealer cannot install it. The sensors fit in the bumper inserts. It be easy to install.

Sirius_Investor

That's what I assumed as well, I went to get my SLK55 serviced and I saw an SL500 in the showroom. I wondered if they just removed the rear and front bumper inserts and replace them with ones that have pre parktronic holes in them, then connect the sensors to the command system. Perhaps I should have asked the salesmen if that was a possible conclusion to this dilemma.

tiggerfink

Dealer told me that they would not install them. Something about law suits. It can only be done at the factory. I will ask my Certified MBUSA body shop if they can do it.

The sensor is where your clock in located on the dash.

carlosfernandez

The parktronic does not work with the command it work independly, you don't need to have the command turn on and their display is different that the command.

MBZFAN55

Tigger - Now think what you are saying ! MBZ can't fix what comes installed from the factory and NOW you're going to attempt to add something as complex as parktronic ? I changed cell phone carriers from Cingular to Verizon last year, and my handset still doesn't function properly, and THAT was just a "plug-in" ! Caveat Emptor to those brave enough to become aftermarket mavens !

SUNILP

Parktronic can be eaisly be installed on a SL. It requires a slew of parts but it is very doable. I did it to my C320 with all factory parts. www.mercdocs.com Contact Steve s_krabbenborg@hotmail.com or if you are closer to Houston, let me know. It requires several parts including new bumper impact strips, switch, wire harness, 10 sensors/rings/clips, 2 displays, etc...

LovinMercedes

Huge job and for practicle purposes you can do anything for enough money. Don't you need to change the entire wire harness? Not a job I want to get into.

In practicality, I think you are wrong. My dealer won't do it.

blueSL

There's exactly the same issue with fitting a TV tuner here - you can have it done but it's big money and will cost far more than the cost of the option - all the parts are being bought as spares, there's lots of work to do to gain access and as the guy trying to sell his wood trim on ebay is finding out, there's little market for the parts you have left over. Seems to me most dealers will not touch it. Too much to go wrong, too much liability.

I agree that if you are specifying a new car, it's a must have option. I've seen SL's in central London parked on the street which have scuffed bumpers and are generally suffering the wear and tear you'd expect and they look terrible, a far cry from our cossetted cars. Just think of the hassle and cost of getting a bumper scuff repaired - the best paint job is no paint job.

tiggerfink

Will it cost more than $1,000?

blueSL

You bet it will - it's a $1080 + tax option when you buy it with the car and that's when they fit it in the plant with minimum hassle. Those pre-painted bumper inserts - all four of them with the sensors will probably cost more than that. Then there's the displays front and back, the switch in the centre console to switch it off, the wiring, the re-programming plus a control unit somewhere to do the work. Big job. I can see sunman loves modding his car, but if you have an eye on cost/value, it's a non-starter.

The best thing about doing it is that you can eliminate the orange lights if you buy the European parts - we do not have them here.

blueSL

Each of the sensors in the bumpers is pulsed in turn with high frequency sound; the electronics listens for an echo back from nearby objects and depending on the delay, you can figure out the distance to any object. What's different about the SL from other systems is that there are sensors front and rear - the 911 only has them at the back. The SLs are also well integrated, the 911's of a few years ago look like cancerous warts.

There are two displays, one high up by the clock and one integrated into the rear parcel shelf. Parktronic is activated at low speed when you are moving forwards or when reversing. The appropriate display comes on and a bar graph either side shows show close you are to something, accompanied by an insistent beeping.

There's a switch on the centre console to switch it off if you want to.