jeffreyy

I think it is code 281 for the leather. I think that is what I saw on the printout. It fits too with this matrix:

http://www.beckimports.net/PDF%20Fil...Class_MY05.pdf

It's interesting that SL600 and the SL65 don't have the same leather codes.

J

blueSL

I think the wheels you have are fine. The issue with 19 inch wheels - whatever their visual merit is that they can affect the ride quality. Most of all with an SL600, you want an excellent ride quality so I would stay with the 18 inch wheels.

the quality of the leather you have is what is known in Europe as Exclusive Nappa Leather, no grain unlike the normal leather which has a distinct grain. As for the codes, I think they specify the parts to be installed and not just the leather.

What's certain is that if you count up the number of colour coded trim parts, mutliple that by the number of different colours and then again for the different leathers, stitching and other options, you end up with a huge number of different parts. That supply chain, given that it all comes from external suppliers and every part will have a lead time will take some organising.

LovinMercedes

I totally agree with you on the wheels. I had the 19's on my SL55 and there was huge difference in ride quality and the ability to bend them when going over a pot hole.

I really wanted the new SL65 hyperblack rims that are 19 inch but didn't get them because they were 19 inches.

Overall, 18 inch is the way to go for ride quality.

Also, in the USA, the leather is also known as Exclusive Nappa.

tiggerfink

I think I need to move. My local dealer said they will not install the antenna in the location like you have in your car. They did say they could install it there, but it will not be under warranty, and anything they break I will have to pay.

But the dealer in Nashville said no problem. They will just charge me 300 bucks more for the antenna and install. I guess I will make an another journey to Nashville.

LovinMercedes

Sorry you are having so much trouble with your Dealer. The Foreman in the service department at the Dealer where I take my car said he went to a Foreman's seminar and they talked about how everyone was installing the TERK antenna in the windshield grate otherwise they couldn't sell the SIRIUS radio based upon the existing factory antenna set up.

Before you go make sure your Dealer has the right SIRIUS unit. There are several and initially mine did not. Also, depending on your VIN number, there is a new bracket that may be needed. The radio gets installed over the trunk DVD navigation unit and depending on the VIN number you may need a new bracket. I would hate for you to get there and find out you can't get the job done because they have the radio but no bracket. Because my car was a later model, I had the right bracket but even the right bracket did not match the official Mercedes instructions and pictures and the bracket had to be modified. It was a little tricky so I hope all goes well.

Happy travels to Nashville. It is going to be worth it.

JackStraw

LovinSL600,

Do you happen to know via what route the antenna cable travels to the unit in the trunk? How big a job is this?

LovinMercedes

There is fuse box right under the grate in the engine compartment. That gets loosened up and a wire is snaked below that through the firewall and under the dash on the far left side.

You take off the side panel under the dash where the little speaker is and the wire goes there. It then travels under the the sill or just under the side of the carpeting until you get to the rear of the car.

You have to take out the unit that houses the CD's and the wire goes underneath there through the rear firewall.

It then travels along the left our side of the trunk area where the unit is housed over the DVD navigation unit.

The antenna that I had is the new TERK mini which is 21 feet long. It was enough length. You want the new antenna as the old TERK only has 14 feet and that is not enough.

The job isn't that bad if the mechanic is a good one. I say this took a few hours to be really carefull including installing the unit in the trunk which can be tricky. I would say its not a huge job.

Let me know if this explains it or if you have other questions.

JackStraw

Thanks, great explanation. How is the antenna itself mounted in the grate? Adhesive, magnet or something else?

LovinMercedes

First we were going to make a bracket to hold the antenna in place but then we realized that the driver's side grate had a bottom to it as opposed to the passenger side which was open at the bottom of the grate.

All we did was take some 1" squares of felt and put one on top of each other and did it until it was thick enough so that when we put the bottom of the grate on it wedged the antenna between the bottom piece and the top of the grate. The opening where you put the antenna in the grate is pretty ideal. The width is perfect so it can't move side ways and the lenth is almost perfect.

When we put on the bottom it really wedged it perfectly in between the bottom and the top of the grate. It is felt that the dealership uses and it is not affected by sun, heat or water.

We were prepared to go through a whole fancy bracket system but this just seemed too easy to pass up and it worked perfectly. Just build up enough felt so there is enough pressure when you wedge the antenna and felt.

Some people have used plastic ties to hold the antenna in place to the grate but then you see the plastic tie and part of it is on the outside of the grate as well. I think this is much cleaner and very simple.

I have attached a picture of what I did and one where they used the plastic tie so you can make your own choice.

Let me know if this answers your questions.

JackStraw

Thanks. Have you experienced any dropouts yet? Also, has your cell phone been installed yet?. I am still waiting for mine (almost 6 months).

LovinMercedes

If you go under a tunnel or on a very narrow street with lots of trees there may be a second or two drop out.

I do have my phone in. It is a Cingular Motorola V600. It was really easy. On the SL600 they install the guts to the phone at the VPC. All they did was plug in the cradle in the center console and then plug the phone in the cradle.

It literally took 2 minutes.

What carrier are you waiting for? The ATT/Cingular phones and cradle came out about 3-4 weeks ago.

JackStraw

Verizon

LovinMercedes

The 2005 Mercedes Benz Verizon phone is not out yet.

CLK500man

That is the BEST 600 interior I have ever seen! BAR NONE!


That is arriving in style.

PETA must be upset. . Oh WELL!

SHOCKED AND STUNNED,
jon

vraa

**** Peta. I'm a vegitarian and they annoy me.

LovinMercedes

Hey Jon,

Thanks for the comments. It is even better in person. I was shocked when the car arrived because the Dealer knew nothing about the upgraded interior when you order black so I was expecting a normal interior.

I agree, it is amazing and best of all, it is better in person.

Again, thanks for the comments.

LovinSL600

Kar don

wow that interior is AMAZING! That is some sweet OEM customization. Great color choice, Aegean Blue is the best color on a non AMG SL imo. I just really do not like those wheels. I think the AMG 5 thin spoke wheels are the best 18s for that car.

LovinMercedes

Thanks for your comments. Well appreciated. I have looked at so many rims it is tough. Wish the SL65 hyperblack rims came in 18's because they are the best.

The rims, in my opinion, look the best and are not on every single SL you see on the street. That is one reason I love them so much. I also love the bolt patterns around the edges but I certainly can appreciate your choice as well.

Again, thanks for your comments.

jeffreyy

LovinSL600,

Is there an aux jack in the glove box. I'm not sure why, but the new iPod adapter site at www.mercedes-benz.com/ipod says the adapter is only compatible with 2005 models with an aux jack.

J

Ormond2004

Your car looks great!! I like the wheels. I haven't seen them on the street. It is nice to see something less common. The interior upgrade really adds to the car.
Thanks for sharing all the photos with us.

Drive it in good health!!

LovinMercedes

Just checked my car. Nothing.

blueSL

Really? I thought an aux input was standard, on the right hand wall (left hand in the US) of the glove compartment. Maybe they dumped it in giving you DVD navigation?

JackStraw

I am going to try to get to the bottom of this. Apparently there are two AUX inputs on the 2005 DVD COMAND, somewhere on the unit. It could be that MB just removed the access to the AUX jack in the glove compartment (for what reason I do not know). If this is true, some clever custom electronics wiz should be able to install a port in the glove compartment.

That being said, I may be deluding myself. My COMAND has no selector for an AUX input, unlike the one shown in the German manual for the 2005 SL. I am hoping it is just a matter of updating the software to activate the vestigial AUX jacks.

PH1

i'm really feelin that color .. first time eva seeing it

jeffreyy

We need Scorchie to shed some light on this. I like your thinking though JackStraw.

J