mhh

What are the "must have" options for the E55, and what wouldn't you bother with next time around?

Blocktrader

Must have - Keyless go, HK sound, Drive Dynamic, Xenon

Do-not order- Tire pressure monitor.(it breaks once a month). Multi-contour

mhh

Blocktrader, what are the negatives on the multi-contour seats?

Eddie Knopp

With the comfort package - it's both multi contour and dynamic. They are excellent.
I'd add Panoramic roof for the wow factor.
Something that my salesman told me to get - which I know sounds somewhat stupid - automatic trunk closer - it is amazingly practical and well worth it.

Blocktrader

Multi-contour is only a little cheaper than Drive Dynamic and not a tenth as good.

IluvS500

Trunk closer is more than worth it, especially with a black car.

W210

Must have - upgraded sound stereo (stock sound is pretty average), CD changer, active cornering lights (very inexpensive addition), xenon, navigation (for US$1,200 a no brainer), trunck closer for the absolute convenience.

I also added partronic for the peace of mind. Dynamic seats are also VERY nice as the seats bolsters will inflate to hold you in place when you corner. Subtle but noticeable difference. V60 is convenient if you talk on the phone alot.

Did not go for distronic (cost), pano roof (fear about not enough headroom and possibility of creeks), tire pressure & keyless go (heard about their high chance of malfunction). Did not get security glass worring about interference with V1.

norb

You guys in Canada?

Multi contour and HK7 are both standard in the US. The comfort package is a great deal as you save about $500 from last year if you order AVS and DD seperately.

W210

Yes, I'm in Canada! Didn't know HK7 is standard in the US. Here in Canada, xenon and mult-contour are standard.

Blocktrader

I had an E500 before the 55 so I was going from that experience as well. I had Multi-contour on the 500 and ordered Drive Dynamic on the 55. I had HK7 on both. It was an option on the 500. Didn't know it was standard on the 55. I had Keyless go on both. No problems with it on either one and I had early cars on both counts.

One other thing. On a dark car the Solar panel is really nice. You have to get panorama with it, making it expensive, but it really does keep the car cooler when parked during the day. The panorama is really great as well but has one downside. The roof panel has to go up and over the back panel when open, affecting the lines of the car where the standard roof panel goes into the headliner. I think it is a worthwhile compromise, but buyers should check it out before ordering.

PsychoE55

I have to disagree about keyless go. I feel that this optin was a waste of $$.

Blocktrader

When its raining and your hands are full you will not think so. Actually, anytime your hands are full it is great. Another situation. When I go out on the weekend with my wife and two year old son, we tend to take my wifes Escalade. I carry my son on my left side. Somehow the Caddy keys always end up in my left pocket. I find myself cursing the fact I don't have the keyless go on the Caddy a couple times a weekend. For me it is like a cell phone, one of those items I don't know how I did without.

RedBaron

love the pano roof, makes the car feel more open, big wow factor.

don't like the parktronic... doesn't beep until red lights come on, by then you are too close anyway.

MBE55AMG

The pano roof... do you have any info on how much weight it'll add to an E55? I'm curious because I heard it can make the car a bit heavier.

EDWARD CONROY

Xenon and the 6 disc are the automatic ones. We went for the Command/navigation because I used the Hertz Neverlost a couple of times and found navigation can be a useful and fun option if you travel alot, which we do. We also felt Keyless Go would be a neat feature, especially in a muscle car like this one. The hands free phone was a must since we had gotten used to it in the C32.

norb

I love em all!

CD - Must have
Xenons - Must Have, don't really need the washers though
Pano - Expensive but the wow factor is high
Solar Panels - needed for Texas summer
Rear Shade - ditto
Side Shades - ditto
Trunk Closer - inexpensive and high in Wow factor
Tire Pressure - insurance for lack of spare
Comfort Package - needed AVS for Texas summer but love the DDS

I skipped the parktronic because I hate the holes in the bumpers or else I would have ordered it.
Distronic I really don't need as I love to drive my car!