Owners of 2008 and newer Mercedes can now add "The Best of XM" to their existing account. However, some vehicles will require a trip to the shop for updated software.

If you have a 2008 or 2009 S/CL-Class or a 2009 SL/SLK/E/CLS/M/R/GL-Class with a Command head unit your software update should be available mid-October.

If you have a 2008 E/CLS/SLK-Class with a Command head unit the software update is currently being tested and they are hoping to have it available by the beginning of November.

All other 2008 and 2009 vehicles should receive "The Best of XM" without a software update.

Labels: C-Class, CL-Class, CLK-Class, CLS-Class, E-Class, G-Class, GL-Class, Mercedes Technology, ML-Class, R-Class, S-Class, SL-Class, SLK-Class

Now that the 2009 vehicles have arrived, I have had a chance to spend some time with each of them and I have noticed some of the quirks that show up every year. These are little changes that aren't really announced but can be a bit of a shock to those of us to take the accessories very seriously.

My Biggest Loss -
The US has a new law that requires all window roll UP functions to be controlled by a button that you have to hold in the UP position. So, that means that tunnel mode, where you hold DOWN the recirculate button and all of the windows close, is out. So is remote roll up, where you hold the lock button on the key DOWN, to roll up all the windows at once. This was a very convenient function on the lot when I am in and out of cars all day, trying to keep them cool. However, it is being slowly phased out so some cars still work this way and some don't!

2009 ML, GL, R-Class

• Love AC power plug in the rear cargo area! Part of the Premium 1 Package and a great addition!
  
• The new Rear DVD system can now play 2 DVD's at the same time - one can be loaded in the DVD slot in the front of the car and one in the backseat!

• The 4 GB Music Register can store music that you have loaded onto the SD card or burned to a CD or DVD. It cannot store commercially purchased CDs. This is exactly opposite of the C-Class music register. Strange.
  
• ML & GL have bigger mirrors for 2009. This had been a complaint on the previous years.

2009 C-Class

• Compass in the rearview mirror is a nice addition. (Premium 1)
  
• Memory seats are absolutely perfect!
  
• Mocha/Almond interior is quite different from Savannah/Cashmere. I like that the Mocha/Almond is more neutral/less basketball colored. Very pretty!
  
• Music Register is upped to 6 GB.

2009 S and CL-Class

• Bluetooth adaptor can be ordered with the vehicle for $200 less than it can be purchased at the dealership.

2009 E-Class

• No charge 321 Sport Package on the E350 Sport is an amazing value. Wheels, bumpers, shift paddles for $0! Last year it was more than $2000! I know because I bought one... Be sure to order the Pano roof. My car is a white sport package with the Pano roof and it's hot!
  
• New navigation system has Bluetooth built in. That's another $525 savings.

If I find any more I'll keep you posted!

Labels: C-Class, CL-Class, E-Class, GL-Class, ML-Class, R-Class, S-Class

The 2009 MSRP's have just been released! If you combine these numbers with the options pricing, you'll know how much a 2009 will cost. I don't see any dramatic changes from the 2008 MSRP's. If you are ready to place your order please do let me know!

2009 C-Class	Release Date	MSRP
C300 SPORT/LUXURY	July 16	$32,100/$33,850
C300 SPORT/LUXURY 4MATIC	July 16	$35,400/$35,650
C350 SPORT	July 16	$38,200
C63 AMG	July 16	$55,100
2009 CL-Class	Release Date	MSRP
CL550 4MATIC	July 16	$105,100
CL600	July 16	$148,900
CL63 AMG	July 16	$139,700
CL65 AMG	July 16	$199,700
2009 CLK-Class	Release Date	MSRP
CLK350 COUPE	July 16	$46,800
CLK350 CABRIOLET	July 16	$54,800
CLK550 COUPE	July 16	$55,500
CLK550 CABRIOLET	July 16	$63,500
2009 CLS-Class	Release Date	MSRP
CLS550	May 15	$68,950
CLS63 AMG	May 15	$94,550
2009 E-Class	Release Date	MSRP
E320 BlueTEC	July 16	$52,900
E350 SPORT/LUXURY	July 16	$51,900/$51,900
E350 4MATIC SPORT/LUXURY	July 16	$53,400/$51,900
E350 WAGON 4MATIC	July 16	$55,950
E550	July 16	$60,400
E550 4MATIC	July 16	$61,900
E63 AMG	July 16	$86,000
E63 AMG WAGON	July 16	$86,800
2009 G-Class	Release Date	MSRP
G550 4MATIC	October 10	TBD
G55 AMG 4MATIC	October 10	TBD
2009 GL-Class	Release Date	MSRP
GL320 BlueTEC	October 01	$56,750
GL450 4MATIC	July 22	$57,750
GL550 4MATIC	July 22	$79,500
2009 M-Class	Release Date	MSRP
ML320 BlueTEC	October 01	$47,250
ML350 4MATIC	July 22	$45,750
ML550 4MATIC	July 22	$54,450
ML63 AMG 4MATIC	July 22	$88,350
2009 R-Class	Release Date	MSRP
R320 BlueTEC	October 01	$47,950
R350 4MATIC	July 22	$46,450
2009 S-Class	Release Date	MSRP
S550	July 16	$86,950
S550 4MATIC	July 16	$89,950
S600	July 16	$144,450
S63 AMG	July 16	$128,350
S65 AMG	July 16	$194,950
2009 SL-Class	Release Date	MSRP
SL550	April 28	$95,900
SL600	April 28	$136,100
SL63 AMG	April 28	$132,000
SL65 AMG	April 28	$190,700
2009 SLK-Class	Release Date	MSRP
SLK300	May 01	$44,950
SLK350	May 01	$49,950
SLK55 AMG	May 01	$64,300

Labels: C-Class, CL-Class, CLK-Class, CLS-Class, E-Class, G-Class, GL-Class, ML-Class, R-Class, S-Class, SL-Class, SLK-Class

The 2008 JD Power Initial Quality Study measures new owner satisfaction after 90 days. In the last few years Mercedes has been moving to the top of the charts! This year, in addition to being #4 overall, Mercedes received several model segement awards and a prestigious Platinum Plant Quality Award for the Sigdelfingen assembly plant.

Platinum Plant Quality Award

"The Mercedes-Benz assembly plant in Sindelfingen, Germany, receives the Platinum Plant Quality Award for producing vehicles yielding the fewest defects and malfunctions. Averaging just 33 problems per 100 vehicles, the plant produces the Mercedes-Benz CL-Class, CLS-Class, E-Class Sedan, E-Class Wagon and S-Class."

Segment Winners

Compact Premium Sporty Car
Highest Ranked: Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class

Midsize Premium Car
Highest Ranked: Mercedes-Benz E-Class (tie)

Labels: Awards, CLK-Class, E-Class, S-Class

Labels: AMG, S-Class

This is a great video showing the use and design of Mercedes advanced driving and safety systems including parking assist and Distronic Plus.

Labels: CL-Class, Mercedes Technology, S-Class, Videos

Labels: S-Class, Videos

Labels: 4-Matic, Mercedes Technology, S-Class, Videos

Wow! Mercedes has just introduced this new feature to a few select 2008 models. The S, CL and Tele-Aid equipped C-Classes can now receive directions downloaded from Yahoo or Google Maps. You can visit the official site here to watch the video and get all the details. It really is simple and very cool.

I think the best part is that it allows you to customize your route online to the way you want to travel and then download that particular route to the vehicle. For example, navigation always wants me to go through St. Louis when I travel from Champaign, Illinois to Georgia, but Google allows me to choose a more direct route. Then I can download those directions rather than listening to navigation requesting a U-turn for 20 miles! Another great way to use this system would to have your secretary or assistant send directions to your car while your out doing business. Let me know if you try it!

Labels: C-Class, CL-Class, Mercedes Technology, S-Class

Labels: S-Class, Top Gear, Videos

Labels: Fifth Gear, S-Class, Videos