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Atlanta area.
Mercedes-Benz has launched a new accessory for the GL-Class – The Illumination Kit for Side Running Boards (Code 267). This kit has 4 LEDs on each side that illuminate the running board for both style and safety. The price for this option is $650 and it is installed at the Vehicle Preparation Center before being shipped to the dealership. To order this option the vehicle must also be ordered with the Side Running Boards (Code 846).
mbrace registration line – 1 888 826 6350
Thanks for the tip Shelton!
There has been rumor for months that the SPLITVIEW Front-Seat Entertainment system would be coming to the US market for the S and CL. It is official! It is now an orderable option. If you have an S or CL on order you may be able to add this option depending on its order status.
SPLITVIEW allows the driver and passenger to view two different sources on the same COMAND screen. The driver can control all of the normal COMAND functions like radio, navigation and phone while the passenger can use headphones and a remote to watch DVD video on the same screen!
State law prohibits this system on vehicles registered in AL, AZ, CO, IL, LA, MD, MA, NH, PA, VT, VA, WA, WV and WI. But we can have it in Georgia!
SPLITVIEW – Code 867 – $700 – Order now!
If you purchase a car with this option, your dealer’s service department will still need to activate it for you once you have acknowledged that you understand the legal requirements for using it in your state.
The 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK has been a great success in the compact luxury SUV segment. It is the best seller!
To further enhance this great design, Mercedes is introducing the AMG Styling Package. This package will be available to order in January and includes:
- AMG-designed front and rear bumpers with chrome skid plates
- 20″ AMG twin five-spoke wheels with all-season tires
- Aluminum roof rails
- LED daytime running lamps (does not require lighting package)
The AMG Styling Package will be priced at $1,970.
The Univeral Media Interface or UMI has generated a lot of interest and questions since it was launched for the C-Class and GLK last year. There have been some complaints about the system being slow and Mercedes has addressed that and launched the new and improved Nav + 4 with enhanced performance and funtionality.
Nav + 4 has the same features as UMI:
1 – Navigation with free live traffic
2 – iPod/iPhone Interface
3 – USB Interface
4 – AUX Interface
5 – Bluetooth Audio Streaming
The improvements to the system are:
5 times faster route calculation
5 times faster destination entry
5 times faster zooming
Day/Night changeover in real time
Updated navigation data
Alaska, Hawaii & Puerto Rico included
New functionality includes:
Reality View Pro (highway signs)
Traffic Lane Assist Pro (road splits)
Enter destination via map
The NEW part number is A204 870 7096 and the MSRP is $1685 plus labor. The price could vary depending on the equipment already present in your vehicle. Also, it should be possible to upgrade an old UMI to the enhanced Nav + 4 with a software flash.
I have had a lot of questions about charging a 3G iPhone or a newer iPod in our cars. The iPod/MP3 interface cable that comes in most of the 2009 and 2010 vehicles will NOT charge the 3G iPhone and the latest iPods. However, there is a new accessory cable that will. I tested this cable in every 2010 in my showroom and a 2009 E-Class and it charged a 3G iPhone every time. Make sure you have the removeable cable with a plug on both ends. The iPod kit, with the white iPod connector, is different and can’t be swaped over.
Part number is A 001 827 84 04 and the Mercedes-Benz suggested retail price is $67.
Thanks to Fitz in Tampa for doing the first test…I hope you are enjoying the SL!
In the Atlanta area they are always adding or modifying roads so it’s good that Mercedes-Benz has just released updated navigation disks. You can order these disks from your local Mercedes-Benz parts department. They should cost $249. You can also order them directly from Mercedes at www.navigation.com/mbupdate (this site’s search isn’t working at the time I’m writing this) or by calling (888)628-4483.
There are several reasons to update your navigation disk:
- Every year thousands of miles of new roads are added.
- Hundreds of Points of Interest are added or deleted.
- Improved routing efficiency can save you time and fuel.
Mercedes has been making some changes to the 2010 C-Class options and packages to make it a better value and respond to the demands of the market.
Originally, Mercedes had announced that COMAND with navigation (512) could be ordered without the Multimedia Package (320). Then, due to factory constraints, that was dropped at the end of April and all vehicles that had been ordered with COMAND with navigation (518) were changed to Multimedia Package (320).
Now, Mercedes is changing the Multimedia Package (320) to reduce the cost of the package. So, the new Multimedia Package (320) will include
Voice Control (396)
COMAND with Navigation (512)
iPod/MP3 Interface (518)
Media Interface Consumer Cables (049)
The harman kardon (810) 450 watt sound system was dropped from the package and is now available as a stand alone option. Ordering Multimedia Package (320) also requires that either the Premium 1 Package (P01) or Sirius Satellite Radio (536) are ordered on the vehicle.
So, there you go. If you have a 2010 C-Class on order you might want to check with your dealership and see how it is currently equipped and if there are any changes you need to make to have it turn out like you expected.
I had written another post about the UMI system and the most commonly asked questions are:
How much?
Factory Installed, VPC installed and Dealer Installed are all different prices. Consult your local dealer for the best info. Dealer Installed here is about $1850.
Will it work in Canada/Nigeria/Dubai?
I don’t think so. You’ll need to ask the local dealer if the software is available.
What is the part number?
A204 870 5996 – But please verify with your local dealer.
Does it work?
It is a little slower than the navigation that is part of the Multimedia package but it is the same, if not newer, information. Works just fine.
If you have a PCMCIA slot in your vehicle (S-Class, CL-Class, C-Class, GLK-Class) you need a PCMCIA adaptor to play music from a memory card. You plug the PCMCIA adaptor into the slot, then you can insert a variety of memory cards into the adaptor to access your saved music or podcasts.
This adaptor has been a little hard to find for some of my clients. Luckily, Mercedes has come out with their own. Called the PCMCIA Multi-Card Reader, it is priced at $102 and the part number is 6-7-82-3974. You should be able to order one from your local parts department.
A quick Google search will come up with cheaper readers that are meant to do the same thing, but these are meant to work with laptops and aren’t guaranteed to work with your car like the Mercedes version is. Also, I haven’t personally tested the Mercedes adapter with the larger SDHC cards so it may not read those.