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.

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.

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!

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

The CL550 is changing just a little bit…When it is released this fall it will be the CL550 4matic! All of the CL550′s produced with carry the 4matic all-weel drive system as a standard feature. Adding only 154 pounds to the chassis, this feature should only improve the handling of this stunning coupe. MotorTrend has already had a chance to drive and review this new model.

Other notable changes include:
* Standard Heated & Ventilated Seats (Formerly in P1)
* Standard Keyless GO (Formerly in P1)
* AIRMATIC Suspension replaces Active Body Control

Option Packages
264 designo Mystic White Edition
- Black Exclusive Leather
- designo Black Lacquer
- designo Porcelain
- Alcantara Headliner Charcoal
- designo Wood/Leather Steering Wheel
266 Distronic Plus Package
- Parking Guidance
- Distronic Plus
- Blind Spot Assist
321 Sport Package
- (772) AMG Bodystyling
- (780) 19″ AMG Five-Spoke Alloy Wheel
P2: Premium II
- (218) Dynamic Rear View Monitor
- (432) Driving Dynamic Front Seats
- (610) Night View Assist TBD

Stand Alone Options
iPod Integration Kit
Heated Steering Wheel
Black Ash Wood Trim
19″ 9 Double Spoke Wheel TBD

Interior Colors
Black Exclusive Leather
Black Premium Leather
Savanna / Cashmere Premium Leather
Cognac/Black Premium Leather
Grey/Dark Grey Premuim Leather

Exterior Color Options
Black(040)
Majestic Black(112)*
Jade Green(300)*
Capri Blue(359)*
Flint Grey(368)
Titanium Grey(494)
Barolo Red(544)*
Arctic White(650)
Pewter(723)*
Iridium Silver(775)*

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

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!