So now I've bought the car, my thoughts now turn to......

[MIB]

.....retrofit parking sensors for my E320cdi.

The dealer said he can get some fr/rear audible only fitted for 699 (by some indeoendent they recommend). He's seen rear only for 350 but said the sensors didn't look as good on the bumper. So....

1. I think I only need rear - any advice to the contrary??

2. Has anyone had a retrofit they can really recommend, at a good price?

 

[JEZ.S320L]

.....retrofit parking sensors for my E320cdi.

The dealer said he can get some fr/rear audible only fitted for 699 (by some indeoendent they recommend). He's seen rear only for 350 but said the sensors didn't look as good on the bumper. So....

1. I think I only need rear - any advice to the contrary??

2. Has anyone had a retrofit they can really recommend, at a good price?

I had rear sensors retro-fitted to my ML by an MB Dealer in Glasgow. Only cost in the region of 250 (from memory). Front sensors were considered a 'nice-to-have' but not essential. Front Bullbars being the preferred option.!!!

On the S-Class, I have Parktronic - and would now only consider having both front and rear sensors (an S-class with front bullbars would look odd ) on any future vehicle. They are VERY useful.

 

[Juddian]

699 is an awful lot of money, i can't give you the brand name of the system i had fitted to the hilux but, an auto electrician obtained front and rear with audio and a very discreet and accurate display.

The rears come on as soon as you select reverse and as you approach, the discreet bleeps get quicker, at the same time the display shows you how close and which side you are closing on.
Similar at front but they come on when you touch the brakes, but only when there is a close object, again the display tells you which side, and there is no bleep until the sensor picks something up for obvious reasons.

He fitted the display for the rear in the roof lining so you can see it in the mirror, and it looks like it should have been there all the time.

A good auto electrician should be able to get a similar system for you, but the chap did reject one set as not to his standard, so choose your leccy carefully.

Price wise, i had extra reversing lights (the truck came with one, unbelievable for the size of it) , and extra interior lights (again one) and the towbar wired all at the same time, all internally under carpets into the loom, no oustide connections except reverse lights £450 all in.

By the way the secret is in the siting of the sensors apparently, he spent ages lining up and marking out etc.

 

[Aussie Nick]

Has anyone thought of a DIY wireless reversing camera with the camera attached to the top of the rear number plate?

 

[PaulMdx]

If you google there are plenty of kits and fitters that will install sensors for you. I was looking at this company, that offer a variety of options:

http://www.reversing-sensors.co.uk/

but sadly they don't offer fitting in my area.

For those that want a kit this company looks very affordable.

Edit: Aussie Nick - the company above does reversing cameras.

 

[st4]

I had rear sensors retro-fitted to my ML by an MB Dealer in Glasgow. Only cost in the region of 250 (from memory). Front sensors were considered a 'nice-to-have' but not essential. Front Bullbars being the preferred option.!!!

On the S-Class, I have Parktronic - and would now only consider having both front and rear sensors (an S-class with front bullbars would look odd ) on any future vehicle. They are VERY useful.

Do you not also get a visible count down lights system that goes from green to red with the park tronic. I too had rear parking sensors retrofitted to my E class (also by MB of Glasgow) for £299, for the fronts it would by £699. My car doesn't have the count down lights though.

 

[television]

Has anyone thought of a DIY wireless reversing camera with the camera attached to the top of the rear number plate?

If you have Comand then it will just plug in so all for £25

 

[Trophy1200]

If you have Comand then it will just plug in so all for £25

Any idea where to get the camera for £25 and how to connect it to the Comand Malcolm?

 

[A210AMG]

Hello

I fitted mine to my ML for £30, work a treat even with just two, easily as good as other cars I have had with 6 ?

 

[outsmartsmart]

I bought a Volvo new and as it was from stock the sensors had to be retrofitted and dealer wanted £750 IIRC but advised aftermarket ones they got fitted and colour coded to match bumper for £185. Only difference from factory OE items was they had their own 'beeper' in the car whereas the OE one's used the rear door speaker.

Getting alignment correct isn't as big an issue these days as you'll find later models often have the bumpers with mould marks on teh inside for cut-outs as reverse sensors are so common.

 

[Trophy1200]

Fitted mine myself as well, also for around £30, just fancy the idea of the camera now as well.

http://uk.geocities.com/kevin.fahey@btinternet.com/mercedes_benz_c180_kompressor.htm

 

[PaulMdx]

Fitted mine myself as well, also for around £30, just fancy the idea of the camera now as well.

http://uk.geocities.com/kevin.fahey@btinternet.com/mercedes_benz_c180_kompressor.htm

Looking at your bumper am I right in guessing you only need to remove the middle panel in order to add the sensors?

 

[Trophy1200]

You need to remove one of the side trims in order to remove the centre section. The centre section sits behind each side section.

 

[Aussie Nick]

A210AMG MAN THAT IS A TIGHT SQUEEZE. SURE YOU DIDN'T SNEAK A FEW UNDER THE SIDE DOOR SILLS?
Nice valve caps but.
By the way how and where did you run the wiring for the dash display and what did you use to fix it to the dash. Did you drill any holes in the dash?

 

[television]

Any idea where to get the camera for £25 and how to connect it to the Comand Malcolm?

The Comands have an aux input, before APS you would need an interface circa £100 and plenty of cameras from CPC and others like them

 

[JEZ.S320L]

Do you not also get a visible count down lights system that goes from green to red with the park tronic. I too had rear parking sensors retrofitted to my E class (also by MB of Glasgow) for £299, for the fronts it would by £699. My car doesn't have the count down lights though.

Having used both the countdown lights (Parktronic - S-Class) and the countdown buzzer (ML) I much prefer the buzzer system - which is what I had retro-fitted to the ML.

 

[outsmartsmart]

good company

As per my earlier post I found out my Volvo rear sensors were fitted by a company called Park-it-Right (see website www.parkitright.com ). You can add visible display, camera/screen and colour coding and also get mobile fitting.

I'm not affiliated to them at all just saying they did a good job on my Volvo (£185 and dealer colour coded them FOC after I said they hadn't told me they'd be black on light blue car....) and I will be checking with the Merc' dealer when I collect my car this Friday how much he wants and if its too much I'll be giving them a call