What are the most useful extras!!!!

[KentishMan]

Have been thinking about changing my S98 - C 250td sport Estate for some time.
Well I am now going to take the plunge I have had the old girl for 5 years & although 160K & no probs (FMBSH) feel that from a business point of view & the feel good factor change my car.
I would like a C 270cdi estate –04/05reg - perhaps buy & sell private or do a part exchange. With new reg numbers coming in 1st Sept may be lucky to find what I want but from my research -there are not too many high spec silver C270’s estates about!!!! But I can wait awhile.
QUESTION – You guys that own C & E models what are the most useful extras do you reckon I should try to find on my new purchase??????
Thanks
Kentishman

 

[Blobcat]

Memory Seat

 

[psmart]

QUESTION – You guys that own C & E models what are the most useful extras do you reckon I should try to find on my new purchase??????

An Engine, Gearbox, driveshaft, Wheels, Brakes .... or are these just BMW optional extras

Certainly the auto-dimming mirror, full electric seats (with memory) and steering wheel, electric wing mirrors are very useful.

 

[robparker]

i had a 96 s-class which had everything from parktronic to elec heated seats etc.. after a while i found most things like the elec seats wore off... but the real useful ones were cruise, air con and the heated seats for the winter... the rest i could live without

 

[psmart]

i had a 96 s-class which had everything from parktronic to elec heated seats etc.. after a while i found most things like the elec seats wore off... but the real useful ones were cruise, air con and the heated seats for the winter... the rest i could live without

Depends how tall you are, but when you turn off the engine and the steering wheel lifts up and the seat moves backwards, allowing for easy entry and exit, its a blessing.

 

[robparker]

fair point... i am short!

 

[johnmc]

I personally look for a lot in a car now. You can buy new cars for just over 10k that are loaded (maybe not Mercs!)

I really like:
- Climate Control, forget Aircon, too last year!
- Cruise control
- Automatic gearbox (usually a must for Merc's anyway to hold value)
- MP3/CD/Radio with USB/Compact flash. Hopefully soon we can ditch CDs and the Jurassic autochangers.
- Parking sensors
- Trip Computer, help manage those MPGs.

Would also find useful (will actively seek on the next Merc, standard on many lower cost brands now!)
- Rain Sensor
- Auto lights on.
- Tyre pressure monitor

Memory seats may be useful, I don't have to adjust the seats in the car, wife uses the same settings.

John

 

[Rory]

Depends how tall you are, but when you turn off the engine and the steering wheel lifts up and the seat moves backwards, allowing for easy entry and exit, its a blessing.

I'm sure you're right, but I'll bet you could count on the fingers of one hand the number of C270CDi estates that had that option specified! I do really miss the memory seats that were standard on my previous 406 Exec.

Mine is a 54 reg Avantgarde SE which I bought at 5 mths old. I got it from MB Direct - it's Titanite red, but every other car they had was silver:
You get things like folding mirrors and dimming mirrors anyway. As options, mine has:

Auto - essential
Leather - Essential
COMAND - (looks good but no way I'd have paid £1800 for it)
Integrated Phone (probably worth it, but the bluetooth aftermarket kits can be pretty well hidden)
Heated seats - Useful

I would have liked:
Parktronic - but I've heard it goes wrong a lot at 2-3 yrs
Xenon lights - but I worry what would happen if a bulb failed a long way from home.
Sunroof - I've had one for years and quite miss it.
Digital climate control - I find the twiddly knobs somehow annoying.

 

[television]

Have the DVD enabled for driving, turn on the massage viabrating air con seats, you need Distronic, and set it to 50 feet, Pop in your X rated DVD and you are in another world, oh yes, auto dimming glass.

Malcolm

 

[KentishMan]

Useful extras

Thanks for your replies - the ones I like on my present car are;
Auto gearbox, cruise, air con/climate but these & more are standard on most models!
I like the idea of leather, warm seats & trip computer, sunroof - the reason I asked the question was the fact that it is all very well having all the gizmo's but I am sure some rarely get used. Eg sat nav if you never go far!
Perhaps the more you have then more things could go wrong - thats a pessimistic view!!!!
I suppose buying secondhand has the advantage of getting the extras for little extra cost. I must look up what the extras cost on the Merc site.
Anyway keep your answers coming!
Cheers
Kentishman

 

[KentishMan]

Just had a look at the MBuk site look at these optional extra costs!!!
Did not see 270cdi mentioned?
Comfort equipment Price
Rain sensing wipers 90 GBP
Privacy glass (from B-pillar backwards) 300 GBP
Multi-contour front seats 430 GBP
Electric drivers seat & exterior mirrors with memory 665 GBP
Skibag with through-loading facility 205 GBP
Storage compartment with 12V socket in front centre console (S) 0 GBP
Ashtray & cigarette lighter 0 GBP
Automatic climate control (S) 0 GBP
Luxury automatic climate control 435 GBP
Parameter steering - speed sensitive 205 GBP
Power steering (S) 0 GBP
Parktronic 605 GBP
Electric glass sunroof 910 GBP
Passenger seat electrically adjustable with memory 380 GBP
Front seats - heated 320 GBP
You can't say there is no choice!
Kentishman

 

[turnipsock]

Xenon lights - but I worry what would happen if a bulb failed a long way from home.
Sunroof - I've had one for years and quite miss it.

I have two words for you...'Night Vision Goggles'. The only downside is that other drivers wearing night vision goggles look a bit weird.

I only ever seem to use my sunroof at night.

 

[maldon]

Leather
Parktronic
Auto wipers

 

[angus falconer]

Auto box
Climate
Leather
Heated Seats
Leccie Seats
Auto Dimming Mirrors
Rain Sensing Wipers

 

[jberks]

Provided you don't get a classic, there isn't much that is 'essential' that isn't standard. I wouldn't be happy without the rain sensor, auto dimming mirrors and air con. Mercs have always had a basic climate system (thermostatically controlled heaters), when most cars simply had 'hotter or cooler air' switches. so climate isn't essential, though you have that anyway. The auto lights are nice but not foolproof.
I have
Leather - take it or leave it - no better wearing than MB cloth and no absorbtion so wet back in hot weather despite the aircon. Smells nice and looks good though.
Heated seats - only really necessary if you have leather. Nice for back ache though.
Memory Seats - Very nice and useful if the Mrs drives it regularly (Got in this morning, pressed the button and everything whirred back to where I like them). Plus the switches look cool on the door and the easy entry feature is nice - except you have to wait whist the wheel repositions before using it to tug yourself out of the car, or IMO you won't do the motor any good.
Parktronic - YES a positive boon, just to know that there isn't a silly 4ft post behind you. That said, after market kits are cheap enough.
Integrated Phone - nice but a nokia kit is equally as good and a hell of a lot cheaper when you change your phone.
I didn't get command as I was scared of repair costs should (when) it packs in.
CD changer - expensive so make sure its already there.
Xenons - Nice and better than halogen but not sure I'd pay the premium.
Uprated alloys - Looks great and handles better, but ride is slightly less composed and tyres are pricey.

 

[Blobcat]

I suppose buying secondhand has the advantage of getting the extras for little extra cost. I must look up what the extras cost on the Merc site.

The only options that make a difference to second hand price are Auto Gearbox and Leather interior. All the rest only make the vehicle more saleable. I still standby memory seats as the most useful option. I spent 9 months looking for an E320cdi with Memory Seats and Grey Leather.

 

[angus falconer]

Oh yes xenons - I forgot those. I don't have bi-xenons, just on dipped, but the difference over standard dipped lights is tremendous.

Plus I like the little dance they do when you turn them on.

 

[jon_harley]

Leather
Parktronic
Auto wipers

What's leather useful for?

Auto wipers aren't that much better than intermittent wipers with plenty of variation. My old Laguna had 5 speeds of intermittent wipe which was good for all conditions.

Agree 100% about parktronic. I find the lights that go from yellow to red really easy to use. Much better than audio-only systems.

 

[Blobcat]

What's leather useful for?

Sitting on

Auto wipers aren't that much better than intermittent wipers with plenty of variation. My old Laguna had 5 speeds of intermittent wipe which was good for all conditions.

I have never found an intermittent wiper setting which doesn't require changing 2 minutes later. The MB auto wiper takes care of all ot it. Switch it on and forget about it.

Agree 100% about parktronic. I find the lights that go from yellow to red really easy to use. Much better than audio-only systems.

Have used Parktronic and was going to fit it to the rear of my W210 until I noticed that I could see the boot lid from the drivers seat. With the bomb site on the front I can park to within 1" of the bumper, so for me Parktronic is not worthwhile. I cannot understand why estate car drivers would want parktronic as the car finishes just after the rear window

 

[jberks]

Auto wipers aren't that much better than intermittent wipers with plenty of variation. My old Laguna had 5 speeds of intermittent wipe which was good for all conditions.

On the contrary. Switch on and forget. Battering down the motorway in light rain, intermittent is fine, then a car goes past or you pass a truck and you suddenly need constant wipe - then back down again. The sensor takes care of it all. The 211 version is even better as it not only controls in intermittent rate, but vaires even the constant speed right up to full pelt if necessary, and it pops the headlights on too!

Have used Parktronic and was going to fit it to the rear of my W210 until I noticed that I could see the boot lid from the drivers seat. With the bomb site on the front I can park to within 1" of the bumper, so for me Parktronic is not worthwhile. I cannot understand why estate car drivers would want parktronic as the car finishes just after the rear window

True, but you can't see those nasty 3ft bollards that supermarkets craftly install to smash up your bumper, or the towbar sticking out 2ft from the rear of the car you're backing up to, or even the bike, some kid has laid down behind your car. A bleep can save a lot of expense!