After browsing BMW Canada's website, I noticed that BMW has raise the equipement level for all of its lines. Xenon headlights are standard on all model except Z3, M Roadster, M Coupe, and new X5(optional). Same goes for Steptronic(which will be standard on X5). All model(except Z3, M5, M roadster/coupe)will have Burl Walnut standard.

All BMWs will have CD(in dash) standard, while MB still have casette...

MB needs to do the same to keep up with BMW, or many customer may choose BMW over Mercedes

P.S. C-Class, CLK, ML-Class has fake wood, and SLK has fake carbon... :(

Andy Kuo


------------------
<UL TYPE=SQUARE>
<LI>1992 Mercedes-Benz 400SE
<LI>Moonstone Grey/Black Leather
<LI>Blue/Red Headlights
<LI>Xenon-Look Foglights
<LI>AMG Shocks/Springs
</UL>

That's odd. I thought they were genuine... unless it defers from market to market. All the Elegance C-Klasse's and Elegance CLK's have genuine burr walnut... and Classic ones have Eucalyptus on the dash and plastic on the doors.
Regards,
Chung
BTW, the SLK's and CLK's carbon's are fake... what a let down!

[This message has been edited by Choo Chung Chieh (edited 11-07-1999).]

You are right AKRY, the 2000 model lineup for MBZ has gotton cheaper in quality in some aspects! See my post of October 03, 1999, "No Xenon for Y2K C-Class". Xenon was optionally available on 1999 C-Class cars, however for 2000 it will cost the buyer $1950 to make a factory special order and have to wait 2 months.

I don't believe that the wood is plastic on the U.S. C-Class (Equivalent to Elegence models) my Y2k brochure states "Burl Walnut trim on doors, dash, console and shift gate."

Personally, IMHO that new roof antenna on C/E/CLK is too damn big, the one on the S-Class is much smaller, and the one used on BMW is nicely developed.

[This message has been edited by Kevin (edited 11-07-1999).]

BTW, I hear Parktronik is also a "special" factory option for the USA market and only available on the W220 S500 for the Japanese market. It seems like it isn't even an option in the Japanese market. There isn't any market for it? Most of the S-Klasses, C-Klasses and especially the E-Klasses here all have PTS. BTW, I like the turn signals for the side bumper :) Adds a unique touch! Is it possible to install xenon lights to previous or older models like the W124. I only know of super white "xenon looka-likes" bulbs which consume an enormous amount of energy!
Regards,
Chung :)

[This message has been edited by Choo Chung Chieh (edited 11-07-1999).]

[This message has been edited by Choo Chung Chieh (edited 11-07-1999).]

Kevin,

Have you seen the GPS equipped BMWs?? All the GPS equipped BMWs have the same type of roof antenna as W220. However, 7-Series has the same antenna in 1998-1999, but newr style(looks like 2 antenna combined).

Also, Y2K 7-series has Xenon standard, but W220 S430 still has halogen??? Hm...makes me wonder.....

CCC,

Actually, Parktronic is not a "special" order, and it's available through the brochure. As for the turn signal on the side bumper, do you mean on the fender, or actually on the side of the front bumper?? The US model has a orange reflector/light on the side of front bumper, however, it just lights up there, and won't flash with turn signal.

Xenon lights can be done as aftermarket, however, to make it safe, you need a auto-level device, which I don't know if there are any aftermarket parts for it. But, if I remember it right, you have a W140 S320 LWB, you may able to fit the Xenon lights from 1999 W140. I was thinking about doing the Xenon converstion, but MB dealer/tech definitly won't do it for you. Need a reputable individual tech to do it.... :(

P.S. Actually, "Xenon-look" bulbs(PIAA Plasma SuperWhite) is brighter, especially if you use brand name product(PIAA..etc)with over-watt bulbs... :) I would recommend you go for it....alot cheaper... :)
Happy Motoring...
Andy Kuo


------------------
<UL TYPE=SQUARE>
<LI>1992 Mercedes-Benz 400SE
<LI>Moonstone Grey/Black Leather
<LI>Blue/Red Headlights
<LI>Xenon-Look Foglights
<LI>AMG Shocks/Springs
</UL>

CCC, Go to www.bekkers.com (http://www.bekkers.com) . They sell a H.I.D. conversion kit for S-Class. Don't know about auto-leveling. My 98 E430 has OEM H.I.D. but no auto-leveling.

Kevin,

Actually, your car DOES have auto-leveling. It's the law that requires a HID equipped to have auto-leveling(or any kind of leveling device), in case you loaded up the car, and the HID withOUT an auto-leveling will blind the upcoming traffic. :)

Happy Motoring...
Andy Kuo


------------------
<UL TYPE=SQUARE>
<LI>1992 Mercedes-Benz 400SE
<LI>Moonstone Grey/Black Leather
<LI>Blue/Red Headlights
<LI>Xenon-Look Foglights
<LI>AMG Shocks/Springs
</UL>

BTW, I was referring to PIAA because I have them on my RAV4. Local technicians here, I doubt, would do a good job on installing the Xenon lights. BTW, I hear that super white bulbs produce a lot of heat and it's not considered economical because they wear out fast... is it true?
I was also wondering if Parktronic can be installed after an MB's been bought. I'm interested in buying a Japanese E430, but PTS isn't available in the Japanese market. How about installing the present E's PTS on the W124 E220? I plan on doing that... though I'm not too sure if it's possible. BTW, you should see the ITGS installed on Japanese MB's. It looks and works better than BMW's GPS system. It uses the same antenna as the new S-Klasse, but ITGS was introduced some time ago... and looks better than the present E-Klasse's COMMAND Center.
Regards,
Chung
How do I post pictures on this forum? I don't know a single thing on html or ubb codes.

[This message has been edited by Choo Chung Chieh (edited 11-09-1999).]

CCC,

Yes, PIAA SuperWhites do generate alot of heat, especially if you use over-watt bulbs. And yes, they are very sensitive if handle inproperly, and leave a bit of grease on the glass from your finger.

I am sure PTS can be fit on E430, however, it will take too much time/money, and I would just leave it as is.

To post a pic, the pic must be on the internet somewhere(say from MBUSA), get the mouse pointer over the pic you want to post, right click, and choose copy link. then use this command..

(The copy link, you paste it here)

And it will show the pic......

If you still not sure, come here(which is on this site)

{url}http://www.mercedesshop.com/ubb/ubbcode.html[/url]

Happy Motoring...
Andy Kuo



------------------
<UL TYPE=SQUARE>
<LI>1992 Mercedes-Benz 400SE
<LI>Moonstone Grey/Black Leather
<LI>Blue/Red Headlights
<LI>Xenon-Look Foglights
<LI>AMG Shocks/Springs
</UL>

To AKRY: The Auto-Leveling feature was not put on the Xenon H.I.D. equiped U.S. models models until 1999. I went back to check. I have U.S. E-Class brochures for 1997, 1998, 1999 & 2000. I also checked my 1998, 1999 and 2000 C-Class brochures, plus my 1998 C43 brochure. There is no mention of the Auto-Leveling feature prior to 1999. The Auto-Leveling was mandated in Europe and perhaps Canada prior to the U.S. 1999 standards.

[This message has been edited by Kevin (edited 11-09-1999).]

Kevin,

It's very interesting. And good to know, too. As of what I was told, HID equipped cars that sold in Canada require to have auto-level. And even though, it's not mentioned in the brochures, Canadian 1997 HID quipped E-Class DOES have auto-leveling....

Happy Motoring...
Andy Kuo


------------------
<UL TYPE=SQUARE>
<LI>1992 Mercedes-Benz 400SE
<LI>Moonstone Grey/Black Leather
<LI>Blue/Red Headlights
<LI>Xenon-Look Foglights
<LI>AMG Shocks/Springs
</UL>

I hope this image comes up.
http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Fountain/5759/E220_Pole.JPG
http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Fountain/5759/E220_Pole22.JPG
It's a picture of my E220. Does anyone know where I can get more of these poles?
Regards,
Chung :)

[This message has been edited by Choo Chung Chieh (edited 11-10-1999).]

[This message has been edited by Choo Chung Chieh (edited 11-11-1999).]

[This message has been edited by Choo Chung Chieh (edited 11-11-1999).]

CCC,

:), do you have more pic?? It looks nice. It already has the clear-signal lenses. :)
Well, as for the pole, go to your local dealers, they should have one for you. Those poles are not popular here in North America, but are very popular in Asia.

Why do you want a pole anyway?? We in Taiwan use this pole on the car for 2 purposes; 1, is to help local the corner of the car, and 2, is to put a small flag on the pole for special occasion... :)

Happy Motoring...
Andy Kuo


------------------
<UL TYPE=SQUARE>
<LI>1992 Mercedes-Benz 400SE
<LI>Moonstone Grey/Black Leather
<LI>Blue/Red Headlights
<LI>Xenon-Look Foglights
</UL>

ICQ#26950002

Hello Andy,
I thought all 1994 W124 E-Klasses onwards had clear signal lenses. My local dealers don't even know the poles exists... and it seems like only Japanese Merc have them. I've seen Japanese C's, E's, S's (both W140 and W220) here in Kuching with the poles, though not all of them... only a rare few. Most of the grey-imported Merc found here are from Japan and Germany. I have the Japanese Merc catalogue accessory catalogue and it says the poles are available for all models but only in Japan. Are the ones in Taiwan of the same type?
I like the poles because it somehow adds a unique touch to your Merc... and people always stare at it :) And it sure helps a lot during corners. I have 2 more pics which I'll post now. (Sorry for the low resolution)
http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Fountain/5759/E220_2.jpg
http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Fountain/5759/YANASE.JPG

[This message has been edited by Choo Chung Chieh (edited 11-11-1999).]

[This message has been edited by Choo Chung Chieh (edited 11-11-1999).]

[This message has been edited by Choo Chung Chieh (edited 11-11-1999).]

CCC,

Due to the regulation in North America, all Mercedes with clear turn signal has a little orange reflector on the side of the lense. Look closely at yours, and at the edge(the side towards wheel), you can see a colorless reflector, which in North America, is orange. I like the whole clear one, looks way better.

As for the pole, if the dealer doesn't have one, then I suggest you go looking for it in car accessory stores. The poles are popular in TW, and in TW, you can get one at every dealer for about $10 - 20 US, and YES, it's the same type of pole, also available with or without the 3-point star on the top... :)

Good luck finding one...
Andy Kuo


------------------
<UL TYPE=SQUARE>
<LI>1992 Mercedes-Benz 400SE
<LI>Moonstone Grey/Black Leather
<LI>Blue/Red Headlights
<LI>Xenon-Look Foglights
</UL>

ICQ#26950002