Can I Special-Order Parktronic for US C300 Sport?

[BKHammond]

I picked up my Z4 from the dealer this evening. The warranty expires in November, and I had about $3,000 in warranty work done. While I was waiting for them to pull the car around, I looked at a new C300 Sport that was on the showroom floor. A look led to a drive, which led to me falling in love with the car. Only one problem - I need at least rear Parktronic because I have a few titanium plates that are holding my neck together (bad car wreck and worse neurosurgeon). I couldn't believe it when they said that Parktronic wasn't offered in the North America - just everywhere else.

Then the dealer pointed out this silly dealer-installed thing called QuickPark from MB. The sensors are the old-style BIG things like you see stuck on every other Volvo station wagon. It would be a shame to destroy the looks of this car's rear end with these things. So, here's the big question -

If I beg, plead, and agree to fork over some cash, will MB let me special-order the car with factory-installed Parktronic? The dealer clearly didn't want to pursue this with me. Any idea if I can do this - and if so, anyone know a dealer willing to do it?

[Peyton]

Sorry, you won't be able to they would have to have re-evaluated by customs and such, they just won't take the car out of spec for US models. Even if you give them a million bucks. Promise

Sorry about your neck though! wow

[BKHammond]

{Sigh}. You know, that makes sense. I was able to pull this off for my BMW Z4 - but they are made in South Carolina, so there wouldn't have been any customs issues, etc. I guess I will just have to wait and see if they ever offer the real thing. Or just order a color dark enough that those QuickPark sensors won't show.

Thanks for the info, Peyton. I really appreciate it, even though it wasn't the news I was hoping for.

[Rick Hunter]

Originally Posted by BKHammond

{Sigh}. You know, that makes sense. I was able to pull this off for my BMW Z4 - but they are made in South Carolina, so there wouldn't have been any customs issues, etc. I guess I will just have to wait and see if they ever offer the real thing. Or just order a color dark enough that those QuickPark sensors won't show.

Thanks for the info, Peyton. I really appreciate it, even though it wasn't the news I was hoping for.

So... you've got parking sensors installed on your Z4? That's a first I've heard of. OEM? Would be interested in how you managed to score that on a N.A. spec. BMW's so strict when it comes to that stuff.

I'm still trying to figure out if QuickPark's worth it...

[BKHammond]

It wasn't easy. It actually started when I visited that factory and saw a bunch of Euro Z4's running down the production line. All were "Individual" Nautical Blue models and all had PDC sensors. I asked how I could get that on a Z4. They replied, "you can't."

My local dealer took 4-weeks to get it approved. But I got it. I was hoping to do the same with MB USA. But since they have that quick-park thing, I'm sure they'll tell me where to go.

I did send an e-mail to MB through their website asking if they could do this. I'll post their reply when (and if) I get it.

Rick, have you actually seen the QuickPark sensors in person? The brochure I saw made them look like huge warts on the back of an SLK.

[Tristram1]

Originally Posted by BKHammond

I did send an e-mail to MB through their website asking if they could do this. I'll post their reply when (and if) I get it.

You should get a reply and I can tell you exactly what the message will say AND most likely who it will be from!

If I couldn't a shake cup holder retrofit out of them, I'm sad to say something as complex as Parktronic would be a major coup!

Good luck!

[Tristram1]

Unrelated PS.
First stone chip last night on I-95!
Never saw it coming.
1/16" chip above the windshield, driver side, three weeks to the day and 1550 miles!

[Rick Hunter]

Originally Posted by BKHammond

It wasn't easy. It actually started when I visited that factory and saw a bunch of Euro Z4's running down the production line. All were "Individual" Nautical Blue models and all had PDC sensors. I asked how I could get that on a Z4. They replied, "you can't."

My local dealer took 4-weeks to get it approved. But I got it. I was hoping to do the same with MB USA. But since they have that quick-park thing, I'm sure they'll tell me where to go.

I did send an e-mail to MB through their website asking if they could do this. I'll post their reply when (and if) I get it.

Rick, have you actually seen the QuickPark sensors in person? The brochure I saw made them look like huge warts on the back of an SLK.

Nope. But if it looks like what's on the MBUSA site, it shouldn't be too bad...

[BKHammond]

That is a lot better than what the dealer showed me. What he showed me looked hideous. It's nice the way they just fit into that horizontal indentation on the rear bumper.

Thank you for posting that.