Guys I found a great post that might interest some of you
http://forums.mbworld.org/forums/showthread.php?t=100920&highlight=E55+modification s
This post is a collection of all the little things the dealer doesn't tell you, along with some easy straightforward upgrades. Maybe it will save some people some time. The content of this post was copied/summarized from various posts by various authors. They should get all the credit for their valuable information.
Please feel free to add to the list. If there are any corrections to what I posted (I'm pretty certain everything is correct), please PM me and I'll correct it in this post so any new user sees the correct version.
Cheers,
Gareth
TUNNEL MODE
Depress the recirculate air button on the command and hold it down. All windows/sunroof will close all at the same time. When you hold it down again, they will all open to the same point as they were open to before.
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AMG STARTUP SCREEN (3-5-7 trick)
AMG startup screen setup instructions
(see below for picture)
A. Turn on the COMAND and select CD
B. Press and hold the "5" first then press and hold "3" and "7" -- all at the same time for about three seconds
C. This opens a menu with keyboard choices. Scroll down to the AMG and select
D. Press "Back" to the main menu
E. Turn off the COMAND
F. Turn off your car for at least five minutes, so that the change takes effect
(You may have to do these steps several times. It took me two times.)
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BRITISH ACCENT NAVIGATION VOICE
Through this modification, you can change temporarily (no one has posted how to make it stick) the accent of your command voice. I've set it to Italian (changes language) and to the British English setting for a British accent.
How to change the accent/language of your Navigation
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UPGRADED PEDALS
The E55 comes with boring regular rubber pedals. A very economical upgrade is to replace the pedals from the SL and SLK series. See below for pics. The part numbers you will need to order from the dealership are:
A. # 1-170-300-01-04 PEDAL
B. # 1-170-290-01-82 PAD
C. # 1-230-430-00-84 PAD
Picture of Pedals
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DVD PLAYER IN COMMAND (data, not video, for mp3's)
Apparently (I have not had success yet), some of the 05 US spec commands have a DVD ROM drive in the single slot. It does not have a video processor so it cannot play movies. But, since the single slot command plays mp3's, you can burn DVD MP3 disks here and play thousands of songs. See below for a link. This topic has quite a few threads on it and I'm hoping to find some time where I can figure out exactly what the recipe is for burning the DVD in the right format.
DVD MP3 Information (how to burn)
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RADAR DETECTOR(s)
I had a Valentine One installed (hardwired) in my car. The unit is on the driver's side, attached to the windshield via suction cups and is very unobtrusive. I've detected radar up to 2 miles away (line of sight, no obstructions (highway 5 driving)). Others will have to chime in about their favourite radar detector (some have the Escort ZR3 and others the K40). I have the concealed display in my ashtray so when I hear the beeping, I flip up the ashtray cover to see where it's coming from and how strong the signal is. Others have gone as far as having the concealed display installed inside their rear view mirror ($$$$).
Valentine's Website
Picture of rear view mirror concealed Display
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LASER JAMMER(s)
There are 3 brands that people seem to be using. Blinder, Escort, and Lidatek. I personally have the Blinder M-40. I'll post pictures later of the install (2 transponders in front, 2 in the back). The Blinder and Lidatek websites are listed below. Information from others about what works and what does not is also included.
Blinder USA
Lidatek Laser Jammer
Location of Laser Jammer
Laser Jammer Opinions
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FLAT EMBLEMS / HOOD PINS(AMG and MB) (see picture below)
You can change out your hood pin really easily. See this link
AMG / MB Hood Pin
Picture of AMG emblem and car
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ILLUMINATED DOOR SILLS (OEM and 3rd party)
Some of us have gotten the illuminated door sills. I bought and had the OEM ones installed ($$$$). Others have gone the 3rd party route. See below for a link regarding each (and pictures).
Factory OEM Illuminated Door Sills
Link to 3rd party Illuminated Sills
Picture of 3rd party Illuminated Sills Installed
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THERMOTEC'ing AIR BOXES
Some members have wrapped their airboxes in Thermotec tape. I'd ask that VRUS or MARCUS_FROST pipe in on the benefits of this. See link below on more information on how to do it.
Thermotec your airboxes
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EXTENDED WARRANTY
You can order your extended warranty before you get the car or after you have it. But you can get it from any dealership, since it's honoured by Mercedes USA. Here's a helpful link about negotiating price and what others have encountered.
E55 Extended Warranty Prices and Information
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FOLDING SIDE MIRRORS
The US S class has folding side mirrors. These can be added to the E55. See this link for pictures/videos/how to install. I had mine installed by Steve. Great addition to the car!
Information about Folding Side Mirrors
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UPGRADED STEERING WHEEL
See link for pictures and information
Upgraded E55 Steering Wheel
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EUROPEAN BUMPER STRIPS
Available through SteveNL
www.mbenznl.com . Easy install to do yourself. (see image below)
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KEY COMMANDS (SUMMER MODE AND CLOSE WINDOWS)
If you hold down the lock button (near driver side door) as you exit, all the windows/etc will close.
If you hold down the unlock button when you go back to your car (near the driver side door), the A/C will turn on as well as the ventilated seats (if you have them).
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EURO COMMAND
Again, available through SteveNL. Check his website for details (see above). Allows for playing DVD movies in your car plus other features.
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IPOD
IPOD for Mercedes
April release, talk to your parts guy at your dealership for more information on availability and getting on a "wait list" if they have one.
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BLUETOOTH PHONE SYSTEM
The current phone system has a phone which is bluetooth capable. But the command is not programmed to make the car bluetooth capable. For example, you CANNOT bring your phone into the car, have the car discover your phone, and then (1) import your address list into the command, and (2) have all the calls to the phone route through your command. There are many rumours on this topic, but we're (or at least I) am crossing our fingers that this becomes available.
The only thing is that the Tunnel Mode is advertised in one of their booklets and is most likely in the manual, so they weren't trying to hide that one :P
On the subject of Radar detectors- I wouldn't be without one, but I can tell you that my previous
Snooper S1 was confiscated by the Dijon Police last year while driving down to Courcheval.
Having noticed the radar device on my windscreen as I passed the police car (At legal speed), they overtook me and flagged me down.
I was escorted to Dijon Police station and asked,at first, to pay a fine of 1500 euros in cash or my car would be impounded until the fine was paid.
I had 700 euros on me so they accepted that and took the radar detector. As you know these are illegal in France (whether switched on or off) and the "mad men" of Brussels (Bruxelles)have insisted that Britain bans them too by 2007.
What I am now looking for is a totally concealed version I can use because we have over 7000 speed cameras mostly in Southern England and we are all being ripped off on a "zero tolerance" basis.
I see perfectly what you mean, To me radar detector is B...ls....t It's just a way to feel more confortable whyle driving high speed. I had one few years ago and I got flashed under the rain and it rever made any bip unless I was passing a truck with radio speaking and making interferences.
I think this thread was great considering the AMG screen, Amg Stainless steel and british voice for you guys.[:D]
Linear Mode
