Bringing a new Mercedes-Benz home off the showroom floor has to be an exciting proposition. But picking up a specially ordered model with all your preferred factory options has to be even better. And why not? If I was paying 80 grand for a new car I'd want it to have all the available features my heart desired.
Problem is, over the years American buyers haven't had the same options available to them as the Europeans. It would be irritating to know that someone across the Atlantic is enjoying the automatic power-folding mirrors, voice recognition, Distronic, cornering bi-xenons, a factory two-tone interior, or paddle-shifters when you know you never could. MBenzNL realized this and took advantage of it.
Started by Steve Krabbenborg and based in the Netherlands, MBenzNL specializes in supplying original Mercedes parts and complete installation packages worldwide to 2003 and later Mercedes-Benz vehicles owned by dealerships or private parties. It makes buying a used Mercedes a whole different experience, because now you can retrofit all those previously unobtainable factory options.
After the installation, customers are tickled to see their newly acquired options register through the car's DME and VIN because they appear as if they were installed at the factory itself. Krabbenborg is able to do this with his Mercedes-Benz developer software. "There are four levels of software," he explains. "There's a dealer level, district service manager level, management level, and the developer level, which is normally unobtainable."
The software is what the factory uses to read the car's computer and make changes. With it, he can also make subtle changes, like, for example, programming version code options that make the coolant fan come on sooner for people living in hot climates, or that show how much fuel content is left on the instrument cluster, or that even turn on basic tire pressure monitoring.
 The dial next to the gear...  The dial next to the gear selector is the Distronic option, which is an active radar-based cruise control. It is operational between speeds of 20 to 115 mph. A Distronic-Plus option can automatically bring the car to a complete stop in traffic. |  In the case of this CLK, the...  In the case of this CLK, the Distronic radar sensors are set behind the factory emblem on the factory replacement grille. Using the lever, you can program the LIM speed limiter to keep the car from surpassing desired speed, ideal when allowing someone else to drive or when using winter tires. |  Looking at the dash, you can...  Looking at the dash, you can toggle the distance you'd like to set from the vehicle in front of the car with the dial on the console. |
MBenzNL can order virtually any factory option or upgrade and install it to optimize driving luxury. "Whatever you need, the dealership supplies," Krabbenborg says, "whereas whatever you want, we supply."
Some of the many factory options offered by MBenzNL include:Orion Gray Alcantara headliner
Distronic active cruise control that maintains a set speed and distance from other cars
Parktronic: ten total sensors to help prevent contact while parking
Skibag: a rear pass-through behind armrest; whatever extends into cabin is covered by a waterproof bag
Wood and leather steering wheel with airbag
Integrated sunshades in the rear door panels
UHI phone kit fully integrated in center armrest allowing users to clip several phone cradles
Voice recognition, available in English for verbally controlling the audio sound system
Heated and ventilated seats: Inset fans in combination with perforated leather to limit perspiration on the seats
Steering wheel with paddle shifters
Dynamic driver and passenger seats featuring inflatable airbags in backrest for back-massaging and active lateral bolsters to improve support during cornering
Heated steering wheel for use in colder climates
Tire pressure monitoring: four antennas read wheel sensors to display real-time pressures in instrument cluster
Steel carter protection plate: 2mm-thick steel plate to prevent oil pan damage from road debris
Power folding side mirrors: Mirrors fold by the press of a button or by locking the car
Command navigation with DVD playback, supports navigation and Euro command DVD playback, Mercedes TV Tuner and center rear monitor
Harmon Kardon Premium sound system
Fold-away trailer hitch: Uses European ball size
Active cornering bi-xenon headlamps, move left or right when the steering wheel is turned
Passive cornering foglamps: appropriate light will come on when taking a slow-speed turn in the dark