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.
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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.
The dial next to the gear selector is the Distronic option, which is an active radar-based
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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.
In the case of this CLK, the Distronic radar sensors are set behind the factory emblem on
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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.
Looking at the dash, you can toggle the distance you'd like to set from the vehicle in fro
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
Power rear sunshade
Fold-away trailer hitch: Uses European ball size
Headlamps washers
Bi-xenon headlamps
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
Fire extinguisher, located in the stowage compartment of the driver-side seat
19-inch AMG wheels
AMG Styling: AMG bumpers, side skirts, quad-tip exhaust
Command remote control, required to control the 861 option center rear monitor
Two-tone Alpaca Gray with Anthracite leather interior
Nappa leather anthracite: softer leather offered instead of 831A leather anthracite
Analog TV tuner, makes it possible to watch TV channels
Center rear monitor, O.E. monitor for rear passengers
Heated rear seats, so the ladies in the back can quit complaining about cold bums
Power trunk: the trunk lid opens and closes by the push of a button
Interior motion sensor in added option to the 551 towing alarm
Auxiliary trunk locks: two extra trunk locks in addition to the one standard unit
Load compartment package: an easy click system to secure the luggage in the trunk
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The center rear monitor option can be color-matched to the car's interior. With the TV Tuner option, both front and rear monitors can display the same image so all passengers can enjoy the big game while on the road.
The center rear monitor option can be color-matched to the car's interior. With the TV Tun
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Used in conjunction with Distronic you essentially have an auto-pilot scenario.
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This E500's instrument panel houses a CLS63 AMG cluster, which has additional menu items to display oil temperature and battery voltage, as well as a lap timer. Krabbenborg can also program it to display actual fuel content (as opposed to displaying range) and the actual date.
This E500's instrument panel houses a CLS63 AMG cluster, which has additional menu items t
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This factory leather-and-suede steering wheel features trick paddle shifters and maintains the original audio control buttons. Right paddle shifts up, left paddle downshifts.
This factory leather-and-suede steering wheel features trick paddle shifters and maintains
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The power trunk closer and opener is a two-way switch that not only opens the trunk but, unlike what's offered in the U.S., also closes it. When added security is needed it can operate up to two additional trunk locks. Auxiliary trunk locks give added security to vehicles carrying valuable cargo. The system can be controlled by the key fob or with a two-way button on the driver-side door. Touching the red button on the trunk lid will close the trunk electronically.
The power trunk closer and opener is a two-way switch that not only opens the trunk but, u
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The power trunk closer and opener is a two-way switch that not only opens the trunk but, unlike what's offered in the U.S., also closes it. When added security is needed it can operate up to two additional trunk locks. Auxiliary trunk locks give added security to vehicles carrying valuable cargo. The system can be controlled by the key fob or with a two-way button on the driver-side door. Touching the red button on the trunk lid will close the trunk electronically.
The power trunk closer and opener is a two-way switch that not only opens the trunk but, u
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This factory leather-and-suede steering wheel features trick paddle shifters and maintains the original audio control buttons. Right paddle shifts up, left paddle downshifts.
This factory leather-and-suede steering wheel features trick paddle shifters and maintains
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The load compartment package is great for securing objects of all shapes and sizes. When not in use, the load compartment package option folds neatly to the side.
The load compartment package is great for securing objects of all shapes and sizes. When n
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The load compartment package is great for securing objects of all shapes and sizes. When not in use, the load compartment package option folds neatly to the side.
The load compartment package is great for securing objects of all shapes and sizes. When n
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This interior motion sensor is effective against people reaching inside while the car is locked with the windows partially open.
This interior motion sensor is effective against people reaching inside while the car is l
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To activate the trailer hitch option there's a special lever by the spare tire. The ball on the hitch is European spec, and has a factory 13-pin connector to operate accessories. When the trailer hitch is out an indicator on the instrument cluster will let you know. When not in use, the hitch tucks right back underneath the rear bumper.
To activate the trailer hitch option there's a special lever by the spare tire. The ball o
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To activate the trailer hitch option there's a special lever by the spare tire. The ball on the hitch is European spec, and has a factory 13-pin connector to operate accessories. When the trailer hitch is out an indicator on the instrument cluster will let you know. When not in use, the hitch tucks right back underneath the rear bumper.
To activate the trailer hitch option there's a special lever by the spare tire. The ball o
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Power folding mirrors are a popular European option. They can be programmed to fold automatically when the car is locked centrally. They can also be manually folded with these factory controls on the right.
Power folding mirrors are a popular European option. They can be programmed to fold automa
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MBenzNL can install new AMG 380mm (15-inch) eight-piston brakes from the CLS55 to fit inside the AMG split five spoke 19-inch wheels, as well as the 330mm (13-inch) four-piston rears.
MBenzNL can install new AMG 380mm (15-inch) eight-piston brakes from the CLS55 to fit insi
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Another fantastic seating option is the Drive Dynamic seat, which, operated by these controls, features a rolling massage station while you drive. There is also a heating and ventilation seat option, the latter of which features perforated leather to reduce perspiration on the back and legs. Exhaust fans set into the seat backs help keep the seats cool; heating and ventilation functions are operated by these two buttons.
Another fantastic seating option is the Drive Dynamic seat, which, operated by these contr
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Another fantastic seating option is the Drive Dynamic seat, which, operated by these controls, features a rolling massage station while you drive. There is also a heating and ventilation seat option, the latter of which features perforated leather to reduce perspiration on the back and legs. Exhaust fans set into the seat backs help keep the seats cool; heating and ventilation functions are operated by these two buttons.
Another fantastic seating option is the Drive Dynamic seat, which, operated by these contr
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Most of the parts featured were taken from this E500, which Krabbenborg upgraded with nearly every conceivable factory option. Also worth mentioning is the lowering of the car with Krabbenborg's STAR Diagnose programming. Says Krabbenborg, "Apart from better looks, most of the modifications were done to turn this car into a better road trip car. The driver can go from San Francisco to L.A. without ever touching a pedal as the car keeps its own speed and distance from other cars, all while he enjoys a massage in a leather seat that won't make him sweat."
Most of the parts featured were taken from this E500, which Krabbenborg upgraded with near
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Power folding mirrors are a popular European option. They can be programmed to fold automatically when the car is locked centrally. They can also be manually folded with these factory controls on the right.
Power folding mirrors are a popular European option. They can be programmed to fold automa
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Another fantastic seating option is the Drive Dynamic seat, which, operated by these controls, features a rolling massage station while you drive. There is also a heating and ventilation seat option, the latter of which features perforated leather to reduce perspiration on the back and legs. Exhaust fans set into the seat backs help keep the seats cool; heating and ventilation functions are operated by these two buttons.
Another fantastic seating option is the Drive Dynamic seat, which, operated by these contr
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Another fantastic seating option is the Drive Dynamic seat, which, operated by these controls, features a rolling massage station while you drive. There is also a heating and ventilation seat option, the latter of which features perforated leather to reduce perspiration on the back and legs. Exhaust fans set into the seat backs help keep the seats cool; heating and ventilation functions are operated by these two buttons.
Another fantastic seating option is the Drive Dynamic seat, which, operated by these contr