New owner

[Mack42]

Hello all,

After 11 months of unispiring Merc ownership I have just placed an order for a new 4.4 L405 autobiography. Prior to the Merc I had a 3.6 TDV8 and never should have sold it as I loved that car. My question is I have specced 360 degree park assist, deployable tow bar and a few other bits and bobs but is there anything else that others have found very nice to have or found a waste of time?

Slightly O/T I have bought the car from Ridgeway Oxford and so far they seem fine as I know that others have asked about dealers.

Thanks

Dan

[CQ8]

I'd be interested in the answers to this as well. I have just (this morning) placed an order for a L405, but just a regular Vogue with the V8 diesel.

I didn't choose any of the Park Assist items,

[swisstoni]

Agree with park assist - never use it, wouldn't trust it. I'm sure it's ok, it's just me.
The automatic headlight dip thing - always a bit 'will it, won't it'.
The lights that turn to illuminate around corners - minimal advantage.
22 way adjustable seats - not worth it
Automatic garage door opener - doesn't work with rolling code systems.
Built in torch - what was I thinking
Umbrella holder - ditto.

Glad I went for;-
22's
Mudguards
Non tinted back windows
Pano roof
Body coloured gills
Body coloured roof

[Phil.]

I've recently taken delivery of a new 4.4 L405 AB. A couple of cost neutral choices I made and like include the wood-leather heated steering wheel and full leather headlining. The wood-leather steering wheel is chunky compared to the the leather-only version. A better feel IMHO. I wouldn't trust the auto-park system not to scratch the wheels.

[SlackBladder]

Remote parking heater is a nice toy if your car is left outside in the winter, also a full size spare wheel is a bargain.

[swisstoni]

SlackBladder said:

Remote parking heater is a nice toy if your car is left outside in the winter, also a full size spare wheel is a bargain.

Haven't tried that yet - half expect it to drive off.

[Phil.]

SlackBladder said:

Remote parking heater is a nice toy if your car is left outside in the winter, also a full size spare wheel is a bargain.

The remote park heater is standard on the AB and you can now operate from your mobile phone via an app.

Agree on the full size spare wheel being a bargain.

Another nice toy is the gesture control for the boot, again standard on the AB. With the key in your pocket you lift your foot under the rear end and it opens the entire boot

I specifically chose the 21''' wheels after trying the 22'' because I wanted less road noise and more comfort, over looks and a slight improvement in cornering.

Whatever you end up with you will enjoy

Edited to add, the remote park heater doesn't start the engine it lights a bonfire of diesel under the bonnet - no kidding

Edited by Phil. on Wednesday 14th October 20:46

[Mack42]

Thanks for the replies everybody. I have also gone for the full size spare and had the remote heater on my old 3.6 but never used it. One odd thing , I specced the cirrus leather headlining but because of this I have to have the gloss black roof not sure why this is? I have also gone for 22's but may change to 21's for comfort reasons has anyone experienced both? I test drove a car on 22's and it seemed fine but I do like a comfortable drive.

Thanks

Dan

[orbtar]

Winged headrests are extremely comfortable and reverse traffic detection is great. Standard audio is way better than most cars premium systems, optional audio is amazing. Ride is still great with 22" wheels. Fog lamps and extra windscreen washer bottle (cannot believe they are options) are low cost and should always be added.
Nav control system, mapping display and heated seat controls are rubbish, as are headlamp assist and side view cameras, a complete waste of money.
Still the best all round 4x4 by a long way.

[Mack42]

Hi all,

My final spec over and above an AB is

Style 504 wheels
Extra large washer bottle
Full size spare
Privacy glass
360 degree park primarily for my wife who loves driving RR's but hates the parking
Deployable tow hook
Corris grey
Ebony leather
Sliding pan roof

I may have side steps fitted as well

The car gets built on 20/11 so should be with me early December

[swisstoni]

I liked the Corris Grey but it got vetoed.

[orbtar]

Very nice, good colour. Did you get a good discount?

[Mack42]

orbtar said:

Very nice, good colour. Did you get a good discount?

Not off the price of the price of the RR but I have agreed an excellent trade in on the merc ( 8k more than the nearest other offer which itself was pretty fair) that it made going down the new route an easy choice. As ever it's all about cost to change.

Thanks for all the pointers on spec and I will post some photos up when I take delivery.

[EdJ]

Glad to see I'm not the only one who hasn't bothered with the automatic parallel parking assist - I can't think of anything worse than sitting there whilst it kerbs the alloys.

In terms of spec'd items that you may have overlooked, I have the top spec Meridian sound system in mine, and it is superb. I love the fridge in between the front seats - it's great having icy cold water on a long journey. The leather headlining is great, but I probably wouldn't spec it again. The massage seats are great (although I've heard others say they are awful) - my wife and I both like them.

I've never used the remote parking heating on this car, or my previous L322. If it's diesel in the L405, does that cause a problem if the car's garaged?

I've got the 22" wheels, but think I prefer the 21". This is for aesthetic and kerbing reasons though, I don't notice any problem from a ride perspective.

The electronically deployable tow bar is also fantastic - so simple and easy to use.

Lastly, the winged headrests are superb. So comfortable and a huge improvement on the headrests in my L322.

[swisstoni]

IIRC the Meridian upgrade is £4K. As we were well north of £100k already there was never any way we were going to be ticking that box, although I'm sure it's fantastic. It better had be really.