Mercedes Dealer News

The 2008 Mercedes-Benz ML550 is now available!

Features and Accessories for the 2008 ML550

Mercedes combines additional styling and performance with the established functionality of the sport utility. Taking the place of the 500 series, the new Mercedes-Benz ML550 has more horsepower and more standard features than its predecessor. The first thing you will notice on the ML550 is the NOW STANDARD AMG BODY STYLE front and rear bumpers. This is on HOT looking and performing SUV!!

The following are all standard features of the ML550:

• AMG Front and Rear Bumpers
• 19" wheels w/all season tires
• Silver grille with chrome ribs
• Running Boards
• 7 Speed Automatic Transmission
• 5.5l V8 382hp / 391 ft-pounds of torque (26% horsepower increase over the ML500)
• Standard 4 Wheel Drive (4MATIC)
• 7200lb (Class III) Towing Capacity
• Dual square polished stainless-steel exhaust tips
• Power tilt/sliding tinted-glass sunroof with sunshade
• Dual heated power mirrors
• Privacy glass for rear doors, rear quarter windows, and tailgate
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Rear-window wiper with washer
• Electrically heated rear window with auto-shutoff
• Hydraulically assisted tailgate closing feature
• Black protective-coated roof rails (with 220-lb roof load capacity)
• Halogen headlamps and front foglamps
• Selectable light-sensing headlamps
• Programmable daytime running lamps with auto-on override in darkness

MSRP: $53,175

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There is also an array of OEM accessories that are available for the ML550:

• Rear Entertainment System

• Mudguards (avail only on rear w/running boards):

• Chrome grille guard
• 20" (Furud) Wheels

• Child Safety Seats
• Multi-Handset Interface (MHI) Cradle or Bluetooth Interface Puck

• Chrome Wheel Locks
• Illuminated Door Sills (also avail in non-illuminated)

• HItch Mounted Bicycle Rack (when equipped w/optional hitch)
• Ipod Integration

• Roof Rack Basic Carrier System
• Wood/Leather Steering Wheel

• All Season Floormats
• Chrome Door Handle Inserts

... and many more.

*Contact your dealer for the numerous other ways you can personalize your ML550!

Mercedes-Benz Hands-Free Communication System

When Mercedes-Benz set out to develop a Hands-Free Communication System, they focused on creating a highly engineered and completely integrated system. They took into account - safety, security, efficiency, and luxury.

The Mercedes-Benz integrated hands- free communication system offers you security with the ability to make, receive, and end calls with the push of a button, with minimal driving distractions.

Using the Mercedes- Benz audio system, an external antenna and an on-board signal booster, your guaranteed to receive optimum reception and less dropped class. Never lose another call due to an uncharged battery, the Multi- Handset Interface Cradle keeps your phone continually and automatically accesses your phonebook.

The Hands-Free Communication System includes an Instrument Panel Display that enables you to view your phonebook entries and Caller ID. The Audio System Display enables you to view useful your phonebook entries, dial numbers, phone status, caller ID, and text messages. The Multi-Handset Interface Cradle constantly keeps the headset charged, it automatically accesses your phonebook information, and is designed to accommodate with the current selection of Motorola phones. The Steering Wheel Controls enables you to answer and end calls, find a number in your phonebook all while keeping your eyes on the road.

The system is enabled with additional features such a microphone, which features noise and echo reduction for optimal sound quality and integrated inside of the vehicle. The state-of-the-art cell phone technology offers the latest in Motorola cell phones to fit your special needs and priorities. Because the integrated hands- free communication system is engineered by Mercedes-Benz, you can trust it’s approved and test and comes with a 4-year/50,000 mile warranty coverage.

You are sort of limited on the phone selection; however Mercedes-Benz has done a good job keeping up with the most popular phones. For a full listing of phones, accessories and what’s compatible visit the dedicated Auto Wireless Solutions website exclusively for Mercedes-Benz OR call our Accessories and Service department at 1-301-733-2301 to schedule an install or to order hands-free accessories.

Mercedes-Benz iPod Integration Kit

Mercedes-Benz iPod Integration Kit

Mercedes-Benz offers a slick iPod integration system for your Mercedes-Benz.The kit includes an interface for the glovebox, software to support the vehicle system integration and interface functionality.

Plug and play functionality allows you to dock and go. View all your playlists, menus, and tracks through your in-dash display and scan all your music with your steering wheel controls.

Your iPod is stored securely in a specialized port in your glove box, away from preying eyes and conveniently charging itself for your endless listening pleasure.

You can order your Mercedes-Benz with the iPod integration kit from the factory or have it dealer installed.

The MSRP for the dealer-installed solution begins at $299 plus installation.

Visit the Mercedes-Benz iPod website with the iPod demo. Though it is a little dated now. They make no mention of the iPod Nano, however there are integration kits for the iPod, iPod Video, Nano and Mini.

Call our Mercedes-Benz Accessories department for availability; 1-800-542-4084.

Note: The iPod Integration Kit is available for select Model Year 2004 and newer Mercedes-Benz vehicles The iPod Integration Kit for Mercedes-Benz is now available for the redesigned 2006 M-Class SUV, C-Class (05 and newer), CLK-Class (05 and newer), E-Class (04 and newer), CLS-Class (06), and SLK-Class (05 and newer; vehicles equipped with COMAND [Cockpit Management and Data system] system only). Upon vehicle introduction, the solution will be available for the new 2006 R-Class.

Benz gets iPod

If the Harry iPod (Harry Potter) wasn’t enough, Apple has gone and licensed the iPod to even more companies to give them their own style and design. Mercedez Benz will be offering their own branded iPods, most likely to work with their New in-car iPod interface.