[oscarlqw]

It's probably just me, but my OCD always kicks in when I look down to the bottom left area of the dash (below the driver side air vent). Those hard, useless empty buttons in a row drive me crazy!

After some research, I notice those buttons are (from left to rigth): Auto start/stop engine function, Lane keeping assist function, front collision alert function and back up sensor function. I am wondering if we are able to order those parts and retro fit them into our cars? I saw some Smart car owners in EU retro fit the fog light system and back up camera system into their smarts. I am wondering if we are able to do the same thing here.

 

[IntelligentASS]

I am also interested in these options...
someone chime in and assist us with knowledge...

 

[jwight]

Unless smart has changed its philosophy, it will be almost impossible, not to mention very costly, to add those options after the car is built - if they can be added at all.

 

[oscarlqw]

I am also interested in these options...

So from what I have learned, you can retrofit them on 453. But after you install the parts, you need to have someone who has Mercedes programming access (most likely dealership people unless you know some tuning shops who can help) to activate them before you can use them.

From what I heard so far, that auto start/stop engine function is default to on, and most users dislike it and hate the fact that every time they get into the cars and had to manually turn it off. They actually seeking professional help to set it default to off or permanently disable it. This is something we probably have to consider before we make the move. I am still gathering feedback for other functions. Will keep you posted.

 

[Miss Mercedes]

It's probably just me, but my OCD always kicks in when I look down to the bottom left area of the dash (below the driver side air vent). Those hard, useless empty buttons in a row drive me crazy!

After some research, I notice those buttons are (from left to rigth): Auto start/stop engine function, Lane keeping assist function, front collision alert function and back up sensor function. I am wondering if we are able to order those parts and retro fit them into our cars? I saw some Smart car owners in EU retro fit the fog light system and back up camera system into their smarts. I am wondering if we are able to do the same thing here.

You can retrofit those parts but you won't be able to get most of them to work. US dealerships won't activate options the car isn't approved to have. So for some of these, your only option is a tuning shop or someone with a 453 updated Star machine.

Auto start/stop engine function, Lane keeping assist function,

Neither of these were options in the USA.

front collision alert function and back up sensor function.

You will need to purchase the radar for the front end and the rear bumper with the integrated sensors. You'll likely be able to convince the dealer to make the front radar work as that is an option in the USA, but the rear sensors aren't supposed to exist and they won't touch them.

IMO, the front radar on US spec cars is pretty useless. It gives off a lot of false alarms (like when I reach the bottom of a hill), doesn't work when it's wet (constantly flashing an annoying warning that blocks more important info), and wouldn't warn you until it's too late to take action anyway.

Maybe the European ones are better.

You can probably get a dealer to turn on the rear fog light too, though reverse camera also wasn't available in the US.

My verdict? It's probably not worth the trouble unless you know someone with a MB Star machine. Otherwise you'll have a lot of cool gadgets that don't work. :/

 

[jwight]

I thought all 453s came with the rear fog light... :shrug:

 

[Miss Mercedes]

I thought so to but I guess that's not the case here? :shrug:

Maybe OP is talking about the LED rear lamps.

 

[FiveSpeed]

I have the rear fog light on my 453.

 

[oscarlqw]

I have the rear fog light on my 453.

I just found out my car has rear fog light too, you just have to twist it to turn it on.. I think we all do.

 

[jzchen]

The rear sensors were on the USA website as an option when you “Build” one. One reason I was hesitant on Steven’s 453...

Mercedes has had forward collision alert for a while. I am surprised it is not working well for you, Miss Mercedes. Maybe a dealer can update yours, in particular it should not have any issues in rain. (The system in my ‘12 E Class did not false much, if at all. Just too much to register and insure it for me to use right now...)

I feel confident that any feature you want could be added with the proper amount of money....

Of course that amount of money may not be reasonable, at least to most...

 

[Ferragamo4me]

Anybody purchased these yet?

Anybody seen these lights in action yet ?

 

[DowneasTTer]

I don't know about the lights.... but I just purchased a set of new rear lights for my Audi TT Roadster from the same vendor and can tell you it was a true win/win transaction. Shipping was fast, packing was great, the lights were OEM quality and the price was amazing .... when you look at what Audi charges.

 

[Ferragamo4me]

Thanks for the info

Funny you should mention you TT,as I just sold my TT for my fortwo had it for almost 17 years and I do miss it very much,but I also love my fortwo,and thanks for the info on the seller of these lights. Here is a pic of my Audi TT

 

[Miss Mercedes]

The rear sensors were on the USA website as an option when you “Build” one. One reason I was hesitant on Steven’s 453...

Mercedes has had forward collision alert for a while. I am surprised it is not working well for you, Miss Mercedes. Maybe a dealer can update yours, in particular it should not have any issues in rain. (The system in my ‘12 E Class did not false much, if at all. Just too much to register and insure it for me to use right now...)

I feel confident that any feature you want could be added with the proper amount of money....

Of course that amount of money may not be reasonable, at least to most...

From what I was told by brand reps we were never supposed to have the rear sensors. Cameras yes, sensors, no. The US spec fully loaded 2017s at the Chicago Auto Show didn’t have them, while the EU 2017 EDs they brought along with them did. So idk, maybe they were or maybe still are going to be introduced here.

As for my radar, the local dealers say it’s working as designed and that the US spec radars are worse than the EU versions because of US regulations. This is supposedly why we also don’t get lane departure warnings or side alerts.

Whether this is true or not is beyond me, my local dealers have a documented past of fibbing to get out of warranty work.

Anybody seen these lights in action yet ?

Those lights are HID projector replications of the LED lights from the fourjoy concept. Of course, leave it to the aftermarket to bring the concept closer to reality than the OEM.

It still somewhat bothers me that smart went backwards and used reflector housings instead of the allegedly functional LEDs that the fourjoy had below.

My prevailing theory is that these lights would/will show up in the 453’s facelift. I honestly have no idea anymore. It looks like smart is more interested in making a self-driving car and a potential ride sharing service than they are with anything 453 right now.

 

[oscarlqw]

Anybody seen these lights in action yet ?

 

[Ferragamo4me]

Are these lights LED or Xenon ?

 

[oscarlqw]

Are these lights LED or Xenon ?

LED daytime running light with HID I think.

 

[Ferragamo4me]

Yeah,that’s what I thought. Thanks buddy

 

[jzchen]

Looks like LED with LED DRL to me.

 

[DowneasTTer]

Funny you should mention you TT,as I just sold my TT for my fortwo had it for almost 17 years and I do miss it very much,but I also love my fortwo,and thanks for the info on the seller of these lights. Here is a pic of my Audi TT

That's funny as i currently have my 2001 roadster that I have owned for 15 years on the auction block replaced by an 08 3.2 S-Tronic roadster - couldn't do the shifting anymore as my knees are too old. So now I shift both my smart and TT via the fingers...