What I do have:
- a 05-02 ML 270 CDI
- a 3-month old son
- a non-MB child seat (which is exactly the same make/model as the MB-branded one)

What I still need:
- The transponder / part that is added to the O.E.M. MB child seats that deactivates the passanger airbag.

Why I don't want to buy one from MB:
- It costs over 50% more to get an O.E.M. MB one (with the only difference being the transponder).
- The design is horribly ugly, and therefore vetoed by my wife. (honestly )
- I already have a good child seat, damn it!

I've checked with the local dealership to see if we could get a separate transponder (or whatever it may be), but they basically brushed us off, proposing to buy the complete child seat (yeah, right).

Anybody knows if the transponder is available separately, and what the MB part number is?

Thanks for all info,
Bram