i recall that there was a benz mechanic on this board that expressed a knowledge of this model. perhaps you will return to this new thread.

having acquired this virtually immaculate, virtually undriven vehicle as a cpo from an autonation store, i have been learning how inadequately they examined it before giving it cpo status. so far, i can't conclude that it failed to notice any major deficiencies, but it did miss a lot of little things that should not have been missed.

out of the half dozen or so, that i uncovered during the first week after i purchased this car, was the programmable passenger side mirror for a turn-down when reverse gear was selected. this is discussed in the owner's manual as a standard feature. and when i followed the manual's instructions, nothing happened.

so, this deficiency was noted on my punch list for correction. i think i can understand how this fault might have been missed on a cpo inspection.

when i picked up the car, it was outside, major rain was beginning to fall, with hail and tornados on a watch status. given the keys and the no charge ro/invoice, i jumped in the vehicle and drove it home to get it under roof.

getting it under roof just as all weather hell broke loose[hail, 60+mph winds, torrential rain] i read the ro/invoice. under the complaint of the passenger side mirror failing to turn down was the comment: NOT AN OPTION FOR THIS VEHICLE.

i went back to the owner's manual. pages 124, 180. this feature is discussed as a STANDARD feature.

i think i have the true build specs for this car. they identify a delete parktronic. delete remote trunk closure. add keyless go. add wood and leather steering wheel.

there is no "delete standard feature: programmable passenger-side mirror turn-down" listed on the build specs.

i have consulted with other m-b dealers in metro-houston, they all say that was a standard feature of that model.

even the other autonation dealer in this area says that.

even the salesperson who conducted my purchasing transaction confirmed that was a standard feature of that model.

yet the director of service and parts for that autonation dealership has written me that this "turn-down" feature was an option not included with this vehicle.

i have asked him to have the m-b zone rep confirm that for me. in writing. and more to the point, explain to me why the owner's manual was in error when it described this as a standard feature.

but i ask you experts, was there a time in the 2006 model year for this model when owner's manual standard features were eliminated. and eliminated without notice, without explanation?

all ears.

thnx.