The latest and greatest on getting rid of the anemic factory ML horn is an air horn produced by the Italian company STEBEL. This is a one-piece unit that is a simple two-wire hookup using the factory leads.

This horn is called the NAUTILUS and it is LOUD!!! Virtually no lag time that is usually associated with electric air horns that have the compressor hooked to the horns via a length of tubing. The Stebel website will give you an idea of their sound/pitch, but the sound clip doesn't do them justice.....

I found them online for about $40.00 shipped and they are simply amazing!

Next time someone cuts you off or wanders into your lane while on their cell phone, a quick dose of this baby will get their attention.....

http://www.casporttouring.com/store/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=Stebel11135&Category_Code=horn

In some cities LOUD horns are against the law...I know. I use Hella REDHEADS!

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MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
ASE Master Technician
Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times)
44 years foreign automotive repair
27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (15 years)
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
Retired Moderator

yeah........I hear you.....Horns can be pretty obnoxious when abused. I don't use mine often, but when I do, I want to be noticed. With half the world on cell phones while driving and 200 gizillion amps pushing woofers the size of trash cans........its hard to get the attention of a driver wandering in your lane.

I actually tried the Hella's a while back, not the Made in India set, but the Made in Deutchland set and they were impressive. I've pretty much spoiled myself by using airhorns, and this baby is the real deal....loud and in my opinion, just the right pitch........

I agree that the Mercedes horns are not what they used to be. But, the 230S that I just bought has the original horns that are the loud, agressive ones of the old days ... I think they are twice as loud as the newer ones and have a "move over" kind of tone .... Maybe we all should try to find some of the 60's MB horns and install them on our newer models !?
Ben Carter

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Ben Harrison Carter
1999 Mercedes ML320 87K
1992 Mercedes 300CE 89K
1995 Corvette 29K -- Sold Dec 09
1989 Mercedes 420SEL 99K -- (Sold 4/08)
1968 Mercedes 230S (106K) (Sold 9/06))
1976 Mercedes 450SEL 130K (Just sold - 06)
1961 Mercedes 220Sb (sold years ago)