Hi,

As of now, the multimedia package at mbusa.com is priced at $2,950, which makes me wonder whether one should spend that much money or not. For me, I'd much prefer a portable Garmin on any day given that I can switch between multiple cars and carry it with me when I fly out to different places. Furthermore, I am not really sure how good MB's GPS systems are (I might be wrong, but I've heard that Acura provides/makes the best in-dash GPS systems).

Although a feature of the multimedia package that is enticing to me is the Harmon/Kardon surround system -- I do know that they are simply amazing! Any chance that one might be able to option (perhaps in 2009 models?) out just the surround sound w/o having the "entire" multimedia package?

I look forward to your views.

Cheers,
- M

Hi!
I'm portuguese, and in Portugal you can get the command system and the harman kardon sound system individualy, there's no "multimedia package" with all included. As far as I know that's the case in the european model, and the "multimedia package" is a optional of the american model. I don't know if american's can choose to have the harman kardon sound system alone...

Forget to say that in Portugal that equipment is substantially more expensive. The Command system alone costs 2.898€ ($4100) or 3300€ ($4680), depending on the 6 cd's/dvd's changer, and the harman kardon system costs 1100€ ($1560), so I wish we could choose that package for that price...

This is interesting...I wonder why one cannot get the surround sound system separately in the US....at least I'd buy one

My three day old C300 has the Multimedia package and although I have yet to open the manual on it, I have put a few locations in the Nav system and have found the screen picture extremely sharp and bright, even wearing polarized sunglasses. When I ignore a route of it's choosing, it relents and shows the car's location on the new route quickly and in my own neighborhood shows the street curves and turns accurately. It's going to be fun to use.

I have paired my cell phone with it and made a few calls and it works well. The HK sound system is much better than the Bose system in my old C320. The voice control system works amazingly well and switching back and forth from AM to FM or changing to a new station is just a matter of issuing the instruction. Is it worth it? Who knows? But, I listened to the standard radio in another C-class and there is no comparison.

I would say that if you spend a lot of time in the car then you should give it serious consideration

RLE

'08 C300
Barolo Red
Cashmere Beige leather
P02 package
Multimedia package
18" AMG wheels/Bridgestone RE050A tires

This is precisely my point -- in my opinion, the sound upgrade is a must even if you aren't an audiophile .

I guess I will wait and see if, and when, mbusa provides the harmon/kardon as an option, which bmwusa does (at least in the 3ers).

- M