“What’s in the Premium 1 Package and do I need it?” is one of the most common questions asked by prospective buyers of a new or pre owned Mercedes-Benz C class. The Premium 1 Package, commonly referred to as the P1 Package, is the most common option package for a C300 sport sedan. Most C300s are built with the P1 Package, therefore the vast majority of C300s in regular dealer inventory are equipped with it.
Non P1 cars do exist, but are generally tougher for dealers to sell as the package contains very basic options most customers shopping in the C class price range expect and demand. The options included in the P1 Package have changed and evolved each year since the introduction of the C300 in 2008. This is a guide to the evolution of the P1 Package in the Mercedes-Benz C class during the first four years of its production, 2008 – 2011.
2008 Mercedes-Benz C300 Premium 1 Package (P1 Package) Contents
Cost: $1,400
873: Heated Front Seats
536: SIRIUS Satellite Radio
500: Power Folding Mirrors
345: Rain Sensor (rain sensing windshield wipers)
249: Auto Dimming Mirrors (exterior side view and interior rear view)
232: Garage Door Opener (three small buttons on rearview mirror)
2008 was the first year for the new C class. It hit dealerships with great fanfare where the cars were snatched up by eager customers ready to trade in their more traditional, pedestrian looking, C280 and C240 cars for the first real sports sedan from Mercedes-Benz in many years. The C300 didn’t just represent a mild massaging of body work, it was a completely different car.
The P1 Package was introduced on the new C class as an easy way to bundle some of the most historically common options requested on entry level Mercedes-Benz sedans. By packaging these options together, ordering and production were simplified and prices were kept in check.
2009 Mercedes-Benz C300 Premium 1 Package (P1 Package) Contents
Cost: $2,150
873: Heated Front Seats
536: SIRIUS Satellite Radio
345: Rain Sensor (rain sensing windshield wipers)
275: Power Driver Seat & Steering Column w/ Memory
249: Auto Dimming Mirrors (exterior side view and interior rear view)
245: Integrated Compass in Rearview Mirror
232: Garage Door Opener (three small buttons on rearview mirror)
2009 brought several changes to the P1 Package. Most notable was a price increase from $1,400 to $2,150. A welcomed addition was a power steering column and memory seats, not even an available option on the 2008 model. The seat adjustment controls moved from the side of the driver’s seat to the door panel like most other Mercedes-Benz cars.
There was the addition of a compass in the rear view mirror. While not ground breaking, this additional was convenient. There had always been a compass available in the instrument cluster, but it required fishing through several menus to find.
The power folding exterior mirrors were removed from the P1 Package for the 2009 model year, and removed as an option on the C class all together. Many traditional car enthusiasts applauded this omission. The power folding mirrors were seen by many as more of a gimmick than a necessity and they represented two more electric motors that would eventually break and need to be replaced.
2010 Mercedes-Benz C300 Premium 1 Package (P1 Package) Contents
Cost: $2,300
873: Heated Front Seats
536: SIRIUS Satellite Radio
345: Rain Sensor (rain sensing windshield wipers)
275: Power Driver Seat & Steering Column w/ Memory
249: Auto Dimming Mirrors (exterior side view and interior rear view)
245: Integrated Compass in Rearview Mirror
232: Garage Door Opener (three small buttons on rearview mirror)
U22: 4-Way Lumbar Support
Minimal changes occurred from 2009 to 2010, but the package price did increase by $150.The only real change was the addition of driver’s side power lumbar support. Mercedes-Benz seemed to be waiting for the 2011 model year to make real changes their most common option package.
2011 Mercedes-Benz C300 Premium 1 Package (P1 Package) Contents
Cost: $1,995
536: Power Rear-Window Sunshade
540: SIRIUS Satellite Radio
345: Rain Sensor (rain sensing windshield wipers)
287: Split Folding Rear Seats
275: Power Driver Seat & Steering Column w/ Memory
249: Auto Dimming Mirrors (exterior side view and interior rear view)
245: Integrated Compass in Rearview Mirror
232: Garage Door Opener (three small buttons on rearview mirror)
U22: 4-Way Lumbar Support
In 2011 the price of the P1 Package actually went down by about $400, much to the delight of C300 shoppers. A rear window sunshade, common on more expensive Mercedes-Benz models, made it to the C300’s P1 Package. Split folding rear seats were also added. Most C class competitors have had folding rear seats in their entry level cars for years, it was very rare in C class cars until the 2011 model year. It’s not so much that people are hauling a lot in their European luxury sedans, but not having an option common in competing vehicles can stand out to a potential buyer. As might be expected, the 2011 has the most complete and fully developed P1 Package so far.
The Premium 1 Package is expected to continue as the basic option package available for Mercedes-Benz vehicles moving forward. Only minor changes are expected to the C class sport sedan over the next several model years, equally minor changes to the P1 Package should be expected as well.
Check back to DaveKnowsCars soon for a featured article about the more expensive, feature laden, Mercedes-Benz Premium 2 Package for the C class and the other cars in the Mercedes-Benz product line.
4 comments
Hello,
I just purchased the 2011 Sedan sport c300. It did not come with a manual, do you know if this car comes with heated seats?
Hello Alejandra,
Heated seats were an option for the 2011 C class. If the heated seat buttons are not obvious, on the center stack, between the radio and climate controls, your car isn’t equipped with them.
I have a 2010 c300 4matic. Can I add folding seat or rear seat and rear window screen?
Hi Sally, It just won’t make financial sense to try to add these items… they will require an insane amount of work. You have to just find those packages on a car when you’re buying one… adding them, if you can even find someone to do it, will cost thousands and thousands of dollars and won’t be worth it based on the value of your car. Sorry.