Some of your suggestions are turning this thing into a Chrysler and removing the Mercedes out of it. The cruise control is perfect. It it wasn't it wouln't have gone unchanged for 30 years. You don't even have to look for it and it keeps your hands right where they should be. Yes the cupholder sucks but a Lotus doesn't even come with one.

Harder brake pads??? This isn't a Chevy truck. The softer the pad is, the better stopping power you have. If you want less brake dust, use PBR Deluxe pads. They stop just as well but make virtually no brake dust.

I definately agree with the windows needing to go down slightly. My passenger side window makes awful wind noise. I don't know what they were thinking with the reversed window switches either. None of my Mercedes are like that. HID's would be nice but the projector beams do a really good job for halogen.