I'm starting a new job this summer and I plan on getting a SLK 350 with a manual transmission. I will have to talk on the phone often while in the car. I would appreciate advice/experience on the hands-free phone option while driving a manual. Thanks.
Thanks for the reply. I am not sure just how "hands-free" the phone system really is. I'll be in traffic most of the time and just wanted to make sure that rowing gears and answering phone calls is easy.
When using the hands free and a manual you will experience the ability to talk on the phone while you drive, its quite clever. It's just like it reads in the book it really is hands free, well almost, you do have to press a button to accept, reject and close calls.
If you are really advanced you can dial numbers too, but this should only be done with one hand, and its tricky to do this when changing gear.
The chaps at Mercedes have also put the buttons in a telephone keypad order, this helps you dial without having to more than glance at the keypad, meaning you can look where you are driving and feel your way around.
And although MB have added all these safety features, you can still change gear when on teh phone, of course that is only handsfree in an automatic.
Oh dear though, have you considard in addition to using your hands for the gear stick, you will also have to operate the clutch?
Any one got any comments on using the clutch whilst playing a CD?
Well if you intend to realy use the SLK - topless, you will find that without the rear screen, talking is an excercise in futility - frustration at best.
There is simply too much wind noise to compensate for when the top is down.
If however, you have the top up, I have the same type of system in my C320 and it works wonderfully. I loathe the fact that you are restricted to one brand of phone in the US so I bought my own phone and got a bluetooth wireless earpiece which goes on when I get in the car.
Hands-free, wireless and one button answer. I can also dial numbers or names using voice activation. This system worked out significantly cheaper than the MB route.
Cost of phone $299.
Cost of BT headset $79.
vs.
Cost of MB Phone ~$500
Cost of Hands free Prep ~$925
You are quite welcome.
By the way, there are some persons who can fit the OEM Mercedes Phone Kit from Euope for you and will do it at a significant cost savings over the ordered options which will give you the freedom to choose from Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Siemens and Motorolla phones.
There is a gentleman named Steve - his screen name is MBenzNL on the "m b w o r l d .org" forums. I am sure he will be willing to entertain your questions on installing the phone kit.
Linear Mode
