Activate Phone and Navigation Service?

[DelJ]

Airpan,

I also drive a 2000 ML430. Most of the replies in this thread are overkill. All you need is the appropriate navigation CD that you can buy for a little as $30. Mind you, this is not from the Mercedes dealer. Just search this forum for the deals. I normally do not advocate the copying of commercial software, however in this case the CD navigation software is no longer supported by either Merecedes or Navteq. If either company would issue an updated CD version, I would be first in line to purchase from them. The last CD version is 2004.1.

My wife has the 2000 Mercedes phone in her car. It is possible to set yourself up with a more modern phone (search for "Mikbox") but it is outrageously expensive for you to install the entire Mercedes phone system. I just use my own handheld cell phone in my ML.

DelJ

Originally Posted by airpan

I recently bought a 2000 ML430, which came with a Bose stereo system, Navigation, and phone capability. I RTFM and no where does it indicate how to actually have the service hooked up to the phone in the car. I understand that there are CD's for the navigation system and yet again, no where does it say where to get them, can you subscribe to any service? If anyone needs more specific information regarding the stereo model etc etc, I would be happy to provide it. I was just curious if anyone has run into this and if so, how do I accomplish the above? Thanks in advance for your help.

[Bogie]

That's a good point about the IPOD video. It is possible, however, but you'd switch cables and have to control the video from the IPOD. I didn't realize that the D3 allowed IPOD video viewing.

As for the hard drive for music, I will use my 80G IPOD, and if a friend or someone else has a nice CD to offer, only then will I download it to the hard drive. I am working on storing all of my own music in one place (and maybe 2 backup places). I don't plan to store separate music on my Z1.

I don't know how easy my Z1 is to remove, but it would depend on how it is installed (with quick release or 8 million bolts). If you are bringing your car in for service, however, they shouldn't damage your radio trim. That's just not acceptable.

The IPOD search is slow, but I have been really surprised at how fast the interface is. When you use the skip to advance, the IPOD plays immediately, faster, it seems that the IPOD itself. In its defense, the search is pouring through Gigs of music files. I plan to set up playlists in a way that minimizes my need to search the whole IPOD.

[tomcat7]

Thanks for the update and advise, that sure helps. My buddy's D3 was installed today and I love it. Think for the cost savings, I can get an 80G IPOD and the D3 for less than the Z2 so I'll probably go that way.