Hello, fellow W210 owners. Just got my first one (my first Benz, in fact) and I'm delighted so far. So I'm in the process of doing the couple of things that needed repair and/or updating and the stock phone is my immediate problem. I've got the built in phone system and a StarTac CDMA flipfone in the console, but the phone service is Cingular and I already use Sprint. So I'd like a StarTac Sprint phone or some sort of replacement that would work and I don't think MB makes that. I've tried reading the threads on the latter, but I found nothing really concrete as to my car. So my questions are: 1) Is there a Sprint MB StarTac phone that I could simply plug in? 2) Is there a bluetooth option, and, if so, who makes the option, how much is it, and how hard is it to do myself? Thanks, all.
Actually, there seems to be more than 1 solution, although I'm receiving a lot of confusing info on the subject. Eurocarphone.com has their BIK and AIK wired and wireless solutions, while there is also the MIKBox solution, and Wireless4MB.com's solutions of the same type. Might just be multiple vendors of the same (or nearly the same) thing, but I'm not clear on that yet. Prices also seem to vary. Maybe I'll just keep my Verizon (not Cingular as originally posted) StarTac CDMA digital flipfone in my Command/Phone/CD changer equipped vehicle since I'm told the phone will continue to work and be serviced for another year or so since its grandfathered in. Definitely need more info, though.
Mercedes used proprietary phones for eitherthe Star-TAC or Timeport appliation. That means for either Carrier there was a phone offered byy MB, they could not be switched since MB got a spiff from the carriers monthly.
I tried my MB guys gave me a cradle a Verizon phone and a lot of cables and stuff, I worked for MOT and gave them all my surplus stuff, like old chargers batteries and such. I was with Sprint, so they gave me a Sprint PSE, I thought with my connections...well no luck. All the stuff is in the box minus some brackets. I had a car phnone in my 92 and it was osolete in 95 The bottom line is, The Mik Box is close, you still need a lot of MB stuff and it should work, but it will not accomidate a RAZR.
I switched to T- MOB and dont use a kit at all, Blue Tooth is great for answering, MOT sells a kit for the v 60 /600 and such but not to you.
I heard back today from AutoWireless Solutions, the unofficial Benz proprietor of backwards compatible cell phone solutions, and they said that Benz was finishing the R&D of solutions that they hoped would be ready in August. Until then, there is no official Benz solution for the 2000 W210.
Here is what a few of us have done with their MB which use the DB2 fiber system. If you already have the integrated phone in your car you can swap out the Timeport cradle with a v60 cradle (as long as it's the DB2 type not the MOST type). Then you will need to find a newer PSE because I'm sure the one you have in there is the older model seeing you have the Timeport phone. The newer PSE is auto-sensing and the older ones aren't so hence why you need the newer one. Then finally you have two last options, go with the bluetooth MB puck which looks just like a v60 or find a Motorola v60s phone which is MB version coded so you will be able to use it with your car. Don't quote me on this, but prices should be around or less:
cradle: $50
pse: $200
puck: $300
phone: $200
So as you can see it's not a cheap upgrade, but it allows you to keep your integrated phone system in the car.
Of course, there is the mikbox solution which then will allow you to use a number of other cell phones but I'll leave what you need to the experts or the ones that have gone with the mokbox solution. I hope that helps.
__________________ 2001 W208 Black Opal Metallic
K2a, K3, K4 + COMAND, HID halo projector headlights, flat hood emblem, chrome cluster rings, Bluetooth phone adapter, MB illuminated door sills, AMG steering wheel, AMG pedals, chrome AMG II dual spoke wheels, Nitto NT 555 Extreme Performance, 235/35/19 front, 265/30/19 rear
2004 W211 Platinum Blue Metallic
Premium Package, Apperance Package, Keyless Go, Bluetooth puck and tail
Linear Mode
