Satellite Radio question for 05 S430

[drbenz007]

I recently purchased a CPO 2005 S430 4Matic with 15K miles. First, I would really thank all all the members for their resourceful posts that helped me throughout the process. I would especially like to thank Skylaw in particular for his '00-'05 comparison thread. It was the primary reason I ended up going with a late model W220 and answered many of the concerns I had regarding the airmatic suspension and 4matic vs. RWD.

I do have a couple of questions. The 2005 models have a button for Satellite radio but I'm assuming the previous owner did not have this activated. How would I know if this was active previously and only requires a new subscription? Additionally, in one of skylaw's previous posts, he mentioned that wiring for satellite would be a costly proposition. Has anyone enabled the Satellite feature through COMAND? What does this entail and approximately how much does it cost? Also regarding bluetooth, my dealer quoted me US$1400 for installation of a non-COMAND bluetooth module...I told him where he could install it at that price. Any thoughts of a separate module vs. enabling it through COMAND?

BTW, I love the ride and the 4matic grip makes the road feel tremendous. I'm very happy with the purchase.

Thanks

[Skylaw]

Thank you for the feedback, drbenz. Glad you like the car!

The presence of the SAT button on COMAND doesn't necessarily mean it has the SIRIUS equipment installed. If you press SAT, and get feedback saying "Sirius (or SAT) not installed" or something to that effect, then you'd have to add it. If it is present, but not activated, you should get a message to that effect - then you contact Sirius for a subscription, and once activated, you are in business. I don't have the Mercedes bulletin for installing the unit in the S-Class, but a contributor posted a link to one for the W171 at http://www.benzworld.org/forums/audi...ll-2005-a.html - the installation shouldn't be frightfully different, and would be especially easy if you have the prewiring (the connectors would be on the left side of your trunk, inside the liner, if you do).

Frankly, I'm a strong advocate of keeping my Benz OE, if at all possible - it wasn't possible for my iPod integration, but it is for phones. See http://www.benzworld.org/forums/audi...ades-plug.html, especially permalinks 1, 5, and 6. There are other solutions available, especially through Argos and Mobridge, but I have no experience with them.

[drbenz007]

Thanks as always. I agree on keeping the car OE and will look into the bluetooth link you posted as well as review the Sat radio install. Thanks Again!

[Skylaw]

Super. I should have cautioned - if you order the satellite radio equipment, be sure to use part numbers for your car, not the ones in W171 installation bulletin; it will need different brackets.