Unless you have cash to donate to Mercedes, forget their phone and add an aftermarket kit that doesn't require the MB phone, cradle, phone kit, BT kit or any of the dealer installed otions. JPTurner is correct in that only the over-priced Mercedes phone is allowed to have the address book and other features, but then you are stuck with the Mercedes phone and a single service provider.
Until Mercedes drops their marketing strategy of allowing only their phones to work in their cars, I would avoid their system. Install an aftermarket BT kit for $200 and use the built-in Mercedes microphone and audio sytem with the kit. i did this with my S600 and have everthing I need, including a voice activated phone book. Will do the same on my new R class.
See the Audio & Telematics Forum for the latest on the BT phone and aftermarket workarounds.
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1999 S600 (1 of 14), 1973 350SL, 2009 C300
Just leased a R350. Interested in adding Bluetooth. Anyone know much about it.
MHI Bluetooth Interface Module - what it the cost & installation? How does it work?
Forget about the bluetooth from OEM.
I have TOMTOM Go 720 GPS and it comes with bluetooth that pair with any cell phone.(It shows phone book from cell phone)
It is much cheaper and better than the OEM.
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2008 R350 4 Matic w/P1 package/7 seater/Ipod/Front heated seats/TOMTOM Go 720 GPS/ 10.2" LCD Overhead Mobile Video system w/ 30 Sega Games, Wireless HeadPhone, hard wired to OEM HK sound system, B/U Camera, hard wired Passort Escort X8500, Mtec HID 4300k (swapped out 6000K)
I have the MB Blue Tooth Interface which mounts in the top of my center console and it sync's easily with my current non-MB/generic Motorola V9 and previous Motorola V3 Razr cell phones. The phone book is viewed and accessed either thru the large center screen or on the IP using the steering wheel controls or using MB voice recognition.
The cost was about $300, (installation was so easy that it was done by the sales person) which I know is on the high side but access thru vehicle controls and screens was worth it to me for the convenience of handsfree and voice recognition use where the audio system automatically mutes when making or receiving calls.
I agree. I purchased the Mercedes cradle for my Motorola RAZR phone and have been happy with it. I don't agree with the other posters about the address book being limited to a Mercedes phone -- my Motorola address book shows up on the COMMAND screen. There are some limitations (e.g., if you have multiple phone numbers for someone, it doesn't indicate which is cell, which is home, ...) but it does work.
Linear Mode
