mac911

I'm still hoping to someday before too long, while good ones are still out there, buy a 2006 or 2007 W203.

Question though: I'd really hate not to have bluetooth in the car, after having it in my W204. I hardly ever even talk while driving, like once every two months, but obviously, if I ever need to, it's the way to go.

So my question, which W203s can have bluetooth? Say a 2007 C230 Sport. Could any of those get bluetooth, or only the ones with entertainment package? Am I correct, that if it has entertainment package, you just buy for $300-$400 on ebay the MB bluetooth module, plug it in, and it works perfectly, no programming from dealer necessary?

What if the car did not have the entertainment package with the phone wiring. Is there then *anyway* it can be done? Costs?

Thanks so much.

nickgailloux

Any w203 that came with the "cell phone prewiring" package is capable. I *believe* that all 2005 and 2006 w203's came prewired, and I believe that you had to purchase prewiring as an option on the 2007 models. If you have the prewiring, you need to buy the following:

Multiple Handset Interface - About $608, This is the brains and it sits in the trunk on the right hand side under the carpet. Known internally as the "Vehicle core installation kit".

Vehicle Completer Kit - About $246, This is the wiring that goes in the armrest, installs in 15 minutes, and gives you the port to plug in a Bluetooth puck, or a phone cradle. This particular part is ridiculously overpriced, as all it is, is a 12" wiring harness with a proprietary plastic connector.

Bluetooth Puck - About $400, This will allow you to connect to almost any Bluetooth enabled phone.

Teleaid Additional Parts - Unknown Price, If you have Teleaid you will need a few more parts, just some splices, should only be $20 or so.

Programming - About $75, If your cluster doesnt have menu that says "No Phone", you need programming too. Check with your dealer for charge.

Total Price: Roughly $1350, depending on where you get your parts. The cost and time to install would be considerably more if you don't have prewiring and most people wouldn't do it if that was the case.

I bought the entire system off someone on the forum for $1000 shipped, and its pretty much awesome. The best part is having your music up loud, then it pauses your stereo (doesnt matter if its cd, aux, or radio) and rings your ringtone through the speakers -- never miss a call.

For more information, read this thread:
https://mbworld.org/forums/audio-electronics/241551-1-how-guide-cell-phone-upgrades-plug-bluetooth.html

Buellwinkle

Or you can do what I've previously suggest, get a Parrot CK3000 for about $85 on ebay, then get the steering wheel module that uses the buttons on the steering wheen instead of the buttons on the parrot so nothing shows. It's pretty much plug and play except for a small mod to the Parrot harness. Forgot what the steering wheel module cost but it's cheep, about $250 for module and Parrot combined. Works on any C class from 2001 to 2008 without Bose or HK stereo option.

nickgailloux

I should add -- if you're buying a car used, it may have some or all of this installed already. Look in the center armrest, if you see the cradle dock, then you already have everything but the Bluetooth puck. You can buy the puck, plug it in, and you're done.

e1000

AFAIK and someone else may have more info:

All W203 C-classes can be made compaible with bluetooth phones through different means. The older D2B cars can use a factory v60 cradle with a bluetooth module OR a third party module such as Argos.

All 2005-2006 cars were "pre-wired" for phone, so I believe the installation is much easier than the 2007 cars. Again, you'll need either the factory MHI and bluetooth adaptor or a third party module like the In-Car-Tronics kit. The 2007 cars will need much more wiring I believe.

mac911

On 2007 cars, if it had the entertainment package, isn't the plug in the glove box already, to plug the bluetooth into?

THanks so much.

e1000

You're thinking the 2008 W204. W203's never had an "entertainment package". Not just that, you don't need a plug for bluetooth.

mac911

No, I wasn't thinking 2008 W204. I have one of those.

I was thinking 2007 W203.

Yes, if you look at the available options on the last W203 in the United States there was an entertainment package with Harmon Kardon, Sirius, and something about mobile phone. It cost $1460.

They sure made it confusing back then didn't they?

I think I understand now. The 2007 W203 didn't have the pre-wiring from factory unless you had entertainment package, and then it clearly did according to the package.

However, I thought pre-wiring meant it was almost ready, but it sounds like it still needs $1200-$1400 in components, yet? If I had pre-wiring on one I bought, could I do the rest of the work myself? Crazy people get a $1460 package, and then it still needs $1400 in after delivery parts.

e1000

yes, even if your car is "pre-wired" you need the complete MHI kit, and a bluetooth puck OR the In-Car-Tronics kit.

nickgailloux

Prewiring means you have a microphone up front, cabling into the trunk, etc. Having the dealer run this after the car is built would cost a ridiculous amount, thus "pre-wired".

Its like buying a new home with a "pre-wired" alarm, you still have to buy the alarm, the wiring is just in the walls...

ZedStyle

i believe this will serve that purpose quite well....

BigBodyBenzC240

Buellwinkle could you send me more information on this. Mainly where you bought the steering wheel module and possible pics of where you mounted the Parrot CK3000. Much appreciated.

mac911

Thanks. That is a pain though. I'm going to wear something on my ear and hardly ever use it, plus how do I dial?

I really like the car integration. At least I understand everything now. Find a car with pre-wiring and then pay $1500. I don't know why some cars didn't come with it.

nickgailloux

I've seen a lot of people comment on the high price tag to implement the OEM Bluetooth package on the w203's, and trust me, I feel your pain, I actually dove in and paid the cash. Keep in mind though, that when the w203 was designed sometime in 2000 and then redesigned sometime in 2004, Bluetooth integration in cars wasn't that popular. You'd see it here or there, but in the last few years its really started to get more popular. Bluetooth in general has struggled to gain popularity until recently. The new generation of Mercedes, like the w204, are much more up-to-date with the technology. I'm just saying that even though you're buying a 2007 or 2006 w203, really the underlying design is from 2004 when Bluetooth wasn't as prevalent and before some states made talking and driving illegal without a handsfree device.

RickTheRuler727

Just go wth an aftermarket setup, Motorola, Parrot, etc. As long as your phone has voice activated dialing, you'll have no problems placing calls. Factory setup is way too expensive, unless you have the cash in hand , and don't mind spending it. I have a Motorola HF850, and it works perfect.

BigBodyBenzC240

I plan on getting a double din head unit that has bluetooth capability in the near future so I wont have any extra devices hidden in the glove compartment or something.

mac911

Sorry again, just one more thing again.

Did anyone who did this install it themselves? Thanks.

nickgailloux

I did. Once I knew how to do it, it took about one hour.

mac911

Good work Sir. May I ask how you figured it out?

nickgailloux

Using this document, which I printed out and studied for an hour before starting

Once you take the carpet out of your trunk, you can see its pretty easy.

hjardali

I have a US mercedes C230 Kompressor Model 2005. It has a navigation screen in the middle with phone set on its right.

1- Upon clicking on navigation, the screen shows nothing! it needs a DVD navigation! Where i can find such a DVD with my country map. I live in Lebanon, Middle East.

2- Concerning the bluetooth device, i checked the armrest i saw a black cable but there is no telephone cradle! From where i have to buy this cradle, and from where i have to buy the bluetooth set to attach it later to the cradle? Plus if i installed both of "Cradle and Bluetooth set" will it directly work through the car system and can be used from the steering wheel?

If anyone has experience or knowledge of what i asked for, please reply as soon as possible.

Thanks in advance,
Hani

MW_ATL

Sounds like your car has the pre-wiring. That leaves you needing pretty much everything in the PDF attached above. It should lay everything out for you, along with part numbers, with the exception that you will have to add the Bluetooth adapter instead of the phone.

ncmudbug

Other using the buttons on the steering wheel or maybe keeping the OEM look, I don't know why anybody would consider using the OEM style bluetooth solution. Especially when there are such nice double din head units out there that provide bluetooth (with on-screen address book), nav, iPod integration, Pandora, and more - all at a price if not cheaper than the OEM parts, at least competitive.

If you're only interested in bluetooth, there are units by Parrot, etc. I hear they are good but even if they look ok with the interior, I don't believe they are not integrated into the stereo.

I have a Pioneer AVIC X940BT that I like really well. There are other units with similar functionality. I think they make the most sense and it isn't that much more expensive than bluetooth by itself.