PhamNuwen

I was wondering if I could just get my existing v.60 phone (non-
Mercedes-Benz) integrated into my car or do I have to purchase the Mercedes-Benzversion from Mercedes-Benz. I'd like to save the $1.5K if I can.

awiner

NOPE . The Mercedes branded Motorolla phones have special firmware in them that tells the phone how to communicate with your vehicle.

I am going to stick this topic since the same question seems to come up time and time again. Must be popular.

MBfiend

Adam,

Did MB come up with an upgrade for the 2000 S-class?

If they did, what's involved and how much?

awiner

Yes they did... See the below link for more information:

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...threadid=10486

timorgan

Is the 2003 MB/Motorola V60 TDMA, CDMA, or GSM?

Thanks,

Tim

awiner

They are CDMA and TDMA. Supposedly a Mercedes branded GSM unit will be available soon.

timorgan

Really? How soon is soon, if you know?

Thanks very much,

Tim

awiner

No time frame has been given as of yet.

benggolf

what's the advantage of the newer V70 over the V60 anyway other than the obvious look.

Dang, too many features which are not useful to me anyway.

benzgirl79

hey, i work for corporate i get this question all day long. if you want the telephone to integrate into your cd, comand, etc. you NEED the MERCEDES-BENZ telephone only purchased through your dealer. Yes, the phone looks the same but the inside circuitry is completely different. Yes, it's pricey but if you are a gadget nut and want to dial hands free, then its worth it.

Hope tihs helped,
Cheryl

peralex

Does anybody know what hardware is needed to install motorola v.60 into MB, I mean parts from dealer? I just have hard time understanding why this handsfree kit is so expensive.

RobF

I have the MB version of the V60 (with Verizon) - does anyone know if it is possible to obtain an update for the phones software (version appears to be very old)? Verizon thinks that upgrading the phones software would fix a couple bugs with the phone.

I am wondering if letting Verizon flash the software to the latest and greatest version will cause the phone to no longer work with the MB kit.... My dealer says it should be ok.

Is it a special version of the phone's software that makes the phone work with the MB kit, or does the phone have special hardware that would be unaffected with a software upgrade?

--Rob

awiner

DONT

You are right.. If you try to flash the software to the newest Verizon version you will LOSE all functionality of the Mercedes integration. I don't even think the phone will aloow you to flash it with non Mercedes software from what I have been told. I contacted MBUSA and they advised there WILL BE NO firmware updates. I was hoping there would so that I could get the newer firmware with Verizon ERI ability. No luck however.

Richard

If you're happy with a GSM phone (Sometimes called PCS in the US, but *not* "Sprint PCS", has a little SIM (chip card) in the back), then you can retrofit the European integrated phone setup - which currently uses the Nokia 6310i.
This is tri-band GSM phone so will work in most of the world. (and has just / is just about to be released for sale in the US)

And it works out cheaper than buying the MB branded stuff.

In Europe we dont have to buy a specific MB phone, we just need the appropriate Nokia phone which can be bought it any shop. But, our cars are not factory pre-wired, so adding the integrated phone after delivery is a real pain as you have to put in the wiring looms.

abhansali

Does this work for the new W211 (2003 E-class) wiring also? Also, in the US we have the V60 w/voice option which gives the voice recognition to the phone, radio and navigation system. If we use the European kit to put in a Nokia GSM phone, can we get that voice reco part separately? Finally, can you do all the things with the Nokia GSM that you can do with the V60...for example, I understand w/v60, you get your phone book on the instrument cluster display and you can scroll through it using the controls on the steering wheel before you dial. Does this work with the Nokia GSM?

Apurva

freakinfreak

Okay... The circuitry of a MB branded phone and a standard Motorola phone is NOT different. It's just the software. I will now be working with two Motorola level three service centers to find a way to flash non-MB branded phones so that they will work properly with the handsfree system. I have been working in the telecom industry (Specializing in wireless) for the past 7 years so I think this is feasible. I will keep the board posted on my progress.

Richard

I do not know about the new W211, except that it to has a Nokia 6310i controller in it, and I therefore see no problem installing that and having it work.

(nb, the W211 uses different fibre optic interconnect technology to the older models)

You need to use the US Voice Recognition kit, and it should work fine with the 6310i phone controller (as it is in fact controlling the head unit not the phone controller). Again, I dont know about how the W211 works.

Yes, you get the phone book etc on the COMAND display, and thus on the cluster if the s/w in COMAND displays it on the cluster. (Ie if it was going to do it with the US phone, it will with the 6310i)

R

ml320

Peralex,

there is a list of the items included in the $800 list Timeport install kit on my voice recognition page:

http://www.whnet.com/4x4/vrm.html

The more expensive items are the PSE for $285, the compensator for $295 and the antenna switch required with TeleAid, for maybe $150 list. Then add a few cables, mounting brackets and some fiberoptic cables and it'll add up to $800.


Wolfgang

peralex

Thanks Wolfgang. Excelent web page with a lot of info. Thanks again.

ACRUZPRO

Just picked up my car today after installing the V60 - "how sweet it is..." DEFINITELY worth it!!! I admit I am a gadget nut, but even if I wasn't - this is still the way to go.

theboogers

are there any ways to make the mercedes work with older motorola phones to just have the capability to use the car to recharge your phone? i do not need the hands free or voice activated. thanks.

gbix

My car did not come with the integrated phone but I am going to add it as soon as it is available. The dealer says the phones have not been released yet for the new CLK, but it sounds like some folks have gotten cars with them pre-installed. What could be different between the pre-installed version and one that is added later by the dealer?

FC Corp

My sister has a regular Verizon V60 and just for the heck of it, I tried to slide into the cradle in my car, the pins did not match, so I would say the MB phone is different in physical appearance as well.

frappe

If you don't mind me asking, how much did you pay for everything?? phone, installation kit and labor?

ACRUZPRO

Total cost was $2250, which included the Voice option. Labor was $175. The rest was all parts: V60 - $595., Voice module $480., core components $600., cradle kit $200., and special kit for Cabrio's $200. The more I use it the more it was worth it. I am so used to turning up the stereo and can never hear the phone ring, and now it auto-mutes and rings.