Alan Smithee

Looking for parts and labor prices to install an MHI (NOT voice activation) into a W211 E-class. And how many hours labor were involved?

Thanks in advance.

Richmoba

I have a 06 R-350 and asked for a price quote on taking it from a R with no cell phone capability other than what is built into the Command center, to installing Bluetooth. They said that I need to install the Cell phone wiring and cradle and also get the Bluetooth Interface add on, which I think is lame, they should have made something that they can plug into the back of the Command unit that would give you Bluetooth connectivity to your existing phone.

I do not have the quote in front of me but they were saying something just under 2,000 dollars for the dealer to install this. Has anyone gotten just a regular car audio place to do something like this? I am asking because I am a new Mercedes Benz owner and I am just not sure how things work at this price point when it comes to getting after market work done on a NEW Benz.

My wife and my 4 kids drive MY Freak-in CAR!

The 2006 R350 Barolo Red Metallic!
This thing is Beautiful.

If I could only drive it more!

Alan Smithee

I ended up paying my dealer $1,450 for everything except voice activation...all parts that consist of the MHI were ~$850 (makes a new MB phone-compatible, and is also available as a factory installed option), the Bluetooth transmitter was ~$300, and labor was about 3 hours at $100/hr.

This was part of a new car purchase, and supposedly all of the parts were at their cost. I opted to have the dealer install it rather than save a few bucks going aftermarket so that the MHI parts and labor would be covered under the 4 yr/50k new car warranty (the Bluetooth transmitter is warrantied for one year only).

Sgooter

Yesterday I asked a dealer how much it would cost to set up my '06 SL500 for BT MHI capability, and his response was around $1500.

sgaar

I got a quote from my dealer for about $1740 incl tax for VC, phone and BT dongle. This is with the 10% MBCA discount and parts only.

-S

Alan Smithee

When you say "phone", do you mean the parts to install MHI? Because the whole point of the Bluetooth set-up is so that you don't have to use MB's antiquated phones. Besides, the price seems much too high for what you listed.

MagicO309D

There is a totally integrated Bluetooth only solution in the works that will be compatible with MY 2005 and newer cars with MOST bus. It'll should cost less than about half of what the MHI solution costs, installed. It's supposed to be available during the end of the 3rd Quarter of this year. I'll post results as soon as I can get my hands on one.

sgaar

Yes, I mean the parts. You will still have to have everything installed in the car except for the cradle and the MB phone itself.

The price seems on par with what I have heard other places for the Voice Command, the hands free phone HW (-phone) and the BT dongle. MBenzNL quoted me $1775 for the HW and installation.

sgaar

AFAIK the solution is not yet available for MOST bus based cars if this: http://www.eurocarphone.com/ is what you are thinking about. If not please let me know since thlen there is something I am missing...

EDIT: Duh...I guess I have to read the whole post! As Magic is saying; it will be available Q3 this year.

yikes

hi, is this OEM equipment or aftermarket?

jbec.keane

My dealer said it couldn't be done. Steve comes to the rescue! Again!!

MagicO309D

Continental just bought out Motorola's automotive electronics division (the folks that do MB's MHI/UHI hardware) and the device I mentioned is coming from this old/new source. This being the case, it's kind of somewhere between OEM and aftermarket I guess.

The good news is that it'll likely work like OEM!

gvaughn

I assume you're NOT talking about the anticipated Argos for MY 2005+?

MagicO309D

That's correct, this will be a different device.

In the end, '05+ owners can choose between this new kit, the new Argos kit, and MB's own MHI kit!

gvaughn

More options is definitely better!

Let's hope the Argos and this new kit come out fast enough that we can wait and choose waht works best for us. I imagine many of use are antsy and may not wait around for a potentially "better" option if they take too long to come to market!!

sgaar

Do you have some information on availability and specs? A website?

MagicO309D

Basically, the new device simply builds the Bluetooth stack into the known MHI/UHI control unit. Other changes inside the box include more powerfull processor to handle the added functionallity and new software. The device is Bluetooth only (will not work with cradles). Since it's self contained, the compete install simply includes mounting the module in the trunk (in the normal location, even has same bolt holes) and connecting into the MOST ring and power. When mounted in a sedan with metal enclosed trunk, a remote Bluetooth antenna may need to be routed behind the rear seat or under the hatshelf (very simple to do). Another advantage is that center console storage space is not compromised. Availability is late Q3.

gvaughn

I take it from this that it will only the support the same phones as the AWS bluetooth/MHI solution then?

MagicO309D

Handsets are still under test for certification. At this point I can only assume that since the device will offer a very rich Bluetooth feature set, not all phones will want play nice. The goal of this product is to offer OEM levels of integration at typical aftermarket BLNC 1000 or UConnect kit pricing.

yikes

ive been trying to get more info on this continental product but havent found any..

can you please provide a link?

thanks

vloh203

For 2007 E class model, to add the bluetooth interface module, it is just a $300+ add on, easy as that.

yikes

still looking for info on the continental bluetooth unit....seems to be the best choice of the 3 available ones

thanks