GrepAwk

Just received the letter from MBUSA offering the Analog-to-Digital upgrade for the TeleAid system. My '03 W220 used the analog cellular phone network to connect to the teleaid operator when you push the SOS or wrench button. (There's an anolog cellphone transceiver buried somewhere in the guts of the car.) The USA is phasing out analog service and converting to digital. So if I don't upgrade, there are no guarantees that my TeleAid will continue to work after 2007.

Has anybody else done this upgrade yet?

How much did it cost you for your vehicle? Did you negotiate a better deal with the dealership on the install?

Is this a DIY upgrade I can do myself if I buy the equip from MB?

TIA

lkchris

I downloaded the instructions for my W210 wagon from Alldata just before they took all that stuff off the air.

Its not too hard, but requires the STAR system to reprogram everything.

Since there's so little to it and you have to go to the dealer anyway, I'd just let them do it all.

rbc

I just had the Teleaid upgrade done 2 weeks ago. Cost for the new Teleaid unit is $600; plus $294 for 1 year of service; or plus $548 for 2 years of service. These are MB MSRP, but the dealer is free to set their own price. Prices do not include labor.

My dealer in Bergen County, NJ wanted $1350 for parts, labor, and 1 year of service. But after I told them about MB MSRP, they agreed to do the job for $1150. Since I bought the car from them, they also agreed to a 10% discount from the $1150 price.

The Teleaid reps told me that there is a $100 rebate for upgrading (I'm supposed to receive a letter in the future for this rebate).

My old analog Teleaid took a long time to connect to the MB call center and mostly I got "call failed" (analog must be nonexistent in north NJ). The new Teleaid connects within 10 seconds and I'm content with the upgrade. Also, the digital Teleaid has unlimited minutes.

forane

The access to the Teleaid module is so simple. Why would you want the dealer to charge you a couple of appendages to do it?

If Teleaid is currently activated what needs to be set with Star Diagnostics?

joec1101

I got the letter as well.

It seems like a big ripoff to me...my cousin has an '05 corvette and received the same type of letter from GM to convert from analog to digital and the total cost for the corvette is $30.00!

And MB is charging hundreds of dollars for this digital module?! Never used it once and probably never will. I'm not gonna waste the money on it. Isn't that what everyone has a cell phone for anyway?

lkchris

Whenever something is changed in the DB2 ring, the system has to be reprogrammed to recognize the change.

lkchris

Milliseconds before you crash and are knocked unconscious, be sure to dial 911.

When your car is stolen, your cellphone is going to help locate your car how?

joec1101

(1) Most likely someone around would call 911 from their cell phone whether or not I'm unconscious, which is what occurs with almost every auto accident, and (2) the vehicle has Lo Jack and insurance on it if it gets stolen.

My point was that MB is charging way too much for basically nothing more than a digital cell phone.

I can understand charging for labor for installation, programming, etc. but $600.00 + is out of line for a digital cell phone transceiver, especially when other auto manufacturers are charging very little for the same type of equipment.

lkchris

There are a LOT fewer Mercedes out there than Chevies.

Be surprised if there are DB2 fiber optic rings in Chevies.

You're of course complaining about what the supplier charges Mercedes.

E2233

I upgraded from analog to digital last week at Rusnak Pasadena, CA. The Parts Representative Bill was familiar with the upgrade and was able to obtain the parts in one day. The Service Advisor Ruben prepared all the paperwork for the new subscriber agreement that is required to be completed before the service can start. The quote for the complete job was about the same as your price.

sprink49

I am still waiting on the "Letter". The people I talk to at Tele Aid tell me to talk to my dealer and the dealer doesn't know jack.

E2233

The rebate is $100.00 for a one year subscription and $200.00 for a two year subscription. The rebate letter came from Mercedes-Benz, Tele Aid Response Center, PO Box 167985, Irving, Texas 75016-7985. The booklet in the envelope shows Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC, One Mercedes Drive, Montvale, NJ 07645, 1-800-for-FOR-MERCEDES.

I started in the parts department to make sure the dealer had installed the upgrade and it the upgrade was available. I read in other newsgroups that the quotes for the upgrade are all over the board. There are three parts to the upgrade the cost of the upgrade, the installation cost and the subscription cost.

Yacht Master

TeleAid has no real value. It is just silly to pay $1400.00 for a glorified cell phone that can only call one number.

E2233

I used it once in the last four year when Interstate 15 was blocked due to a fire. The operator answered my call in less than one minute and asked me where I wanted to go. I told him to Las Vegas. He said just take I-15. I explained to him the road was closed due to a fire. I told him I wanted to be route over the mountains. He located my position and routed me around the fire. I did receive a bill for about $9.00 from Tele Aid about six months later for the cost of the call. There is also a slight reduction in the cost of the fire and theft insurance for having this service.