superflysocal

I called my dealer to inquire about adding a phone to my 04 s430 and asked what is required and how much. These are the things i was told i need including part number, but he cannot tell me what are in the actual kits (PSE, etc). Does anyone know what are in the kits and the individual part numbers of the items. Also, are there things I don't really need (ie coiled short cord)

Core kit q-6-82-0885 $900
Completer Kit Q-6-82-0720 $780
Cioled Short Cord Q-6-82-0724 $240
Phone v60 tdma Q-6-82-0852 $606
Labor $312

Where can i go to get cheaper? I tried ebay but only was able to get bits and pieces here and there and not the complete thing.

awiner

Vehicle Type W220
MBUSA Part Number

Kit Description Q6820720

(1) The VEHICLE COMPLETER KIT includes:


VR MODULE Q6820650 VR STANDARD
CABLE, D2B OPTICAL Q6820432 VR STANDARD
CABLE PSE/COMPSTR Q6820468 VR STANDARD
BRKT, PSE Q6820426 VR STANDARD
BRKT, ANTENNA SWITCH Q6820431 VR STANDARD
BRKT, VR MODULE Q6820429 VR STANDARD
BRKT, COMPENSATOR Q6820427 VR STANDARD
PTT LEVER Q6820512 VR STANDARD
ANTENNA SWITCH (DUAL BAND) Q6820652 VR STANDARD
TEMPLATE, V60 HOLDER INSTALL Q6820755 VR STANDARD
TEMPLATE, TIMEPORT HOLDER INSTALL Q6820482 VR STANDARD
MANUAL, VR S-2765-000 VR STANDARD

(2) The CORE KIT includes:

PSE
Standard Install Hardware Kit
Dual Band Compensator


(3) The V60 Cradle SHORT Coil Cord Kit includes:

V60 CRADLE WITH INTEGRAL COILCORD & BATTERY INSERT
V60 HOLDER (cradle snaps into this component)
BATTERY INSERT
V60 IN-VEHICLE OPERATIONS MANUAL



The last phone kit I installed was in a 2001 CL Class. Takes about 30 minutes to do the install but then I had to have the dealer version code the fiber ring to know the phone was there and get COMAND/MFD integration.

I beleive I got the whole kit and phone for ~$1500.00 from my local dealer. Other soruces you can try is Autowerks in San Diego, CA (858) 569-2447. They can get the parts to you for less than your dealer has quoted.

scorchie

I believe you don't need the core kit. I don't know why the dealership quoted that part for you, and I am not sure what that part number is for. You just need the coil cord kit (its correct name is actually "V60i cradle with short coiled cord kit"), the completer kit, and a phone.

And why are you going with the V60i TDMA? There are so many other options available now.

Your car (MOST-based) is more difficult to get parts, because not as many cars use those parts. The parts in the kits are:

Completer kit:
- voice control module (don't need this if you don't want voice control)
- install hardware kit (screws, etc.)
- compensator bracket
- compensator
- ptt stalk (again, for voice control)
- voice control manual

Cradle kit:
- cradle
- holder
- battery insert
- manual

That should be it.

-s-

scorchie

0720 is for a D2B car. The linear compensator used to be in the core kit; for 2004, it is in the completer kit (because the core kit is no longer used because the PSE is part of the CP).

You can break down the W220/W215 into these models:

2000-2002, "classic" D2B
2003 D2B with 16x9 COMAND
2004 MOST with W211-style CP-HIGH
2005 MOST with TeleAid low-cost (no PSE)

They all use different phone kits, although 2000-2003 can share...

-s-

scorchie

Ahh, 0885 is "new style" core kit for cars that use D2B (definitely not your car).

-s-

tiggerfink

I am confused. I thought the 2004 S430 has the MOST system. If so, why is the dealer quoting you a q-6-82-0885 . I got that q-6-82-0885 kit installed in my 2004 SL500 last week. My car has d2b.

superflysocal

honestly i don't think the guy at the dealer knew what he was talking about. he originally gave me prices for 2005 model.

thanks guys.


any other input as to where i can get it cheaper?

superflysocal

I am now debating between this and the UHI kits from MLBenz.

Scorchie, what are the realistic chances that a UHI kit will be available for 2004 S430? Shed me a light will ya? Are you going to be in Houston any time soon?

awiner

UHI is the best way to go IMHO

scorchie

UHI is available for your car, but not as a self-install kit. So Steve will have to do it when he's out there on the next trip... or me... whoever gets there when you're ready. I really like the Sony T637 for your car. You can also do an MHI kit, which will give you a V600, but it's a lot more expensive (due to the high cost of the MB-proprietary phone).

In both cases, you will NEED to disconnect TeleAid. If you want a new TeleAid system, that can be done, but again, very expensive.

So if no TeleAid, then you're good. Otherwise you might want to stick with the V60...

-s-

tiggerfink

superflysocal,

You might want to check with your cell carrier if they will accept the V60 phone on your plan. When I got my MB phone installed in April of 2004, Cingular would not accept the V60 phone in my area, because Cingular is only accepting GSM phones. I am wondering if the dealer said that the MB V600 will work in your car. Dealer tried to install the V600 in my car, but discovered the MB V600 phone will not work in my car. Dealer said the new MB V600 works only in a Mercedes with MOST.

So I got the MB phone v60S for Verison. It was a good reason for me to try out Verizon.

superflysocal

okay getting back to the original question,

so if the parts and kits i orginally listed are wrong for 04 s430, what are the correct part numbers i need for this? (completer kit, cradle kit, etc.)

thanks

scorchie

B Q 682 0878 Completer kit $1250
B Q 682 0882 Cradle $200

There's nothing in the completer kit you absolutely need to have a phone in your car, you'll see that if you look at the list I posted.

Your car has the new-style antenna connector so you can't use the cradle that most E-class cars use. If you want to find the cradle parts separately, you only need B Q 682 0883 (cradle) and B Q 682 0768 (holder). You probably would only find the holder for sale on eBay.

And finally, you need a phone. Total: $200 + $606. As long as you can get it activated!

-s-

superflysocal

where are you getting those prices? the dealer here wants $1623 for that completer kit and $240 for the cradle kit!

also, please elaborate why i don't need a completer kit...which link are you talking about. i read one link to the mercedes bulletin showing how to install the completer and cradle kit. I can understand not needing the voice contral stuff but are you saying a compensator is not necessary?

superflysocal

Scorchie, please don't leave me hanging... please elaborate on why i would not need the completer kit...

scorchie

I'm not leaving you hanging, I just don't read everything all the time every day!

I said "There's nothing in the completer kit you absolutely need to have a phone in your car, you'll see that if you look at the list I posted." I don't mean to be overly blunt, but if the compensator is in the completer kit, then that means you don't absolutely need it. If the voice control is in the completer kit, then you don't absolutely need it. That's all there is to it.

All you REALLY ABSOLUTELY NEED is the cradle kit, and a Star Diagnosis to activate the system (since it's already in your car).

And I am not sure what "link" you are asking about... I didn't say anything about any "link". That is if you're asking me... You referenced a "link" in a sentence with a direct question to me, so I think you were asking me.

And where do I get the prices? From Mercedes, the same place I get the part numbers! You may want to ask your dealer where HE gets his prices, since he seems to not even be able to get his part numbers correct?

I think at this point, you need to make a decision, and your choices seem to be:

- roll the dice and buy some parts at the dealership at low cost, and then hope it all gets installed correctly by you or whomever, and still have an old, proprietary, lame phone
- just go to the dealership and pay full price and get the kit and hope the service department installs it correctly, and still have an old, proprietary, lame phone, but a full MBUSA warranty until your car is out of warranty
- spend a reasonable amount of money (somewhere between the two choices above) and have it installed by people who have demonstrated complete competency and sufficient knowledge with MB phone systems so that you have a good chance of having it installed properly, and get an open system with some decent phone choices and the chance to upgrade to new phones when they become supported in the future, and also have a reasonably strong depot warranty (if you are a heavy TeleAid user, then I can understand why you might not want this solution)
- spend a lot of money (as much as the second choice above) and get a 2005 system installed so you can have a V600 or V710. Again it would need to be installed by someone else than the dealership, so the previous choice's notes also apply here

You have a 2004 S-class. Why are you trying to cut corners so bad with the first choice? Look how much time and energy you are spending on this. I would assume you are a reasonably successful person to be able to drive such a car. Isn't your time worth more than that?

-s-

superflysocal

ok, thanks for the reply

your point is well taken

Option 3 would be great but i somehow don't see you guys swinging down to houston anytime soon. No one else in this area that i know of offers what you guys offer.


I would like the ability to upgrade to newer phones also, but unlike most other people, tdma (the old cingular/att network) service is the only service that works inside my house right now which is quite important. since cingular is not offering any new phones on this network, and since GSM will definitely not work inside my house, the v60 (it is what we have now) is not a bad option until cingular decides to drop the tdma alltogether.

just curious, what exactly does the pse and or compensator do? In other words what functions will i lose if i don't install a pse/compensator? (i believe in this version of the completer kit for my car, the pse is built into the compensator)

SUNILP

I have access to a DAS system and i can probably install teh system for you which ever way you decide to go. I am in Houston also. drsunilpatel@gmail.com The PSE is the BRAIN of the phone system. It ties into teh fiberoptics of the car. the compensator is a antenna signal booster basically.

scorchie

Actually, we will probably be in the area in a few weeks, or sunman can always help you out too.

If you really are stuck on the D-AMPS system, then I definitely understand your point and you can get away with $700 in parts (I am not sure which V60 you have... if it is an MB one, then $200 in parts).

Have you tried a later GSM phone with 800 band? It might provide better signal in your house. Also, have you tried it since October, when roaming was enabled between AT&T and Cingular?

-s-

grassman

All you REALLY ABSOLUTELY NEED is the cradle kit, and a Star Diagnosis to activate the system (since it's already in your car).

Is this true for the W211?
your choices seem to be:

What are the choices for 05 W211? Is UHI available for self-install for Nokia or Errickson phones?

If no linear compensator is installed, does it affect reception? If not, why not? :p

scorchie

First thing... I'm having trouble understanding your messages... could you leave the quotes in quotes next time?

Is it true for the W211? Yes, for 2003 and 2004 models.

Choices for 2005 W211, we have UHI available, we have MHI available, but neither are self install because the W211 has a bunch of other requirements that the other cars do not. Antenna switch, microphone splicing, etc.

Does it affect reception to not have a linear compensator? Yes, it does. In good coverage areas though, it doesn't seem to be an issue. I have linear compensators for my cars, but none of them are installed. I just don't need them.

-s-

grassman

Sorry. I sent you an email. What is involved in the antenna switch and microphone splices?

What exactly is the relevant difference between the '05 and earlier w211?

superflysocal

scorchie,

just wanted to add to what i said earlier. in addition to the bad gsm coverage in my house, i also have teleaid that i use quite a bit, so at least for now until subscription ends in sept, i don't really want to part with it.

verizon actually (cdma) may work in my house and i am looking into getting a v60 for verizon.

not to undermine what you are saying, especially since you have been so helpful. everthing you have said makes total sense since on the 04 the pse is integrated with the teleaid and thus already included. however, i was just wondering if anybody has actually tried to do this and got it to work (bought a mb cardle and phone, install and activate through Star DAS without completer kit on 2004 s-class). is it possible that they could have included the pse but not "enabled" it and thus require something in the compensator to "enable" it? Silly, i know, but just wondering if others have done this successfully.

scorchie

The 2005 models are completely different from 2003/2004 models because of several reasons, almost all due to cost cutting. CP-HIGH has been eliminated. That means every 2003/2004 car came with complete phone electronics (just add cradle and phone). The phone electronics were combined with the TeleAid unit. 2005 has a new, separate TeleAid module. The previously installed antenna splitter has been removed, and replaced with an antenna switch. This should provide better reception. The microphone module has been removed; if you install a phone, the microphone must be hooked to the phone module. If you install a voice control system, the microphone must be hooked to the voice control module.

So, for 2005, installation of a telephone incurs addition of new electronics to the car and more labor. For 2003/2004, it was basically a cash cow for Mercedes dealers: install a phone in a W211 at the same price as for other cars, but do almost no work and use almost no components. Mercedes USA didn't help by charging the same price for the kits as for other cars, with very few components included. For 2005, the cost is pushed onto the people who actually get phone kits. This is evidenced also by a much higher price for the phone systems!

Because of the complexity, we're not yet planning for any self install kits. A suitable solution can be purchased from the dealership (at very high cost unfortunately) and installed. We can also install UHI for people, but don't want to be responsible for giving them instructions.

-s-

superflysocal

so why isn't there a self install kits for 2004 w220?