Fastbuck

Only if MB choose to start installing it at the factory!

gaiex

If it works with my car (03' c220cdi) I will install it...

SUNILP

eh, a little too early still.

Capt Nemo o2

My dealer said the 2005's have BT built in but is disabled due to security and license problems. Not sure how true that is though!

scorchie

More wise words from dealers...

(Just because something is settable in the diagnostic computer doesn't mean it is in the car. There's no bluetooth antenna, so it won't work very well. I guess your dealer thinks every car has TV too, and it's just "disabled".)

-s-

scorchie

Since that's a CAN solution, if MB ever decided to use it (which I doubt they would), it would only work through the instrument cluster and not the head unit (like the FSE11). Therefore, it would require an external speaker... in the US the phone speakers are usually used for TeleAid, so we would need an additional speaker. I guess the speaker that's in the dash mount would work fine, since this solution also provides a cradle for the charging and antenna connections (for some phones at least).

So if you still want to use a cradle, I don't know if Bluetooth would help a lot of users. At least most MB drivers.

-s-

gaiex

For me, I'm searching for a BT kit that could be as factory as possible!!!

I sended a email to Parrot...

benzo-boi

get the Sony Ericsson Bluetooth kit. I've had mine for about 2 months and I love it. Its the next best thing to getting a UHI kit. $325 installed.

1Lop2K5C

My dealer said the same thing when I purchased the car. They also said it was a license/hardware issues and they are working with Sprint to test this out.

gaiex

"benzo-boi: get the Sony Ericsson Bluetooth kit"

I have a nokia 6600 and I'm changing phone all the time :-)

josha

Could you post pics of the Sony system installed?

thanks!

scorchie

MBenzNL has 2005 UHI kits ready to go. (If you have an earlier car, there's info farther down that might interest you.)

What's UHI? Well, if you're sportin' in your new C230K SS, you're probably a user of cool GSM phones instead of lame Verizon or Sprint phones (OK, I admit it, their phones are getting a little better). UHI is a fully integrated phone kit and it lets you use an off-the-shelf GSM phone from a list of supported phones, instead of requiring that you use a Mercedes-branded old-technology phone that costs a lot. The list of supported phone for UHI is still growing, too. And, even better... you are not locked into your phone. Want to change your phone? Get a new supported phone, the proper cradle, and change it out in 10 seconds. You share cars with your S.O. but you have different phones? Take your cradles with you so when you swap cars, you still have your integrated phone.

Up until now, 2005 US cars were left out of the UHI technology while we finished developing the kits. Now that that's done, we're ready for orders on these kits.

This installation is a bit more complex than in past cars, so we suggest installation by professionals who are familiar with Mercedes, or if you are in an install area visited by Steve (or the SF Bay Area any time), let us take care of it.

And before anyone asks... no it DOES NOT HAVE BLUETOOTH. We could include Bluetooth in the kit, but it would increase the cost, and you're probably using a Bluetooth phone already, so the kit's Bluetooth would only duplicate your phone's Bluetooth functionality... no more.

Here's the CURRENT list of supported phones:

- Nokia: 6310i, 6100, 6610, 6220, 6230A, 7250i
- Moto: V60i (GSM)
- Sony: T610, T616, T630, T637
- Siemens: C56, S55, S56, CX65, S65

If it's not on this list, it is not yet supported. Some are being worked on, some are coming, but right now, that's what works well.

Owners of older C-class cars (2001-2004) can also get UHI. Additionally, we can install the MHI kits (ask your dealer if they can do THAT), and let you use Verizon and Sprint phones. If you have Sprint, you're probably better off with the original Mercedes kit, because the V60x phone is the same one for MHI as for the original kit. But if you use Verizon, you can now use the EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE V710. For $935 for the handset alone, it must be REALLY GOOD. I don't know, I don't use Verizon since they forced me to use the lamest Motorola Timeport in 2001 when every other carrier had cool phones, so if you really like Verizon, then it's on you, and this is the price you pay for a medium level phone with Verizon support. If you really want to use Verizon and a newer phone, I really suggest you look at Mikbox and understand what's going on there before deciding on an OEM solution. I'm an OEM bigot, I like original kits, but if I liked Verizon, I might reconsider that at those prices. I mean, a Motorola RAZR V3 is only $600, and that's WAY cooler than the V710... oh except the MP camera.

So many choices, so many things to consider.

Anyhow, that's available now, if you'd like to consider it.

-s-

JohnCL

Thanks for the information scorchie. I am ready for my UHI.

Capt Nemo o2

Now here's a question... I have a 2005 C230SS and an off-the-shelf V710, is there anything I can do? I know Mikbox has an adapter for the V710, but I belive its for up to 2004 phone systems. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!

nlpamg

Cool! So the MHI kits are the "factory installed" thingy right? How much more is it compared to UHI? Also, if I get UH, do I need to get anything else for UHI? Such as the vehicle phone kit or something? And is voice control optional or included? Thanks!

wblynch

Is the RAZRV3 going to be UHI-able soon? Is it on that "some are coming" list?

scorchie

Voice control is an extra option. It's a good idea to install it at the same time as a phone kit, because it's not quite like the old system where you could just plug the voice control in after the fact. The microphone wiring needs to be diverted to voice control.

I am not sure what you mean if you need to get anything more... you'll need a phone. UHI is a phone kit, so yes, you do need to get a phone kit to have UHI.

-s-

scorchie

I'm sorry... I forgot to include the line that I normally do...

"If it's not on this list, please don't ask because I don't know anything about it."

And to answer your question... I am sorry but I don't know. It is up to Mercedes.

-s-

Buellwinkle

How much is the kit for a pre-2005 SS?

1Lop2K5C

What do you mean SF Bay Area anytime, is there a person here that knows how to install this kit ?

raunen

Did I miss the cost information (for a 2005)?

amdeutsch

Scorchie's stomping grounds.

He didn't post it. But you're in luck. Click me for MBenzNL pricing info.

scorchie

$995 D2B, $1095 MOST, not including installation.

D2B version requires either rerouting the telephone cable from the rear fenderwell area to the electronics tray, or to create a mounting point for the PSE in the fenderwell (not that difficult). Works with either Euro or US-spec COMANDs, or Audio 30 cassette head units.

MOST version requires different kits for Sedan, Wagon, Coupe, or Coupe with H/K.

Both versions include one cradle of your choice to work with your own supported phone.

Voice control and steering wheel controls and instrument cluster displays are all completely compatible with the above.

-s-

scorchie

Jajaja... I really love that one.

-s-

Pit-Pony

Great I want one!

No prices yet for the 05 kits on the WEB site?

Any chance of seeing instructions before I buy?

Thanks

..jack