What to do with this phone?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 235
Likes: 0
From: NY
2003 s500 sport
What to do with this phone?
On the 98 e430 I just got there is a built in phone in the armrest. I like it and would like to use it. How do I hook it up to a carrier.
I was actually playing with the controls on the head unit and it started dialing a number from a memory. Doesn't it need to be activated first? Could the previous owner leave it activated?
I was actually playing with the controls on the head unit and it started dialing a number from a memory. Doesn't it need to be activated first? Could the previous owner leave it activated?
Almost a Member!
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
From: Dallas
99 e430 Green
its an analog phone so most companies your going to have to pay for the minute take it to your cell phone store and show it to them and ask about service. I did the same thing and im taking it out, because they can't do it as a second phone on the same number so I just took it out.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 5,583
Likes: 210
From: Washington D.C.
2024 GLE63s / 2016 GLE63s (traded) / 2016 E63s / 2002 E55
Re: What to do with this phone?
Originally posted by 6.3
I was actually playing with the controls on the head unit and it started dialing a number from a memory. Doesn't it need to be activated first? Could the previous owner leave it activated?
I was actually playing with the controls on the head unit and it started dialing a number from a memory. Doesn't it need to be activated first? Could the previous owner leave it activated?
I have two set of used wheels off my 98 E430. If interested:
www.E55AMG.com/wheels.html
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 235
Likes: 0
From: NY
2003 s500 sport
I called mbusa and they told me that I should go to a dealer and ask them to retrive a serial number from the cellular unit in the trunk.. With this number call up a cellular companies and ask for plans.
If I removed it I would also have to remove the dash unit. I would like to keep it stock for now unless I decide to put in some alpine screen navigation system or something like that. Then the space would come in handy.
I will try to set it up and see how it comes out.
The phone might be a relic but imagine few years down the road (like 20) and look into a car that still has a factory cell phone installed. definite cool factor. If I ever remove it I will definitelly keep it and reinstall it when selling the car.
If I removed it I would also have to remove the dash unit. I would like to keep it stock for now unless I decide to put in some alpine screen navigation system or something like that. Then the space would come in handy.
I will try to set it up and see how it comes out.
The phone might be a relic but imagine few years down the road (like 20) and look into a car that still has a factory cell phone installed. definite cool factor. If I ever remove it I will definitelly keep it and reinstall it when selling the car.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 9,815
Likes: 13
John Deere
2 things I remember:
1. Somebody else on these boards was able to remove the head unit without losing the wood door.
2. Somebody else awhile back found that Verizon still offered Analog service, though the fees were really high.
I would love to piggyback this phone onto my regular number if that was possible. The microphone and speakers in the car are 100x better than the crappy little earpiece I use with my voicestream handset.
1. Somebody else on these boards was able to remove the head unit without losing the wood door.
2. Somebody else awhile back found that Verizon still offered Analog service, though the fees were really high.
I would love to piggyback this phone onto my regular number if that was possible. The microphone and speakers in the car are 100x better than the crappy little earpiece I use with my voicestream handset.
Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 194
Likes: 1
From: Houston
08 S550, 10 GLK350, 05 Clk500
You could use a Nokia carkit for 5100/6100 phones. That is what I did. The cradle is in the armrest. I had to install a microphone, but the phone can play through the dash speakers and automatically mute the radio. Also, you will need to buy an antenna, I don't think the analog antenna is adequate for a digital cell phone
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 564
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
2006 E500 4matic Wagon
This is all very interesting! When I bought my 1979 6.9 (6.3, talk about the few, the proud!), it had a phone in it. A buddy took it out for me. The box was mounted in the trunk.
When I got my Rover back in the day of 1995, it had an integrated phone and I actually still used it up until 1998 or so. Since I've gone fully tri-mode, I took the phone out of its cradle and have just been resting on my laurels. BUT! I hate the hands-free headpiece I have to wear to avoid a ticket in NY. I just called Verizon Wireless, and apparently I could piggy-back this to my mobile number; it would just work analog only. I would have to reattach the antenna I detached long ago. Strange, huh?
When I got my Rover back in the day of 1995, it had an integrated phone and I actually still used it up until 1998 or so. Since I've gone fully tri-mode, I took the phone out of its cradle and have just been resting on my laurels. BUT! I hate the hands-free headpiece I have to wear to avoid a ticket in NY. I just called Verizon Wireless, and apparently I could piggy-back this to my mobile number; it would just work analog only. I would have to reattach the antenna I detached long ago. Strange, huh?
Trending Topics
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 9,815
Likes: 13
John Deere
How does that piggyback thing work? If someone calls my regular number (of the handheld unit), will it ring in the car at the same time? Or can I make a car from the carphone and have it billed to the handheld unit's account?
-rb
-rb
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Southeastern US
2002 E320S4
Analog Phone Forward
When i had my 98 E320 w/ analog phone unit, i activated it with Alltel in about 5 minutes over the phone (they should be able to tell you what buttons to press on the phone itself to get the SNumber). Then, using the lowest plan possible, i activated Cingular's 2N1 service on my digital phone, which automatically makes it ring both the Cingular main phone number and another number of your own choosing. When i was actually IN the car, i'd answer using the built-in, using up those minutes. When out, i'd use my regular cingular digital model. It worked well for me b/c i also wanted to keep the integrity of the car and valued the safety of having hands-free high quality in-car phone calls.
Good luck.
Good luck.
