I will be attempting to connect my cell phone to the radio in my E320 so that I could make use of the antenna, microphone and speakers that are already available Does anyone have or know where to get information pertaining to the pin assignments on the back of the factory installed MB E320 radio so that I can interface to it to connect my cell phone? My MB dealer quoted me a price of nearly $3000 to get cell phone service in my auto. they've got to be kidding.

What year is your car? I don't think the 96-99 had any cell phone functions through the stereo so you must have a 00-02--right? I think the 00-02 uses the fiber optic connection to deal with cell phone operations so you're pretty much SOL unless you use the Benz cell phone system.

It's a 2000 E320. If it's a fiber optic connector, that would explain the high cost of the MB kit to connect the cell phone to the radio. Does anyone know of any after-market suppliers of the equipment that I need to make this work. The dealer I bought the car from has already offered me a StarTek phone that he says would work in the car.

Dave,

This is one area you can want to stay away from the dealer until you finish the job!
You can find phone kits on eBay - for example:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=46093

for your car which consist of mainly:

1. Portable/Phone Support Electronics (P.S.E.) a long flat box act as the brains
2. Phone Cradle (which is probably in your car already)
3. Linear Compensator (basically a signal amp) which isn't pictured in the auction
4. Mounting bracket (this is the only car specific part all else is interchangeable)
5. Fiber Optic Cables

You should be able to get the kits for around a total of $500 including voice recognition kits. In my opinion it is worth it even though the microphone leaves something to be desired. But for safety and convenience the system is great. There are 3 or 4 different P.S.E. units that support different phones so you need to get the one for your phone (the startac) or go with a different phone and get the appropriate P.S.E. and cradle.

anyway, after installation the system should be version coded by the dealer, I don't think they should charge you for this.

Having just done basically what you are trying to do, I would encourage you to do it and consult the following links for info and advice:

http://home.earthlink.net/~phdwebsite/

http://www.benzworld.org/publications/pub.asp?id=159

http://www.whnet.com/4x4/phones.html

Good Luck,
Hish747

Check out the MikBox. It lets you add any newer Motorola phone to your mercedes. Last I checked it was only $250. Mik post here regularly.

www.mikbox.com

I have 99 E320 rwd and it had keypad and phone button on the head
unit. Does this indicate that it was phone capable through the stereo?
It uses fiber to changer in the boot.

I think it would work. I also have a 99 E320 and I did install the MB phone system in the car. Although I also installed an MCS unit from a 2002 ML so I guess I can only tell you that my combination did work. But I think with a few additional parts, yours would also
Hish