Can someone walk me through the handsfree costs w/ bluetooth?
05-11-2006, 06:15 PM
#1
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Can someone walk me through the handsfree costs w/ bluetooth?
The aws site was a little unclear on what the true costs are. The way I see it you first need to buy the HF kit for $1500 and then pay another $400 for bluetooth.
05-11-2006, 06:44 PM
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Correct. However, mbusa.com lists HF as an option for $1450, as an accessory $923 (does not include labor, installation charges or local taxes). Using your $1500 quote, $577 markup for dealer install 
Last edited by konigstiger; 05-11-2006 at 06:52 PM.
05-12-2006, 12:30 AM
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C230 2005
I brought up the same topic in another thread. In order to get parts and install bluetooth in my 2005 C230K I was quoted parts of $1,140 including the bluetooth adapter and labor of $575. They first checked to make sure I had some correct wiring in the side of the trunk.
05-16-2006, 10:43 AM
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2014 E350 4Matic, 2012 Kia Soul+
What About Features
Can anyone who has the new BT option, what level of integration it provides? For example, does the multifunction display show incoming calls? Is there any kind of phone directory?
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05-19-2006, 02:03 PM
#9
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I hope I'm correct, but note that everything's the same for a phone installation up until time for the phone cradle.
Before Bluetooth, you were limited to "Mercedes" phones, and the phone clipped into a cradle in the console.
Now, a Bluetooth unit takes up that spot (the cradle) and you have some more phone choices and you can use your phone while it remains in your pocket or purse.
So, while the actual phone might cost a little less and you have the advantage that you don't have to connect the phone to the car, you have the DISadvantages that the car doesn't charge your phone's battery nor does your phone use the car's antenna.
Again, except for the phone, little reason to expect this setup to cost less for a first-time installation, although perhaps there is some savings by not connecting to the car's antenna.
Before Bluetooth, you were limited to "Mercedes" phones, and the phone clipped into a cradle in the console.
Now, a Bluetooth unit takes up that spot (the cradle) and you have some more phone choices and you can use your phone while it remains in your pocket or purse.
So, while the actual phone might cost a little less and you have the advantage that you don't have to connect the phone to the car, you have the DISadvantages that the car doesn't charge your phone's battery nor does your phone use the car's antenna.
Again, except for the phone, little reason to expect this setup to cost less for a first-time installation, although perhaps there is some savings by not connecting to the car's antenna.
05-19-2006, 02:33 PM
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2014 E350 4Matic, 2012 Kia Soul+
That is how I understand it, but there are other details to complicate things. It is no wonder US dealers have no clue.
BT module will not work with all existing handsfree kits. For example, I don't think you can just swap the cradle in a pre-2003 E (W210).
You probably will not see the recent call list or directory stored in your phone.
There is a chance you won't see the calling number in your multi function display.
There is an option where you can get an MB branded BT phone with a cradle for the phone. This option requires the phone to be cradled.
There is a special alternative for new cars equipped with a V60 cradle. Sometimes called a puck that snaps into the cradle where the V60 phone would go. This "puck" then talks to any BT cell phone and converts everything such that the MHI system thinks a bona fide V60 is connected.
I learn a lot at Steve's www.MBenzNL.com site. But beware, it can confuse even more because it discusses the different kind of data buses (ie. MOST) and two kinds of COMAND processors (MHI for US and UHI for Europe) Variations of each affect what is possible.
BT module will not work with all existing handsfree kits. For example, I don't think you can just swap the cradle in a pre-2003 E (W210).
You probably will not see the recent call list or directory stored in your phone.
There is a chance you won't see the calling number in your multi function display.
There is an option where you can get an MB branded BT phone with a cradle for the phone. This option requires the phone to be cradled.
There is a special alternative for new cars equipped with a V60 cradle. Sometimes called a puck that snaps into the cradle where the V60 phone would go. This "puck" then talks to any BT cell phone and converts everything such that the MHI system thinks a bona fide V60 is connected.
I learn a lot at Steve's www.MBenzNL.com site. But beware, it can confuse even more because it discusses the different kind of data buses (ie. MOST) and two kinds of COMAND processors (MHI for US and UHI for Europe) Variations of each affect what is possible.
05-19-2006, 05:28 PM
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Originally Posted by PUZZ1
The aws site was a little unclear on what the true costs are. The way I see it you first need to buy the HF kit for $1500 and then pay another $400 for bluetooth.
Once the kit is installed, choose a cradle $220 or Bluetooth Module $350 and you're good to go if you already have a compatible handset.
Total installed cost for the system with Bluetooth shouldn't be more than $1500 but you may have to shop a few MB dealers.
Basic rule of thumb for cradle vs. Bluetooth: Cradles are great if you are a heavy phone user and commute an hour or more a day. Bluetooth is great if you are in and out of your car a lot during the day. BTW, phonebook download is also available with Bluetooth if you use specific phone models (at this point, usually Motorola since they support the needed AT commands).
05-19-2006, 05:52 PM
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Originally Posted by edspider
That is how I understand it, but there are other details to complicate things. It is no wonder US dealers have no clue.
BT module will not work with all existing handsfree kits. For example, I don't think you can just swap the cradle in a pre-2003 E (W210).
You probably will not see the recent call list or directory stored in your phone.
There is a chance you won't see the calling number in your multi function display.
There is an option where you can get an MB branded BT phone with a cradle for the phone. This option requires the phone to be cradled.
There is a special alternative for new cars equipped with a V60 cradle. Sometimes called a puck that snaps into the cradle where the V60 phone would go. This "puck" then talks to any BT cell phone and converts everything such that the MHI system thinks a bona fide V60 is connected.
I learn a lot at Steve's www.MBenzNL.com site. But beware, it can confuse even more because it discusses the different kind of data buses (ie. MOST) and two kinds of COMAND processors (MHI for US and UHI for Europe) Variations of each affect what is possible.
BT module will not work with all existing handsfree kits. For example, I don't think you can just swap the cradle in a pre-2003 E (W210).
You probably will not see the recent call list or directory stored in your phone.
There is a chance you won't see the calling number in your multi function display.
There is an option where you can get an MB branded BT phone with a cradle for the phone. This option requires the phone to be cradled.
There is a special alternative for new cars equipped with a V60 cradle. Sometimes called a puck that snaps into the cradle where the V60 phone would go. This "puck" then talks to any BT cell phone and converts everything such that the MHI system thinks a bona fide V60 is connected.
I learn a lot at Steve's www.MBenzNL.com site. But beware, it can confuse even more because it discusses the different kind of data buses (ie. MOST) and two kinds of COMAND processors (MHI for US and UHI for Europe) Variations of each affect what is possible.
MY 2002 - MY 2004 cars with the V60 phone system just need B67875856 V60 Bluetooth Cradle Adaptor (PUCK). It docks in the cradle in place of the handset. MY 2005 and newer cars with MHI hands-free installed need B67875839 MHI Bluetooth Interface Module. Unclick your current cradle and click the Module in its place. Both upgrades are user installable and don't require the use of tools.
At this point, if you stick with the MB recommended Motorola phones, you will get phonebook download over Bluetooth too. This is possible because Motorola already implements the needed Bluetooth AT commands in their handsets. As Bluetooth becomes more widespread in new cars, I'm sure that other phone brands will include AT commands in their phones too.
