Cavadini

Anybody know the answer to this?

If an 07 E350 has the universal hands free interface and a bluetooth module, can voice control be added at the dealer?

MB Fanatic

It should not be a problem. Go talk to your dealer and see what he says. If hes not willing to do it, then get a hold of Steve aka MBenzNL (his MBworld screen name). www.mbenznl.com he is the Mod master of MBZs'

Cavadini

Hehe, funny story. I just couldn't recall and I was discussing with a friend here and thought somebody might know for sure off the top of their head. I am going to check with my tech tomorrow morning.

pmb600

I have been asking this question about my car (a 2005 C240). The dealerships I called all quoted me a price for the voice control and the hands free communication system, and then when i went to buy the parts, they said that Voice was incompatible with an 05 C-Class. If anyone knows for sure I would be greatful. They also said that voice was only an option on 2001-2004 model year C-Class so that it can only be added to those model years.

They did say that the E-Class can have Voice added.

AndrewAZ

Honestly its probably not worth the money. My brother has that is his BMW and its ok but not great and if you have a few people in the car making any sounds you run into more errors. I dont know how well the mercedes system works but I honestly dont think its worth the $500, especially if you have used any voice activated junk in the past it never works completely right and most times you will be faster to just do it by hand.

glennbaz

I have an 05' E55 and had voice added. All it took was a stalk, module and fiber optic piece and have it all coded. Word of caution there is a difference in modules between hands free and voice control. Beware of Ebay purchases.
Glenn

BigSis

If I am not mistaking, the VR kit doesn't work in 2005+ W203s with Audio 20 units in the dash... Not sure why, though, but I remember Steve trying to install a VR kit in a customer's car with Audio 20. And it didn't work out.

greetingz,

BigSis

pmb600

Thanks for the info. What about if I get the US COMAND head unit (I think its called MCS II). Do you know if it will work with that. I think I'm having the US COMAND installed soon at a dealership nearby. But I would love to have Steve or someone install the VCS. Btw, do you know when Steve's next trip will be to the New York City area.

edspider

I'd like to hear from anyone who has voice control installed and finds it useful (or fun). I've had it before in Lexus and Infinity and never used it after the novelty wore off. I didn't like it because mostly because it was faster to just hit the button, but also because it often didn't understand me.

I think the MB system actually has some voice training you can run that should increase it's accuracy.

I have MHI (installed by BenzNL), so all I need is the stalk, programming and trunk module - but I don't want to spend the cash until I hear someone say they use it routinely.

MARK CUMMINS

Steve Installed the Voice Control in my W203/W210/W211 its a must have
It Really shines in the W211 when using the Bluetooh set up...as one does not look away to dial a number..change the radio station..Change the CD..or TV..DVD....One Less Distraction!
As Most states have Laws re hand held phone usage..Thats another reason to have it

It Does Not work good with the windows open....or If One speaks to fast or Yells at it... Then all you get is Pardon...Pardon..

Barry45RPM

My '04 has it. Its voice recognition capability is amazingly accurate and I have never gone thru the "voice traing' of the unit. I use it to dial my most frequenly called phone numbers or to change radio stations (back when I used to listen to AM/FM before Sirius for which there are NO voice commands). You can also change CDs &/or tracks.

I like it. It works. Could I live without it? Sure. But I ordered it again on my new car.

SUNILP

VCS in a 2005 w203 C class requires the comand system installed in the car. Non Comand cars will not work with VCS. VCS instructions are displayed on the comand display.

SUNILP

Voice training was implemented in cars 2005 w203 cars and all w211 cars. Not possible on d2b based cars before 05. The reason behind the training is because the newer VCS units have a larger vocabulary and needs to learn your voice to to distinguish similar words.

pmb600

Will VCS work with the US COMAND (the one made by Alpine with the folding screen) or only Euro COMAND since VCS was not an option for the US in 2005? Is it safe to assume that the US Comand is incapable of showing the voice prompts on the screen?

Musikmann

I have it on my W210 and it seems to work fine (recognises my voice without this earlier mentioned voice training). I bought my car used, and it was already on there. I'm not sure that if buying a new car, that I would pay the extra $1500 for it though. Like some others said, it is just as easy to enter the commands by hand.

pmb600

I know but I'm a gadget ***** and I want as many toys as I can get.

Musikmann

Good point, and I am too now that I have bought a used car with almost every available option available when it was new. I still had to add a CD changer and now the Bluetooth puck, which has yet to work right.

I'm passing on the blue illuminated door plates, chrome headlight rings, door handle protectors and trunk-handle lift thingie. Those are not really gadgets, just appearance stuff.

SUNILP

VCS will work both on USA and EUro comand units for 2005 and later C classes. IT will show voice prompts on both comand units as well.

cyclerider

Voice Control (code 396) is only $500, but requires P1 package, which most 2007 cars already have.

pmb600

Thanks sunman! So how complicated is it to install? Is it just the VCS Stalk that gets shoved in the steering wheel and the module in the trunk? I really want to get this after I put in my US COMAND and hands free phone system, but none of the dealerships will do it obviously because they say it wasn't available for that year. I'm not sure where to have it done since I've never done anything like this myself and I think it requires coding in the computer once your are finished?

SUNILP

You will first have to install the comand system. Then install the VCS stalk in the column and then install the VCS module in the trunk. You'll have to add fuses and configure the fiber ring and make it complete. TO learn more on the fiber ring, search the forum.

pmb600

Thanks for all of your help. That is just what I needed to know, I wouldn't feel comfortable doing this myself, I will have to find someone that can do this for me after I have COMAND installed. Thanks for all your input, it is very much appreciated since I can't get any real info from the dealer!