Barry45RPM

So I assume then that the paid in advance Tele Aid charge is to cover the operator's payroll & benefits for him to be employed there so he can sell me some assistance when I need it? Maybe thats why they wait so long to bill you... so you are in a better state of mind months later, maybe having a drink at home after work, with the charge being a mere couple of bucks buried on your credit card statement... not late stranded at the side of the road with problems.

So, um... I can call Geico road service for free on my cell, & get an immediate pick-up on the other end. (Actually I can call Tele Aid from my cell phone for no charge included minutes too!) If the air bags deploy on my car, I figure the next 2 Lawyers driving by will stop & leave their cards & call the cops within a couple of minutes... still no charge unless I collect!

So, whatever time they give me free when I take delivery of the car I'll keep. I will not renew without free airtime.

konigstiger

Located this DTB assuring digital compatibility for 05 owners under warranty:

P-B-82.95/479 DEC05 Digital TeleAid Control Unit All Model 171, 203, 209, 211, 215, 219, 220 and 230 model year 2005 and newer; if the TeleAid cannot connect a call replace control unit with Digital TeleAid part # A221 870 87 26.

bkushner

Amazing that when I bought this car a few short years ago it was being touted as the most technologically advanced car built and on the market, and today I need $1500 to upgrade from analog to digital.

I've about had it with MB.

Brian

bkushner

Is remote door unlocking part of tele aide?

SUNILP

You will still have nav without teleaid. There is a GPS splitter so the signal is split in 2 module.

sprink49

Charging $1500 for an analog to digital upgrde....plus air time??? They can kiss my ***!! I'll throw $1500 toward a system that will actally work that will get away from MB's stupid GPS/Navigation system that is virtually useless anyway. I know that I will probably have ro re-work the entire audio system but I'm tired of being nickled and dimed by these idiots who can't get it together on electronics. They make some great cars but EVERY OTHER auto manufacturer is kicking their *** with regard to user friendly AV & communications. Done.

edspider

I think we're being too hard on MB. Lexus has the same problem. How would you have handled the transition differently? Lexus quietly dropped the feature in the 2004 LS. They could have installed a digital option, but analog had more coverage for more safety in the boon docks. They got burned for not having teleaid while MB got burned for having it when a few years later, analog service is dropped.

And don't hate me, but I LOVE the nav in my 06 E. I think it's a thoughtful and useful implementation. It's a lot nicer than my 06 LS or 06 M.

sprink49

By offering all current Tele-Aid subscribers a FREE upgrade to the digital system if they had been a subscriber for a year or more and were willing to sign a two year contract for continuation of the service...price including un-limited airtime.

bkushner

Or at the very least free install. Remember, the $1500 doesn't include install.