GLOCK36

Due to a recent FCC ruling, analog wireless networks supporting some Tele Aid systems will convert to digital technology after December 31, 2007. For Mercedes-Benz, this change in general affects all Model Year 2000 to 2004 vehicles, Model Year 2005 M- and G-Class vehicles, and Model Year 2005 and 2006 Maybach and all SLR vehicles.


A Digital Tele Aid Upgrade program for these vehicles is available except for Model Year 2000 cars. Due to the hardware originally installed in Model Year 2000 cars, these vehicles can NOT be upgraded, and Tele Aid service will terminate December 31, 2007 at the latest.


Starting on November 1, for January 2007 renewals, Tele Aid renewal customers will be notified by the Tele Aid Response Center through a direct mail letter and brochure of the opportunity to upgrade to digital.
3 different service packages are available to the customer NOT INCLUDING INSTALLATION TIME:


1. Lifetime Package—$1500 MSRP for existing customers and for pre-owned vehicles in inventory.

2. 2-year Package—$1148 MSRP for existing customers only.

3. 1-year package—$824 MSRP for existing customers only.

4. Maybach and SLR vehicles will be handled as a service campaign, with services provided for the balance of the original 4-year or 50,000 mile warranty.

DWP

Well put. Analog Tele Aid service has already effectively terminated in large areas of the country, as carriers let their analog networks deteriorate in anticipation of official permission to pull the plug on analog in 2008.

MB's prices for converting to digital Tele Aid - hardware and service only, installation not included - are enough to convince me that a cell phone, MB Roadside Assistance and an Auto Club membership ($70/year) will substitute for Tele Aid quite nicely, thank you.

cyclerider

Assuming, of course, that you are still conscious and able to dial your cell phone.

DWP

Easy for you to say; you already have digital Tele Aid.

I considered that angle and concluded that only a tiny percentage of accidents are one-car accidents on a road with no other traffic or bystanders. The vast majority of accidents are on busy urban and suburban roads, with multiple people calling 911. If I got into a one-car accident on some desolate road, it would probably be beyond Tele Aid coverage, analog or digital, anyway. It's like insurance; it doesn't make sense to voluntarily spend substantial money for coverage against extremely unlikely scenarios.

ATS

Exactly..

smb7420

people who retrofit their comands with the DVD/Mp3 capable version... do they utilize the GPS in Teleaid for the navigation system?

If the Teleaid is off, then the nav system wont have GPS...which means no turn by turn direction which means no...uh...

edspider

I wish there was a tele-aid option for just door unlocks and call-me-if-my-air-bag-deploys. I don't mind paying a MB premium for service, but why should I pay $240 for OnStar. I'd pay $100 this kind of insurance, but $240 just makes me mad.

It's not the money, its the principal.

larryssf

To Edspider:

Unfortunately MB packages the services in that fashion because they can. I to would pay $100.00 a year for a limited service. I have had my E for nearly two years and have never used Tele-Aid. (Probably like the vast majority of subscribers) On the 1st year anniversary, I called just to confirm it worked.

It is likely if such an option were allowed, revenue would decline by 50%. Think of it as an expensive insurance policy.

Very cold in San Francisco

edspider

I did some searching and feel better about the price. OnStar is $199 for GM and Acura, so the MB premium is only $40.

Barry45RPM

So if I get this right, they will charge you $826 to convert you to digital & supply you with 1 year's digital service... After that, why wouldn't the annual charge be the same as everyone else with new cars that came digitally equipped? After you're converted, its digital. Right?

So they are charging about $600 for a digital phone installed including less than (about) an hour's labor.

Sovren

Why are we having to pay to install a feature we already have. Come on, its not like its a surprise that cellular networks were going digital. I have a 2004 and now I have to pay 1500.00 more for a feature they used to make the original sale.

I think a class action suit is warranted. Why not, I got my car replaced when they couldn't retrofit my 2003 with the Nav system I ordered. Why is this any different? We paid for this already, we should not have to pay again.

Anybody else agree with this?

GLOCK36

Just got my note from MB stating before I renew for another year they will do the upgrade from analog to digital for a lifetime membership of $1500.00. If I choose to do just a 1 year they offer $100.00 of the install and a 2 year is $200.00 off. Either way your looking at a Min of $1000.00 to get switched over from the analog to the digital network.

MB knew about this back in 2004 when I got my car, not sure why they were so slow to impliment the change but I think if anything, they should offer us a better deal with regards to the upgrade. I'm not so sure I am willing to shell out another grand knowing I plan to order a 2008 in the fall.

konigstiger

FCC ruled, Underlying Wireless Carrier complied, and the suits protected their interest(s).

http://www.teleaid.com/terms.html

“This is a legal agreement between the subscriber named on the front of this agreement ("you"), Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC ("MBUSA"), and ATX Technologies, Inc. ("ATX"), governing the provision of Tele Aid Services to your Mercedes-Benz vehicle. Whether or not you have signed this agreement, by activating and using the Tele Aid Services, you accept and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of this agreement.”

“Your Tele Aid system uses analog and/or digital cellular telephone signals. If the wireless carrier terminates or restricts analog and/or digital service, the Tele Aid Services will not be available. UNDER THIS CIRCUMSTANCE, SOME OR ALL OF THE TELE AID SERVICES MAY BE SUSPENDED OR TERMINATED WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE TO YOU AND WITHOUT ANY LIABILITY TO MBUSA,ATX,THE UNDERLYING WIRELESS CARRER OR ANY THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARY.

Sovren

Not surprising that they have protected themselves with a legal disclaimer of some sort. What gets me is that as much as I like the car, the electronics are years behind many other less expensive models. A friend of mine just bought a Honda Civic, $22,000 out the door. The Nav system blows ours away. Plus we have no Bluetooth, which many much cheaper cars come with standard, or at least its an option.

This is my 8th Mercedes. Obviously I love the product, I just think they need to upgrade the electronics into the 21'st century.

I will not pay to upgrade to a digital system. Not worth it as I will probably not keep the car more than another year or 2. I am on the fence as to whether I will replace it with another Benz. There is a lot of competition these days and I would certainly give some of the other makes a try.

I am curious if I am in the majority on this one. Maybe I will start a poll on this. I'd be curious how many are upgrading.

barrafp

Wow, all concerns above concerns me. MB can't even place a digital clock in their E class. Each time I drive it, I get confused with the clock and the other gauges.

WEBSRFR

Do all 2005 year W211s have digital Tele Aid? How can you tell?

cdi1

I agree on MB staying behind the electronic times. Do you remember the "wonderfull" sound quality of the Becker radio? This radio was available at the same time time GM was offering the Bose system.

WEBSRFR

Anyone know if all 2005 models W211s have digital Tele Aid? Anyway to tell by looking at the system if it is digital or not?

konigstiger

MBUSA Bulletin P-I-82.95/536 NOV06 Digital Tele Aid Control Module Retrofit Model Year 2003-2005. Digital Tele Aid Control module part number: BQ 482 0124.

WEBSRFR

So all 2005 W211s have analog Tele Aid unless upgraded?

DWP

The FAQ on the Tele Aid page on the MBUSA web site says, with characteristic ambiguity:
The last sentence ("now ... on") seems to say that all 2005 E-Class cars were built with dual-mode Tele Aid, but I suppose it could also mean that digital conver$ion kit$ are now "available" for 2005-2006 E-Class cars. I suspect that the former is the case, but you never know.

Based on my experience with analog Tele Aid, I can suggest an ad hoc test to see if you have analog or dual-band gear on your car: try to connect to Tele Aid. If you hear lots of static crashing sounds, and it doesn't connect, you have analog. Warning: if it does connect, you will be charged for air time over and above the $240 per year.

Barry45RPM

Dude! Are you saying that TeleAid which is paid for in advance on a yearly basis does not include any air time? (Bear in mind I had it in my '04 & outside of the intro call I made, I never used it, and I don't have any MB car riight now, as the '04 is sold & the '07 isnt here yet.

HotWheels500

For what it's worth, I just spoke with a TeleAid support person. He said 2005 Es have digital. But to be "sure" he wanted to checked using my VIN. He came back and confirmed that my VIN indicated that I have digital. That suggested to me that there may be some VINs for 2005 Es that may not have digital. I suggest calling as I did and have them check your VIN to be more confident in the answer. Good luck.

DWP

All I can say is that about a year ago I used Tele Aid (from my garage) to call in a flat tire to Roadside Assistance. It connected, actually - I used Tele Aid instead of the phone because I wondered if Tele Aid would connect. In June, five months later, a Tele Aid charge of $3.20 turned up on my credit card. I made a WTF call to Tele Aid customer service and was informed that no, my annual $240 did not include air time. I knew that "info" calls cost extra but I sort of assumed that "wrench" calls were included. Wrong. I wonder how much they charge to respond to air bag deployment. When I called to cancel Tele Aid in August their retention specialist offered me some free air time (I forget how much) if I renewed. Sorry, too late.

konigstiger

The way the bulletin reads analog 2003 through 2005 as underlined.

However, the MBUSA Tele Aid statement (DWP - post 21) states digital for 2005. Therefore, let us assume from the bulletin that early 05 models may have analog.

As previously suggested a call to Tele Aid (have your VIN handy) will confirm.

BTW, never had a need to use Tele Aid – not once, in my 03 e320 or 06 CLS!