Benz-O-Rama

Ok,

I'm tired of waiting for Argos and I don't really like any of the other solutions. I'm looking to install my system from scratch myself. Can't be that hard, right?

Anyway, from what I can tell, I think I need the following:

Q-6-82-0826 E (Phone installation completer kit)
Includes:
Q-6-82-0829 - Linear Compensator
Q-6-82-0832 - Cable, Linear compensator
Q-6-82-0463 - Standard install hardware kit

Q-6-82-0828 (V60 cradle short cord kit)
Includes:
Q-6-82-0833 - V60 cradle with short cord coil
Q-6-82-0768 - V60 holder
Q-6-82-0811 - Battery insert

V60 bluetooth puck

I could also add the optional voice control kit Q-6-82-0827 but I may just do that later.
Can anyone confirm this? Do I need anything else? I know I'll have to get my dealer to activate it with Star but that shouldn't be a problem.

cocacola

I think that is all you need. I have this retrofitted to my car and it works great. It's not that hard once you have the instructions for retrofit the phone system. I would say the Voice Control System should be considered to be installed at the same time as well. Then, you can call these a complete hands free phone system. Good luck!

konigstiger

I’ll try to locate the install instructions. No doubt you’ve already collected the info needed from those who installed (real world) nevertheless the instructions will serve as a benchmark for reference.

Benz-O-Rama

I think I already have the instructions, but I'll take yours too just to make sure. I trust you as a source.


How about the parts? Looks like everything I need?

Thanks Konigs....

konigstiger

Looks good.

Benz-O-Rama

COOL! It may take some time for me to obtain all of the parts but I'll do a detailed writeup with pics once I get them all. I'm so sick of waiting on Argos and if I can get all the parts for about the same price, this seems like a no brainer. Hopefully the install isn't too bad and I don't end up crawling back to the dealer with my tail between my legs.

Wish me luck

hecdog

Have you priced out the parts yet? I'd be interested in this installation if the price is within reason. I too am tired of waiting...

Benz-O-Rama

Don't have a definate on prices yet...I'll find out later in the week. If I had to guess, I'd say without the VCS (voice control) were looking less than a grand...with VCS, just a bit over a grand.

The Argos is 800.00 without voice so it'll be close. I'll let you know definately when I know.

Benz-O-Rama

Here's a link to the install document for those interested


ClickMe

SUNILP

The completer kit you have listed is absolutely not a must. It's only necessary when going the hard wired route such as a Motorola v600 cradle. Even then, I find the compensator does not really do anything. For bluetooth, it does nothing.

The cradle kit you listed is a must as well as the bluetooth puck.

SPIKES

yip...same here.

Benz-O-Rama

Lookie what I found:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Merce...spagenameZWDVW

Could it really be?

hecdog

That's bizzarre. Seems wierd...the same seller sells golf bags and wireless stuff. Seems like he's already sold one. Doesn't give any compatability info...

hecdog

Given the mysterious delays and odd ebay ad, I'd be happy to pay $200 more and get a streamlined OEM solution, like you're doing. Please keep us posted. I'd love to get a final tally.

Thanks.

Lifeguard

Benz-O-Rama,

I have a 2003 E320. I performed this install myself this weekend; it was very simple (only two cables to plugin). You have the right part numbers, but don't get the compensator; this is the most expensive part and is useless in a BT setup. I bought my cradle kit, brand new from my local dealer (p/n: Q6820828) for $194.00 and a V60 BT puck from ebay (p/n: B67875856) for $275.00 (it's $380.00 at the dealer).

The instructions to install the cradle kit for the 2004 are exactly the same as for my 2003. It only took me a few minutes to get the cradle installed and I started using the mic and speakers from my car immediately after install, but unable to use the steering wheel or COMMAND keypad. I took the car to the dealer this afternoon (monday) and after they performed the "version coding" for $70.00 (described in the last steps of the instructions), then everything was functioning 100%. Including the phone book download.

Cradle kit: $194.00, BT puck: $275, Version Coding: $70, Total: $539.00 plus taxes.

So far I have tried it with a Tmobile MDA, Sprint PCS Motorola L6 and Cingular Blackjack/i706 and they all worked. I'll be testing it with the Cingular 8525 tomorrow morning, which is the phone I really want. If you have any questions about gathering these parts or for installation steps, please don't hesitate to send me me an email.

hecdog

Great information! What's the compensator for then?

I will go this route. Argos dropped the ball. OEM for $540?? Argos will have to do better than $800!

Benz-O-Rama

DUUUUUUUUUUUUDE!

Only your 3rd post and you hit a home run like this!?!?!?!? Do you have any idea how many people just got boners reading this? I'll be ordering my parts this week and hopefully doing the install next week.

Thanks for the info.

Sunman, thanks for all of your help too. I really appreciate it.

I'm getting bluetooth, I'm getting bluetooth, nanny nanny boo boo.

Benz-O-Rama

I emailed the seller and got a response from EuroCarphone's sales dept. Apparently that ebay seller IS EuroCarPhone. Anyway, they stated that "A unit for my car will be available is 60 days" Yah right! I told him that I was not confident that their product will ever be released and I'll be looking at other solutions. I recieved a response is less than 10 minutes. Here's a snipet:

I am sorry you are frustrated. We do have a working unit now. Our first production unit comes in March 18th. Please understand that Mercedes Benz kept making false promises to us, that caused many delays. We are no longer waiting on them for answers.

Fuggit...I'm going OEM now. Especially since it looks like it can be done for under around 600.00!

hecdog

FYI: via OEM Parts Direct:

Q-6-82-0828 (V60 cradle short cord kit)
Includes:
Q-6-82-0833 - V60 cradle with short cord coil
Q-6-82-0768 - V60 holder
Q-6-82-0811 - Battery insert

Price: $167.28

http://oempartsdirect.com/index.php

If someone finds a good place for the BT puck, please post the link. Best I've found is about $350 from ebay.

Benz-O-Rama

Just placed my order for the cradle...nice find!!!


Now for the puck!

weinschela

Is there a reason this approach has to be limited to the v60 cradle? Why couldn't you use for example a v600 cradle?

Benz-O-Rama

I think, and I'm not 100% positive about this, but the 2003-2004 must use the V60 cradle. 2005+ must use the newer cradles and bluetooth pucks.

Lifeguard

Per an earlier post:
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...ht=compensator

"The compensator is also called "cell phone booster" and is used in order to have a good antenna performance for your cell phone. It's nothing more or less than an antenna amplifier, optimized for phone frequencies. As there is quite a long antenna cable installed from the cell phone cradle leading to the phone antenna, you should have the compensator to improve the performance. If you find reception and transmitting is good enough, feel free to omit the compensator."

Enjoy!

Lifeguard

I am glad I can help. It is this forum where I found all the information to perform this install, so I am glad I can give something back. BTW, once you go through the install, you'll see that a detailed step/procedures don't really need to be documented in more details because it is just very simple

Have fun! Any other question regarding this install please don't hesitate to contact me.

hecdog

Great news: Jaime at OEM parts direct is offering us a 25% discount on all parts for the next 30 days. I ordered the BT Puck from him and it comes out to: $285!! The V60 Cradle comes out to $158, so this entire install will come out to $443 or so.

Sweet!!!

I'll post a new thread about the discount since it'll apply to ANY purchase.

Discount code:
8253

Type it in on the notes section at check out.