MOZART

I have received a letter from MB that says I have to pay $2000 to upgrade my TeleAid from analog to digital. I like my TeleAid but it is too expensive to renew .
is there anyway to get the digital module and install it myself?

Barry45RPM

That does seem extraordinarily excessive. No, its not worth it. When they see how many people drop it, they might reconsider... hang in there for a bit.

Yacht Master

+100000


TeleAid is so not worth it, The same conversion from and for GM vehicles is $30.00.

Mercedes Benz is way, WAY, WAY out of line on this one, I personally take it as a slap in the face and a real cheap shot at that. It is only a cell phone like transceiver.

Vik888

am I to assume all new cars 2007+ already have digital TeleAid?

Also, if you don't covert, does that mean the anti-theft (tracking), etc., no longer work?

konigstiger

As I understand it 2006+ have digital. The FCC ruled in NOV02 that wireless carriers will no longer be required to support the analog wireless network as of JAN08. No, anti-theft tracking, etc. will no longer work. http://www.mbusa.com/care/client-care/teleaid.do

Barry45RPM

Its like having a cell phone with no service contract. Dead.

konigstiger

Yes basically swapping modules however, Electronic Ignition System control module, Central Gateway, and TeleAid control module version coding through Star Diagnosis is necessary. Part # for the new digital control module is BQ 482 0124 if you want to check around for pricing (i.e.: KYBENZ https://mbworld.org/forums/member.php. Half hour dealer estimated install time and any subsequent related installation and/or workmanship issues cannot be claimed under warranty.

vettdvr

I dropped Teleaid when we were rear ended during the Katrina evacuation. Due to the rear end collision the air bags did not activate. We called Teleaid for help and to send the police. It took 20 minutes to get them to answer. Then when answering they told us we were in Chicago. NOT that I could tell we were in Louisiana. Then they hung up. We called a second time and I asked why did it take so long to get someone to answer when involved in an accident. They told me "well the airbags didn't go off". So I figured with that type of service I didn't need to pay monthly, I could just use my cell phone and dial 911.

So I really don't care what MB charges for Teleaid. For that service I won't pay $.01. Jim

tpowel2

List price is $600.00, but Duval has a price of $468.00. Even if you bought the part and installed it your self it doesn't seem worth it.

KosherBenz

id be damned if I spend $2K to keep teleaid. Maybe if they threw in lifetime service for the life I own the car.

DWP

I stupidly paid two $240 annual Tele Aid charges after the initial "free" year on my '03. During the third year I tried to use it from Interstate 5 in rural Oregon. Wouldn't connect, even though my Sprint Treo worked just fine. A while later, I used it to call in a flat tire from my home. It connected, all right, and six months later a charge for the air time turned up on my credit card. Not even the airtime for trouble calls is included in the $240 annual charge. I discontinued service last September without even waiting for my analog system to go dead next year.

It's obvious to me that money spent on Tele Aid is money wasted. If you're in a serious, incapacitating, accident, it's probably going to be in an urban or suburban area where lots of other people will call it in. The system works only if both the cellular and satellite connections work. If you're out of cellular range, the car may know where it is, but it can't tell anyone. If somebody steals the car and simply parks it in a garage, the car may be able to communicate with the police, but it can't say where it is. Save your money. A cell phone and a family Auto Club membership are all you need.

lig

2 grand for the update?

Good luck, MB.

I didn't see much value in it when it was free.

konigstiger

Never used it on the 03 E, the CLS, and I can safely predict will never use it on the slated S550 next.

lig

The new S Class has really grown on me.

I bet that'll be a killer cruiser.

Enjoy!

Vik888

I'm ordering an 08 E-Class. I was thinking of getting Teleaid b/c it sounds like a good thing to have. For AntiTheft especially.

But for $240/yr, I'd be better off w/ LoJack. At least it works everywhere (or so I believe).

Barry45RPM

If it relies on radio waves of any kind, it doesn't work "everywhere".

vettdvr

I agree,,

cyclerider

You don't have to think about getting it. It is standard equipment. You WILL get it. The only thing you have to think about is whether to continue the service after your free 12 month trial period is over.

Mnymaker

Yacht Master whats or where do you get a $30 conversion for GM? I have a 2002 Avalanche that has OnStar and I received that letter that stays "sorry, but here is a discount coupon to buy a newer GM vehicle" not pay $30 to keep it workng. I would be interested in knowing how to get the GM package converted.

Also what years MB are affected?

Thanks
Mnymaker

Yacht Master

Ok looks like GM is now charging $15.00 parts and labor. But you must check your VIN at this website.

http://www.onstar.com/us_english/jsp...rade_offer.jsp

I am sure up to 2004 all are analog, and have heard some had dual analog/digital from 2005 to 2006, and 2007 on are digital.

gotoschoolhere

I have a college buddy, who ended up becoming a police officer in the UCLA metro area. He tells me they get "LoJack" notices all the time for cars. He says the only way it works is if the police vehicle manages "by luck" to get near the engaged loJack vehicle.

Best he could explain it is the the "hot and cold game". You know the game we all played when we were young. You hide something and have someone look for it. As the "looker" goes through the house everyone yells warm, warmer, hot, hotter... you get the point. So one wrong move and the police loose the signal.

KennyDFW

That's why I went with MicroTrak - GPS based, and you can even set up perimeters to send a text alert if your car travels outside a certain geographic area, above a pre determined speed limit, etc. Imagine the possiblities if you loan your car for your son or daughter's "date night", the Wifey, etc. I even track the time and distance travelled when my car is in for service.

$999 installed when I bought my car, and about $200 per year for the service. Pretty cool IMO.

http://www.microtrakgps.com/products.php

GusGusZ

I called my local MB dealer today and the guy who services my car always is pretty straight up , He told me its about 2k for parts/labor and there including a ''LIFETIME" membership with the price again $2,000 and that includes a LIFETIME membership so all in all is it worth it? I bet steve from mbenznl.com will have a solution '' i hope '' b/c im not spending 2k for somethting i rarely use now anywayz

zergcerebrates

$2K is a bit excessive. I got the same letter but it stated $970.00 including installation fee and labor cost.

LetsJet

Is there any info or ducumentation on what a lifetime membership gives you? Do you still pay any fees for use?