abhansali

Also from

http://www.whnet.com/4x4/phones.html


The Mercedes Universal Handy Interface (UHI)
became available outside of the US and can be ordered with the C, CLK cabrio and coupe, M, SL, G option code 386 for € 460 list. W211 and other models to follow in 2004. Owners are free to choose between select generic Nokia, Siemens or Motorola cellphones. Individual adapters for each phone are available from MB accessories. When inserting the phone make sure the small car shows up in the phone's display. Otherwise remove and reinsert. I had to fumble a bit till it worked. click
some parts
UHI adapter for Nokia 6310i, Nokia 6310 as well as Nokia 6210
UHI adapter for Siemens S45, S45i, C45, M50, MT50 and ME45
UHI adapter for Motorola V60i
UHI adapter for Siemens S55 and Siemens C55

Anyone know if these are there for 2004 E500?

thomasp

Any word when UHI will be in USA dealers (specifically state of Washington) for 2003 E320's?

Lakerholic

Ahhh, the million dollar question. I'm interested in this, and how to retrofit this into my non-phone optioned W211.

nyca

it doesn't appear to be on the 2004s, based on the option lists posted. This is bad, you can get a bluetooth hands free setup as a dealer installed option on a NEON!

and why is it referred to as UHI? Is it bluetooth, or isn't it?

abhansali

From what I have read, UHI is just like the regular phone except they have kind of standarized the interface. So when they come out with a new phone that works in the car, they will also have a new "cradle" and this is all you buy (phone + cradle) to upgrade. Before you would have to replace the whole electronics underneath.

Bluetooth is completely different, it is where a bluetooth enabled phone (like a T68i) can be used completely wirelessly in the car. So keep the phone in your pocket, but once you sit in the car, it will automatically sync-up with the car and use the speaker/mic of the car, phone book features, etc. will be enabled.

So far it looks like neither are there....It pains me to pay for the v60+voice phone knowing this will come out soon, but who knows when....

nyca

well, if its not bluetooth, its not worth having IMO. BMW uses bluetooth, so does the Neon, what is MB doing? I think they are addicted to getting $2000 for this option. there must be some aftermarket bluetooth solutions. the one chrysler sells uses an ugly standalone speaker, doesn't route through the audio system, you would think they could make one that transmitted on a FM frequency.

nyca

I wonder if this is the way to go:

http://www.buy.com/retail/product.as...pe=electronics
http://www.driveblue.com/(dfsyx245ji4unrmijpldc2fy)/Default.aspx?root=ck3000

some of the details escape me, like how it mutes the radio.

and how does this thing work?

http://www.driveblue.com/(dfsyx245ji4unrmijpldc2fy)/Default.aspx?root=driveblue


these parentheses are part of the URL, you will have to cut and paste the whole line.

nyca

just for comparison sake:

the new 2004 Acura TL has as standard equipment, a hands free bluetooth system that can network up to 6 phones within 30 feet of the vehicle. It also has a 280 HP V6 and is $15-20K less then an E320. It also has DD 5.1 DVD audio system standard.

MB needs to kick it up a notch.

abhansali

Agreed, MB definitely needs to catch up on these items, they should be ahead of the game. But to be fair to MB, I don't think there are options like Pano roof, solar panels, keyless go, Active braking, etc. on the Acura...

W210

BT does use up the battery very quicky, it would be nice if there is a way to charge the battery if needed, but also with BT on the side for the cordless convenience.

scorchie

Yeah, I bought a BT headset about six months ago. The last 4-5 months it has sat in its charging cradle, and I put the phone into the handset in the car and use the integrated handsfree instead.

-s-

nyca

the hands free phone is essential now, its not a luxury item anymore. you can get a bluetooth system on a Neon for goodness sake. I have to look into that aftermarket system I posted about earlier in this thread, not sure how its gets hooked into the factory head unit.