Can I use my cell phone data plan to connect to my E400 WIFI?
 

Hi,

I am a new owner of 2018 E400. Can I use my cell phone data plan to connect to my E400 WIFI?

depends if you have the possibility to have integrated internet in the car (I forgot what the module is called)
if you have this "connected option" (even without a subscription), then you can NOT use your phone for internet.

If you don't have the possibility for integrated internet, then you CAN use your phone to connect the car.
(but I think it's only the cheapest/basic models that come without, and they are only available in Europe)

However I do not know if the car's wifi works. seems in the USA wifi works only with a subscription, but here
in Europe it can always be used (even if there's no internet connection)

Thank you!

My Mercedes C250 C205 Coupe imported from Germany to Middle east, but I was wondering without any subscription I press overhead emergency button, and its connected to MB Germany Emergency services, the only things thats not working is the APP, where you can start, shut open windows. But when I try to register, the app reject them

For the 2017/2018 model years, in the US, you pay Mercedes directly for internet service. I believe the module you're referring to is the Hermes module. With that module, you cannot use your cell phone to provide a hotspot to the car. For the 2019's Mercedes has partnered with AT&T for internet service where I pay $20/month added to my cell phone bill for my internet service in my car. For me this was a simple process as AT&T just happens to be my cellular provider. It has proven to provide a very reliable connection.

I visited my AT&T wireless store today. They had no idea of how to set up my Mercedes and internet service. Did you do it through Mercedes?

Remind me which E model year you have? If you are 2018, you pay Mercedes directly for internet service in the car. If you have a 2019, you buy the service from AT&T. AT&T has a Connected Car Service team and the contract with MBUSA to provide internet in the 2019 model year E Class. But you can't get AT&T for a 2018 or earlier. And yes, I spoke with AT&T to start the service in my car.

I hope that makes sense.

I think if you hit "Load Data Volume" on the mercedes me connect portal that should take you to ATT to sign up for internet. For me I cannot see the point of paying the 20 dollars as I really don't need a hotspot as I have unlimited data on my phone and about the only things that don't work during the free 3 year trial is the local search function and the built in tune in internet radio. The weather app does seem to work as does the SOS and the Mercedes Me connect app. Well at least on my Cabriolet until it's figured out why my wagon is not working on the connect.

Just to be clear, you don't need to have ATT service on your phone to get the $20 a month plan for wi fi service. You can sign up for it separately. If you have an ATT phone, they just make it convenient in doing the billing together.

For me, my data plan is sufficient and have no need to spend an extra $20 on ATT for a hot spot.

That is correct. Since AT&T is my cellular provider, I just added the service to my plan. I don't have unlimited data, so for me, the data in the car means I can stream music and use Apple Car Pay to my hearts content. I don't get much use out of the Mercedes Apps in the car and think TuneIn Radio is a huge fail. Most of the favorites I have don't play via the app, but do play just fine via my iPhone. SiriusXM recently acquired Pandora. I don't know how or if it will change anything and I'm a Pandora Premium subscriber.

Is there anyway of getting Pandora on "your favorites list" or do I have to go through Apple Car Play every time to use it?

You use Pandora via Apple Car Play. Or you can stream it via Bluetooth, but Apple Car Play works so much better.

[QUOTE=rbrylaw;7681155]That is correct. Since AT&T is my cellular provider, I just added the service to my plan. I don't have unlimited data, so for me, the data in the car means I can stream music and use Apple Car Pay to my hearts content. I don't get much use out of the Mercedes Apps in the car and think TuneIn Radio is a huge fail. Most of the favorites I have don't play via the app, but do play just fine via my iPhone. SiriusXM recently acquired Pandora. I don't know how or if it will change anything and I'm a Pandora Premium subscriber.[/QUOdoraTE]
Thanks, my car is a 2018. I have unlimited data plan with At&T, so it sounds like I do not need MB involved. I have been listening to Pandora with Apple CarPlay, it is terrific.

[QUOTE=Cambridgehank;7681555]I love Pandora. And when you pay for the premium service, I can give a personal account to all the members of my household. I actually think their algorithm works far better than Apple's algorithm. And the bit-rate is very high, so in the car, it sounds great.

You maybe could get an extra sim connected to your cell plan to use in the mercedes? My carrier offers that for a small additional fee, its meant for stuff like cellular ipads but might be a good option.

Where would you install the sim ?

there's no accessible slot.
i doubt there's actually a "real" simcard somewhere in the car, that can be changed.

Business telephony
 

Please check this option from the car's manual, it's called business telephony where you can insert SIM card in the gloves box, any idea if that will work, how much, where from?
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...321818cfcc.jpg

Where did the "Business" info come from - country & model? There is no such capability in my US E300 or the operating manual.

Business telephony might help
 

The attached photo same as previous are from the car's manual which
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...e97457376b.jpg
you can download to your phone from the play store "Mercedes benz Guides", then you select E class, manufacturing date, this photo lists all possible ways to connect to the internet.
I have a friend who imported his hybrid W213 from Germany same as mine, he had the business telephony installed but sadly removed at customs in Egypt, for some reason they did not allow it.
We're trying to check if we can buy it separately.
The manual states that you can insert a Sim card which I can imagine would very easy way to connect the car to the internet away from MB dealer.

There is no SIM receptacle in my US W213 E300. The US Play Store does not have a Mercedes Benz Guides app. Mercedes me is the app that is listed. This must be unique to your region's Play Store site.

Mercedes benz manual
 

It's the first one in the list, the photo is from the playstore. it's very useful to look up anything from your phone whenever you have free time, I would recommend to try VPN to Europe.
The second application in the list is also a bit useful, command Touch, I hope you have it.
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...08c5068fe9.jpg