mwbenz

HI,

I have a 2002 ML320. Bose audio, but no phone or nav. Is there any way to "upgrade" the system software? Like, add color, a more interesting interface, etc.? Y'know, like software hacks or something that could be loaded through the CD changer on a CD-ROM.

Also, how difficult/expensive would it be to add the integrated Motorola phone now, after the fact? I should have gotten it wrapped into my lease... Now I don't want to buy it only to give it back with the vehicle at the end of the lease!

Thx!

sosh

Don't know of any way to change the software or add stuff that was not designed into the system. Have not heard of anyone doing it successfully. Re the phone, my ML500 is leased and I bought the phone. I am told thet the current Timeports will be useable in future MB models. Did the same thing with my 98ML except the phone was analog then so I still kept it and sold it.

mwbenz

Sosh,

Did you just have to buy the phone? I thought you needed to buy some expensive kit for the phone to hook into?

sosh

Bought the phone and install kit which includes the booster, cradle among some other stuff. As I recall, the installed price at my dealer was somewhere around 1300. On the 98 I had there was also a dash unit which I left in the car when turning in. That 1300 included labor

bottedi

Since my dealer wanted to charge me over $2000 to add the nav system as an option, I got a local MB accessory shop to install it after-market for about $1600 incl. ALL CD's for US and Canada. It works fine.

The vendor told me, however, that it is not possible to install the integrated telephone after-market. Apperently the phone MB sells has a special chip in it that is needed to make the whole integration thing work. There is no way on earth I would pay that much for a phone so I guess I will have to settle for "just" having the Navigation system functional.

Finally, I have not heard of any software upgrades avail. for the video screen. If anyone else has, please let me know. I would like a stock-ticker...... ;-)


Hope that helps.

Carter

isnt there a clarion monitor that is the exact same size as the MCS? ive seen a couple, i just don't know the model number. if anyone knows let me know. thanks!

Drew_ML

Clarion doesn't even make the MCS :-) Alpine does and there isn't anything that is equivalent. It is a specially done for MB and is pretty much hackerproof thus far it seems.

pryce

My ML320 came with the most basic stock MCS+Bose Amp: no in-dash cd/dvd playback, no nav and no phone. Just radio and cd changer in the back. I kinda liked the MCS' display, tried to upgrade with Mercedes parts it but in the end I gave up because it's simply too expensive.

I got a JVC KW-NX7000, 7 inch screen, standard 2DIN, and after some work I was able to fit it instead of the MCS (also a 2DIN). A couple of plastic poles needed to be cut inside the dash to allow JVC's frame slide in.

Wiring was directly to speakers, bypassing the Bose amp which has a weird optical connector and is incompatible with the JVC. It sounds quite good and loud enough to me without an external Amp.

All of the JVC's features work perfectly, including the Nav. I didn't use the GPS antena that came with the JVC. The car antena has 2 wires, one goes to radio and the other one is the GPS. I needed to change the connectors to fit the JVC and that's all.

The same installation procedure should work for Pioneer, Kenwood, or anything else 2DIN but the JVC I like because it has removable panel.