Is it possible to activate the telephone feature without using the dealer? They want over $2,000 to activate the phone on a 2006 R350. I have to call BS on that...

Thanks

JV

either that, or benzNL...he does programming.

Is your R pre wired?
If not, it will cost you just hardware for over $1000.

My R is pre wired and it is optional. I need to buy bluetooth dongle($250 - $400) but I decided to use my TOMTOM GPS which built in bluetooth.

Do a search, someone here installed and activate himself.

Hi,
our R is pre-wired.
I just bought a bluetooth dongle on ebay for 150$.
I assume it'll be quite easy to install and activate, but'll let you know as soon as I have it!!!

Hi,
got the dongle in yesterdays mail.
Needed 5minutes for installation and pairing of the phones.
My wifes Samsung as well as my Nokia is working perfect with the MB phone system thru the bluetooth dongle. All options seem to work just fine incl. access to phone-contacts.
Perfect solution!

There's no such thing as "activation" except by your phone company.

Your car is either prewired or it isn't.

The "prewiring" can indeed be installed after the fact, but like EVERY other item it's WAY more expensive that way.

The instructions are provided on the Internet by Mercedes and they include the part numbers. Folks besides dealers can do it.

Then, once wired, you choose between Bluetooth connecting or phone cradle connecting. Either are another $400.

stupid question... how can i tell if it's pre-wired? We bought in October 2006 and i think i remember the salesperson telling us it was wired, but 'activation' would cost $2,000. i obviously have some facts twisted, but i really want to use this feature.

Affalterbacher, what's the item number/description on the Bluetooth dongle?

Thanks for the replies.

JV

open the top of your armrest, is there a little black plastic trapazoid cover? If that's there, then remove that, and the "prewire" is under it. If that's not, then you need another $1200 or so to get it prewired, and programmed.

It doesn't work well with iphone just FYI...

$1200 parts and labor sounds about right. 4 hours should be enough for a trained tech with proper tools to do the installation.

Do you use MB bluetooth dongle or after market one?
I use ViseeO and sometimes the BT unit hangs while start up, had to replug for it to reset. Other than that no issue with iPhone.
I'd like to know the stability of MB BT dongle. And does it sync address book to COMAND? Thanks.

There lies the problem that a lot of MB sales people have. "Pre-wired", does not necessarily mean "wired" to the armrest. More than likely if they already said $1200-$2000 dollar number, you're car is not phone ready.

The best bet is like posted above, to check the armrest. Also, if you have tele-aid, you can tell for the most part. No tele-aid, for sure you're not wired all the way through.

Agree.
Mine came with Tele-aid and pre-wired phone (Hands free communication system) which are parts of option P1 package along with Rear audio controls, Sat radio, Harmon Kardon Sound System, Power rear quarter windows, Power lift gate, Parktronic and Double Sunvisor= $4,850.00

Affalterbacher, can you tell me what brand you purchased on ebay? I have been wanting to get one for my wife and feel better getting one someone has already confirmed works. Thanks

Where can I find out what kind of dongle I need for my 2007 R350. The people that bought theirs on ebay can they send me the number or web page.

I use the MB one. And it's solid as far as connecting everytime, and contacts download 30 seconds or so after it pairs automatically...I only have the issue of volume too low on the other end when I pair the iphone to it. When I pair my blackberry, works good. Can you give me more info on the Viseeo one? What is that? never heard of it.

Actually, Viseeo Bluetooth works better than OEM because it pairs with any phone w/ bluetooth while the OEM is restricted certain models of cell phone.

The latest model is MB-2 which replaced MB-1000 and MB-2000.

Here is the link:

http://viseeo.us/store/product.php

So pre-wired 2006 is not the same as pre-wired 2007?
for the 07 350, it is plug and play, for 06, we need activated by installing Vehicle core kit and Vehicle completer kit?
I can see the wire in my 06 armrest, but only plug in the Bluetooth dongle will not work, right?

If you can see the wire/plug in the arm rest, you should be good to go. Plug dongle in, pair it, and it should work. Too bad you're not local, u can barrow my dongle for a sec...try it out.

Well, no aftermarket brand! I got the MB OEM Bluetooth Dongle, that looks a little bit like a miniature model of the SLR nose. Part# B67875878.

If you are looking for further information - check out www.wireless4mb.com

regards

Yes - the bluetooth modules you can get on ebay work just fine with most 2006+ MY MBZ with the command center - just be sure to get the latest model, part number B67875878 as mentioned above. You can get one for 250 if you are lucky. Mine works with my blackberry and my wife's iphone for the hands free. Dialing and the address book are a little weird, but i mostly only use the hands free.

However be sure you have the little connector puck in the top armrest before you pick one of these up.

-J

My 06 has tele-aid and listed as pre-wired, but no cover or wired in arm rest. I believe I was quoted about $1500 or so to install bluetooth.

I ended up getting this: http://cgi.ebay.com/BLUETOOTH-CAR-KI...3A1%7C294%3A50

A bluetooth speaker phone like device that fits in the first tray in center console (some may perfer in sun visor, but I think it look ugly there). It works just like the ear piece, but it's speaker version. When phone call comes, just press "talk" to answer it. Press again to disconnect. The samsung one (different from above) I bought works with speech dial on my HTC phone. It also automatically connect and disconnect when you enter and leave the car.

The only draw back are:

1. you need to turn it on if it's inactived more than 4 hours. Device shuts off automatically to save battery.

2. You need to charge it about once a month.

I will try to find the exact model number and post it here later.

When I press tele to sync my phone to my care it saids enter phone number. I'm trying to program my phone to the care I just bought. It is prewiwed with bluetooth in the arm rest.

I had a blue tooth device in my arm rest that was new with the car in 2008.

I got 2 years out of it.

Sound abnormal to anyone?