Bills600

Our '03 S600 came with an integrated Motorola V60C phone in the center console. I removed it a few weeks ago to call Verizon about the service - and broke the phone. I'm looking for a replacement (used would be fine), trying to minimize the cost and hoping to avoid going to the dealer. The phone gets used a couple of times a year, and I wouldn't even bother, but my wife thinks I'm a dumbass for breaking the phone and I want to replace it to put the whole thing behind me.

Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks in advance,
B

bob55

Contact Cellguy85 (ebay Seller). He can sell you a brand new Verizon V60S phone which will work with the 2003 Cradle in your car for just $175.

cyberglk350

Get the bluetooth module that clips into the cradle in place of the phone. It is pricey though from the dealer at $250. You could probably find a used one for cheap though.

This way you can use any bluetooth phone you want.

Bills600

I was really hoping I'd find a less-expensive solution to replacing the 7 or 8 year-old phone. Is there an after-market replacement, or a place where I can pick a used one?

G.Freeman

I have a 2000 s-430, the blue tooth you talked about, will the M B factory phone buttons on drivers wheel work with it? and can you even get service on the old factory phones. also, are those service buttons by phone tied into the cell service? Gary

bob55

Bluetooth does have a few limitations compared to fully integrated proprietary MB phones. The Bluetooth phone will not be charged by the car when driving, nor can Bluetooth take advantage of the car's more powerful built-in cellular antenna. Also, depending on the type phone you have, some of the VCS (Voice Control System) and Command System features may be limited, or may not work at all.

To get ALL the MB integration features designed into your MB Command and VCS system you still need a phone with the proprietary MB software. if like me, you like the idea of having an "extra" cellphone that can just stay with the car for simple voice and text messages on the go, your best bet is still a Verizon V60S with MB Proprietary Software. (I do own a separate BlackBerry smartphone but it stays in my briefcase when I am driving during the week, and stays in the house on weekends). The V60S is strictly a carphone for me, except for those occasions when I choose to take it on the golf course, inside the mall, etc. I consider it just part of my car and it stays there 99% of the time which I find very convenient. In fact, I have one in my 2006 CL55 AMG and my 2003 SL-500 Sport. My wife has the same V60S setup for her 2005 CL-500. The phones share minutes under a family plan which allows additional phones to be added for just $9.99 per month.

The good news is that NEW MB V60S phones and cradles are still available through the ebay Seller Cellguy85. The V60S MB phone sells for just $175, there which is a mere fraction of what Auto Wireless Solutions, (MB's Wireless Partner) currently charges for the same MB V60S phone. (The $600+ being charged for the MB V60S through AWS is is a total ripoff in my opinion since this is clearly an older generation Motorola cellphone).

FYI, the ebay Seller "Cellguy85" was formerly an installer for MB phones which is why he has this limited quantity of genuine MB cellular items. Last time I checked, this included genuine MB phones, faceplates, VCS install kits and Bluetooth options for later model MB cars. He is a highly recommended ebay Seller with 100% positive feeback. The MB V60S phones that Cellguy85 sells also come with the beautiful Black on Pewter MB Logo faceplate which is no longer even available from MB's Patner, (AWS). The V60S MB phone sold by AWS actually is now shipped with the standard Verizon Wireless (Pewter) faceplate.

Suggest you contact Cellguy85, (aka Keith Valentine Cellular) if interested because again, only a very limited quantity of genuine MB V60S phones were avialable when I purchased from him a few months ago. At that time he had cradles, Bluetooth modules, and miscellaneous MB VCS Cellular kits for various MB models. His Mobile Number is (714) 746-5930.

While you can visit his ebay site or ebay store to see some of what he has, not everything he has iavailable will likely be listed there, so you might just want to call him at the number shown above to see if he has what you need.

I have personally acquired (2) brand new MB V60S phones with matching MB V60 cradles from him and even picked up a very rare (all black) AMG Logo faceplate for the V60S phone in my CL55 AMG. He may well be the ONLY remaining source for certain older model year VCS and MB cellular kits now. (MB Model years 2001-2006 VCS systems).

la22bay

i have same model s430 if you change pse you can use buttons on steering wheel i upgraded to bluetooth thread is on here, you will need cradle or eliminator cable

la22bay

Upgraded startac to bluetooth in 2000 S430