I've searched all over the forums but havent been able to find a definitive answer here. The 2006 SL i am looking at does not have the spot for the puck in the center compartment nor did it have the factory phone installed.

Can the connector for the puck be added in or am i stuck with the $1k incartronic kit? Any answers would be greatly appreciated!

Eric

 

It has to be pre wired from the factory

 

The puck can be added by the dealer but it is expensive. A couple of months ago there were a series of threads on the subject. WordSmith had it done on his 2005 SL 500 and it works great. I am thinking about having it done.

 

I had this installed on my 2005 SL. I picked up the retrofit kit from ebay for about $1200, and had my dealer install along with sat radio. My dealer was kind enough to do the phone install for only 1 hour additional labor, as the compartments were already opened for the sat radio, and I had purchased the sat radio components through the dealership.

The bluetooth works, but not perfectly. I have a couple of issues with the implementation in the SL. First, the microphone is only marginal at best. Forget talking with someone with the top down while moving, and top up, it's still difficult for the other party to hear. Incoming sound is great, no problem in that regard.

Second, the bluetooth "puck" from Mercedes is dumb as a brick. Most annoyingly, there's no way to switch the phone back to the handset (like, when you need to talk to someone and the top is down). I have to use my phone for this switch. Also, the bluetooth puck STAYS ACTIVE when you turn off the car, and holds your phone hostage for 5-10 minutes after you exit. When I park in the garage, my phone is still tied into the Mercedes system. If someone calls in this period, the phone will ring, but all audio is routed to the Mercedes puck, and you get static on both ends. Extremely annoying. Mercedes should really have the phone disconnect on key-off, and also provide a button and easy means to xfer back to the phone.

Directory download, steering wheel phone buttons, etc. worked fine in the SL with bluetooth.

If I had to do it again, I'd take the $2k I spent on sat radio and bluetooth, and put an aftermarket head unit in the SL instead. Newer aftermarket head units have far-superior NAV, bluetooth, ipod control, etc. The COMAND (sic) system is basically a disaster on an otherwise near-perfect car. Nav is a joke on this system.

 

thanks. i am curious what aftermarket head units people have been putting in these cars? search seems to be broken right now so i can't find anything. any pointers appreciated!

eric

 

did you try incartronics.com, they sell plug and play units.....

 

i had the incartronics unit installed on friday. a few quirks but i like it.

 

I recently had the cradle for the puck and the puck installed in 06 SL. dealer charged 1300 for parts and 4 hrs labor. I used it for a while with Sprint Samsung Instinct and sound was horrible. would only download sometimes. Just switched to an Iphone and it works much better. Per the instructions, the phone can be disconnected by holding the Tel button on the left side of the commanc com screen.

 

I use the parrot have no problems with it with my iphone......