SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: Bluetooth for 2003 SL55
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 41
Likes: 10
From: Sydney, Australia
SL55 2003 Obsidian Black, 2007 ML500
Bluetooth for 2003 SL55
I have just successfully installed a Bluetooth adaptor in my 2003 SL55
It works with my Samsung F480 phone and provides hands free operation including the phone book through the COMAND system and multifunction steering wheel.
The local Benz dealer was unable to help; their genuine adaptors did not reliably detect the phone, I am told this is a common problem if you haven't got an "approved " phone. They tried one of their two types available as they said that the first one had a reputation for echo. The second one detected the phone but required the input of about 10 digits into the phone in a short space of time... very unfriendly. When it finally found the unit and phone it continued to drop out and lose the connection requiring starting from scratch again.
The unit I bought is a "ViseeO MBU-2000 Handsfree Bluetooth Phone System" and it came from Soundlabs in Sydney for AUD$395:
Mercedes-Benz Bluetooth Interface MBU-2000 - Soundlabs Group
They were helpful, responding to my email enquiries promptly, and the unit arrived the day after I ordered it.
It's also available from a number of Ebay stores
It works through the UHI interface. This is found in the armrest. Your car might have a cradle for another phone installed in which case you unplug it and it should look like the second photo attached. Mine had a cover over it which just slides off (the first photo)
Installation was easy: just press the button and pair it with your phone, the instructions were good.
The instructions tell you to press the synchronise button on the unit to upload your phone book and at first glance nothing seemed to happen... bit disappointing.
However, when I went to work out how to use the phone with Linguatronic today, the phone book was there.
No Problems! You can scroll through the list on the display in the instrument cluster using the buttons on the steering wheel or jump to a number by pressing the alphanumeric keys on the command unit.
There is a slight echo for the person you are talking with with a delay of a second or so. I was able to minimise it by adjusting a small dial on the unit. On one call I made today there was some echo for the caller that I wasn't able to remove.
I hope this helps someone trying to upgrade their car to suit a Bluetooth phone
Peter Cowie
Sydney
Australia
It works with my Samsung F480 phone and provides hands free operation including the phone book through the COMAND system and multifunction steering wheel.
The local Benz dealer was unable to help; their genuine adaptors did not reliably detect the phone, I am told this is a common problem if you haven't got an "approved " phone. They tried one of their two types available as they said that the first one had a reputation for echo. The second one detected the phone but required the input of about 10 digits into the phone in a short space of time... very unfriendly. When it finally found the unit and phone it continued to drop out and lose the connection requiring starting from scratch again.
The unit I bought is a "ViseeO MBU-2000 Handsfree Bluetooth Phone System" and it came from Soundlabs in Sydney for AUD$395:
Mercedes-Benz Bluetooth Interface MBU-2000 - Soundlabs Group
They were helpful, responding to my email enquiries promptly, and the unit arrived the day after I ordered it.
It's also available from a number of Ebay stores
It works through the UHI interface. This is found in the armrest. Your car might have a cradle for another phone installed in which case you unplug it and it should look like the second photo attached. Mine had a cover over it which just slides off (the first photo)
Installation was easy: just press the button and pair it with your phone, the instructions were good.
The instructions tell you to press the synchronise button on the unit to upload your phone book and at first glance nothing seemed to happen... bit disappointing.
However, when I went to work out how to use the phone with Linguatronic today, the phone book was there.
No Problems! You can scroll through the list on the display in the instrument cluster using the buttons on the steering wheel or jump to a number by pressing the alphanumeric keys on the command unit.
There is a slight echo for the person you are talking with with a delay of a second or so. I was able to minimise it by adjusting a small dial on the unit. On one call I made today there was some echo for the caller that I wasn't able to remove.
I hope this helps someone trying to upgrade their car to suit a Bluetooth phone
Peter Cowie
Sydney
Australia
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 437
Likes: 0
From: Rocklin, CA
2003 SL55, 2006 CLK500, 1998 Vette
Did all Sl55s come with this connection in the center console or was this an option? I am away on vacation right now but will check when I get back home. I would love to get this.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,359
Likes: 2
From: California
06 C55, 09 E350
No they don't that looks like an MHI system connection that was not available until 2005 so I am a little confused as to how he has that in his 03. That car should be fitted with a v60 system. Maybe that kit came with the contact plate?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 41
Likes: 10
From: Sydney, Australia
SL55 2003 Obsidian Black, 2007 ML500
Phone adaptors
My vehicle is an Australian Spec October 2003 build vehicle.
I am not sure if it differs from European or US spec vehicles.
When I was enquiring as to what would work in the car I sent a photo of the connector in the armrest to Soundlabs who advised me that it was a UHI interface device. Would someone like to confirm that?
When I visited the dealer they tried an "OEM Mercedes Benz Bluetooth MHI Adapter" that just clipped into the connector shown in the photos in my original post. As I mentioned, it didn't work with my Samsung phone but might work with more common phones.
I gather that some older vehicles might have a fixed cradle for an old phone like a Nokia 6210, 6150 or 6310. If that is the case you would buy the Viseeo 1000 that is shaped like one of those phones and just slip it into the existing cradle. If you have the interface like mine buy the Viseeo 2000. I think some cradles actually clip into the UHI connector in which case you could remove the cradle and jsut clip the Viseeo 2000 into the interface
In any case, if you have that connector in the armrest I would suggest that you get the dealer to try the OEM Bluetooth adaptor with your phone and if it doesn't work give the Viseeo a go.
It would be good if someone out there could add a photo and description of any different interfaces that they have in their cars giving year model, Country spec and maybe a photo so that those to follow have all the information in one place.
All the best,
Peter Cowie
Sydney
Australia
I am not sure if it differs from European or US spec vehicles.
When I was enquiring as to what would work in the car I sent a photo of the connector in the armrest to Soundlabs who advised me that it was a UHI interface device. Would someone like to confirm that?
When I visited the dealer they tried an "OEM Mercedes Benz Bluetooth MHI Adapter" that just clipped into the connector shown in the photos in my original post. As I mentioned, it didn't work with my Samsung phone but might work with more common phones.
I gather that some older vehicles might have a fixed cradle for an old phone like a Nokia 6210, 6150 or 6310. If that is the case you would buy the Viseeo 1000 that is shaped like one of those phones and just slip it into the existing cradle. If you have the interface like mine buy the Viseeo 2000. I think some cradles actually clip into the UHI connector in which case you could remove the cradle and jsut clip the Viseeo 2000 into the interface
In any case, if you have that connector in the armrest I would suggest that you get the dealer to try the OEM Bluetooth adaptor with your phone and if it doesn't work give the Viseeo a go.
It would be good if someone out there could add a photo and description of any different interfaces that they have in their cars giving year model, Country spec and maybe a photo so that those to follow have all the information in one place.
All the best,
Peter Cowie
Sydney
Australia
Last edited by cowiepeters; Apr 3, 2009 at 08:09 AM.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Sweden
SL55 AMG 2003 V-Max
Great to hear.
I have a MBU-1000 in my SL55 that is build August 2002.
I have a problem that recieved calls dropps the BT connection after 1-1,5 min and is connected to the the handy,
a bit enoying, any suggestions what causes this? It doesen't matter if the car is moving or standing still.
I saw somewhere that the inside of the armrest lid could cause some interupption of the phone fuctionality, but this is not my case.
It would be great if any of you out there could assist.
I have a MBU-1000 in my SL55 that is build August 2002.
I have a problem that recieved calls dropps the BT connection after 1-1,5 min and is connected to the the handy,
a bit enoying, any suggestions what causes this? It doesen't matter if the car is moving or standing still.
I saw somewhere that the inside of the armrest lid could cause some interupption of the phone fuctionality, but this is not my case.
It would be great if any of you out there could assist.
