E55Soon

I called my dealer today & he told me that the phone "completer kit" for the 05's and onward are different. They can accomodate the V60 (with the docking cradle) and they also support the much delayed Motorolas V600 & V700 bluetooth phones. I say much delayed because Mercedes has been promising them for 2 months now. Unfortunately, these 2 models are just like their predecessor (V60) in as much as they are special Mercedes versions of these phones that only work with the proprietary bluetooth protocal in the Mercedes vehicles.... Bummer. Has anyone done any research on whether the 03' & 04' E class cars have the bluetooth antennae in them?

MB Fanatic

2003 and 2004 Mercedes Vehicles DO NOT have Bluetooth.

BTW the V600 will be obsolete as soon as the V620 is released with a faster processor, better ATI graphics chip, and a 262K color screen, and has video recording. Also the V710 from Verizon has been recalled by Motorola and Verizon due to some issues with the camera and many many other problems that have plagued the phone.

E55Soon

So what shoud I do? I can get a gret deal on a W211 e-class linear compensator. I already have a voice control unit & a cradle for my Benz V60. Should I just install it and wait for bluetooth on my next Benz when all the kinks are worked out?

MB Fanatic

Thats what I would do. Just wait for them to fix all the Bluetooth problems and add more functionality like Acura is doing.

zdkdeeier493

I've got a Motorola E398 on it's way to me. I know that I can't use it with the factory Benz cradle, therefore I was planning on purchasing a Sony Ericsson Bluetooth kit for my car. But I was wondering, will this Bluetooth functionality be available for '04 E55's as a flash or something? If I can update my ECU to have Bluetooth capability, I'd feel much more comfortable running off of the OEM Bluetooth kit rather than buy an aftermarket one.

MB Fanatic

2003 and 2004 Mercedes Models can not and never will have integrated Bluetooth functionality. The bluetooth module has to be built into the Head unit. From what I hear Mercedes has changed from a BUS system to a CAN system. Acura, Lexus, and BMW also had to change to the CAN system to add bluetooth from what I am hearing. You could buy the SE aftermarket kit, but it just wont have that integrated look and feel that a integrated Bluetooth unit would have. Also the E398 will fit in the crade but the car wont be able to recognize it as the flash and flex are entirely different for the Mercedes phones.

zdkdeeier493

And theres no way I can flash my ECU to recognize it...I guess I'll go with the SE kit, its really my only option. They say that it is completely hidden...no wires, speakers, nothing. Phone rings, music dims, you pick it up and go from there. Judging by the SE products I've had in the past however, I'm not sure if I should trust it wholeheartedly. We'll just have to wait and see. Thanks for the help.

MB Fanatic

Nope, flashing the ECU will do nothing. The SE kit is nice, and works seemlessly with the car. I love all my SE products even the much hated T68i, it was quite advanced for its time.

zdkdeeier493

Same here. SE is like the Macintosh of cellular technology. Sleek, easy to use, and practical. My only setback with SE phones is the speed of their internal computer processors, the phones tend to lag. Besides that, every SE I've had has provided utmost satisfaction. The only reason I'm opting for the E398 is it's incredible MP3 capabilities and awesome built-in sub woofers. My kinda phone

MB Fanatic

I got the V600 since it looked cool and played MP3 files, 5mbs of memory, speakerphone, and quadband, and bluetooth. Other than SE rocks. I am waiting for the S710a to come out.

E55Soon

Hey MB Fanatic:

Did you buy the New Mercedes V600 or the non Mercedes V600?

MB Fanatic

My V600 came from ATT Wireless.

scorchie

What are you talking about? I have a 2003 E55 with integrated Bluetooth functionality. I used the parts that are used in Europe.

You also wrote:

Which is completely not true. I don't know of any US-spec ones which have it, but it is (or in the case of 2003/2004, was) certainly available as an option outside of the US.

You must have missed the posting from a couple weeks ago, which included this picture:

http://www.mbenznl.com/products/UHI/uhi-w211-07.jpg

-s-

MB Fanatic

I didnt know that the Euro COMAND had bluetooth unit built into it. Dont be so harsh dude. Take it easy.

zdkdeeier493

Will this work with any bluetooth telephone? I'm planning on getting a bluetooth kit from Sony Ericcson but I would also like a Euro headunit and if I can use my fone with the Euro headunit I'll ditch the SE kit.

E55Soon

Scorchie:

What is the extent of the Bluetooth equipment you obtained?? Does the bluetooth equipment alllow you to use any bluetooth phone or just M Benz bluetooth handsets??
Perhaps you cam PM me the details?
Thanks
Barry

scorchie

Well, I don't think I am being harsh, I am just making a statement like you made a statement. I just believe your statement is incorrect.

And, COMAND has NOTHING to do with Bluetooth, the COMAND does not have Bluetooth, or a Bluetooth module. The Bluetooth is either part of the phone system or a module that attaches to the Communication Platform. The COMAND just displays the information, similar to how the navigation is not part of the COMAND, nor the AM/FM radio, nor the CD changer.

It's just that all this has been covered before, and the false statements still get spouted as "fact".

Dude.

-s-

MB Fanatic

But you do have to replace the entire head unit right??? Also would I loose SAT capability if I got this Euro Head Unit?