2005 SLK - should I trust MB support?

[MBnewbie]

A few weeks ago I took delivery of my first ever MB, the SLK with AMG body kit (stop smiling, I just prefer the overall look with it) along with some 10 spokes. Its a company car and in my options list i was not given the choice for telephone prewiring or anything like that...but i am now frustrated about my car kit options. The COMMAND system is capable of both bluetooth and wired interface via a UHI apparently, but MB support tells me that because it was not chosen at ordering Im stuffed, it simply cannot be added later. This leaves my only option being a traditional car kit screwed intop the dash....with the lovely phone capable COMMAND system sitting dormant next to it....this does not make sense to me. Can any of you kind MB experts tell me if this really is impossible?, or is it cost prohibitive?....of if I take it to 'Dave' my local ICE guru....he will be able to sort it for me?

Ideas/views/suggestions very welcome....

[marcos]

It's possible but expensive. Talk to these people and ask for Neil http://braybrooks.co.uk/

[MBnewbie]

thanks for your comment, a couple of hundred I can swallow but much more than that might put me off.....I'll give then a bell.

[Shude]

a couple of hundred I can swallow but much more than that might put me off...
The parts are more than that!

[fuzzer]

thanks for your comment, a couple of hundred I can swallow but much more than that might put me off.....I'll give then a bell.


its £420 from the factory for UHI prewire plus £131 for the cradle ...

you won't see any change out of a grand to have it retrofitted.

[zygote]

Why not just get a bluetooth kit? A factory fitted bluetooth kit won't be any different and you don't need a cradle screwed to the dash, just leave the phone in your pocket.

[MBnewbie]

Didn't realise/beyond me why its so expensive....thank you all for you comments. i guess its bluetooth or standard 'monkey-fit' car kit for me...

From a pratical point of view, I prefer non-b/t systems as my phone gets charged as I drive....in fact I cant remember the last time I used my charger at home.

Zygote, you recommend b/t but are you referring to simple standalone ear piece or do you mean integration with my slk of any kind?

[MBnewbie]

On a secondary note, the guy I spoke to at MB support earlier did say that with a standard car kit my phone would work via the s/wheel controls and instrument panel...but not command. Does anybody have any ideas what functions will be available via this method?

[zygote]

Zygote, you recommend b/t but are you referring to simple standalone ear piece or do you mean integration with my slk of any kind?

Not sure I would go as far as to say I recommend bluetooth, but I was referring to "integrated" type. Well partly integrated hence the quotes, I fitted the Sony Ericsson one to my W203 C Class which was a doddle. Only needs power, ignition sense (which I fed from the glovebox light) and audio mute on the head unit. You can tuck the box away out of sight with the speaker to keep it nice and tidy. Of course, you would need the £££ MB one to be able to use the steering wheel buttons etc.

Incidentally, I didn't even try to integrate the audio with the car stereo as I prefer the seperate speaker, but you might be able to get a cable from dashmount.co.uk they also do "no holes" brackets for phone cradles, and they do work.

HTH, if you need any specific info probably better to PM me as I'm not on the boards that often.

[BigSis]

When retrofitting (MB) parts to your car, it will always cost more than when you get it from factory.

Here is a link with phone kit info - maybe it helps you a bit:
http://www.mbenznl.com/products/phones/

It's regarding UHI / MHI kits, it's quite expensive... but it fully integrates with your car's steering wheel controls AND your head unit. Even if it is a comand!

greetingz,

BigSis

[alistair]

Along this thread - I'm about to order an SLK with COMAND, and am looking for Bluetooth support. Do I have to order the factory-fit phone system to get Bluetooth support for phones within COMAND?

What phones work with the MB bluetooth function?

Thanks
Alistair

[fuzzer]

Along this thread - I'm about to order an SLK with COMAND, and am looking for Bluetooth support. Do I have to order the factory-fit phone system to get Bluetooth support for phones within COMAND?

What phones work with the MB bluetooth function?

Thanks
Alistair


they don't do bluetooth , only handsfree through a cradle. Forget to order it at your pearl , its just one of those options you get done at the factory