Blowing smoke up my ar*e?

[botdoc]

I've just got off the phone from the stealership having asked them about updates for the now archaic Nokia 6310i phone cradle in the fully-fitted phone setup in my E320 CDi (2001). This is the system which is controlled from the steering wheel and comes out throug the stereo.

I've just been told that MB are "as we speak, Sir" in the process of updating the cradles available to allow us to choose which phone we use if we want to remain handsfree as opposed to being presented with the choice of the 6210, 6310 and 6310i.

Ideally I'd like to choose a phone and then be able to specify that MB just change the cradle and software to match, which is what they claim they will be able to do soon (exact timescale and cost as yet uncertain) although they say they may be limited to 'any Nokia phone'.

Has anyone else heard this rumour, or are they just blowing smoke us my ar*e?

 

[marcos]

I have heard similar but it was from a dealer so may just be a load of old pony.

 

[botdoc]

Being a relatively new MB owner, could someone tell me what model (ie wXXX) my car is meant to be? Its a 2001 E320CDi Avantgarde.

Thanks.

BTW does anyone else know whether the proposed MB phone upgrades are emulated by other (non-main dealer) garages (e.g. Baybrooks etc)?

 

[Anders]

Being a relatively new MB owner, could someone tell me what model (ie wXXX) my car is meant to be? Its a 2001 E320CDi Avantgarde.

W210

 

[RobCLK]

Do a search on this forum for UHI. Many details about this have been written and it is available now!

 

[marcos]

What is UHI mate?

 

[RobCLK]

What is UHI mate?

2nd time I have been asked this, surprised you have not heard of it, so i checked whether it is available in UK, as I was beginning to wonder if I was the only one who knew of it! (I do know it is NOT available in USA, but is 100% certainly available in Australia).

So I checked your Mercedes UK website under the CLK area and sure enough. Page 13 at
http://www.mercedes-benz.co.uk/pc/pc_range/downloads/clk_cab/pricelist.pdf

shows that the UHI (Universal Handset Adapter) is available in the UK. It says;

"A separate cradle for your mobile phone needs to be ordered as an accessory from your Retailer. Currently, cradles for Nokia phones (6210, 6310, and 6310i), Siemens (S45, S45i, C45, M50, MT50, ME45) or Motorola (V60i) are available. Please consult your Retailer regarding cost for the required cradle as well as necessary software versions of your phone."

I have seen many threads on various sites relating to this subject (including USA based, as they are busy making after-market retrofit kits to upgrade older models).

Do a search for UHI and it will reveal that the days of being stuck with your sub-brick Nokia are over! FACT! No pony salesman talk and no blowing up your a*se.

 

[Paul Grainger]

I thought UHI stood for 'Universal Handy Interface' ('handy' being the German colloquialism for mobile phone)

But I could be wrong...

Paul G

 

[marcos]

So what you are saying is that I could get a new cradle, fit it in the W211, have a software upgrade and get a smart new phone that will still function with the steering wheel and dash as my current one does?

BTW how much would this cost roughly

 

[pos.k]

Perhaps I can help - I have a 05 w203, and have been trying to get info for an integrated phone option - apparently there is the nokia cark91, and then there is the MB or equivalent (same unit but unbadged) that is actually in 2 parts. There is the back part with the wiring fixed to it, and the top part that accepts the phone, but which is removable and exchangeable - so you and your wife, with different phones wouold each have a separate top bit, and exchange it should you ever let her drive your car

 

[botdoc]

Thanks for the info Rob.
Any idea if this would work in my w210 (with comand), or am I stuck with my old kit along with my 'old' car?

 

[RobCLK]

Thanks for the info Rob.
Any idea if this would work in my w210 (with comand), or am I stuck with my old kit along with my 'old' car?

Not sure, as I am not an expert. Try http://www.mbenznl.com/ as he is an expert and may have the info you need.

Send him an email and he or his offsider will help.


PS, Paul g. you are right on the definition of UHI

 

[botdoc]

I contacted MB again and they now say that the UHI is only available for W211 and later, and is categorically not available for the W210. They had no reply when I said this was a little shortsighted given that the car is supposed to last for over 10 years!

Has anyone any experience with upgrading the cardle with aftermarket parts, or via e.g. Braybrooks? I want to retain steering wheel control fnction, with Comand interfacing (surely not much to ask) but want to lose the housebrick in favour of something more modern (and smaller).