E320 CDI (W211) - Nokia 6310i car kit

[jwr88]

Hi,

Is it possible to install the Nokia car kit (CARK-91) such that it will operate via the steering wheel controls and Audio 20 keypad ?

Can you recommend an installer ? I'm in Kent

Thanks,
James

 

[sym]

Hi

To my knowledge, the CARK-91 will not allow this functionality.

It is designed for standalone use and will integrate basic functions (telephone mute etc) with any Head Unit.

I expect you would need a PSE (controller) unit for the 6310i - , a dedicated Cradle, and an optical wiring loom to connect to the Audio 20 and enable use of the wheel controls, together with a GSM aerial, and preferably an e-net compensator if you are using T-Mobile or Orange.

If you can obtain the parts, I'm sure we can assist you with installation !

S.

 

[jwr88]

S,

I guess I should really order the installed phone kit - I'm just placing an order for the car in te next week. It just seems so expensive at £600 !!

Thanks
James

 

[sym]

.... and I'm afraid thats what the parts will come to if you were to buy them separately too - unless you can source a second hand kit like I did D) - probably not a bad idea to have them fit it at the factory if you don't have the car yet - its a worthwhile option.

S.

 

[guydewdney]

or just get a bluetooth adaptor.. since you have the "i" version...

 

[Brian WH]

S,

I guess I should really order the installed phone kit - I'm just placing an order for the car in te next week. It just seems so expensive at £600 !!

Thanks
James

I've asked about this on mine and it cannot be retrofitted. So order it now if you want it mate.

I wished I had now.

 

[RichardM]

I've asked about this on mine and it cannot be retrofitted. So order it now if you want it mate.

I wished I had now.

Marcos had the phone kit retrofitted in his E320 Brian by Braybrooks. link. It was expesive though, I think it was more than the original factory option. I'm quite glad I didn't order it as the 6310 is a pretty old phone now.

 

[marcos]

As Richard said it is possible as I've had it done but as an aftermarket fit it works out very costly.
Pay the cost for it to be factory fitted and when the 6310i is finally killed off Mercedes will supply a new cradle and controller box for any new model phones that they decide to use.
The phone kit is brilliant and I would recommend getting it factory fitted, I just wish I had and I would have saved a fortune.

 

[fuzzer]

We have this on our W211 Estate.

Its the best money you can spend. The sound quality on both sides is superb

£600 is a small price to pay for it.

I personally think they should just make it standard fit and add the £600 onto the price for everyone.

 

[mapleleaf]

the W211 uses diffent fibre optics (MOST) than the kit Sym has . Advice is go for the factory option

 

[sym]

MOST interesting, Steve

S.

 

[mapleleaf]

 

[MBenzNL]

get it from teh factory with the car - esoecially the phonekit...MB has had lots of problems with their W211 phonekits - make sure you get one from factory rather then getting stuck with an aftermarket installed non warranty mercedes kit which will cost a lot more then 600 pounds...
As aftermarket the cark91 is a good solution but not compatible with the car's controls.

greetingz,

 

[marcos]

Mine was done at Braybrooks as I stupidly didn't order it with the car. The strange thing is that if Braybrooks do the fitting you get the MB warranty with it as they are installers for them, still cost too much though.
As Fuzzer says definately get it done at the factory as the quality of the sound etc is superb and it is so easy to use with the console in the car.

 

[marc777]

My dealer quoted £2500 for a retro fit Merc system for the 6310i. He confirmed that they had never sold any.

In the end I went for the simple Nokia car kit for £187 fitted. It can't g othrough the steering wheel but at the time I was comparing the cost to what MB dealership had quoted. Sounds like Braybrooks do it much cheaper.

When I ordered my car I didn't have the 6310i so it didn't seem important at the time.

Marc

 

[RichardM]

I have the Nokia bluetooth kit, which cost £199 fitted and works fine for me, the phone connects automatically when I start the car. There is no cradle to see either.

The quality isn't perfect though (better than my last CARK-91), I'm sure its nothing like the proper factory kit.

 

[gIzzE]

I would order the factory kit too.
The 6310i may be an old phone but just leave it in the car and get another sim for the phone you carry.

I hope MB go over to bluetooth soon, and I hope that you can use the pre wiring from the exsisting kit too.

 

[fuzzer]

I would order the factory kit too.
The 6310i may be an old phone but just leave it in the car and get another sim for the phone you carry.

I hope MB go over to bluetooth soon, and I hope that you can use the pre wiring from the exsisting kit too.

All these new crappy colour phones arent a patch on the 6310i . The battery lasts forever , great sound . light.. what else do you want a phone to do ?

 

[gIzzE]

Haha

have to agree, I have a t610 and a gx10 and the 6310i gets used all the time, battery lasts for ever and is charged everytime I get in the car, never looses signal and has excellent sound quality, just wish it was a little smaller, dont need colour or a camera and all that bollox.

 

[sym]

Have to agree . . the 6310i is a very reliable work-horse. Battery technology will improve, for sure, but I'm sure it will be around for a little while yet. Beats every other phone that I have ever used for both ease of use and user interface.

My single complaint : I use it for a lot of conference calls, and it would be nice to have a separate mute button, instead of having to scroll though a menu to mute the MIC . . . are you listening NOKIA ?

S.