(386 Preinstallation for mobile, universal). What Should I See Please?

[postmastergeneral]

Hi guys

sorry me again.

i have this option installed in my new e280 sport, what should i see when i open the centre console?

at the moment, its empty. should there be at least some cabling? i was hoping to buy a little bluetooth cradle off Nick's Website but I'm slightly dubious.

shall i go back to the dealer and hit him or is it stuff thats hidden away from amatuers like myself?

much appreciated.

thanks a lot

G

 

[Cole@MBS]

You should see a black plastic cap covering the interface if you have phone kit installed!!

 

[postmastergeneral]

hm, i was hoping you were not going to say that lol

im just going to go out now with a torch to check again. everytime i open it i just see two red LEDS and some sort of triangular carpet-covered cardboard jutting up. ill have a little jiggle about

thanks for the response as always

G

 

[postmastergeneral]

yup just as i thought

i managed to pull up the bottom of the console and under it were a handful of looms all connected and going through from the front to the back of the car.

nothing thats obviously waiting for something to connect to it.

so am i advised to ring up the dealer tomorrow? it was a mercedes-direct one. any point?

thanks so much again

G

 

[Cole@MBS]

yup just as i thought

i managed to pull up the bottom of the console and under it were a handful of looms all connected and going through from the front to the back of the car.

nothing thats obviously waiting for something to connect to it.

so am i advised to ring up the dealer tomorrow? it was a mercedes-direct one. any point?

thanks so much again

G

This is what i have in my 2008 R320,

 

[postmastergeneral]

thanks for that, i understand what to look for now. really appreciate it

hope the dealer isnt having a great day before i turn up tomorrow because im not happy about this

Thanks mate

G

 

[Cole@MBS]

thanks for that, i understand what to look for now. really appreciate it

hope the dealer isnt having a great day before i turn up tomorrow because im not happy about this

Thanks mate

G

I cant think of any other interface you could have, i know the new S and C have bluetooth built in but unless you have the very latest command its done via the cradle!!

 

[postmastergeneral]

nahh this one definitely doesnt have bluetooth built in lol. it doesnt even have heated seats!!!

thanks will let u know what happens tomorrow.

looks like she'll be booked in with you soon mate for a few things

G

 

[Cole@MBS]

nahh this one definitely doesnt have bluetooth built in lol. it doesnt even have heated seats!!!

thanks will let u know what happens tomorrow.

looks like she'll be booked in with you soon mate for a few things

G

No problem at all, let us know how you get on tomorrow??

 

[postmastergeneral]

sorry i meant im going to go down the dealers tomorrow where i bought it from last week and deand to know why this option isnt in the car. when clearly its listed on the options list AS installed

G

 

[Cole@MBS]

Thats what i thought you meant!!

 

[jberks]

err - you look inside and see 2 LEDS
Those are in the lower section of the console. The phone cradle is in the lid. If you have prewire the armrest lid will have a split in it North/south. Flick the handle and it should splay open and you'll find the interface plug.
If the armrest lid is a solid one piece, you don't have prewire.

 

[HJHPH]

On my 2008 E class the plug for the Phone Moudule is in the vertical back of the centre console above and between the LEDs. I believe the bluetooth is standard on 09 MY.
Paul.

 

[postmastergeneral]

for crying out loud i'm such a dipstick!

popped down the dealers this lunchtime and poked him in the eye about it.

he came out with me, all smug and what have you, opened the armrest. i was expecting him to say "whoops, theres not one there, awfully sorry" all smugness melting away.

but instead he goes, "whats that then??"

they put it on the back wall of the console between the two LEDs. i thought it was a plastic part of the trim, or the hinge system for the lid

so i said sorry for wasting his time and came home!

and a big sorry for wasting everyones time here

ill take a picture and upload it so you can see.

jberks, i had exactly the same expectation. I saw one e class in reading before i bought this one, and that one was in the lid exactly how you described!!

i was so shocked when he pointed to it though!

thanks all and sorry again for messing you about

G

 

[HJHPH]

Hey, we've all done it, . Now you have to decide which phone module.
Paul.

 

[postmastergeneral]

looking for a bluetooth one paul

im looking at viseeo or the Mercedes one on ebay. £200 minimum. trying to decide which one out of the two.

neither can be seen, both do the same job, so what should i be differentiating them on?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Viseeo-MBU-20...286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66:2|65:16|39:1|240:1318

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Mercedes-Benz...286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66:2|65:16|39:1|240:1318

cheers

G

 

[Cole@MBS]

Oh well, at least its there!!

 

[HJHPH]

looking for a bluetooth one paul

im looking at viseeo or the Mercedes one on ebay. £200 minimum. trying to decide which one out of the two.

neither can be seen, both do the same job, so what should i be differentiating them on?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Viseeo-MBU-20...286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66:2|65:16|39:1|240:1318

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Mercedes-Benz...286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66:2|65:16|39:1|240:1318

cheers

G

I opted for the SAP module as it works using the roof aeriel and we live in a poor reception area, the Viseeo uses the phones aeriel I believe. The SAP is a bit of a chore to pair but once done works really well. You will need to check which everone you use, that it is compatible with your handset.
Paul.
Paul.

 

[jberks]

They'd have got me too then. I wonder why they moved it? Sounds like its not as easy to get to as the old setup.

On cradles, its down to compatability.
The MB module comes in 2 versions. The SAP one is the best. As Paul says, it uses the cars ariel, effectively becoming a phone in its own right and putting your mobile into standby (and saving your battery). If your phone is compatible with this then this is the best bet - but you pay for it. If not, then you're stuck between the standard MB bluetooth (HFP) and the Viseeo.
I bought the viseeo, primarily becuase, not only is it compatible with more devices up front, it is also upgradeable so if I have problems with it in a couple of years, in theory I sent it to one of their agents and they reprogram it with updated software. The MB unit supports what it supports. If things move on you have to bin it and buy a new one. Sound quality on the viseeo is good and it's wired to the wake-up circuit on the car (or it is on old ones like mine anyway) so it starts connecting as soon as you unlock the car door. I'd guess the merc one would be similar.