Analog Cell phone update - 1998 W210 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

jay_bob · #1 03-25-2013, 08:41 AM

I recently purchased this lovely 1998 W210 E300D from Citationtech. My wife is driving the car and she really missed the hands free system she had in her other car.

This car was practically untouched in the electronics department. It came equipped with the Becker 1692, Bose amp and speakers (non fiber optic), and the Motorola analog handset style phone with the LCD display behind the door below the radio and the full handset in the arm rest.

I purchased a Parrot MKi9100 Bluetooth kit online from the people with the smiling arrow logo. The kit says professional installation recommended, but if you are savvy with audio and electronics it is really pretty easy. If you decide to do this mod, be sure to get the MKi9100, it is the only Parrot with a LCD in the form factor that works for this mod.

I found a way to use the electronics housing in the dash below the radio to place the Parrot display and keep a stock appearance. The buttons on the display do not work anymore, but if they are accidentally pushed they will still move properly.

The only visible items are the microphone, which is in the factory location, and the steering wheel remote control. The audio for the call comes out through the two dash speakers that were part of the factory phone system. The armrest sub compartment that held the phone now has the pigtail from the Parrot for iOS dock connector/USB/3.5 mm audio input.

I did not cut any wires in the vehicle harness, or modify any of the original components in an irreversible manner, so the system can be completely reassembled in its entirety if the vehicle ever makes it to the M-B Museum, or we ever decide to go back to analog.

The system has A2DP streaming; in a future enhancement I will add a cd changer to line in adapter to pick up the line level outputs from the Parrot box. The tiny speakers are great for voice, but not music, especially compared to the Bose. My wife has a 15 minute commute to work so she is satisfied with listening to the radio or CDs for now.

Here are some pictures, when I get a moment I will enhance the post and make a step by step.