I recently purchased a new 99 C230 Sport. The dealer wants over $700.00 for a factory phone that is only analog, not digital. Is it possible to find a phone on the market that will use the factory prewiring. The phone is linked to the sterio system, which I would really like to use.

Thank you!!!

Not that we are aware of. You can search for this in the search funtion. We have heard this question before.

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Benzmac:
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
SERVICE MANAGER FOR 14 BAY FACILITY
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 8 YRS
PARTNER IN MERCEDESSHOP.COM

Yes, I wonder myself if I would spend $700 on a factory analog phone when a nice digital phone is under $100. Analog cellular is old technology (people with scanners can listen in on your phone calls, steal your credit card number and clone your phone). Also I hear it is beginning to cost more for airtime than digital phones. An advantage of analog is that the pure digital phones (OmniPoint type) will drop the call in a poor coverage area, but an analog (or TDMA digital) will either distort or fade, but come back after the signal improves.

When I got my digital phone cost for airtime was the same as analog. Who knows if it will stay that way forever? Today my phone display read "AT&T" ... I call customer service, and they tell me that Cellular One was bought by AT&T.

I, myself just put my NEC digital phone on the oddment tray in the center console under the armrest, or next to the gear selector.

Of course, if I had a newer car with phone prewiring, I'd be tempted to have the genuine "factory phone" ... or the same model phone from Motorola, or whoever. I could forego the MB name if it saved me $500 as long as it was functionally identical. What MB has done (I've heard) is to make the same unit, but change some of the pin configurations, so an adapter might be needed on certain models. Most cars have an installation kit on the market. Perhaps contact Crutchfield or PartsShop for an adapter/harness?

You might even want to search Dejanews for this topic; I recall reading about it some months ago. I think someone mentioned an adapter was available.

Hope this helps,

Robert W. Roe
1984 300SD 165K miles




[This message has been edited by Robert W. Roe (edited 08-15-1999).]

I have worked for Bellsouth mobility for four years and have run into this problem numerous times. In our shop we can use factory wiring on some phones. The problem you run into is if there is a problem it could mean trips back and forth from your cell provider and the mercedes dealer trying to pinpoint if it is a pre-wiring problem or if it is the fault of your cellphone providers installation. The best bet is to get a digital phone with a handfree kit. This way the prewiring is not used and provides almost the same benefits. You cannot however use the radio controls which adds confusion while driving in my opinion. These handfree kits are clean looking and come on and off with the ignition and provide the outside ant. or can hook to the radio/cell ant. on your car. The problem with the radio/cell ant. is if you have your radio off the ant. is down and hurts your reception while in the kit. A fix for that would be have the cell. tech. wire your radio to the phone so if it rings or if you dial your radio turn down the vol. Look to spend about $500 max. and enjoy the benefits of digital rates and the benefits of better reception. I have one in my 91' 190 and it works superbly here in the mnts. of N. Ga. Good Luck! Joe

Hello...

I find it strange that Mercedes Benz hasnt made a digital upgrade for this phone option. it practically renders this phone useless and just taking up space. analog is way too expensive now vs. digital.

does anyone know if MB will make a conversion kit for their cars from analog to digital?

I did have one guy with a 99 c230 go ahead and buy the mercedes/motorola portable phone for his benz. Mercedes told him there would be a conversion kit available when Motorola comes out with a digital phone that will fit in the console kit. You might want to ask Mercedes if that is true or not. I am just going buy this customers word.