Just purchased a 2000 E320 - has the cell phone cradle, but no cell phone head. MB wants $600 for the head? Any used ones available?

What is a Cell phone head? Does it just need the cell-phone itself? My moms 2000 clk320 uses a Motorola Startac and it docs in the cradle. Please be more specific.

__________________
Current stable......
17' Rogue SV 70k
11’ Saab 9-5 NG 94k
10’ e550 4matic 185k

sold
02' e320 210k
00' e430 167k
01' e320 171k (regret sale)
91' 300d 2.5t 300k (sold to ecoofidaho)
79' 240d 177k (old yellow my avatar)
87' 300d 169k (junk but fast)
85' 300tdt 261k (RBM parts delivery)
85' 300dt 68k (one owner cream puff)
82' 240d 250k
84' 300dt 198k (sold to diesel don)
91' 190e 2.3 61k
88' 260e 140k

The dealer told me the cell phone is integrated into the car's system to allow hands free incoming and outgoing calls, which will interrupt the audio systmem. In addition, you can use the buttons on the steering wheel to dial, etc. The MB phone is actually a Star Tac with software to allow it to integrate into the MB system. Is this a ploy by MB to make more $, or will a regular Star Tac work?

Ploy!

__________________
Current stable......
17' Rogue SV 70k
11’ Saab 9-5 NG 94k
10’ e550 4matic 185k

sold
02' e320 210k
00' e430 167k
01' e320 171k (regret sale)
91' 300d 2.5t 300k (sold to ecoofidaho)
79' 240d 177k (old yellow my avatar)
87' 300d 169k (junk but fast)
85' 300tdt 261k (RBM parts delivery)
85' 300dt 68k (one owner cream puff)
82' 240d 250k
84' 300dt 198k (sold to diesel don)
91' 190e 2.3 61k
88' 260e 140k

It's not a ploy, at least it was not in my 99 CLK320....

I tried several other "non-MB" startacs in my car and none of them worked with the internal electronics of the car.

I suspect the "non-MB" enabled startac is the exact same phone as the regular version it just conatains some slightly different software to enable it to talk to the electronics in the car. Please note this is pure speculation on my part...

I'm not really big on some of the newer gimmicks that are provided in many of the latest models but I have to admit the integrated phone in the newer MB's works pretty well. Its certainly much safer than trying to use a hand held phone if you HAVE to use a cell phone while driving.

A couple of months ago there was an ad in the STAR from a MBCA member that was selling an MB startac. I think he lost the phone that came with the car, bought a replacement from MB and then found the original phone.

Can't remember which issue of the Star it was but it was fairly recent.

Good luck - Tim

Tim is right it is not a ploy. You just need a startac with correct software. This allows it to communicate with the rest of the system in the car. I do not know how to find one other than buying from the dealer. I know startacs generally sell for less than $200, depending who your provider is. I do not understand why MB wants such an arm and a leg for em!

Good Luck

__________________
Current stable......
17' Rogue SV 70k
11’ Saab 9-5 NG 94k
10’ e550 4matic 185k

sold
02' e320 210k
00' e430 167k
01' e320 171k (regret sale)
91' 300d 2.5t 300k (sold to ecoofidaho)
79' 240d 177k (old yellow my avatar)
87' 300d 169k (junk but fast)
85' 300tdt 261k (RBM parts delivery)
85' 300dt 68k (one owner cream puff)
82' 240d 250k
84' 300dt 198k (sold to diesel don)
91' 190e 2.3 61k
88' 260e 140k

i have a mb startac that has around 500 total min. on it email me off the board if you want it.

Hold the phone! (pun intended, please do not hurt me).
Yes, you do need the MB Startac, we had some salesmen with Startacs (off the shelf versions) already when MB introduced theirs. The battery will charge when plugged in to the coilcord, that's it. The salesmen tried it. Won't integrate to the car at all.
That being said, there are other problems to be aware of.
These cars only handle the dual mode phones. One mode is the old analog standby, the digital mode is the other mode, you have to determine which mode your carrier uses, either TDMA or CDMA. In addition there are specific phones used by specific carriers. You have to be careful about buying a phone which will actually work with the carrier you want to use.
You can't install a tri-mode phone (CDMA, TDMA, analog) into this car, the cables built into the wiring harness for the antenna aren't compatable with a tri-mode setup.
Gilly

__________________
Click here to see the items I have up for auction at EBay

Click here to see a photo album of my '62 Sprite Project Moneypit (Now Sold)