Fitting Hands-Free Cellpphone into MB's
 

FITTING HANDS_FREE CELLPHONE IN MB E-CLASS 320Cdi
(Part 1)

Ted Cortese raised the query about fitting a car phone in a ML320 without spending a fortune a few days ago.

The outline that follows will indicate the practicality of doing this and should be applicable over the full MB range of vehicles.
I hope that sharing the project with you will help if you fancy doing similar.

I had already been planning to fit a system like this to my E320CDi Wagon over the Xmas Holidays.
Mind you this depends to a degree on my wife's tolerance and the amount of booze I consumed when visitors drop in.

I have spent a deal of time researching the best way to do this and match in with the vehicle.
So I needed a system that used the existing car speakers and a mounting assembly that complimented the cars trim.
I also focused on how to maximise the ease of usage when driving.

Firstly on checking the CellPhones available the Nokia 8210 Model was the best fit for me.
It can detect that it has been linked to a CarPhone system and has a seperate Menu for functional usage in this condition. It also has Voice Dialling built in.

I found a High Quality German Company that supplies the Hands-free Kit and has a large variety of options available like -
Charging the phone when installed in car.
Privacy mode (telephone can be removed with cradle to act as a slave handset)
Automatic radio mute function ( An incoming or outgoing call automatically mutes the car radio)
Remote Microphone.

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They also can supply units that have -
Digital signal processor
Voice recorder for memos
Direct speech-controlled dialling for CellPhones without this option

Have a look at their WebSite at -

Hands Free Kit Supplier

I purchased the THB Comfort (Without Speaker)

I found a UK supplier of Leather Pads to mount the Cellphone Cradle on.
They can Match MB Leather identically. Mine is perfect.

WebPage AT -

Leather Pad

They also do a major list of Radio Muting Audio Leads covering a wide rang of MB Models. It includes absolutely everything you would need right down to spare fuses.

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The list is at -

Mute Lead Info

Pad will be mounted on L.H. Side of Center Consul (We are RHD over Here).

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Microphone will go on RH Side A Pillar at face height.
I have confirmed that there is no effect on the CAN bus with this system.

I was advised that an Inner Rear Bumper Mount Antenna was the best bet.

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The only thing I cannot get info on doing is using the Steering Wheel CellPhone button to work the CellPhone.
It's about time that all the secrecy about the MB use of the CAN bus was put in the open. I am sure that a common interface into/out of their system, that would allow interface with a host of other items, would cost a nominal amount.

I have also researched the wiring on my MB Audio30 Radio so I am about ready to go.

Total cost for Nokia Kit + Pad Mount + Mute Lead £197.00 (About $300)

Part 2 in due course

Mike

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