Happily picked up my wife's S430 this afternoon. Unfortunately, the phone was not installed. I was informed the current MB (Motorola) labeled Startac is not compatible with ATT's (higher) frequency necessary for its popular (& low cost) "Digital One Rate" plan. It was suggested I change my ATT plan to something else (& more expensive) which basically forced the Mrs. to roam at 900 MHz. I was also told by the local service manager MBNA will soon (2-3 months) release a "tri-frequency" phone to resolve this problem.

Anyone expert at this? Please refer me to any previous posts/threads on this topic. Thanks in advance.

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I share your concern and am disappointed that Mercedes is not responsive to this lack of planning.

I am in your same situation and was told by the dealer service writer that the Mercedes phone was not worth installing. The folks at the Mercedes USA talked with me for a half hour but they are not solving the problem and told me the 2001 phone is not backwards compatible.

Mercedes does a lot of incompatility planning in the electronics area. This is not the first Mercedes cell phone fiasco.

How with cell phone technology changing every 6 months do you have a system that doesn't work in a car less than a year old????? And no upgrade solution????

The aftermarket appears to ignore this problem but I would wager every 2000 S-Class owner that needs a handsfree car phone with a reasonable rate plan is pissed by this technology and planning failure.

Mercedes, Motorola, Aftermarket, fellow owners does anyone have a good answer???????

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by newmbs430:
Happily picked up my wife's S430 this afternoon. Unfortunately, the phone was not installed. I was informed the current MB (Motorola) labeled Startac is not compatible with ATT's (higher) frequency necessary for its popular (& low cost) "Digital One Rate" plan. It was suggested I change my ATT plan to something else (& more expensive) which basically forced the Mrs. to roam at 900 MHz. I was also told by the local service manager MBNA will soon (2-3 months) release a "tri-frequency" phone to resolve this problem.

Anyone expert at this? Please refer me to any previous posts/threads on this topic. Thanks in advance.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Solution to lack of MBUSA focus on high-end cell users was suggested by local dealer. Drop ATT plan. Go to Verizon plan - the Motorola StarTac used by MB for Verizon users only works on the lower frequency, thereby forcing Verizon to pickup the difference for my wife's power-use of the cell. Verizon's plan is a mirror image of ATT's. Plan recently offered for 2000min @ $200/mo.

The integrated MB unit is nice to have/use, with a moderate learning curve. We're happy to have it, as the wife often drives about 2.5 hours straight.

Good luck.


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ILW
2000 S430

Thanks for the update.

I currently use Sprints 1000 minute free long distance plan for $50/month no charge roaming for my travels so I am still faced with a tough solution.

I am also reluctant because next year new technology will be on the market and we don't know if Verizon will continue to support the MB phone with a competitive rate plan.

Since Motorola has these car deals why don't they either market a conversion kit to adapt to the standard Motorola product line with some if not all of the features or if the market is too small release the wiring and specs so an aftermarket company can get the job done.

I didn't buy a car that should last for years to get phone techology that couldn't even make it to the next model year.

I think the MB cell phone only works in the 800 mhz region TDMA or CDMA. So for those of you who have the 1900 mhz CDMA or GSM, you can tell the dealer forget about it. The MB antenna, located in the rear bumper, is not tuned to 1900 mhz. Therefore you only have a few choices such as AT&T, Cellone, or Verizon.......

Also the cost of having the MB phone kit is just too expensive. I would rather spend $1000 on a laptop with a GPS receiver mounted on the roof.


Car Nut
1999 E430 Sport

Just received a letter from Mercedes-Benz USA stating that the Model Year 2002 S-Class Timeport and V60 phone systems have been approved for installation in MY 2000 S-Class vehicles. (Following up on my contact with them over a year ago)

These are tri-mode compatible and will use the standard rate plans.


Now I just have to call my dealer and find out how much it will cost to install.

Thanks to Mercedes USA for addressing this issue.

Let me know when satellite radio (XM) will be able to use the display screen in my 2000 S430

Glenn