Dash Cell Phone/92 300SE w140

[MINMAX]

I’m hesitant to even ask if anyone is using the dash installed pop-top telephone since it’s analog. Are there any creative suggestions for replacement or use of that dash space?

[SHARK1007]

If you tried to remove the phone and hide the money it would take to use an analog phone for a year, it wouldn't fit.

Maybe a nice flower arrangement?

I gave up on mine after looking all over and I was led to believe the phone would make a 911 call, no charge.

[KenP]

Don't know if your W140 is the same as mine (I have a '96 S500). Its set up for the keypad behind a pop-up panel in the dash and the rest of the phone in the console.
Anyway, mine came without the phone option, although its got all the wiring, etc.
Behind my pop-up panel is a small velour lined box, like a small glove compartment. The rear is a false panel of sorts held in with two screws. The back of this panel holds the ends of the wiring connectors for the phone. I guess they all cam "pre-wired".
This is a really handy place to put your sunglasses, garage door opener, etc.
In the console, the space normally used for the phone is replaced with a piece that has two cup holders, etc.
Anyway, if you can find a W140 without the factory phone in a salvage yard, you can get these pieces and add some useful space in your car.
Its too bad nobody seems to make a digital system to replace the analogs in these cars... at least, I've never seen one.
KenP

[albert champion]

this brings up another issue.

benz indicates that using a cellphone, that isn't tied into an external antenna, from within the140c, the canbus system will be compromised.

t or f?

if t, do you know of a way to connect a 3rd party digital cellphone into the external antenna of a w140c?

i should say that perhaps benz is being excessively concerned. i have traveled with a digital cellphone in the ON state within this w140c. since sprint towers are constantly seeking and finding this phone while i am driving, i would think that indicates that the canbus is not as sensitive to this brand of "noise" as benz would scare us to believe.

right or wrong?

all ears.

[Peter Guenther]

I rermoved mine, there is a bracket in the bin that can be removed also and it is good for storing sunglasses etc. T remove the control head there are two catches at the top if you push tem up it pulls out, there are connectors for the cell and handset. I removed the entire bin after removing the srews in the back, be careful, and remove the bracket. The cables can be folded back, and i pasted a plack piece of "velcro" to cover the hole.
In the console remove the two screws on either side of the cradle and pull up the panel, getting rid of the items is easy, brush up the nap and it should look good. I like the idea of the cup holder and will investigate making something out of Black Plastic.
There was a plan (edict by FCC) to allow 911 calls with analog phones and not having a valid subscription. I hear that the push is to discontinue that soon.

[MINMAX]

I liked the idea of getting the correct liner for the space left after the phone removal that Ken P had. I'm just wondering if anyone knows the MB part numbers of the items that would accomplish this so perhaps I could buy new from the dealer. The aren't a lot of yards that have Mercedes around here. Thank you for all the replies! Hope you all have a nice Holiday weekend...Ralph

[KenP]

Ralph, I've had really good luck with salvage yards on the web while looking for parts for my w140.
Just go to www.car-part.com and enter the year and model you want parts for. Then enter the part you need (for the dash pieces, I'd search on dashboard or interior parts.
Up will pop a number of yards that have the right cars.... and display prices from highest to lowest.
Most yards have a 1-800 number... call, tell em what you need... and give em a credit card. What you want will show up UPS.
Small dash pieces will cost a lot at the dealer, but not much at the yards...
Good luck, KenP

[MINMAX]

Thank you KenP you've been a big help.

[Peter Guenther]

On my 92, there is no false panel it is a glove box type bin. I think Ralph had a panel which would make it easier. It is a little tricky to remove the assembly, I did it when I removed the phone control head and mounting bracket. The entire assembly with the lid pulls out after removing the two screws in the back of it. The "hole" for the two cables is less than inch by half inch, as i said you could put a little black velcro over it and only you would notice. The compartment is lined with the normal "fuzz". The handset cradle is easy to remove and the carpet can be brushed up to the point it is not noticeable. I left the phone, which is located in the rear fender well, near the power antenna. The compartment is a great place to store gas reciepts and sunglasses or any other items, I think it locks when you lock the glove compatment, but I have not tried it.

[Jon Hrut]

This is a more recent thread, so I decided to post a reply on this one.

Contrary to popular belief, newer is not always better. I have a 96 E with an integrated phone. It took me forever until I found Verizon who activated it.

I'm an engineer and can tell you that the analog phone has a higher wattage which means higher signal strength outside cities and less dropped calls. These phones are around 3W as compared to digital with 0.5 to 0.8 W. This is why if you are out in the country, the digital phone will often go into Roam mode or, even worse, have zip signal strength (ever wonder why in those suspense/horror films, the character tries to call for help on a digital cell and gets no signal? If they had an car installed analog, no problemo; a portable analog looks sort of like a carrying case....some long haul truckers carry them--you can get models of up to 6 W).

My analog plan is about 25 bucks for 90 mins of calls in my area code per month. Best deal I have ever had for any phone.

I love the system I have and would never think of placing a digital phone in as a replacement. I already have a cell phone that I carry with me and having compared performance during trips, the Benz analog beats out the digital any day of the week.

- Jon

[MINMAX]

Jon...Your reply is sooo true...I have not only that phone in my 1992 300SE but in my Audi Quattro 100ls wagon...and Having made several efforts to get connected by a Baby Bell since those were the former carriers, I'll now try Verizon...question is will I need different phone numbers for each car? Can one accout handle the hand held digital, and both cars since I only use one at a time?

[Gilly]

No doubt you'll need a phone number for each phone (ESN). But maybe you can get something like my wife and I have where we share minutes? It's an extra $15/mo for the extra line, and the minutes are shared between the 2 numbers. You'd just have to give people a primary and secondary cell number.

Gilly