Glad you got it working mate.

I find a lot of people are too scared to touch anything on cars nowadays giving the dealers all the cards they need.

Once you actually get your hands dirty then everything becomes so easy you wonder why you even thought twice about doing it in the first place.

 

Question



It was easy. Did you notice my statement about having a working strength meter on the display? I didn't expect this based on other posts I read leading up to the install. Is this something new MB added to the latest MHI and BT adapter?

 

Welcome dodman! Appreciate your post. If you can post links or pics and tutorial on the Hands-Free Communiation install, this will help quite a few members.

 

Tutorial



I didn't think to take any photos, but the MB install instructions have pretty good photo detail. What I did before I actually purchased the parts was to pull the center console false floor to make sure I had the proper wiring and also the equipment carrier in the trunk to verify the connections were present and also to familiarize myself with the setup. This post over at benzworld got me started "http://www.benzworld.org/forums/audio-telematics-forum/1313173-how-guide-cell-phone-upgrades-plug-bluetooth.html, then I was able to download and print the actual install instructions at this address "http://home.earthlink.net/~phdwebsite/phone_bulletins.htm". I don't think there is much more I can add to this information other than to help someone with a specific question for the r171 install. The biggest point I wanted to make is that it is an easy install for me. Spend a little time doing research and then some hands on time with the instructions and I believe just about anyone could install their phone.

 

So this is possible for my 2005 US model with Audio20 even if it didn't have the phone prewire that is in the prem pack (or whatever it is called)?

 

No if you don't have phone pre-wire installed this goes from a DIY to a specialist job.

Interior has to come out and a new loom needs to go in from the trunk into the console and right up to the roof cross member.

 

OK just looked this up on the EPC -

The "pre-wire" option as we call it is Code 387 (Mobile Pre-Install) this includes the wiring harness to enable plug and play use of the phone with the completer kit.

In US cars the Tele-Aid harness is very similar but they do have different PN#'s and the Tele-Aid only harness is missing phone connectors, so to check if you have the correct option open your hood and look at the black label if you see 387 you can install a phone if you dont see it then you cannot.

The Tele-Aid harness does have a phone disconnect point under the armrest but it's non-functional so check for it by all means but don't take it as a sign you have the correct system without first checking the carrier in the trunk and the codes for your car.

I dont mean to sound argumentative here dodman so please don't think i am just trying to be a pr*ck its nothing like that at all and we appreciate your input mate but if i could maybe suggest you double check your cars codes because i have a factory application sitting on my desktop thats telling me i need 387 to fit a phone.

 

No Code 387

I checked the black sticker and there is no code 387. I also sent my vin to Dan so he can check his sources. I am not sure if the special mics are fitted in my car. The harness was included with the completer kit but I am not comfortable with pulling the plastic cowling to see if it's already installed. The phone works great but that could just be the TelAid mic. What started me on this quest initially was other posts on other forums indicating US cars all had the proper harness in place, and in some cases, the special mics. Another interesting thing is I have not had the car to the dealer for coding. Is it possible it was coded at the factory? I guess I just got lucky.

 

I checked the black sticker and there is no code 387. I also sent my vin to Dan so he can check his sources. I am not sure if the special mics are fitted in my car. The harness was included with the completer kit but I am not comfortable with pulling the plastic cowling to see if it's already installed. The phone works great but that could just be the TelAid mic. What started me on this quest initially was other posts on other forums indicating US cars all had the proper harness in place, and in some cases, the special mics. Another interesting thing is I have not had the car to the dealer for coding. Is it possible it was coded at the factory? I guess I just got lucky.

My 2006 SLK 280 does not have the 387 code.

 

Interesting

My understanding based on many other posts is that MB has gone back and forth on the issue of phone prewiring. Based on my experience it's worth the time to physically inspect the console and equipment carrier to see if the harness is in place. Unless my car was a mistake at the factory, 06 US SLK's only need the core and completer kit installed.

 

After running dodman's VIN my machine does show code 387 on his car however from what he has told me his own datacard makes no mention of it.

I'm thinking either the Audio 20 cars have the wiring as standard in the US but an option here in the EU and thats why my machine shows the code and tells me i need it to install the phone / In the US the pre-install option is for the COMAND system only.

So if you have the COMAND on your car's check for the code on the black sticker it will be there if you can install it if its not then it will not be possible this i know apply's to US cars also, if you have the A20 your more than welcome to send me a PM and i can run your VIN past the computer and it should show the 387 if your car has the harness installed in it.

As i said before the Tele-Aid harness has some of the wiring in it so don't use that as your only reference point when working out whats installed, check the carrier also and as i said your more than welcome to PM me and i will check for the code.

I will ask some of the guys here who spend more time on the parts system than i do and see what they say just seems very odd my machine shows the code and dodman's datacard does not but if it where a standard fit on the A20 then it would not show.

 

I don't usually post but I just finished installing an MHI bluetooth setup in my wife's 2006 R171 and felt I should share with anyone else interested in trying this install. Thanks to the information I found here and at other Mercedes forums I was able to determine part numbers and install instructions. I puchased the core kit (less linear compensator), completer kit, and an MHI bluetooth adapter on the web. It took me about an hour to install the MHI plug in the center console plus another 1-1/2 hours to remove the equipment carrier in the trunk, install the MHI and wiring and put everything else back together. The only real problem I had was figuring out the "tricks" to disengage a few of the electrical connectors. Other than that it was a piece of cake. I then installed the Bluetooth adapter, fired it up and everything works great. Using a v3 Razr, the phonebook downloads, I can scroll the phonebook, make calls, answer calls and hang up using the steering wheel buttons. Interesting enough, the signal strength accurately appears on the Audio 20 screen. I purchased the latest release of the bluetooth puck and MHI which may account for this unexpected bonus. Also, I have not had the car Star Coded and am beginning to think I will not need to take it to dealer for this added step. Maybe it was coded to include a phone from the factory. No sure but everything included TelAid is working properly. The whole deal cost me about $1,300 which is about half of what my dealer wanted to do the install. It was fun, not overly difficult, and certainly worth a few hours of my time. I am just an average guy with no special training in auto electronics. If anyone needs part numbers or help with the install let me know.

:tuodman, EXCELLENT work and initiative. This is the kind of neat stuff that I like. Question, where did you purchase your parts from? Not a bad price. Clarify, you DID NOT install a microphone with the parts, correct? You make it seem easy. I have the factory system in one car and a Parrot Bluetooth kit in the other. I would prefer the factory kit vs the Parrot kit. Thanks for your help.

 

... Question, where did you purchase your parts from? Not a bad price. Clarify, you DID NOT install a microphone with the parts, correct? ...

When I did my Bluetooth, the microphones were NOT included with the phone prewiring. However, before they received the ordered mics, I was pleasantly surprised that the system still worked and apparently just used the Tele-aid microphone. And, if I recall correctly, we switched the wiring in the trunk to use the noise cancellation mics and that was why I was especially surprised the Tele-aid mic worked. I guess that mic is always active to work with the Tele-aid and just happens to also work with the phone.

 

nice work Dodman! :tu:

 

OEM Phone Part Numbers

Here is a list of the part numbers, source, and approximate price for this install:

MHI Unit Part #Q6820967 $510.00 MB of Westwood MA (781) 688-1151 Ask for Kevin

Completer Kit Part #Q6820964 $387.99 MB of Westwood, Kevin

Bluetooth Adapter Part #B67875878 $375.00 Search the-premium-collection on ebay.

There is also a hardware kit that costs about $30.00, but I went to my local hardware store with the brackets in hand and it cost me under $2.00 for the (8) nuts and (2) screws. Also, you can buy earlier release bluetooth adapters on ebay for as little as $325.00. I went with the above seller because he was the only one selling the latest release which I felt would be improved.

Note I did not install the linear compensator as these are quite expensive and useless if you are using a bluetooth adapter. You can probably find the MHI and completer kit for 5 percent less, but I went with MB of Westwood because Kevin was very helpful.

Hope this helps.

 

It has been more than 2 days, so my memory is a little vague, but I don't think the REMOVED the OCP to add the mics. And the mics just plugged in as I recall. I saw the panel when they were trying to figure out if the mics were present (and they weren't), but I didn't actually see them install them, but again, my recollection was that they could just plug them in.

(and yes, I had them add the mics to mine. Not sure if they sound better or worse than the teleaid mic alone. Don't recall paying anything to have them do it either. Made out like they should have done them at the factory )

 

Microphones



I'm going to take a look at the OCP today and will post the results.

 

dodman,

Here is a pic from EPC to show you what your looking for, based on the location of them on the diagram it makes sense you could just lower the OCP to get access to them but once its been lowered you might as well remove it altogether since its so close to falling off anyways.

As you know we don't have Tele-Aid in the UK but i was looking at the different part numbers and you have 4 choices 2 with the Tele-Aid and 2 without but both the Tele-Aid mics also have the mobile phone codes on them.

So it would seem changing down to the ordinary phone mics would actually be a step down, i have also attached the list page and the code descriptions so you can see what i mean.

 

Telephone Microphones

I just finished installing the special noise cancelling microphones and it is pretty easy. Follow Dan's instructions to remove the sun visors (3 screws each). They just sort of hang to give you access. Then on each side of the RED plastic cover facing you, there is a grey plastic pin. Push each pin in and the red plastic cover comes off giving you access to the microphone compartments (1 on each side). The connector wire is on the left side of the OCP. Feed the microphone wire over to the connector, make the connection, then slip each microphone into it's respective compartment. Put it back together and you are good to go. Based on testing the microphones work better than just the TelAid mic when the top is down. Amazing clarity according to my friend at the other end of the call. Not much different with the top up. Incidentially, the microphones are part of the completer kit (part number listed earlier in this thread). This was a fun project and I'm very pleased with the results. I have a v60 Bluetooth puck in my 01 SLK. Works well but this is far superior.

 

Sounded easy enough -

I just finished installing the special noise cancelling microphones and it is pretty easy. Follow Dan's instructions to remove the sun visors (3 screws each). They just sort of hang to give you access. Then on each side of the RED plastic cover facing you, there is a grey plastic pin. Push each pin in and the red plastic cover comes off giving you access to the microphone compartments (1 on each side). The connector wire is on the left side of the OCP. Feed the microphone wire over to the connector, make the connection, then slip each microphone into it's respective compartment. Put it back together and you are good to go. Based on testing the microphones work better than just the TelAid mic when the top is down. Amazing clarity according to my friend at the other end of the call. Not much different with the top up. Incidentially, the microphones are part of the completer kit (part number listed earlier in this thread). This was a fun project and I'm very pleased with the results. I have a v60 Bluetooth puck in my 01 SLK. Works well but this is far superior.

I want to thank you dodman and Danslk soooo much for the information provided in this thread. I have been following along in the background as I typically do, but I have to reply.
I have followed the information and steps herein and I purchased all parts and installed the system myself. Paired it with the Blackberry "curve" And amazingly enough it all works!! (No star diagnostics needed.) Absolutely perfect! Including my expansive phonebook! I had ripped out the parrot system I installed previously and replaced it with the oem version. All here was accurate as you stated with only a few exceptions: (Oh, and I was installing on a 2005 SLK350) 1) the completer kit was about double the cost US dollars almost $600. I worked a deal with the parts manager at MB and he sold me both the MHI and Competer kit for $1100 US wholesale. I purchased the Bluetooth adapter for $345 on e-bay. (Price of this seems to be going up on e-bay for over $400 US. Not sure why.) 2) the size of the mounting nuts were #4 metric vice #8 what your stated in the thread. (No biggie, they must have changed the bracket...)
So once again many thanks. Any questions please feel free to ask.
Now if I could only figure out how to wire up my brake light module for lighted windrestrictor, I'd be all set.... Well unitl my next upgrade.

 

Hows the tele-aid working with the new mics?

 

New Mics and TelAid



Everything is working great. The MB TelAid Rep said she could hear me very well. Since the TelAid mic worked after I removed the jumper, but before I installed the phone mics, I think the TelAid mic is somehow hard wired to always be connected. A couple of friends said the new setup sounded like I was "just talking on a cell phone". It's raining in PA today so I couldn't put the top down to try it at 55 MPH. I'll let everyone know when I get a chance to test it on the open road. This was a great project and I couldn't be happier. Lots of research, a little bit of elbow grease, and help from the nice people on this forum resulted in a great upgrade to my wife's car. A warm thank you to everyone who contributed.

 

I haven't been on the receiving end, but I think there is quite a bit of road and wind noise once you get to 55 and above according to my wife.

 

Hi Folks
I've just join. My dealer here (Australia) told me to get a bluetooth SAP profile for AU$550.00 plus installation and Bobs your uncle.

 

:bannana:Nope it is AUD$660.00 and just clip to the existing pug (present if pre-wired) inside the arn rest and just do the connection to your blue tooth mobile phone and yes ... it finished.

 

I too want to thank dodman!

I also just installed the kit, and it works great! Like jbarnby, I found the completer kit was a bit more than dodman listed ($524-ish).

Also thanks for the lead on Kevin at Westwood. Very easy to deal with, cheaper prices than my local dealer and fast delivery.

I have Star Diagnostics, but didn't need it as the car was all set. Also, my 2005 came with the phone mics, so I didn't have to install the ones from the kit. Total cost was about $1,500 including the Blue Tooth puck.

I think the phone is quite a bit easier to install the iPod kit, just remove the trunk liner, install some bits, do the thing in the armrest and you are done. (unless you have to install the mic).
Great install instructions at BillsDen:
http://www.billsden.org/fileadmin/media/mercedes/slk/docs/proc_p_i_82_70_416b.pdf

Thanks again guys!

Dang

 

So was the information that a 2006 with Command cannot add the phone correct? That is what I'm getting, and I'd hate to think I could never ever add bluetooth. Thanks.

 

You can but its expensive

 

If the 2006 SLK I get doesn't have the pre-wiring, is there a third party solution that fully integrates and is trustworthy?

 

yes I would like those parts numbers

 

I installed my Bluetooth years ago. When I did it; I read that the microphone may or may not be in the car. I plugged in the modules and had phone; so I thought 'lucky me', I have the microphone. Over the years, people have always asked me if I had the top down--the phone is so noisy. I don't drive the car that much; so it was somewhat easy to forget. But, I've always cussed MB for selling me a $1500 kit that is so noisy. I'm driving the car more now, and getting more complaints about the phone. So, about a month ago, I took it to Nick Saban's MB of Birmingham. They said "we tapped around and you have a bad microphone array, $400 to fix it." I've unsuccessfully searched for the microphone array part number to do it myself. Decided to buy an overhead console from a breaker, just to get the microphone. Swapped it today; and SHOCK,-no microphone array in my car. Apparently, it's been using the TeleAid microphone, and hence the terrible noise while driving. Although there was a harness connector for the microphone array, I was worried it would have to the flashed. But, just drove the car and was told the noise is gone. Wish I would have done this years ago.

 

MHI Noise update


UPDATE: Callers are telling me the phone is still noisy; hear road noise, engine noise, etc. Not as bad as it was before I added the microphones; but not nearly as quiet as Bluetooth in my Dodge Ram (both DaimlerChrysler at the time). Is this as good as it gets in an SLK; or are there other fixes. I've read about a firmware update; but of course, stealership knows nothing about it.

 

This whole discussion has me confused. The car I am looking at ('06 SLK350) is advertised as having Bluetooth but I do not see 387 in the option list, just 359 - Teleaid USA, 530 Comand DVD APS USA with Navigation, 531 Comand APS NTG5/NTG5.5, 763 - Radio remote control w/panic switch (315 MHZ), 810 - Sound System, & U71 - DVD Player with Regional code 1, USA.


Does one of these include Bluetooth ?


Owners manual does not help "You can use the functions in the TEL menu to operate your telephone, provided it is connected to a hands-free system and switched on." How do you connect to a hands free system ? Did this require a special phone ? Worst case there seems to be an aux input jack in the glove compartment and could just use the audio portion.


Please help me understand.

 

if you do not see option 386 pre wiring there is no bluetooth without the 'puck

http://www.slkworld.com/general-modifications-r171/7551-bluetooth-hands-free-some-answers.html