C-Class W204 W204 in Sydney

[Jefftg]

Just read the following from MB UK site, which answered my question

"The new C-Class Saloon is the first Mercedes-Benz to receive Bluetooth voice connectivity as standard. Even while you are on the road, you can remain fully contactable.

This uncomplicated system allows quick connection to most Bluetooth compatible handsets. Any incoming calls can be accepted at the touch of a button for safe and clear calls over the vehicle’s speaker system. You can also make calls using the call list, keypad, previously stored business cards, or by entering the required number on the headunit.

With the addition of optional telephone pre-wiring and an accessory cradle you’ll enjoy even further convenience. Whilst in its cradle your mobile phone will be charged, you’ll be able to make and receive calls, and access the sim telephone address book automatically to make calls using the central controller dial, multi-function steering wheel or Linguatronic voice control (where fitted). "

 

[nazca]

Have a look here:

C-Class Interactive Owner's Manual [Experience | Bluetooth telephone technology]

This explains the Bluetooth technology in the new W204. Looks great!

 

[RLE]

<<The W204 would be about 2-3% more than the W203 but better equipped, according to the reviews. Interesting to see (if it happens) the drop in price for those options. If anything, I thought they would go up.>>

Yes, I've heard that too, but which 203? For example the C300 Elegance (Luxury, here) is comparable to the outgoing C280, not C350.

RLE/Seattle

 

[mrkc77]

<<The W204 would be about 2-3% more than the W203 but better equipped, according to the reviews. Interesting to see (if it happens) the drop in price for those options. If anything, I thought they would go up.>>

Yes, I've heard that too, but which 203? For example the C300 Elegance (Luxury, here) is comparable to the outgoing C280, not C350.

RLE/Seattle

I think they mean the W203, across the board.

Back then, when I wrote that comment, pricing for the W204 has not been released yet and it turned out to be true in a sense that the W204, model for model will be better equipped than the W203. However, pricing (in Oz anyway) is actually cheaper eg the W204 C200K is cheaper than the W203 C180K!! I think we were helped by the strong AUD v USD.

At launch (late July),we'll be initially getting the C200K, C220 CDI and C280 as the range topper. Don't know when the C180, C230, C320 CDI and the real range topper C350 will be coming to Oz. Maybe in September.

I posted a thread here regarding W204 standard equipment. Check it out if you already haven't.

 

[Monster]

Have a look here:

C-Class Interactive Owner's Manual [Experience | Bluetooth telephone technology]

This explains the Bluetooth technology in the new W204. Looks great!

So the cradle is still needed for the phone to connect to the car?

 

[nazca]

So the cradle is still needed for the phone to connect to the car?

Yes I believe this is correct, the cradle will be a further option if you need it to charge the phone, provide external aerial, etc.

 

[Monster]

Yes I believe this is correct, the cradle will be a further option if you need it to charge the phone, provide external aerial, etc.

For example, my phone has bluetooth, and the COMMAND has bluetooth as well. The phone recognise the car, and the COMMAND recognise the phone, how come i am not able to use the phone through COMMAND and the buttons on the steering wheel? MB charges $700 AUD for the cradle if i remembered correctly.

 

[nazca]

For example, my phone has bluetooth, and the COMMAND has bluetooth as well. The phone recognise the car, and the COMMAND recognise the phone, how come i am not able to use the phone through COMMAND and the buttons on the steering wheel? MB charges $700 AUD for the cradle if i remembered correctly.

I understand what you're saying and I too agree that you "should" be able to use the steering wheel buttons to control the phone via bluetooth instead of using a cradle.

In one month we will be able to answer this question 100%.......I am 95% sure this will be the case from all I have read, seen, etc.

 

[Monster]

I understand what you're saying and I too agree that you "should" be able to use the steering wheel buttons to control the phone via bluetooth instead of using a cradle.

In one month we will be able to answer this question 100%.......I am 95% sure this will be the case from all I have read, seen, etc.

I hope MB has fixed this issue with the new generation of COMMAND, because the current version is driving me a bit mad.

 

[skyhi]

as far as i understand it, the standard bluetooth functionality that comes with the car is akin to how bluetooth generally works between most devices e.g. headset and phone. that is, it will enable you to answer and reject calls through the car. calls can also be made through the phone's number pad and then relayed to the car's mic & speaker system through bluetooth. this is standard bluetooth.

to get the additional snazzy bits such as linguatronic integration, phonebook access, comand no. pad usage, steering wheel dialing, charging, sms display, sms voice read-outs and so on, is when the pre-wiring option is needed.

the communication required for the extra bits is more complex and requires additional technology than what standard bluetooth is or provides. i suppose that is why it is an option and should not necessarily be tied as part of the same feature set as the standard bluetooth feature.

on top of the pre-wiring a cradle will still be required - either a uhi cradle for a particular phone or the bluetooth cradle which utilises the sim access profile (not standard). obviously, the phone used will have to support sim access profile as well. not sure if the bluetooth cradle can also access phone memory or just the sim memory.

the pre-wiring has been around for some time as an option. the sim access profile bluetooth cradle has also been around since last year at least. therefore, the only new introduction with regards to bluetooth would be the ablity to now simply answer, reject and make calls through the protocol as a standard feature and without the sim access profile

these are just my deductions and as you also imply, the guys with physical access to the production models are the ones that will be able to confirm the details with certainty.

 

[Hollywood]

Had an opportunity to play and drive the W204 the other day. An amazing car, BMW will be very worried. The telephone system works really well, easy to use and understand. Bluetooth works well with both COMAND and the standard stereo. If you have COMAND, you can have you address book listings saved to the hard drive of the COMAND unit. You can either send them via bluetooth one by one (takes for ever) or if you have the SAP cradle, you can insert your sim card into the cradle and save them all at once. The system can store 10 phones for COMAND and 15 for the standard stereo.

You can also store songs on the COMAND hard drive. The hard drive (40GB) stores the sat nav info for faster map and data read. I think there is only about 4 or 8 GB of room for MP3, WMA or AAC music files. you can put these files on a CD, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-R or via the PCMCIA slot and use SD cards to transfer the files. The COMAND system play DVD Video and SACD. The standard system via the CD Changer will play MP3 CD's.

Been informed that there are no plans for the C350 for Australia.

 

[Monster]

Been informed that there are no plans for the C350 for Australia.

Not surprised, i have seen more SL55AMGs and SL65 AMGs than C350s in Sydney. I dont' think anyone will spend around $100k AUD for a C-class, even if it is really good.

 

[cawimmer430]

So if Australia won't get the C350, no C63 AMG as well?

 

[Monster]

So if Australia won't get the C350, no C63 AMG as well?

I see more C55 AMGs than C350 in Sydney, so i guess there is a small but profitable market in Australia for high performance sedans, but the C350 is caught in no man's land. An E280, or a CLK200 is worth around the same as a C350 in Australia, so i can see where people put their money in. Australians in general perfer larger cars, espically for those who can afford them. If they can afford to pay $100k for a car, i think they want something more comfortable and something more prestigious, such as an E-class or a CLK.

The C63 AMG is different, for many, the AMG version is worth paying the extra money for.

 

[cawimmer430]

I see more C55 AMGs than C350 in Sydney, so i guess there is a small but profitable market in Australia for high performance sedans, but the C350 is caught in no man's land. An E280, or a CLK200 is worth around the same as a C350 in Australia, so i can see where people put their money in. Australians in general perfer larger cars, espically for those who can afford them. If they can afford to pay $100k for a car, i think they want something more comfortable and something more prestigious, such as an E-class or a CLK.

The C63 AMG is different, for many, the AMG version is worth paying the extra money for.

I see. Thanks for the info.

Well keep us updated once your dad decides to buy a C63 AMG.

 

[Monster]

I see. Thanks for the info.

Well keep us updated once your dad decides to buy a C63 AMG.

i can only hope , keep us updated once your dad decides to put the 7.3 V12 into your SL

 

[cawimmer430]

i can only hope , keep us updated once your dad decides to put the 7.3 V12 into your SL

7.3 is too underpowered. He wants to source the 8.3-l V10 from the Dodge Viper.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Not surprised, i have seen more SL55AMGs and SL65 AMGs than C350s in Sydney. I dont' think anyone will spend around $100k AUD for a C-class, even if it is really good.

Monster, I think it's more to do with the pending engine upgrades and the lack of competitiveness against the 335i. A C350 would easily be more expensive then the BMW and would get thumped performance wise. The C300 allows Benz to position the vehicles slightly differently for the time being, but there is no way they will leave the BMW's extensive engine line up unanswered for too long.

MB Australia is probably also avoiding annoying people who would pay top dollar for a 'range topping' c350 only to find it superseded within 1 1/2 years. We'll get a much more complete line up when the new range of engines is out. For the Australian market, this will satisfice for now. Well that’s my theory at least.

 

[MrsMerc]

Had an opportunity to play and drive the W204 the other day. An amazing car, BMW will be very worried. .......

Hollywood, are you in Sydney? How did you get to 'play and drive the W204'?

 

[nazca]

According to this link at the RVCS website it looks like the C350 has been approved for sale in Australia:

Road Vehicle Descriptor (RVD1)