Importing an old Nokia From Abroad

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dyllindd

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Good Day Everyone,

My Mercedes is still using the old UHI cradle in the armrest for use with the vehicle's phone system. Pictured here:

ML_HFP_connector_384.jpg


The specific cradle is only compatible with a Nokia 3120. I can't seem to find one in South Africa. Do you guys think that it will be a viable option to buy an unlocked second hand Nokia 3120 on Ebay and import it. What would the estimate customs duties and charges be seeing that its a very old cellphone.

I wanted to upgrade the cradle but Mercedes Charges R5400 for the new one which isn't an option for me right now. Or can I get these cradles somewhere else for cheap? The main problem is finding a cradle and its compatible phone for sale.

Your feedback is appreciated ..

Thanks Guys
 
I reckon it will still cost you at least a grand after everything is said and done (including the phone), despite it being such an old phone.

Maybe forget the fancy Merc feature and get a standard handsfree kit?
 
SCHUMI-4-EVA said:
I reckon it will still cost you at least a grand after everything is said and done (including the phone), despite it being such an old phone.

Maybe forget the fancy Merc feature and get a standard handsfree kit?
Click to expand...

^ this

Just not worth the hassle and money in getting the original phone. Besides, the standard handsfree kit will work with any compatible phone.
 
The_Librarian said:
^ this

Just not worth the hassle and money in getting the original phone. Besides, the standard handsfree kit will work with any compatible phone.
Click to expand...

Any suggestions? I still want the steering wheel controls and radio controls to work. Otherwise I will have to save up and get the Visseeo MB-4. They go for R3500 at TruBlue in Midrand. Wanted to get working on the cheap.

What if I know someone in the US that I can have it delivered to and that person brings it the next time they visit?

Im kind of obsessed with OEM when it comes to my cars.
 
Perhaps you should try looking at changing the cradle/connector instead of the phone to allow it to use bluetooth from any phone?

A quick search brought up https://www.commandonline.co.uk/Mercedes-Bluetooth/ - this should give you an idea what bluetooth interface to look for

Edit: To clarify a bit - it looks like you get a bluetooth device that just connects to the cradle and you can then use normal bluetooth from any phone and still be able to use all the steering wheel controls
 
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Zen17h said:
Perhaps you should try looking at changing the cradle/connector instead of the phone to allow it to use bluetooth from any phone?

A quick search brought up https://www.commandonline.co.uk/Mercedes-Bluetooth/ - this should give you an idea what bluetooth interface to look for

Edit: To clarify a bit - it looks like you get a bluetooth device that just connects to the cradle and you can then use normal bluetooth from any phone and still be able to use all the steering wheel controls
Click to expand...

This is the bluetooth option I referred to in my first post. Mercedes Charges R5400 for it. That is why I am looking for alternative options.
 
dyllindd said:
Im kind of obsessed with OEM when it comes to my cars.
Click to expand...

Then don't buy Merc. They've got a chip on their shoulder the size of Mount Rushmore and mark up everything they sell just as audaciously. If you buy Merc then you should be prepared to have R5400 lying around as pocket change and you should only start feeling the hurt around 540K for adding features X Y and Z that you don't need with a nice fancy embroidered Merc badge on each one.

Let's be honest here...why would you use an ancient Nokia in your larney armrest when you've got an Iphone (I'm assuming given the pretentiousness of the armrest) in your pocket?

You're the type of nut that just feeds Merc's self-righteous fleecing.
 
SCHUMI-4-EVA said:
Then don't buy Merc. They've got a chip on their shoulder the size of Mount Rushmore and mark up everything they sell just as audaciously. If you buy Merc then you should be prepared to have R5400 lying around as pocket change and you should only start feeling the hurt around 540K for adding features X Y and Z that you don't need with a nice fancy embroidered Merc badge on each one.

Let's be honest here...why would you use an ancient Nokia in your larney armrest when you've got an Iphone (I'm assuming given the pretentiousness of the armrest) in your pocket?

You're the type of nut that just feeds Merc's self-righteous fleecing.
Click to expand...

If you knew me you would know that I have driven Opels and Chevs thus far. This was my first Mercedes purchased. The reason I stick to OEM parts is because I have bought a lot of generic aftermarket parts from reputable shops and some things don't come close to the original quality. It rather sounds like you have the chip on your shoulder. I don't have any Apple devices, I stick to Android. So why place me into a stereotype when you clearly do not know me.

Calling me pretentious based on using the word armrest is just an indication to me that you have a lack of knowledge about me and my vehicle. If you had knowledge on Mercedes-Benz convenience telephony you would know that the UHI system was discontinued in 2005 when the new Integrated Bluetooth option was made made available. My car is a 2004 model year, the previous owner chose the cradle based in the cellphone that he had when he bought the car new. That is why, my first option would be to "use an ancient Nokia in my larney armrest".

I am aware that Mercedes Benz do put significant markups on the prices of their parts, but find me a car dealership that does not do this. Some things can be bought from other stores like oil, coolant, accessories etc but some parts can just be bought from the dealership.
 
I had the same problem a while ago, except MB only wanted R3600 for the bluetooth adapter.

IMO you're better off buying the adapter second hand than the phone. There are also aftermarket UHI BT cradles if you search enough on the net.


SCHUMI-4-EVA said:
Then don't buy Merc. They've got a chip on their shoulder the size of Mount Rushmore and mark up everything they sell just as audaciously. If you buy Merc then you should be prepared to have R5400 lying around as pocket change and you should only start feeling the hurt around 540K for adding features X Y and Z that you don't need with a nice fancy embroidered Merc badge on each one.

Let's be honest here...why would you use an ancient Nokia in your larney armrest when you've got an Iphone (I'm assuming given the pretentiousness of the armrest) in your pocket?

You're the type of nut that just feeds Merc's self-righteous fleecing.
Click to expand...

Hahahaha, dude that is the best jelly since Rouxenator. Actually, on average Mercedes parts are a lot cheaper than for example Volkswagen. Every car maker will rip you off on the components that you can only buy from them, such as keys, their OEM radios etc.
 
dyllindd said:
I don't have any Apple devices, I stick to Android. So why place me into a stereotype when you clearly do not know me.
Click to expand...
Because you're choosing the pretentious option over the sensible one.

Calling me pretentious based on using the word armrest
Click to expand...
Incorrect. I'm calling the armrest carphone pretentious, you're only so because you're perpetuating that larney nonsense.

is just an indication to me that you have a lack of knowledge about me and my vehicle. If you had knowledge on Mercedes-Benz convenience telephony you would know that the UHI system was discontinued in 2005 when the new Integrated Bluetooth option was made made available. My car is a 2004 model year, the previous owner chose the cradle based in the cellphone that he had when he bought the car new. That is why, my first option would be to "use an ancient Nokia in my larney armrest".
Click to expand...
I know it's an old Merc, otherwise we wouldn't be having this conversation. But it's a non-standard "premium" feature which you're obstinately trying to resuscitate.

I am aware that Mercedes Benz do put significant markups on the prices of their parts, but find me a car dealership that does not do this. Some things can be bought from other stores like oil, coolant, accessories etc but some parts can just be bought from the dealership.
Click to expand...
Parrot (makers of hands-free kits) disagrees with you.
 
SCHUMI-4-EVA said:
Because you're choosing the pretentious option over the sensible one.


Incorrect. I'm calling the armrest carphone pretentious, you're only so because you're perpetuating that larney nonsense.


I know it's an old Merc, otherwise we wouldn't be having this conversation. But it's a non-standard "premium" feature which you're obstinately trying to resuscitate.


Parrot (makers of hands-free kits) disagrees with you.
Click to expand...

Getting the old Nokia would'be been the cheaper option.

I do not like Parrot Handsfree kits. It always looks like a misplaced dash ornament in cars that have them.

The Visseeo MB-4 uses Mercedes' OEM technology. It plugs into the UHI Adapter in the Armrest and you can connect any phone via bluetooth. That costs R3500. It does use Parrot's CK5050 hardware but no extra dash ornaments.

The Nokia idea is just an attempt to utilise what I already have in the vehicle. Why isn't that sensible? Even if I import one, yes its an old phone, but it would still be cheaper than a Parrot system.
 
dyllindd said:
The Nokia idea is just an attempt to utilise what I already have in the vehicle. Why isn't that sensible?
Click to expand...

Because it's inconvenient and doing so requires you to bend over backwards to get an end of life device when all the time you've got your actual phone in the car which you'd much rather be using.

Let me ask this question then. Beyond wanting to complete the system why would you want the car-phone situation when your smartphone is sitting in your pocket the entire time? It's not as if the old Nokia can do any ofthe things most people want would want to be able to do with a hands-free kit. (Parrot was just the first name that sprang to mind by the way)
 
The Nokia would remain in the car. I do technology advisory and consulting. I drive about 150km per day. Yes its an end of life device but I do not want to constantly sit with my phone on my ear while I'm driving. If I got either The Nokia or Visseeo it connects directly into OEM system. With a Parrot I would have to get it installed in the vehicle which I also don't have time for at the moment.

The main feature I want is to dial using the radio keypad and to have sms messages to show on the radio's display. The OEM system can do that. Can a Parrot do that as well?
 
TJ99 said:
Hahahaha, dude that is the best jelly since Rouxenator. Actually, on average Mercedes parts are a lot cheaper than for example Volkswagen. Every car maker will rip you off on the components that you can only buy from them, such as keys, their OEM radios etc.
Click to expand...

Missed this for some reason.

Well VW think they're bloody Merc that's why. For a people's car they've gotten so damn snooty, snootier than Merc for that matter.
Though maybe they'll sing a different tune now after being in for the high-jump at 6bil for not being as green as they said they were.
And yes, ever car-maker will rip you off, but for the likes of GWM for instance that would still mean paying next to nothing compared to the premium brands.
 
dyllindd said:
The Nokia would remain in the car. I do technology advisory and consulting. I drive about 150km per day. Yes its an end of life device but I do not want to constantly sit with my phone on my ear while I'm driving. If I got either The Nokia or Visseeo it connects directly into OEM system. With a Parrot I would have to get it installed in the vehicle which I also don't have time for at the moment.

The main feature I want is to dial using the radio keypad and to have sms messages to show on the radio's display. The OEM system can do that. Can a Parrot do that as well?
Click to expand...

Ok the dialing integration I did now know about.
Well with a standard hands-free kit (as in cigarette-lighter power and car-holder, not even a fancy parrot system) and voice commands you'd still get similar functionality for your regular phone though.
 
I'm sure there must be a solution that integrates with the merc dialer...

Edit: I had a Parrot kit installed on a BMW - was done by the previous owner so I can't give details but I know it was not original because it broke and a guy removed it for me...

The kit was fully integrated into the original radio... I honestly thought it was factory fitted
 
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dyllindd said:
The Nokia would remain in the car. I do technology advisory and consulting. I drive about 150km per day. Yes its an end of life device but I do not want to constantly sit with my phone on my ear while I'm driving. If I got either The Nokia or Visseeo it connects directly into OEM system. With a Parrot I would have to get it installed in the vehicle which I also don't have time for at the moment.

The main feature I want is to dial using the radio keypad and to have sms messages to show on the radio's display. The OEM system can do that. Can a Parrot do that as well?
Click to expand...

Flip if you show up wanting to advise me on technology using a Nokia from the Genghis Khan era, I'm going to tell you to voetsek!
 
I think my dad had that phone lying around, is it black and gold with a blue LCD?
 
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