I just got a great used 2005 C230 Sport over the weekend. LOVE. It has the 'phone' pad on the radio. It does have the cable in the center storage that goes to the smaller top part of the storage...I believe, from what I've read, that means it is wired for a phone, although it didn't come with a phone.

I've read so much information on the internet about the phone that I'm a little confused. The last post I could find on this forum about using Bluetooth with a 2005 C was from 2007 and I just want to see if anything new has happened since then. I would prefer not to spend $699 (ouch!) on the MB CDMA phone that the link in that post references, since it looks like I'll already have to spend $500 on the module that connects to the phone wiring and makes it bluetooth. (I say with a questioning look my face.) Is the $699 phone my only option? Is there some new easier LESS expensive way to make a wireless phone work seamlessly (through the radio and using the steering wheel controls)? I can't afford to make an expensive mistake. Our service is with Verizon. Thanking in advance!