boosting1bar

Starting to read about a lot of models being retrofitted with the Carplay set up. Seems the common consensus on all these models is that it can't be done...until it is. Few folks on another CLA forum even had it done at their MB dealer. Involved swapping out the USB ports with part number 246-820-38-00 and then just software update/modification and it was only costing $250 or so. Carplay/Android Auto aren't ideal, but are SO much better than the COMAND system in my opinion.

There are even some aftermarket shops doing the retrofits. According to the aftermarket shops anyone with a 16+ model with COMAND can have it added. I'm very interested to see if this is possible. There's nowhere local to me that I really trust, I just moved here and haven't been impressed by any of the local shops. May try to reach out to the shop I used to use in FL and see what their thoughts are but I'm sure they're going to need the car to poke around and look at it. Just wondered if anyone had any real experience or input other than what the MB dealer has said.

California John

Please keep everyone informed of your findings. I'm interested as well.

boosting1bar

Are you actually in California? One of the main shops doing it (and reporting it online) is in Costa Mesa.

Astolfo

Do you have their address or phone number? I could not find a MB dealer in Costa Mesa

boosting1bar

It's an aftermarket place in Costa Mesa, Rocco's Auto Tech. Here's a link to one of their videos of a B series but they've shown A B and G I know.

emericr

That is awesome news. I am also in Florida and would love to do this.

boosting1bar

I'm going to be over there next week, going to reach out to UA in Orlando and see if they can figure it out. If so I'm going to drive over instead of flying.

emericr

My local service guy at the dealer is very friendly and is looking into it right now.
Orlando is close enough that I could drive there as well .
The service tech however said that hacking into the command center could be an issue as they have seen some going bad and you SOL warranty wise. food for thought.

boosting1bar

Yeah if it's a hack it's questionable but seems like the dealerships have software versions that have it enabled that they can load.

emericr

Agreed as it is available on 2017 E class and it only requires a different USB part but you know MB is not too keen on retrofit and want you to buy a whole new car. They need to take lessons from Tesla...

e350wagon1

I called Costa Mesa. 549 plus tax. Process is uploading latest SW from MB servers - few hours - and enabling CP. He'll need VIN to assess viability. Min - Jan 2017 - was OK. 500 mile drive one way, so I'll hold for now but remain interested in people who ended up adding CP successfully...

Astolfo

Are you saying that all what they need is the latest code in the Command and enabling it?
Thanks
Astolfo

AMG 17GT

At first I thought this was great, but then I realized I have an iPhone that I plug in for much better audio and I'd rather spend the $$$ on ALP jammers and listening to this exhaust.

And will be deleting resonators for some more of that good stuff

e350wagon1

if i understand correctly it's a SW upgrade and an exchange of the USB module.

boosting1bar

Yeah that's what I understand it to be as well. Now to just find someone close enough to me to do it haha!

boosting1bar

I got some more info and am working on getting a couple things together. Looks like I might have a promising solution. Will update once I get it all. Will be out of town this week when it comes but hopefully early the next week.

RDOCA

Maybe we could get a CA power buy if we had enough interest and they would give a better price like maybe $350-$400 per.

any downsides?
Does apply play require plugging in with a USB cord or can it be connected via Bluetooth?

boosting1bar

Carplay can be used wirelessly in some cars, but Mercedes isn't one of them though. BMW and I believe KIA just announced the first cars that do it wirelessly for 2018 models I believe. The idea behind carplay of course is that you don't have your phone out ****ing with it in the first place while driving so having it plugged in isn't a problem in theory.

The only real obvious downside to me is that there's no relief in the console lid of our cars for the cable coming out. I travel a lot for work and there's really no comparison between Apple/Google maps & Waze vs. OEM nav systems. They're updated much quicker and respond so much faster to road conditions and traffic, etc. I've been using the Scoche cig lighter magnetic mount someone posted here with my cable coming out of the console so far. If carplay worked you could just plug it in and drop it in the console and not worry about it. It's really frustrating that the capability is there but MB just chose not to enable it in so many models for whatever reason.

California John

This is how I handle "no relief in the console lid..."

boosting1bar

lol exactly same as my soultion

AMG 17GT

Same here...

e350wagon1

On the same topic - still looking for a Proclip quality level phone mount for our car. Anyone?

DriveAMG

Bad news on that front... I was in touch with Proclip directly and they said nothing in the pipeline for a few months yet as they don't have anything to measure with... they offered if I bought my car down to measure but I'm way too far away... hit them up on the book of faces and they will respond immediately... I ended up modding the little cup in the cup holder to hold my iPhone 7 proclip mount and it works perfectly. ill post pics later when I'm in the car...

DriveAMG

any part numbers on the CarPlay thing would be great...

AMG 17GT

Anyone try this yet?