Con1

Hi All,

I am thinking about buying a 2009 C63 with about 50k miles.

What maintenance items and costs should I expect over the next 50k miles? The car will be driven about 22k miles per year.

There are several remarks in posts about minor issues and ipod connectivity problems with the 2009.

What are the minor, and major, issues and problems with the 09 C63?

What are the problems with ipod/iphone connectivity? Streaming bluetooth audio for an iphone is a must have. What are the solutions?

Any other thoughts and inout would be appreciated.

rage2

There's no issues with connectivity. It's just a little more ghetto, music selection is on the dash, and not on the screen, so it's a PITA fumbling through playlists and songs.

If you want streaming BT audio, you have to get the Media Interface Plus. Not sure if that works with 09's or not. Not sure why you'd want to use BT audio, plugging in the phone charges it, and plays music at a higher quality.

Sheep

The MIP will need an updated COMAND to work so that's moot, and there is that charging issue from the old cable but nothing that a cheap adapter won't fix. The dash control is what drives people nuts. If you NEED bluetooth steam, then you will have to get the MY2010 AND the MIP for $300. Details here: http://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/servic...ts/accessories

Service wise you will need C and D. Prices varies but it should not be over $1500 total. I have heard nothing too series for 09 onward unless you mod.

Sheep

Con1

Thank you for the responses.

I'm glad I asked about the maintenance because several people (not MB owners) said the maintenance costs on MBs was very high. Looks about the same as my Inifiniti.

The reason I want BT streaming audio is to listen to audio books and podcasts, so sound quality isn't critical. Connecting my iPhone to the cable in the glove box renders it pretty much useless unless I will only be listening to one podcast, book or playlist. Reaching over to navigate through playlists while driving isn't such a great idea. With streaming Bluetooth audio, I can easily and quickly navigate playlists on my phone.

The info on the MIP isn't exactly clear. One document states it is compatible with 09 C class and another doesn't show 09 C class in the compatible list.

It looks like the options to get streaming BT audio are: retrofit a 10, 11 or 12 head unit (if that can be done), or go aftermarket.

Sheep

Or take your iPod and find a 09 C63 for a test drive. As far as I know you can control playlist from your dash and no need to reach over to the grove box. The MIP will NOT work for 09's COMAND, and retrofit is a huge pain.

As for the info on the MIP, the forum already had multiple trends on it so you can search a bit. Basically for MY2010+ COMAND, the MIP sync with the COMAND, then sync the phone to the COMAND, then sync the MIP with your Phone. It's complicated, but if works you will get full on BT audio to the COMAND. I don't listen to Podcasts or Pandora, but if I do I will defiantly get it. I don't know a lot about after market solutions, or any BT device that can sync with 2 source at once. Oddly enough that my old Sennheiser VMX 100 CAN sync to 2 devices at once, but I never tried it with my C63 and iPhone.

Sheep

Con1

Thank you Sheep. Doing another search for cars, I've found a 2010 that is of interest.

b16

Few issues with the iPhone.

1.) COMMAND doesn't pick up your contacts from the phone automatically. You need to transfer them manually. I had to do this with a PCMCIA to CF adapter and export my contacts as VCARD format from outlook and import them in the COMMAND system with the CF/PCMCIA.

2.) The iPod cable wont charge your iphone and you can only control the music from the wheel controls and see the song info in the cluster/dash (as stated before). I purchased this adapter (haven't received it yet, but should work). http://www.ebay.com/itm/220987083960...84.m1439.l2649

3.) The COMMAND bluetooth does not allow A2DP audio streaming. I bought this in hopes this will solve the issue. I have not received or tried it yet, but other members have gotten it to work with similar devices. http://www.ebay.com/itm/200639895840...84.m1439.l2649

dubaudi

I have a 2009 and I love it. The main things a 2010 will have that I would be concerned with are backup camera and a better iPod integration.

For what it's worth, I don't even bother using it in my '09. I use an SD card instead, which works perfectly. Using the factory iPod integration made me want to punch my fist through the dashboard. It will drive you completely nuts and is completely distracting.

b16

Agreed, I use the CF/PCMCIA and I have 6 DVD's loaded in the changer full of MP3's. That gets me to around 40GB of music in the car.

Con1

I don't want to download podcasts and audio books to an SD card or burn to CDs/DVDs. I want to be able to get in my car, select iphone as audio source, select a podcast and go. When that podcast is over, I want to be able to easily select another podcast on the go or switch over to music or an audio book.

B16, I'd love to hear how the BT dock adapter works out. It seems like it is good solution. Keep me posted.

Sheep

As for the 5v to 12v adapter, here is the one that most people uses:
The BT adapter that B16 linked should do the trick.

Sheep

cptdaz

I use Anystream for BT streaming. Works great and it was relatively cheap compare to retrofitting 2010+ COMAND interface. Unfortunately Cartronics, the supplier of Anystream closed down recently.

Richard2011

I have an 09 and I can pick songs on the screen above the air vents.

cptdaz

Music will show up on the COMAND screen if you are playing via PC card or disc. The problem is when it's connected via ipod and iphone.

rage2

Get a 2010. I listen to a lot of podcasts on mine, and it's very intuitive with the on screen display + rotary dial.

I have an iPod extension cable that goes from the glove compartment to the cupholders, so I plug my phone in there. I can't access iPod functionality while plugged in on the phone, but I do use txt, calendar here and there (stopped at a red light of course).

Richard2011

I don't have COMAND, just the iPod connector in the glove department. I can choose music from my iPod.

cptdaz

Does it show up on your instrument cluster as well?

Richard2011

Yes. I'll take a picture if I remember.

Merc63

I have an 09 and can pick/control songs from the navi screen with the control ball on the arm rest... iPod and iphone4s.

dubaudi

I'd like to know more about this. In 2009 that wasn't an option. OEM iPod integration was only via the steering wheel controls and displays in the instrument cluster.

If you have some aftermarket iPod integration which works the way you describe, I'd LOVE to know about it!!

Sheep

Guys, if you have an 09 and DO NOT have COMAND, then you can also consider the Nav + 4 (formally known as the Universal Media Interface (UMI)) upgrade. Details here: http://www.benzblogger.com/2009/11/e...now-nav-4.html


Sheep

b16

Fwiw the charging converter worked, but the Bluetooth did not. I'm going to return it and try another device that appears to look just like the any stream device called the ml-d100. It ships from south Korea so will take 2 weeks to get here.

Merc63

This is stock.

In Canada...

I plug it in.. Control with the dial, it comes on the speedo screen and the Navi screen.. I can change songs, see the songs, playlists, randomize, etc.

I have Premium package which includes Ipod integration I believe.

emericr

I have an 09 and live in the US.
I got the dealer to change the cable so that it charges my iphone 4.
You can control the iphone from the steering wheels and go thru the standard menu of the iphone and pick what you want (music, podcasts, etc).
I agree it is a much better integration in MY2010 with the command center but it works fine with MY2009. Feel free to PM me if you want more details

cptdaz

You have way more space than just 40gb. Max capacity for dual layer DVD is about 9.4gb, max PC card is 16gb. 9.4x6+16=72.4gb of music in the car.