Richard

Did you try turning the volume down from the hidden menu 1st ? And does your car have the HK sound system ?
R

kjb55

I have the new version of the ipod kit, with the volume setting. I did not manually reset the ECU back to the original volume setting, but I did disconnect the main cable (to the head unit) in order to install the amp. I suppose that that could have reset the ECU volume setting.

I do have the Harmon-Kardon system.

I can definitely say that it solved the problem for me, the audio from the iPod matches the other selections such as CD or Radio, and the sound is clear.

slowrey

Well I do have the HK system and I did play with the volume setting and lowered it to the ----- instead of the ++++. However I think it actually sounds better without the inline amp for some reason.

Do you all think because I have a 2006 that somethings different??

lep354

Anyone install this in a W211 yet or have any idea how to install? Would appreciate any feedback. I am very disappointed with the ipod integration/volume in my 08 E 350 which was factory installed. I would have much rather had the AUX in; at least the volume would have been consistent. Steering wheel controls on the MB kit are very slow and cumbersome as well.

my06clk

This is great!! its about time... I think the only reason the price is so low is that they ( Mercedes or Peiker) messed up in the first place and are basically giving th thing away.. Either way great to hear they have a fix for this long standing issue. I posted many threads and work arounds for this in the past but this is nice to see. I might purchase a few of these just because....

lep354...

This will work on the W211 as well. You simply remove the RJ45ish plug from the module and plug it into the amp. Then the plug from the amp goes back into the module. That's it. Inline amplifier...

largeal

...got mine too, paid .11, installed it today in my 2007 G500 - SAVED the day - it fixed my low volume issue... if anyone is having Distortion with the New AMP, TRY setting your iPod EQ setting to OFF, that MAY help. i experimented and got a CLEANER sound with the ipod EQ OFF.
So i can still hear the Fidelity/Volume attenuation that was INTENTIONALLY built into the AUX channel, when compared to the CD or RADIO, but Now that the ipod has MORE volume, i can LIVE with the lower Fidelity Bandwidth the AUX channel has. I Just wish that the Freakin MB mechanics KNEW what we did. They INSTALLED my Ipod KIT just a month ago, and handed me the keys, those idiots never even noticed the difference in volume, i always feel like a TEST pilot when i buy New Cars, and its always at MY expense.
i INSTALLED the New AMP in my 2007 g500, it took a bit of effort to get at the wiring, but it all worked out great.

ALSO NOTEWORTHY - i MADE the dealer install a 2008 Instrument cluster in my 07 truck so that the Ipod kit would work... when i bought the truck back in april, they installed the kit but it NEVER worked, again - IDIOTS - they NEVER tested the Ipod kit, just charged me $900 and handed me the keys... it NEVER worked, then it took about 6 months of Pestering them but they FINALLY agreed and replaced my Instrument Cluster with a new 2008 unit, which ALLOWED the Ipod integration kit to function, albeit, poorly with low volume! it made me wonder why i had fought for something that SUCKED so badly .but NOW after many many months of VERY Frustrating Rounds, i finally feel i have what i was supposed to, but ONLY Thanks to my OWN efforts, diligence and time invested. Lucky for MB, the g500 is in a class by itself or i would likely NOT buy another MB product, but i am hooked now!

lep354

my06clk

I understand that part of it...but am wondering "where" this goes inline. Supposedly there is access under the glove box on the passenger side so the entire head unit does not have to come out.

Richard

It depends where the installer put the iPod control unit. Could be anywhere between the head unit and where the cable comes into the glovebox.

However, it is most likely to be above the passengers feet (above that panel there) - 2-3 screws to undo and have a look

R

D Bst

Just a "heads-up" in case there are folks intending to get these inline amps from your local Mercedes dealer.

I went to my local dealer yesterday to order one, correct part number, shown as in stock at the distribution centre and price.... yep... $0.10 each.

Parts guy couldn't believe the price and so he called Mercedes to check...

Guess what... the online Mercedes price is WRONG!!! These things are supposed to retail @ $35.00 each and Mercedes will be adjusting the price... soon I guess...

The parts guy would therefor NOT order me any at $0.10 each saying he'd have to charge $35.00 each..

I politely declined and for that price point said I'd roll my own....

Having said that, I drive a few extra miles to the next delear and ordered @ $0.10 (plus tax) no questions asked.

So, get 'em while you can, if you are even "thinking" about it.... might save you a few bucks...

D Bst

That's the location in a W211 according to the installation guide (and about the only location it can go due to the wire loom - i know.. I fitted my own).

It's a simple plug and play solution... will be fitting mine tonight I hope.

Powerplay

I went today to buy the inline amplifier at my dealer. The parts guy asked me what it was for? He said he had no idea what it was.

The funny thing was, (just like you guys said in this thread!) he had to ask his manager to double check the .10 price!!! HA! Too funny! He couldn't believe it!

Thanks for the advice guys! I'll let you know how I make out after the install.

D Bst

Fitted mine today.... WOW! What a difference.

Volume level considerably raised... I now notice that switching back to CD or Radio gives a lower volume than the Ipod...(yes I switched the volume to --- on the display as at +++ it was distorting).

Quick 5 minute exercise.
Remove two torx T25 (?) bolts in the panel above the passengers feet.
Pull down the panel (slight side twist to clear air vent connection)
Unplug existing lead into Ipod Controller.
Switch in new amp box/cable
Put it all back.

Not bad for $0.11 (with tax).

lep354

Thanks D Bst! I'll see if I want to contort my body underneath the glovebox and fit this. How hard is it to reconnect the airvent properly? I'm assuming enough room in there to place the new amp?

D Bst

Easy... I did mine kneeling on the floor outside the car.

Space is tight for the inline amp thing... but it fits.. Bear in mind though that mine was an post-production fit, so maybe not the exact position that Hans or Gruber might have put it according to the AMG specs...

Also, the airvent thing is pretty much just an outlet deflector that you just line up and then bolt the panel (of which it is a part) back up.

EASY! DO IT!

lep354

Thanks again...will order the part next week and give it a shot. This is my first MB, so am a little reluctant to DIY. Your encouragement helps!

largeal

i experimented after installing the In-Line AMP and i TOO discovered that it sounded BETTER with the VOLUME set to the LOW Position in the Hidden menu... also, having the IPOD set with the EQ OFF helped a little too. mine sounds good now and loud (Normal)

pinebaron

I just ordered one one; be picking it up on Thursday. The parts man chuckled; 10 cents. I told him it was a piece of cable and a very cheap part. No further questions. Let's see how it goes on Thursday.

NewMoses

Yesterday I had my local dealership install a new MP-Designs wheel in my E55. I asked them to install an iPod amp too and I gave them the part #. I told my service adviser to sit down and brace himself when he checked the price on the amp. He said, "No kidding. 10¢???"

My total bill was $91.27. Not bad.

pinebaron

10c is what I paid for it today; no doubt the salesman said it can't be right etc. etc; he spent 20 minutes with accounting and MBUSA and returned saying his instructions were to sell at computer displayed price; 10c

I was so tempted to order about 10 of them but I would have no use for more.

Get them while you can!

NewMoses

Big problem. After the dealer installed my iPod amp, the sound quality of my Bluetooth phone is AWFUL. Even if the iPod is unplugged. It does not sound like alternator whine you might hear with a ground loop, it's just full of static. Almost not usable.

I get full signal strength on the phone. I wonder if they loosened a connection or if the iPod amp is not compatible with Bluetooth phone usage?

Skylaw

Did you review prior posts in this string for some of the settings used with the amplifier?

NewMoses

Yes. I used the hidden menu to set the Comand amp to (---). That make the iPod sound better, but no change to the garbled, static sounding Bluetooth. Is there something else I missed? (Thanks for the quick reply)

pinebaron

I can only presume you are using the Apple iphone for the amp to cause issues with your bluetooth phone.
I use a regular 80GB Ipod and a Blackberry World Edition 8830 for Bluetooth phone use.

NewMoses

Yes, it is an iPhone. Why would that be different?

pinebaron

I think because it is a common device; phone + Ipod and the new amp connector voltage is dropping when using the phone (phone, when in use, pulls more current than just the Ipod), resulting in intereference. All this is hypothetical ofcourse; being an electronic and communication engineer permits me to make this hypothesis.

I spoke to my son who has the iPhone and he frequently sticks it into the plug (instead of my Ipod) when he rides with me; he says use the Iphone in 'Airplane' mode to reduce the intereference. He also admits the Iphone suffers from interference though I don't have many details yet. I will experiment with his Iphone in my car to replicate your issue and report my findings.