mp3 or ipod integration in C class
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C 220 CDI Elegance (W203)
mp3 or ipod integration in C class
I have a prerestyling C class w203 manufactured in 2003.
The radio is the standard model with CD, with controls on steering wheel, without cd changer.
I'd like to know what is the best method for connnecting an ipod and use it trough the button of the original radio. In my BMW I used an ICE link plus (by Dension) and was great with many functions: charging ipod, reading mp3 tag, scroll playlist, scroll by artist, album and the sound was perfect!
If the connection of an ipod is too expensive, is it possibe to read mp3 cds with mp3 tag viewing in any other way??
(sorry for my english)
The radio is the standard model with CD, with controls on steering wheel, without cd changer.
I'd like to know what is the best method for connnecting an ipod and use it trough the button of the original radio. In my BMW I used an ICE link plus (by Dension) and was great with many functions: charging ipod, reading mp3 tag, scroll playlist, scroll by artist, album and the sound was perfect!
If the connection of an ipod is too expensive, is it possibe to read mp3 cds with mp3 tag viewing in any other way??
(sorry for my english)
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Joined: Nov 2007
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From: London, GB
RHD C200 Sport Coupe, RHD SLK-55, LHD SLK-350
Search the forums, specifically the W203 threads - this has been discussed in detail.
The car you have uses the MB D2B fiber bus, which limits your options on integrating an iPod. No matter what method you use, you will not get the MP3 tags to display on the HU or the steering column display. You end up with CD3 Track 45 type of displays.
The cheapest way to do it is to use the DICE D2B iPod kit - works fine, but the included instrunctions are absolute crap. In the W203 thread there's a pretty good walk through.
Next solution is the use of a Denison Gateway 500 - more expensive, but more functionality, and the long term hope that they will get CAN-Bus integration working where you would get song titles, etc on the steering column controls..
There are other kits that allow the addition of "AUX in" on a d2b system, but to be honest, the cost is about the same as the DICE solution..
The car you have uses the MB D2B fiber bus, which limits your options on integrating an iPod. No matter what method you use, you will not get the MP3 tags to display on the HU or the steering column display. You end up with CD3 Track 45 type of displays.
The cheapest way to do it is to use the DICE D2B iPod kit - works fine, but the included instrunctions are absolute crap. In the W203 thread there's a pretty good walk through.
Next solution is the use of a Denison Gateway 500 - more expensive, but more functionality, and the long term hope that they will get CAN-Bus integration working where you would get song titles, etc on the steering column controls..
There are other kits that allow the addition of "AUX in" on a d2b system, but to be honest, the cost is about the same as the DICE solution..
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From: Tampa, FL
2005 S500 4-Matic, 1978 450SL
UK-C200 has given a good assessment, and covered the realistic options. However, I understand from folks who have used the DICE unit that scrolling is far slower than on the Dension Gateway 500.
Also, the GW 500 has an option that leaves the iPod controls active, so you can do all of your music selection and scrolling on it; and it provides steering wheel controls for volume (if you have them).
Sound quality with the Gateway 500 is superb because of its fiber optic integration.
Also, the GW 500 has an option that leaves the iPod controls active, so you can do all of your music selection and scrolling on it; and it provides steering wheel controls for volume (if you have them).
Sound quality with the Gateway 500 is superb because of its fiber optic integration.
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From: London, GB
RHD C200 Sport Coupe, RHD SLK-55, LHD SLK-350
;-) DICE allows you to retain the use of the iPod controls as well - which, to be honest, is what I do about 90% of the time.
In all fairness, if I did it again, I'd probably go with the Gateway just because there is a chance of active development (therefore improved functionality). The DICE kit will require you to purchase and fabricate power connections as well - trivial if you are familiar with electronics - but another step.
All in all the DICE kit meets my needs, and has worked well, so I can't complain too much.
In all fairness, if I did it again, I'd probably go with the Gateway just because there is a chance of active development (therefore improved functionality). The DICE kit will require you to purchase and fabricate power connections as well - trivial if you are familiar with electronics - but another step.
All in all the DICE kit meets my needs, and has worked well, so I can't complain too much.
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C 220 CDI Elegance (W203)
Thank's, do you know if there are alternatives for playing mp3 in car, like cd changer with mp3 reading capability or aftermarkets HU very similar in appearence to mercedes one??
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From: London, GB
RHD C200 Sport Coupe, RHD SLK-55, LHD SLK-350
Hmmm - don't think there's a MB D2B head that reads mp3's - I vaguely remember someone claiming to have a MB changer that would, but I've never seen one.
Aftermarket wise, I had a Blaupunkt Queens HU in the wifes' car, along with the CAN-BUS kit to interface with the steering controls and an iPod kit as well. The Queens allows you to exactly match the color scheme of the MB HU, but like most aftermarkets, it's a standard DIN, so you will need a faceplate/adapter. I ended up buying two as the first was a shiny plastic piece of ****.
The Queens was one of the few HU's that I found that didn't have tons of chrome or flashy bits - looked quite nice in the car.
Do make sure you read the w203 forum, and understand what you lose if you pull out the factory HU - it's not the only thing using the fiber loop, but it is the only thing controlling it....
Aftermarket wise, I had a Blaupunkt Queens HU in the wifes' car, along with the CAN-BUS kit to interface with the steering controls and an iPod kit as well. The Queens allows you to exactly match the color scheme of the MB HU, but like most aftermarkets, it's a standard DIN, so you will need a faceplate/adapter. I ended up buying two as the first was a shiny plastic piece of ****.
The Queens was one of the few HU's that I found that didn't have tons of chrome or flashy bits - looked quite nice in the car.
Do make sure you read the w203 forum, and understand what you lose if you pull out the factory HU - it's not the only thing using the fiber loop, but it is the only thing controlling it....
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C 220 CDI Elegance (W203)
http://www.autotoys.com/x/product.php?productid=3221
I found this product. It says D2B comunication protocol, I'm quite sure that is not what I'm looking for but if it interfaces itself well with my car I would be very interested. Do you know something about it?
I found this product. It says D2B comunication protocol, I'm quite sure that is not what I'm looking for but if it interfaces itself well with my car I would be very interested. Do you know something about it?
