Updated Ipod Cable? - MBWorld.org Forums

Jul 14, 2008 | 01:22 PM

krown

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2007 ML63 ///AMG

Updated Ipod Cable?

I'm about to pull the trigger and upgrade my 07 ML500 to and 08 ML63. I currently have the old Ipod Integration kit that allows viewing the songs via the drivers info screen. However, I have heard that the 09 SUVs will have a brand new Ipod kit which will allow control through the COMAND console:

http://www.benzblogger.com/2008/03/m...rface-for.html

I have searched this forum and haven't found any additional details to this. Can anyone confirm that this kit can be dealer installed on an 08?

Thanks.

Jul 16, 2008 | 01:42 PM

krown

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2007 ML63 ///AMG

No ideas? I thought this would be a godsend for current owners with the half-assed ipod integration kit MB currently offers.

Jul 16, 2008 | 01:48 PM

Skylaw

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From: Tampa, FL

2005 S500 4-Matic, 1978 450SL

My dealership has a fairly knowledgeable senior telematics technician; I had my car in for routine service this morning; he knew of some changes and improvements in the '09 COMAND system (among them, Bluetooth will be standard) but he did not have all of the details. With the '09 COMAND differing from the '07 and '08, and the cable being new, we may just have to wait a bit - but we'll certainly be interested.

He also did not know (yet) whether the new iPhone cradle announced in Europe recently would be compatible with the '09 phone system, or earlier ones. We went through his books, but he had no update information on that, yet.

Last edited by Skylaw; Jul 16, 2008 at 01:51 PM.

Jul 16, 2008 | 02:24 PM

UK-C200

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From: London, GB

RHD C200 Sport Coupe, RHD SLK-55, LHD SLK-350

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skylaw

I'll ask again, but I'm almost 100% positive that the COMAND w/ UCI in the '09 SLK's will allow you to control the iPod via COMAND.

It also allows you to connect USB devices as well!

Jul 17, 2008 | 02:03 PM

krown

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2007 ML63 ///AMG

Thanks for the info uk-c200, I'll be waiting with baited breath since the Denison GW500 was quoted $1000 CAN installed!

Jul 17, 2008 | 06:13 PM

UK-C200

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From: London, GB

RHD C200 Sport Coupe, RHD SLK-55, LHD SLK-350

Quote:

Originally Posted by krown

Thanks for the info uk-c200, I'll be waiting with baited breath since the Denison GW500 was quoted $1000 CAN installed!

Hmmmm - GW500 is about $449usd, and given that your loonies are better than our dollars now, that sounds a bit high. It's not a trivial install, but $500 labor seems high to me.

On the '09 US model SLK's with COMAND and multimedia, you can control your iPod via the COMAND, access SD cards (2gb limit), and use USB (up to 32gb tested to work). COMAND does not scroll long names, so you have to take that into account when sorting your media.

USB is obviously UCI aware, but their are reports of various degrees of success with getting a Zune to function properly - it mates but was throwing errors when trying to play.

My understanding is that the '09 COMAND+UCI is not retrofittable to an '08 SLK, so I suspect that the same is true with other model cars. Evidently there's a lot more to "upgrade" than just the COMAND unit itself - let's hope our NL friends sort something out!

FYI, it's worth a trip to the dealer to see one of the new units in action - whilst it's not a reason in and of itself to get a new car, it's at least something that "feels" modern from a feature standpoint.

Also be aware that in the US, early order SLK's did not come with the USB cable, just the iPod and AUX.

Last edited by UK-C200; Jul 17, 2008 at 06:16 PM.

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