What are my options to integrate my ipod to my 2004.5 c230k ss?
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Joined: Mar 2004
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From: SoCal
2004.5 C230K SS - Alabaster White
What are my options to integrate my ipod to my 2004.5 c230k ss?
First of all, I don't wanna get slammed for not using the search function. I did and I'm still not too sure of what my options are. 
Let me say that I'm a girl (not that that means girls aren't capable, but just that I'm more interested in makeup, clothes and shoes than cars and their components). So, I don't really understand all those technical terms and electronic wiring stuff.
Anywho, I would like to use my ipod in my car. From what I gather, I'm not able to use the Ipod Kit that is available from the dealer because it doesn't work for pre-'05's. And I read something about the iceLink ipod integration, but I don't know if that is available or works for my car. On the site, to check for availability, I put in my year, make and model of the car, but all I get is an error page.
The ideal solution to integrate my ipod w/ my car would be to allow me to use the steering wheel controls for the ipod. I personally don't want to do any difficult wiring stuff or taking my car apart myself. I don't want to mess anything up. But I am open to having someone else do it. So if any of you have suggestions/solutions on how to accomplish this and if any of those suggestions/solutions require some hands-on work, if you know of any local shops (Orange County, CA) that can do it, please let me know.
By the way, my head unit has a cassete tape deck and a 6-cd changer.
Thanks in advance!
Let me say that I'm a girl (not that that means girls aren't capable, but just that I'm more interested in makeup, clothes and shoes than cars and their components). So, I don't really understand all those technical terms and electronic wiring stuff.
Anywho, I would like to use my ipod in my car. From what I gather, I'm not able to use the Ipod Kit that is available from the dealer because it doesn't work for pre-'05's. And I read something about the iceLink ipod integration, but I don't know if that is available or works for my car. On the site, to check for availability, I put in my year, make and model of the car, but all I get is an error page.
The ideal solution to integrate my ipod w/ my car would be to allow me to use the steering wheel controls for the ipod. I personally don't want to do any difficult wiring stuff or taking my car apart myself. I don't want to mess anything up. But I am open to having someone else do it. So if any of you have suggestions/solutions on how to accomplish this and if any of those suggestions/solutions require some hands-on work, if you know of any local shops (Orange County, CA) that can do it, please let me know.
By the way, my head unit has a cassete tape deck and a 6-cd changer.
Thanks in advance!
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 6,665
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From: Boston
2004 C32 ///AMG
First of all, I don't wanna get slammed for not using the search function. I did and I'm still not too sure of what my options are.
Let me say that I'm a girl (not that that means girls aren't capable, but just that I'm more interested in makeup, clothes and shoes than cars and their components). So, I don't really understand all those technical terms and electronic wiring stuff.
Anywho, I would like to use my ipod in my car. From what I gather, I'm not able to use the Ipod Kit that is available from the dealer because it doesn't work for pre-'05's. And I read something about the iceLink ipod integration, but I don't know if that is available or works for my car. On the site, to check for availability, I put in my year, make and model of the car, but all I get is an error page.
The ideal solution to integrate my ipod w/ my car would be to allow me to use the steering wheel controls for the ipod. I personally don't want to do any difficult wiring stuff or taking my car apart myself. I don't want to mess anything up. But I am open to having someone else do it. So if any of you have suggestions/solutions on how to accomplish this and if any of those suggestions/solutions require some hands-on work, if you know of any local shops (Orange County, CA) that can do it, please let me know.
By the way, my head unit has a cassete tape deck and a 6-cd changer.
Thanks in advance!
Let me say that I'm a girl (not that that means girls aren't capable, but just that I'm more interested in makeup, clothes and shoes than cars and their components). So, I don't really understand all those technical terms and electronic wiring stuff.
Anywho, I would like to use my ipod in my car. From what I gather, I'm not able to use the Ipod Kit that is available from the dealer because it doesn't work for pre-'05's. And I read something about the iceLink ipod integration, but I don't know if that is available or works for my car. On the site, to check for availability, I put in my year, make and model of the car, but all I get is an error page.
The ideal solution to integrate my ipod w/ my car would be to allow me to use the steering wheel controls for the ipod. I personally don't want to do any difficult wiring stuff or taking my car apart myself. I don't want to mess anything up. But I am open to having someone else do it. So if any of you have suggestions/solutions on how to accomplish this and if any of those suggestions/solutions require some hands-on work, if you know of any local shops (Orange County, CA) that can do it, please let me know.
By the way, my head unit has a cassete tape deck and a 6-cd changer.
Thanks in advance!
part number: A203 540 6107
Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 115
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From: Lakeland, FL
05 C230 Sport Sedan & 02 ML500
Yeah, what he said...AUX input wire is super easy and works great. You won't be able to use your steering wheel controls, but you can get a wireless remote for it and select tracks,adjust volume, and play/pause it. Just put it in the glove box and done! You have to remove 2 panels, but its very easy, plug and play. Good Luck
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Laguna Niguel, CA
Don't listen to these loons, there is no easy way to do what you want with just a cable. Look at it this way, your year MB and possibly the Yugo maybe the only cars made with a cassette radio. Imagine buying an S class MB that year for $100K and having a cassette radio. This was clearly done to punish us for WWII since the rest of the world got a great sounding radio with in-dash CD called the Audio 10.
I put in Comand Navigation, that has AUX-IN and you can control the volume from the steering wheel but you have to control the iPod from itself. This is a $1,000 solution but if you want navigation anyway it's a good way to go.
There is a company, Dension that makes an iPod integration kit that will do what exactly what you want, work your iPod as though it was part of the car. It's expensive, figure about $500 for the Icelink unit and some labor costs. I didn't go this way because I wanted navigation anyway and the AUX IN does it for me. I keep my iPod in shuffle mode on my center console and then press next if I want to skip the song.
Here's the link on this forum to someone that's done it, our friendly forum administrator -
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...hlight=icelink
I put in Comand Navigation, that has AUX-IN and you can control the volume from the steering wheel but you have to control the iPod from itself. This is a $1,000 solution but if you want navigation anyway it's a good way to go.
There is a company, Dension that makes an iPod integration kit that will do what exactly what you want, work your iPod as though it was part of the car. It's expensive, figure about $500 for the Icelink unit and some labor costs. I didn't go this way because I wanted navigation anyway and the AUX IN does it for me. I keep my iPod in shuffle mode on my center console and then press next if I want to skip the song.
Here's the link on this forum to someone that's done it, our friendly forum administrator -
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...hlight=icelink
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,096
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From: Ridgefield, NJ
C320 Sport Sedan 4MATIC, Cayenne S, Bayliner Capri V8, Subaru STi
u can still use volume controls in steering wheel with this:
Monster Cable iCarPlay Wireless FM Transmitter For Apple iPod With Dock Connection
$49.99
Go to your local CompUSA or Click here
i installed this on my sisters FX45......she has no problems and happy with it
Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 109
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Heaven, if you're looking at putting in a little bit of cash on the integration go with Buellwinkles suggestion. If you are trying to keep the cost down there are plenty of answers, not the best for ease of use or sound quality but they're answers.
Good luck.
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Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: SoCal
2004.5 C230K SS - Alabaster White
I don't really want COMAND, I hear it's not as great and I have a portable Garmin Nuvi that works great. Plus I don't want to spend that much $$$! And FM transmitters suck ****. Sigh, still looking for ipod integration options for my car...anyone with solutions?
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From: Laguna Niguel, CA
What was wrong with the Dension Icelink, that's what it's for, true iPod integration?
FM transmitters, I thought they outlawed those. Heck you can't even get FM transmitters anymore as part of the radio with XM or Sirius, just SureConnect which is a cheezy clip that goes on your antenna and doesn't even work as well as the FM transmitter.
FM transmitters, I thought they outlawed those. Heck you can't even get FM transmitters anymore as part of the radio with XM or Sirius, just SureConnect which is a cheezy clip that goes on your antenna and doesn't even work as well as the FM transmitter.
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2002 c230k hb
But you still have the weak head unit playing your music so its going to sound terrible.
Pioneer Avic D3 + C.a.r.p113 from ebay will keep your steering wheel controls. Its an amazing system with much for expandability than an oem MB system.
Pioneer Avic D3 + C.a.r.p113 from ebay will keep your steering wheel controls. Its an amazing system with much for expandability than an oem MB system.
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From: Laguna Niguel, CA
Does that have full iPod integraiton, see song name on dash display, change tracks from steering wheel controls? Sure the factory radio sounds bad but many people have a huge library of cassettes and some people like the factory look rather than an add on that doesn't match. The radio I liked the most for these older MBs is the MB Audio 10 CD, great sound, indash CD (sorry cassette lovers) and then put the Icelink.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 258
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From: redondo beach, ca
2005 C230 SS
i dont think this was mentioned, but how about the old school cassette adaptor? my sister has this on ther corolla, with her ipod mini, sounds ok. i dont know how the MB cassette head units were, but it has to be better than those FM transmitters. This will not give you steering wheel controls (aside from volume) but it is BY FAR the cheapest solution...your next solution would be to get a new headunit and/or Dension.
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From: Fresno, CA
'09 A4 S Line
I was using the tape adapter for a while, then got the Soundgate iPod kit, which works wonderfully. You can't control the iPod through the steering wheel or head unit (with the exception of volume), but the sound quality is pretty darn good and it charges my iPod while I drive.
Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 223
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From: SF
Amg C32
u can still use volume controls in steering wheel with this:
Monster Cable iCarPlay Wireless FM Transmitter For Apple iPod With Dock Connection
$49.99
Go to your local CompUSA or Click here
i installed this on my sisters FX45......she has no problems and happy with it
Monster Cable iCarPlay Wireless FM Transmitter For Apple iPod With Dock Connection
$49.99
Go to your local CompUSA or Click here
i installed this on my sisters FX45......she has no problems and happy with it
Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 113
Likes: 3
From: Tucson, AZ
Actually, it can. 
For an extra $30.00 you get to lose the wires and the flexible gooseneck positions the holder perfectly off to the side of your cigarette lighter.
I still get better quality sound with the casette adaptor and for only $15.00 I'll live with the wire when I want to listen to Stone Temple Pilots at full volume.
For an extra $30.00 you get to lose the wires and the flexible gooseneck positions the holder perfectly off to the side of your cigarette lighter.I still get better quality sound with the casette adaptor and for only $15.00 I'll live with the wire when I want to listen to Stone Temple Pilots at full volume.
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2002 c230k hb
Does that have full iPod integraiton, see song name on dash display, change tracks from steering wheel controls? Sure the factory radio sounds bad but many people have a huge library of cassettes and some people like the factory look rather than an add on that doesn't match. The radio I liked the most for these older MBs is the MB Audio 10 CD, great sound, indash CD (sorry cassette lovers) and then put the Icelink.
Yes, yes and yes.
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From: SoCal
2004.5 C230K SS - Alabaster White
What was wrong with the Dension Icelink, that's what it's for, true iPod integration?
FM transmitters, I thought they outlawed those. Heck you can't even get FM transmitters anymore as part of the radio with XM or Sirius, just SureConnect which is a cheezy clip that goes on your antenna and doesn't even work as well as the FM transmitter.
FM transmitters, I thought they outlawed those. Heck you can't even get FM transmitters anymore as part of the radio with XM or Sirius, just SureConnect which is a cheezy clip that goes on your antenna and doesn't even work as well as the FM transmitter.
(from the website: http://www.densionusa.com/icelink_info.htm)
"The ultimate car integration kit for your iPod...
The ice>Link Plus plays high quality music from your iPod through your existing car entertainment system's CD changer port. There is no longer a need for cassette adapters, cigarette lighter chargers or bulky FM transmitters. You can start enjoying crisp, clean CD quality music with charging and iPod control from your exisitng car entertainment system. Imagine having access to over 10,000 MP3s at the touch of a button.
This item has been discontinued in the US."
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Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Vaansterdaam, BC, Canada
W209 CLK
I know it's probably not what heaven was looking for, but doesn't the JL Audio Cleansweep system allow you to integrate your ipod and after market sound system to the stock MB system?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: SoCal
2004.5 C230K SS - Alabaster White
But tell me more...what is the "C.a.r.p113?" How's the nav software?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: SoCal
2004.5 C230K SS - Alabaster White
Does that have full iPod integraiton, see song name on dash display, change tracks from steering wheel controls? Sure the factory radio sounds bad but many people have a huge library of cassettes and some people like the factory look rather than an add on that doesn't match. The radio I liked the most for these older MBs is the MB Audio 10 CD, great sound, indash CD (sorry cassette lovers) and then put the Icelink.
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From: SF East Bay
"Double Stuff" SOLD | Nor*Cals "Pesky Audi"
Before when I looked for it, it wasn't available for my car and year. And now it seems to be discontinued.. .
(from the website: http://www.densionusa.com/icelink_info.htm)
"The ultimate car integration kit for your iPod...
The ice>Link Plus plays high quality music from your iPod through your existing car entertainment system's CD changer port. There is no longer a need for cassette adapters, cigarette lighter chargers or bulky FM transmitters. You can start enjoying crisp, clean CD quality music with charging and iPod control from your exisitng car entertainment system. Imagine having access to over 10,000 MP3s at the touch of a button.
This item has been discontinued in the US."
(from the website: http://www.densionusa.com/icelink_info.htm)
"The ultimate car integration kit for your iPod...
The ice>Link Plus plays high quality music from your iPod through your existing car entertainment system's CD changer port. There is no longer a need for cassette adapters, cigarette lighter chargers or bulky FM transmitters. You can start enjoying crisp, clean CD quality music with charging and iPod control from your exisitng car entertainment system. Imagine having access to over 10,000 MP3s at the touch of a button.
This item has been discontinued in the US."
i called dension directly and they have it made available for $549+$40 shipping for the iceLINK gateway 500. that is the ONLY system that works for the D2B system, that they provide.
i do plan on getting one.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: SoCal
2004.5 C230K SS - Alabaster White
i dont think this was mentioned, but how about the old school cassette adaptor? my sister has this on ther corolla, with her ipod mini, sounds ok. i dont know how the MB cassette head units were, but it has to be better than those FM transmitters. This will not give you steering wheel controls (aside from volume) but it is BY FAR the cheapest solution...your next solution would be to get a new headunit and/or Dension.
Before that I used a Belkin FM Transmitter. It was so-so sometimes and if you can stand listening to ur music with static then ok. But the bad reception got to me and I just wanted to fling that thing outta the window while on the freeway. FM Transmitter = Road Rage (for me at least)
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From: SoCal
2004.5 C230K SS - Alabaster White
Hm...first time I heard about this one. Sounds cool. Doesn't give much more info on the site. I'll have to call em and ask em about it, I guess.. But if anyone knows more info about this, please share. Thanks!
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From: SoCal
2004.5 C230K SS - Alabaster White
How odd, was I like on the wrong Dension site or something? And is that what you call my friggin system (that is so incompatible with everything)? D2B? How do I know which one I have?
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for now i got a cassette adapter i got from target for $10, (but its in teh automotive section not the electronics) its white with a phone cord type spiral wire and since the wire is so thin on it, the cass door closes shut with no problems
