boom132

I just got the Mercedes Ipod Integration kit installed with support from the following link:

http://www.mymbonline.com/forum/187-...2007-w203.html

Wow is all I can say... very cool that I can control my Ipod from the steering wheel controls.. I like it.

now, next on the agenda... bluetooth phone integration... wish that "company" didn't go out of business.

FraKctured

Awesome! I did this about a year ago to my car and a friend's '05 C230K and it worked like a charm. Still irks me that this wasn't included as standard equipment though--by 2005, the iPod was not a "new thing" and the kit is cheap and easy to install even after the fact. I'm guessing this would have cost MB less than $75 to include as standard equipment (labor to install during assembly would take only minutes). And it's still not standard in the C-Class? That's ridiculous.

I've loved having this in my car. With podcasts and iTunes University and MP3 Books, it has made long trips very nice, and as you said, having the controls on the steering wheel is fantastic.

Enjoy the tunes and enjoy the $300-$600 you saved on the DIY!!

atmsanchez

how much where the parts from mercedes. does this work with the iphone to or only ipod?

LILBENZ230

I am doing this to my car sometime this summer. My only concern is volume. There seems to be mixed reviews, some saying it works great and others saying the volume is just permanently low.

boom132

Volume seems fine so far... no complaints.

I purchased the kit from a member in our forum... THANK YOU!

Here is the part number on the bag of parts:
B67824204 - "wire harness iPod interface"

atmsanchez

So anyone know price in this

FraKctured

I bought two kits from Sovereign on ebay--fast service, OEM as promised.

$195

http://www.ebay.com/itm/iPod-Integra...item588a61afe2

FraKctured

I've had no issues at all with volume--works great. Some said that the software upgrades can mess that up, but I haven't had any problems (and I've used three different iPods--an old "classic" and two versions of the iPod Touch).

Only problem I've had is that sometimes when I start the car, the iPod doesn't start--have to unplug it and then it works fine. It happened regularly in the cold weather, but not once since it warmed up.

Moviela

There is one drawback for some people with the iPod integration kit. There is only one AUX IN connection on the head unit. If you have a 1/8" stereo minijack in the glove box the iPod kit will disable it.

The volume issue is usually with ripped music that was turned into a data file at reduced volume.

Someone asked if they could put a late model (2005+) head unit in an earler car and use the iPod kit. You cannot. The fiber optic protocol is different in pre-facelift vehicles, and the front SAM programming is not there for the canBUS to read the messages from the iPod and display them on the MFD. The steering wheel switches may or may not work depending on which version of the SAM is installed. Most do not work.

boom132

I've used it extensively today... and again, I'm so happy! It works great. Not sure why I need a 6 disc changer anymore...

Moviela

You need it in case your Grandpa gives you a CD for your birthday!

mikehassy

Great.. I have used this.Now its available in cheep rate.

deadly_bom

My grandpa gives a a cassette?

FraKctured

Yea, I don't use the changer at all anymore. Why wasn't the iPod integration stock?? I've been asking that for years--can't understand why MB wouldn't include that. Cheap part, very little labor, but high annoyance from customers when their neighbor with the Ford Focus has it but their MB doesn't.

drho2004

Hello. I too install this on my 2005k with Audio 20. easier than i thought and i bought it from the same dude on ebay. works great, much better sound than that 1/8" adapter. ONLY gripe i have is that even with the Command (planning to getting one soon) you cannot see the Track Title/Song Title on the Command screen-only on the dash....wish those guys didnt go out of business...

FraKctured

+1! Looks very low rent to see the Command unit displaying "Aux Unit" or whatever it says instead of the track title. And the dash display is so short (7-8 characters?), I had to revise all of my iTunes folders with short form band names so that I knew what I was selecting.

Still, great to have the iPod in the car charging and sounding great, and to have steering wheel control, even if it is a little lame.

boom132

Funny thing about the charging... I have 2 Ipod Nanos... the older 2G one stays charged... the newer 8Gb one does not charge... odd.

drho2004

very true, that cartronics had a nice module that let the command unit show up txt from the ipod. it replaced the cd changer --i was fine with that--too bad they no longer around...i have the HK sound system pretty clean sound, ****ty bass hahaha..

boom132

I wonder what happened with Cartronic's in stock items... really sucks they are gone... finally made the decision to purchase the phone/bluetooth kit, and I find out they are no longer in business... SUCK!

Young092

Volume seems fine so far

FraKctured

I hadn't heard about the cartronics system...too bad it's no longer available.

I heard a story on the radio this week that after-market car audio is tanking because the stock systems are so good. I forget the exact figures, but I think sales are down by over 50% from 8 years ago, and they expect it to continue downward, so prices for after-market audio are expected to rise as they make less and less units.

FraKctured

Good to hear (no pun intended)!

ilde10

placed order, i hope this works ok.

deuxslow

There's a hidden access menu in for the ipod integration. Press the down arrow and hang up buttons on the steering wheel at the exact same time for about 5-10 seconds...the cluster will show the serial number and software number for the kit and then a volume menu... it'll look like "VOLUME +++" or "VOLUME---" use the arrow buttons to adjust the volume.

I've read about people complaining that sometimes the volume isn't very loud or clear when the ipod is selected. You can use the hidden to make the adjustment. I don't think this tip is too well known.

LILBENZ230

I have never heard of that before but I will try it and report back!