Bokx_350

My dealer is charging me $350 to install the ipod interference, so the total comes to $700 + tax. They said that it would take around 3.5 hours to install. I thinks it's too much labor $$ since the car is already prewired. How does that installation cost sounds to you?

oblu

Dealer quoted me same amount. The interface in my BMW, also pre-wired, cost me about the same.

Didn't take that to physically install, but the car's software had to be updated to accept it and that took almost 8hrs. Maybe the most bus in the MB is the same?

err

Do you have the MM package?

I am still wondering whether it is possible to do the ipod integration without MM? My sales person is saying no

Anyone going with simple AUX cable on their W204? how is that working out?

Bokx_350

I dont have the mm package and i'm sure you dont need it to install it.

oblu

Ah ... that one I can answer. YES you can retrofit the ipod interface without MM. Dealer confirmed they had done a few already.

aowhaus

the iPod integration kit allows you to control your iPod through your steering wheel controls with the iPod display on your intrument panel (not the radio or MM color display). It doesn't matter whether you have the MM package or not the intergration kit works for both.

The main advantage is that you could keep your iPod stored out of sight in the glovebox but still have full control of it, the kit also keeps your iPod charged while it's still plugged in.
I kind of wished the aux input is in the front armrest like in BMWs so that it could within reach and occasionally easy to control, but I'm sure with some clever rewiring that could be easily be done.

I've heard that there is some sound issues, like the huge difference in volume levels between the aux and radio/CD settings, which seems to be more apparent in models not equipped with the MM package.

Bokx_350

Let me see if I understood what you said... the ipod interference will NOT show on the radio/nav screen? how do you navigate the songs? is it like navigating an mp3 cd? (by the way... the mp3 cd interference is the best i've seen so far; far better than lexus)? Thanks

aowhaus

as far as I know AUX will display on the radio or MM screen, and the iPod display will show up on the speedometer screen. It won't be clearly visible to your passangers.

I'd wished the Command knob would control the function of the iPod rather than the steering wheel buttons. The Command knob does very little other than the radio functions/settings if you don't have the MM package.

Bokx_350

not entirely truth. The command knob is very useful for navigating mp3 cds even without navigation.

It would be good to have someone with the ipod integration comfirm us if the command knob is also used for the ipod.

ScottyGams

i went to the dealership and used one... it is not...

steering wheel controls and spedo display only

kind of a waste, imo

and my iphone is recognized as an ipod... about 25% of the time...

MBfan21

Even if you plug it into your AUX and the songs show on the screen.. you still have to control it via the ipod ... so you have to get a long cable as the aux input is in the glove compartment. So that is silly in a way.

Bokx_350

There is a local shop that sells an aftermarket ipod interference that "they say" that shows in the center screen. The manager told me that it is specially designed for the 2008 mb interference and that it uses the optical link on the mb system. The price is about the same of the orignal mb ipod ($700 -$800) but he guarantees it works better.

Anyone know something about this?

err

Are you saying that the cd player in W204 supports MP3 format? Is this true?

ScottyGams

that is correct... it reads mp3 cds and play dvd movies i believe

stealtheo

I have the iPhone and the mm package.

The iphone only displays on the dash NOT the mm screen.

As far as the volume issues somone spoke about. there is a setting ion the ipod to correct this. I do not have that issue with the mm package.

You control it through the steering wheel controls. Making the cable longer is of no good. When you plug in the iphone/ipod it locks all control on the device itself. you can control all functions through the wheel. songs, albums, hada hada.

don't know how it works without the mm packege but, with the mm package it can play mp3's on both the hard drive and the memory card and also wma on the memory card. you can see the artist, title and so on both dosplays. mp3's can be controled with center knob.

Also good news. I purchased a memory card reader that supports "SD HC" high capacity - 4gb - brand new technology and the car can read it no problem. in fact the memory card is really fast. the 4 gb card I purchased can hold about 1k songs in mp3 and 1300 - 1400 in wma format. Just make folders by artist name for example and copy songs to those folders and thats it! Now when browsing you will see the artist name (folder) then track list.

Dema

For my BMW it is $150. However for Mercedes $700 looks like fair price.

woozer

have someone tried the usb input? if i connect a usb hard drive (or a pendrive) to the input can i control the content like if it was a mp3 disc?