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iPod Integration Kit is a joke

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Old Sep 1, 2009 | 01:56 AM
  #1  
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iPod Integration Kit is a joke

I paid 400 bucks for the iPod Integration kit because I though it would do just that...integrate my iPod/iPhone in my car. I the command system in my car...and found out that not only does this kit not even charge my iPhone, but it does not even offer control over the command system.

The only thing it offers is rudimentary control through the cluster display, and this is just scrolling through your songs, no playlist control or anything else which completely defeats the point of having thousands of songs on an iPod.

This is practically the same functionality as not having the kit and plugging the iPod through the normal AUX port.


Anyone else feel like they have been ripped off by this? Not only that but the new models offer the Media Interface Kit, which does exactly what the iPod kit should have done.

Anyone know if this kit can be installed in my car? I will pretty much demand my dealer install this kit or give me my 400 bucks back.
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Old Sep 1, 2009 | 02:27 AM
  #2  
e1000's Avatar
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It does charge normal iPods, just not the iPhone. I don't think MB ever made claims that the iPod integration kit was compatible with the iPhone.

I don't know what you mean by it dosen't give you any playlist control. It should allow you to view, play, and scroll through your playlists, just as you would be able to on the iPod itself.
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Old Sep 1, 2009 | 03:06 AM
  #3  
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09' C300 4matic, 04' Cayenne S, 05' STi, 89' GTR
you can scroll through the playlist or by artist etc. by pressing the "hang up" button on your steering wheel, then you can go up and down through your playlists.
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Old Sep 1, 2009 | 03:45 AM
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Oh so I can access the playlist with the hangup button?
Oh then it isn't a ripoff.. well a bit, but not as bad as I thought. :|
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Old Sep 1, 2009 | 06:41 AM
  #5  
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There is an adaptor needed to charge the iphone. It is apple that changed the pin layout from the ipod to the iphone. But it is a pretty poor integration.
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Old Sep 1, 2009 | 08:49 AM
  #6  
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Although I hate how the iphone refuses to integrate well, my iphone does indeed charge when plugged in. Oddly enough, it won't charge every time...ocassionally I have to disconnect and reconnect before it begins charging.
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Old Sep 1, 2009 | 09:21 AM
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If the cable that is installed has a white connector that plugs into the Ipod / Iphone this is the original style integration. This will not charge new Iphone 3G / 3GS nor latest generation Ipods. As mentioned above this was a pin layout / charging voltage change from Apple.

There is a remedy cable for this the part number you will need is: B6 7 82 4531. This replacement cable has a BLACK connector that plugs into the Ipod / IPhone. If you or the dealer installs this cable it will resolve the charging issue with the new style IPhone 3G / 3GS.

As mentioned already there are ways to scroll through all your playlists by selecting the hang up button to essentially go to the next larger folder / playlist. Yes this is not as nice as being in command, but it still integrates into the vehicle.
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Old Sep 1, 2009 | 09:45 AM
  #8  
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Originally Posted by C300Sport
Although I hate how the iphone refuses to integrate well, my iphone does indeed charge when plugged in. Oddly enough, it won't charge every time...ocassionally I have to disconnect and reconnect before it begins charging.
I have the same issue with my iPhone ( 3GS ) and the UMI. Sometimes the phone charges, sometimes it does not. It seems that if I plug it in before I start the car it will not charge, but if I plug it in after the UMI has booted up then it will charge...

Nick
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Old Sep 1, 2009 | 11:14 AM
  #9  
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UMI is suppose to charge the Iphone 3G / 3GS right away. It may be just as you say where the system needs to be on in order to charge. I know the UMI goes through more of a control module than the basic Ipod Interface.
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Old Sep 1, 2009 | 11:24 AM
  #10  
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how would one install this integration kit... and how much would it cost?

also will it work on the basic interface
V


sad thing is... i hate anything mac... with a passion!... but if i can control a mp3 player with my steering wheel controls or the joystick then i might just grab one and hide it away somewhere.
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Old Sep 1, 2009 | 12:06 PM
  #11  
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The iPod integration kit is sub par. Especially the sound quality. You're better off doing a very nice job wiring power and the aux input from the glove box somewhere neat and tidy. If you want the full control you need the command interface.

TB5 .. I've gotten 2 quotes to get it installed from the dealership; $495 and $425. After playing around with it and hearing the sound quality on my friends W204, I have decided not to get it.
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Old Sep 1, 2009 | 12:48 PM
  #12  
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ouch 425 - 495 for a audio upgrade... that degrades the sound... yikes
that may not work for me... i pretty much don't listen to anything
< 192 - 320

i guess ill grab any mp3 player and wire it through AUX.

thanks for the info boss.
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Old Sep 1, 2009 | 06:27 PM
  #13  
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This company sells an adapter that allows iPhones to charge on divices that are meant for just the iPod. Should fix your problem.


"iPhone 3g/iPod charge converter Many devices made for earlier iPods or iPhones can no longer provide correct charging power to the iPhone 3g and newer iPods/touch and you get a message about charger not supported (as far as we know, this is the case for all iPhone and iPod nano/touch devices released in July 2008 and later). This adapter converts the charging power to suit the iPhone 3g, iPod touch 2nd gen and iPod nano 4th gen. The size is about 40mm*18mm*11mm (1.6" x 0.7" x 0.4") for the small converter and 35mm*32mm*14mm (1.4" x 1.3" x 0.6") for the large converter (excluding connector part). It has one male and one female iPod connector and also a mini USB connector at the side (only large converter), so it can serve two different purposes! It can: 1. Convert charging power for iPhone 3g
2. Serve as a charging "injector" for accessories that do not provide charging (only large charge converter)"




http://www.chargeconverter.com/shop/...m?connipod.htm
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Old Sep 3, 2009 | 09:26 AM
  #14  
orie's Avatar
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its ok once you get the hang of using it. it could definitely be better and at $450-$495 it is a bit steep in price.

It's not the worst though the only thing I wish it did was display the song/artist title in the display, rather than in the instrument cluster.
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Old Feb 8, 2010 | 01:14 PM
  #15  
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Originally Posted by thearc
iPhone 3g/iPod charge converter...
$30 for that little thing!!! Yikes! I guess if it solves the problem...
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Old Feb 8, 2010 | 01:39 PM
  #16  
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At first I thought I had been ripped off too, but that was because mine wouldnt even work most the time. I put in several different ipods to see if that was the problem but it just would play sometimes and others not at all. So i finally took it in and found out that something was wrong with the cable and some other thing my service advisor mentioned. Got the new one put in and it works like a charm. All ipods and iphones charge and the sound quality comes out good from both. If your experiencing problems I would say just take it in and have them check it out. It was done for free as it was a factory mistake.
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Old Sep 30, 2011 | 06:28 AM
  #17  
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This kit is not a joke as it worked fine on my Audi. I understand that removing the special keys on the radio was little bit tough part of the process but when removed, it was only a matter of plug and insert the cables.
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Old Sep 30, 2011 | 12:26 PM
  #18  
bnam's Avatar
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2009 C300 Sport


I have the white connector on '09 C300 but it charges my 3GS just fine with no adaptor required. So, color of the connector is not the only identifier.

I did find that my IPOD kit is different than normal when I tried to buy an ipod amp and found that the cables from my current kit would not plug into the amp as my kit as connectors that look like standard RJ45 connectors, while the ipod amp has connectors that are modified RJ45 connectors.
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Old Oct 1, 2011 | 10:15 PM
  #19  
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it is a joke, the charging part, you just gotta get the adaptor, but the fact that you can only control through the steering wheel is straight up BS
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