C300 iPhone Bluetooth for Music
 

Just started driving a 2010 C300. I was able to hook up my iPhone to the Bluetooth for phone calls, but I'm not sure how to hook it up to play music via Bluetooth. I keep reading about a UMI(?) not sure what I have to do, or if I can do anything. Thanks for the help in advance.

You have to get a Media Interface Plus which was not available in 2010. http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/20/m...riendly-bluet/

The bluetooth audio from the iPhone does not provide full control of the iPhone music, it simply allows music playing on the iPhone to be routed to the cars speakers. In effect, the speaker system is acting as a bluetooth headset. When I got mine, I wasn't able to listen to bluetooth audio until I pulled out my iPhone and went into the Music app and selected an album.

In my car, there is a connector in the central stowage area and a cable to connect from that connector to the iPhone. This allows full control of the iPhone, but requires the wired connection. I believe that this is part of the UMI.

How's the sound quality compared to FM/CD/iPod/SD?

No complaints. One thing I've noticed is that the various sources seem to have different output levels. When changing sources, I often have to adjust the volume. I suspect that is an issue with the source material itself, and not with the car.
I've also noticed that Sirius tends to have quite a few drop outs. This is the first car I've had with satellite radio, so I'm not sure if thats normal or not. I didn't notice it when test driving other vehicles, but then again, I didn't notice it on the C class until after I bought the car.
I really appreciate the various music options I have available - SD card, USB stick, iPhone/iPod (via bluetooth and/or media interface), CD, internal HD, radio, satellite radio. It certainly beats the options I had with my 2006 3 series (radio, single CD and clunky iPad interface).

Yes, I get the same issue. Do you have the standard radio, or HK? I've found the HK amplifies any flaws in the particular media being used, if there are any. CDs are best, iPod sometimes not so much, and I would assume BT would have the most room for sound inconsistencies.

Sorry for the late response. I have the HK. I haven't been able to pinpoint an issue with a specific source type, but rather with the specific source music itself. I suspect that the issue is more with the quality of the recordings, and not the sound system in the car.

Does anyone know why my iPhone won't charge though?

The iPod jack in my glove box hooks up the iPod for control through the media interface but doesn't actually charge the iPod. It's odd but the way it was designed for the 09 c300 4matic. I spoke to the dealership and they said that's just how it is. I'm hoping to upgrade to Bluetooth audio in the future. Maybe they'll come up with a way to control the iPod using the media interface via Bluetooth. Anyone know if this is available yet?

What generation iPhone?

The logic of using Bluetooth audio escapes me, especially for those with the Harman Kardon Logic 7 system. The bit-rate of one's best MP3's is trashed randomly to transmit only 1/7th (14%) of the MP3's information. And the MP3 itself, in its best quality compression afforded at the expense of throwing away most of the original data, is at 1/3 the bit-rate quality of the original AIWW or Apple lossless file. Why bother, by the time the "music" is processed in Bluetooth, it's reduced to just horrible noise with a beat?

Good info! I had no clue about quality/bit rate loss via Bluetooth. I've not actually heard music transmit through mb Bluetooth audio link so can't comment on the difference.

Has anyone compared this?

Do u know if any such losses occur via wifi audio transmission? (Like apple airplay). I wonder if installing an airplay hub in yr glove box n then aux cable to it would work in a car. Just an idea...

Recently visited a Fisker Karmer dealer, where the salesperson proudly demonstrated the Bluetooth audio from his iPhone. Although the system is the premium Mark Levinson package, (the best that the Harman Kardon group produces), the sound could be described as listening to music having been ground up by a wood chipper, IMO.

Why not just purchase an iPod or other MP3 player, install it and forget it? Then the driver is free to leave the iPhone in a pocket, briefcase or handbag, where it will be recognized by Bluetooth and provide hands-free telecommunications with minimum drain (idle) on the battery.

Technologies should always be used where they provide the best quality, benefit and convenience, not the worst, as in the current bit-rate standard for Bluetooth audio.

As for Wifi transmission, this can be lossless, remembering that when an iPhone transmits via Wifi, its uses extraordinary amounts of current and battery life substantially reduced. For all the time, effort and expense to install a hot-spot in the Merc just to digitally broadcast from an iPhone or Android, and receive quality audio seems counterproductive, when a $99 MP3 player can provide hours and hours of quality listening pleasure.

mutzy what year is your c class? in the early models with ipod connection apple used a 28pin connector and in late 2010 they updated to a newer 30 pin connector. they look the same and will plug in new and old apple products. in my 2008 c class it will play when plugged in bt will not charge iphone 4 or 4s. you can get an adapter for 20$ that will make it charge or pay couple hundred at the stealership and they swap the cable to the new one.

There are several adaptors that can be found on Amazon that resolve the charging problem on the newer Apple products. Here is one link:

Do u have a brand and model number of the one u use?
My issue of not charging was with the last gen iPod nano.

However, i just picked up an Iphone5 though n now like streaming audio instead of having to download n transfer to iPod. The issue comes when I have to change station n the iPod is in the glove box. Longer cable may fix that but then it looks tacky n also I can be fined for playing with my phone while driving. Not the case when I scroll via the knob for the media console.

I wasn't able to listen to bluetooth audio until I pulled out my iPhone and went into the Music app and selected an album.

Cool Mercedes A2DP Receiver from ViseeO
 

Hi, I would like to share my recent purchase which will do the same trick but without all the hassles and the cost is low too.

Recently, I've got an Mercedes/Audi A2DP receiver from ViseeO. It is called Tune2Air WMA1000 which will work with native iPod app on your iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad, and also the online music services such as Pandora and Sportify. The unit is designed for the native iPod app on my iphone which will not only stream music but also transfer the whole music library and song titles to your Audi screen, and I can control the music from the steering wheel button or head unit control directly. Then I have tried it on Sportify, the unit still stream music to my Audi but the only downside is the music list which can not be imported like the native iPod app. However, it does work which I think is quite good. The auto reconnection with your phone is also instant which I think is another plus.


https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/--.../Audi_A2DP.jpg

By the way, another option (at least on my 2010 C300 with the 6 CD/DVD changer) is to burn all of your MP3s to DVD.

I have a couple thousand songs on just 2 DVDs and also put them on an 8 gig Compact Flash card which I plug in to the dashboard.

The DVDs take a minute or so to load info into COMAND, but the CF card is quicker so I usually use that.

Read in other threads that 2 gig or 4 gig CF was the limit, but that's not true. I have over 6 gig of my 8 gig CF card filled. Maybe it depends on the CF card adapter? I bought mine used on ebay for $4. Yes, 4 dollars. It's a computer part, not a car part, so don't fall for the offhsore MB knockoffs on ebay.

Not all 6-CD changer headunits come with the SD Flash card slot. Also the Audio20/50/Comand headunits do not decode Apple Lossless format recorded on DVD's, meaning one can only play MP3's, a highly compromised format with poor audio quality.

And even on original Red Book AIFF ISO-9660 format CD's, the display only shows "Track 1", "Track 2" etc. not the actual names of the tune and artist. MB "luxury" tech is just hype and lies.

Regarding the PCMCIA adapter and a CF card, I'm using a 32GB card in my 2010 C300 Sport with NAV.

Regarding the ViseeO Tune2Air, it works well and interfaces completely with your dash/NAV display and steering wheel controls if you're using an iPhone. I use Android so it's integration is not as complete but it works.

Regarding the quality of Bluetooth transmission, I agree it pretty much sucks. That being said, so does our listening environment once you factor in road, wind, and traffic noise.

My 2¢!

K

Bill, Ok, I got that. I'm a mid-level audio guy happy with Def-Tech and Denon in my home theaters. Just wanted to let people know that in my case, MP3s burned to a DVD or the CF card with a PCMIA adapter worked fine for me. My C300 display shows the folder structure I prefer - Artist, then Album, then Song Title and lets me scroll. I'm satisfied.

Bluetooth streaming
 

Thank you so much for this fantastic information, I ordered the Tune2Air for my 2011 Mercedes C300 and it works flawlessly. The sound is excellent

https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...#ixzz2ffIV0OZk

I just traded in my 2011 c300 for a 13. I have a Cartronics anystream Bluetooth adapter. Perfect solution if you have a 30 pin cable, but no Bluetooth streaming built in. Can controll tracks from steering wheel. $75