spyked

On the 08-11 W204 withOUT Nav...(has the manual radio cover), can you use/listen to the radio/iPod/CD with the cover CLOSED?

Would the song name from iPod still show up in the gauge cluster like it does on 12+ models? But more importantly, do you ever need to have the plastic cover open to use any radio or HVAC functions?

Thanks!

Doa

the audio 20/50 unit works just fine with the cover down, it just shuts down the 5" screen

Acapulco Bill

Doa is correct. As for viewing the contents of an iPod, that is not possible unless you have the iPod Integration Kit or the Universal Media Interface (UMI) installed, as MY2008-2011 W204's just have a standard audio stereo minijack in the glove compartment.

Lame very lame MB, Hyundais and Fords have an iPod cable with selection on the dash from 2006 on in their cheapest trims.

You will only be able to see the radio station info, also Bluetooth info such as phone contacts identifying the caller, with the dash cover OPEN.

Acapulco Bill

Should add for those interested (as many are purchasing MY 2008-10 now out of MB lease), it is important to check at a MB dealer with your VIN to make sure your particular Audio 20/50 headunit and wiring will take the iPod Integration Kit or the UMI. Some of the wiring harnesses for the UMI in particular are complex and will not work with many Audio 20 headunits. Don't just purchase one of these units on eBay and then expect them to be plug n' play, as they are not!

spyked

Thanks for the replies. A friend is looking at used W204s and I wouldn't recommend a pre-2012 version as I don't trust those movable dash covers. But if you can use the radio and HVAC without opening it, then I will go ahead and recommend it.

BTW, Bill, you must have way better Hyundai's and Fords in Mexico than we do in the States. In 2006 no one bought Hyundais (certainly no one looking at Mercedes) and Fords in the U.S. in 2006 didn't even have AUX in jacks.

Again, I just wanted to make sure that basically, when that dash cover breaks or sticks in closed position, it doesn't mean the radio functions don't work.

If the radio controls don't in the middle of the speedo in the pre-2012 models, what type of info is there? Just trip info?

Acapulco Bill

@spyked: One would think that a simple spring-loaded cover with a friction latch would be many orders of magnitude more reliable than the motor-driven screen of the MM Command system. However, leaving the cover closed on the simple Audio20 system, there is no way to determine the ID of a radio station, as it does not appear in the speedo (as it does in the Command option). Nor are phone callers identified in the speedo when received via Bluetooth.

Truly sad tech for a $40,000 "luxury" car. Besides the horrible quality of the stock audio speakers which cost $1 for all 8 drivers.

Doa

i wouldn't recommend a C without COMAND NTG4 or NTG4.5 anyway as the retrofit is rather expensive and a car without COMAND comes with the simple instrument panel and steering wheel

Acapulco Bill

COMAND not even available in most countries (no maps nor can the system understand most languages), nor is the HK Logic 7 stereo available. MB ethnocentricity and lameness as usual.

Doa

spanish is in the language list

Acapulco Bill

Yes, Spanish is, however no maps except for Spain, so no COMAND in Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Columbia, Venezuela, Philippines, Peru, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Brazil (Portuguese). Just there is nearly 12% of the world's population.

Besides Top Gear again recently demonstrated that the Mercedes COMAND system doesnt understand proper British English. LOL. So whats the point?

EuroJDMBenzo

i hate hate hate hate hate my little screen.... sometimes...driving at night on the freeway my car is really dark cause theres no lights lol

Acapulco Bill

Yeah, but look what a nice RIDE you have, EuroJDMBenzo !!!!! Just do the speaker upgrade and an iPod Classic with lots of Apple Lossless tunes. Everyone uses their smartphone for Nav anyway. Just need an OBDII Bluetooth module and Torque Pro.

Or you can buy a tablet like snowmuch and his Nexus, and get a real touchscreen:
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...-solution.html

MDMercedesGuy

Not in the US.

In the US, they still come with the 12 button wheel and full IP.

Doa

well for those that can't use COMAND my previous screen might be an option.
found it on ebay and it supports chinese language so...

MDMercedesGuy

I find this insanely hilarious, and I wonder how much of it is that Linguatronic has not been trained properly and TG is making a meal of it.

I use mine constantly in the car for phone, changing media sources and navigation and rarely have to repeat - and usually when it screws up, it is that I have muddled what I was saying and not that the product failed.

FWIW, I have a standard midwestern US dialect with a bit of southern twang that comes through on occasion, but I also took the time to train the system to my voice.

Acapulco Bill

In most of the world, a C-Classic is offered with a 4-button steering wheel, and the C180 CGI and C200 CGI's are very popular, they cost about $30k in Mexico imported, plus the value-added tax.

EuroJDMBenzo

hahah yeah thank you...its probably something ill get around to do one day