amg55

I'm taking delivery of an '07 CLS next week which didn't come with the iPod set-up. Dealer is quoting $730 installed ($300+ labor).

1) Ridiculous price given the difference vs. factory installed?

2) Is it worth it (I've read a few mixed reviews on quality, user friendliness)?

Thanks for any opinions....

Htowncls

do a search on ipod and you will find a few lengthy discussions on it.. I think that is extemely high.. you can buy the kit on ebay for $325 so are they saying installation is $400? I would buy the kit and shop around for an installer or maybe a certified MB company that does work other than MB.

I dont have mine yet but once i verify product number for our car i'm certain i will be buying mine on ebay and find an installer.

matter of fact i just found my notes from my dealership here in texas.

$368.00 kit part # B67824218
$ 25.00 cradle
$206.00 labor kit
$ 51.50 laber cradle
$650.00 total

your shop is $80.00 bucks higher than my shops quote.

deaguero

amg55: I had the dealer install the iPOD interface on my 06' E55 ( I think it was arount $700 for the install parts & labor) and am extremely happy with the install and use of the interface. You will get the song listing on the dash in the area where the outside temp, etc. is on the dash. You will also be able to scroll both up and down with the up and down arrows on the left side of the steering wheel. Mine has worked flawlessly since installation and I use the "mute" button on the command when a call comes in on my bluetooth. I am pretty sure you can get the mute feature to work if you have factory Blue tooth. good luck on your decision!

amg55

Thanks for the numbers, Htowncls, and the vote of confidence, deaguero.
I'm sure I can knock them down to ~$700 (which still seems like a lot for what should be a pretty simple interface), but I'd rather stick with an MB product and installer.
Frustrating that MB lags so far behind the Japanese luxury brands in convience technology, but I remember when MB was still balking about cupholders!
I appreciate your info.

SANDOVAL

$300 labor for my Ipod install. I am not sure what the installation is like on a CL but the E55 requires a wire harness to be run from the trunk to the Command.

Htowncls

No problem.. do that search though because there is an interesting fix that people have had to do to make the ipod volume equal to the radio and cd.. If you already know what to do you can make sure the installer does this one step to allow you to get maximum volume and the ability to still use your ipod functionality as well as the in dash info that deaguero spoke about..

Good Luck..

and when i mentioned another installer i would consider a top notch aftermarket company like 310 motoring and such.. just to get a qoute before letting the stealership get you.. I will do the same thing and if it's not much different then i will let the stealership take me too...

Good Luck !

amg55

Found it!
Thx again.

Kevin M.

Yes best way is to buy the kit on ebay, pay the dealer to install it, and be sure you have them do the fix I posted here.

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...light=ipod+fix

This will also save labor time, as they do not have to remove the Comand unit, this will save about a hour. The time consuming part is running the wires from the trunk to the front, and programming the computer to turn on the phone feature which controls the Ipod on the steering wheel.

DoctorC4

I got the kit for 200, still shoppin around for best install deal. I was looking for your how-to, Kevin, about the volume issue, thanks for posting the link. Now I don't have to try to explain something I don't know how to do to the installer.

Kevin M.

No prob, glad to help

Blk04cobra1

Well, the kit from the dealer is arond $400, then it is about a 4 hour job depending on the model...$730 isnt that unreasonable...and yes from the factory it's like $375, but they install at the same time as the radio, so it's a little bit easier...of course if you're a do-it-yourself type of person, you can do it yourself.

Kevin M.

Actually not true, you have to use the Star Computer to turn on the feature that lets you use the steering wheel controls.

DoctorC4

Hey Kev, FYI. I just tried to PM you about a comand question I have, but your inbox is full.

Kevin M.

Cleaned it up, try again.

Blk04cobra1

that i did not know...guess that's why only dealers can install them at the present moment

Kevin M.

Anyone that has a Star Diangnosis computer can do it, mostly dealer's and Steve from MBENZL.

amg55

OK...so dealer installs iPod kit ($650 after I cited prices others here were quoted...thanks!)...it sounds great (excellent volume, clarity...no complaints whatsoever).
Problem is I can't use any of the menu items...playlist menu is not accessible...only able to scroll through songs one at a time. Pretty slow process with 5000 songs in the queue.
The MB OEM iPod manual says the phone button on steering wheel will access the menu/playlists...doesn't work.

Since I gave the installer the instruction sheet posted here on how to wire the unit to prevent the sound from being damped, will that make the menu inaccessible???

Without search or playlist features the iPod system is almost useless.

Blk04cobra1

I would have them go over the install again, b/c the phone button is supposed to allow you to swith menu's...might have not hooked it up right

Htowncls

and if that doesnt work you will probably have to use a longer cable from your glove to your ipod and just pull it out when you want to sift through to the exact song, genre or playlist you want and then put it back in the glove or leave it sitting in the passanger seat or let the passanger be the DJ. Reread kevin M.'s posted link for more info on this.

SANDOVAL

Also make sure you understand the buttons it took me a while to get used to it. The Phone on and off buttuns on the steering wheel control the menu.