edogger

AMGers

Thinking of getting the factory adapter for my 05 C55 -- the one that goes through the glove compartment

Stealer is telling me its about $680 -- any other options?

Does anyone have it and does it work well?

I've been using this thing that works off the radio but its terrible

Appreciate your thoughts

Thanks

e1000

you can buy it from the dealer for $300 or so and put it in yourself. Not terrbily difficult.

Works pretty well. Heard the newer versions have solved the volume issue. The interface is really good, you can scroll through the iPod menu on your display using your steering wheel buttons.

more151please

i recommend ICE link by dension over the MB version. I believe that the quality is better and it is much cheaper. The only drawback is that you don't have functionality with the existing stereo controls.

edogger

thanks for the info -- do you know where I can get the ICE link in the NYC area?

I assume then I'll have to find someone to install it

dkflipse

Try here .

http://www.densionusa.com/

bmjdevelopment

You can buy it for $40 at your dealer and install it yourself. Here is the link to install.

https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w203/81978-diy-setting-up-aux-input-ipod-mp3-player-etc.html

e1000

that's the AUX input. There is a separate iPod specific kit that allows you to not only get audio but get track names, and completely control the ipod from the steering wheel buttons

slowrey

Does it show track names etc on the comand?

e1000

i don't know about on command, but it shows all information on your dash (the little screen between the speedo and tach).

You use your steering wheel buttons to go through the iPod menus to access songs, artists, playlists, etc etc. It also charges the ipod while plugged in, and the ipod displays the three pointed star

dkflipse

So whre can we get this magic ice? Dension says the product is no longer available??

edogger

OK so I'll get the Aux input from the dealer for $40 and then buy IPOD specific kit from the dealer as well?

Once you have then AUX input set up you can listen fine you just cant control from the wheel right?

slowrey

If you have the AUX kit all it provides is 1/8th stereo plug in which you can plug in your IPOD.

If you get the IPOD specific kit it sounds like you can control it from your steering wheel and also have track information.

Am I right guys and gals?

e1000

Right, the AUX input will give you an 1/8th stereo plug. The iPod kit however, has the iPod proprietary plug and the audio, power, and controls are all run through one plug on the bottom of the iPod

more151please

i would give densionusa a call, i really think it is a superior product. I found that the MB kit resulted in a lot of *hiss* and i could not tolerate that. I even tried a second MB kit and the same thing resulted. I went back to the IceLink and have never looked back. It charges my ipod and the cord is long enough for me to change tracks and artists ect... I also found that the MB route was pretty difficult to use. So all in all i think i spent 200 or so for the Icelink route and that includes the $40 aux adapter. I hope this helps. Dension is a CA company which also worked out really well for me.

edogger

Can you tell me exactly what unit to order from them?

Did you order it from the Montreal distributor?

Do you have any pictures or step by step process on how to install?

It looks like we have the same exact car so whatever works for you should work for me as well



Was it difficult?

Thanks for he help

MiKeSSw203

Where is the kit suppose to plug into? Is it the back of the stereo or some other control unit? I'm trying to see if I can DIY.

e1000

the iPod kit plugs into the back of the HU. IT has a new wiring harness that plugs into the HU, then you plug the existing wiring harness into the iPod wiring harness. The only tricky part is you have to move over the optical cables from the old harness to the new one. I know it sounds confusing.

edogger

quick question -- in the link you attach above the guy who supplied the instructions and pictures had a CDC button on his radio -- i know you drive the 05 C55 as do I but I dont think we have that specific button -- what do we use instead?

e1000

Update:

Just bought a new iPod kit today.. why? See this thread:

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...highlight=ipod

Anyway, the new iPod kit is DEFINIELY a lot better as far as audio quality. I burned a audio CD with the same contents as a playlist and switching back and forth I can't tell the difference. I even compared how far I had to turn up the volume and they are the same.

The part number for the new kit is: B67 82 4256

edogger

will the sound using just the cheap ($40) AUX input be terrible vs. the full blown IPOD kit?

I realize I can control through the Sterring wheel etc. but obviously if it sounds like junk its pointless

e1000

should be the same now. The biggest difference is that with the normal AUX input cable, you'd be going out of the headphone jack on the iPod. With the iPod kit, it uses the line-out via the dock connector at the bottom.

dkflipse

How much did you pay? Where did u get it - through the dealer?

e1000

I paid $360 at my local dealership. Since I had the old kit, I just replaced the control module and it did the trick.

I didn't see the part number on oempartsdirect either...

MRPICK

Any time you can not find a part on oempartsdirect, or when you have the number already, shoot me an e-mail and I will price the items out for you.
Jamie

slowrey

I thought that this replaced your factory CD Changer however here's an exerpt from MB website:

The Mercedes-Benz solution is specifically engineered for Mercedes-Benz vehicle systems. This solution provides increased functionality over after-market solutions, such as device function manipulation via the multifunction steering-wheel controls and view of the iPod device data on the multifunction display. Because Mercedes-Benz vehicle systems do not recognize the iPod device as a CD-changer component as competitive solutions do, customers can use both the CD changer and the iPod device without sacrificing one for the other. Also, unlike after-market solutions, the Mercedes-Benz kit is covered under warranty.

http://www.mbusa.com/features/iPod/faqs.do