Carplay retrofit?
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Joined: Jun 2015
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From: Birmingham, AL
cars and stuff
Carplay retrofit?
Starting to read about a lot of models being retrofitted with the Carplay set up. Seems the common consensus on all these models is that it can't be done...until it is. Few folks on another CLA forum even had it done at their MB dealer. Involved swapping out the USB ports with part number 246-820-38-00 and then just software update/modification and it was only costing $250 or so. Carplay/Android Auto aren't ideal, but are SO much better than the COMAND system in my opinion.
There are even some aftermarket shops doing the retrofits. According to the aftermarket shops anyone with a 16+ model with COMAND can have it added. I'm very interested to see if this is possible. There's nowhere local to me that I really trust, I just moved here and haven't been impressed by any of the local shops. May try to reach out to the shop I used to use in FL and see what their thoughts are but I'm sure they're going to need the car to poke around and look at it. Just wondered if anyone had any real experience or input other than what the MB dealer has said.
There are even some aftermarket shops doing the retrofits. According to the aftermarket shops anyone with a 16+ model with COMAND can have it added. I'm very interested to see if this is possible. There's nowhere local to me that I really trust, I just moved here and haven't been impressed by any of the local shops. May try to reach out to the shop I used to use in FL and see what their thoughts are but I'm sure they're going to need the car to poke around and look at it. Just wondered if anyone had any real experience or input other than what the MB dealer has said.
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Joined: Jan 2013
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From: Irvine, California
2022 AMG SL63
Starting to read about a lot of models being retrofitted with the Carplay set up. Seems the common consensus on all these models is that it can't be done...until it is. Few folks on another CLA forum even had it done at their MB dealer. Involved swapping out the USB ports with part number 246-820-38-00 and then just software update/modification and it was only costing $250 or so. Carplay/Android Auto aren't ideal, but are SO much better than the COMAND system in my opinion.
There are even some aftermarket shops doing the retrofits. According to the aftermarket shops anyone with a 16+ model with COMAND can have it added. I'm very interested to see if this is possible. There's nowhere local to me that I really trust, I just moved here and haven't been impressed by any of the local shops. May try to reach out to the shop I used to use in FL and see what their thoughts are but I'm sure they're going to need the car to poke around and look at it. Just wondered if anyone had any real experience or input other than what the MB dealer has said.
There are even some aftermarket shops doing the retrofits. According to the aftermarket shops anyone with a 16+ model with COMAND can have it added. I'm very interested to see if this is possible. There's nowhere local to me that I really trust, I just moved here and haven't been impressed by any of the local shops. May try to reach out to the shop I used to use in FL and see what their thoughts are but I'm sure they're going to need the car to poke around and look at it. Just wondered if anyone had any real experience or input other than what the MB dealer has said.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 105
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From: Birmingham, AL
cars and stuff
Senior Member
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From: Bainbridge Island WA
?
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Joined: Jun 2015
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From: Birmingham, AL
cars and stuff
Last edited by boosting1bar; Feb 14, 2017 at 08:15 PM.
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From: Naples FL
2021 Porsche TTS
My local service guy at the dealer is very friendly and is looking into it right now.
Orlando is close enough that I could drive there as well
.
The service tech however said that hacking into the command center could be an issue as they have seen some going bad and you SOL warranty wise. food for thought.
Orlando is close enough that I could drive there as well
.The service tech however said that hacking into the command center could be an issue as they have seen some going bad and you SOL warranty wise. food for thought.
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Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 105
Likes: 14
From: Birmingham, AL
cars and stuff
My local service guy at the dealer is very friendly and is looking into it right now.
Orlando is close enough that I could drive there as well.
The service tech however said that hacking into the command center could be an issue as they have seen some going bad and you SOL warranty wise. food for thought.
Orlando is close enough that I could drive there as well
.The service tech however said that hacking into the command center could be an issue as they have seen some going bad and you SOL warranty wise. food for thought.
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From: Naples FL
2021 Porsche TTS
Agreed as it is available on 2017 E class and it only requires a different USB part but you know MB is not too keen on retrofit and want you to buy a whole new car. They need to take lessons from Tesla...
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Joined: Dec 2010
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From: Bay Area CA
2011 e350 wagon
I called Costa Mesa. 549 plus tax. Process is uploading latest SW from MB servers - few hours - and enabling CP. He'll need VIN to assess viability. Min - Jan 2017 - was OK. 500 mile drive one way, so I'll hold for now but remain interested in people who ended up adding CP successfully...
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 394
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From: Bainbridge Island WA
?
I called Costa Mesa. 549 plus tax. Process is uploading latest SW from MB servers - few hours - and enabling CP. He'll need VIN to assess viability. Min - Jan 2017 - was OK. 500 mile drive one way, so I'll hold for now but remain interested in people who ended up adding CP successfully...
Thanks
Astolfo
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From: ATLANTA
R Nine T
At first I thought this was great, but then I realized I have an iPhone that I plug in for much better audio and I'd rather spend the $$$ on ALP jammers and listening to this exhaust.
And will be deleting resonators for some more of that good stuff
And will be deleting resonators for some more of that good stuff
Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 90
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From: Bay Area CA
2011 e350 wagon
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 105
Likes: 14
From: Birmingham, AL
cars and stuff
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 105
Likes: 14
From: Birmingham, AL
cars and stuff
I got some more info and am working on getting a couple things together. Looks like I might have a promising solution. Will update once I get it all. Will be out of town this week when it comes but hopefully early the next week.
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From: SoCal
2016 C63S Sedan
any downsides?
Does apply play require plugging in with a USB cord or can it be connected via Bluetooth?
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jun 2015
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From: Birmingham, AL
cars and stuff
The only real obvious downside to me is that there's no relief in the console lid of our cars for the cable coming out. I travel a lot for work and there's really no comparison between Apple/Google maps & Waze vs. OEM nav systems. They're updated much quicker and respond so much faster to road conditions and traffic, etc. I've been using the Scoche cig lighter magnetic mount someone posted here with my cable coming out of the console so far. If carplay worked you could just plug it in and drop it in the console and not worry about it. It's really frustrating that the capability is there but MB just chose not to enable it in so many models for whatever reason.
Last edited by boosting1bar; Feb 19, 2017 at 03:31 AM.
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From: Irvine, California
2022 AMG SL63
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Joined: Feb 2012
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From: Canada
2019 E63s
proclip
Bad news on that front... I was in touch with Proclip directly and they said nothing in the pipeline for a few months yet as they don't have anything to measure with... they offered if I bought my car down to measure but I'm way too far away... hit them up on the book of faces and they will respond immediately... I ended up modding the little cup in the cup holder to hold my iPhone 7 proclip mount and it works perfectly. ill post pics later when I'm in the car...
