There is this 4000 songs limit that can be avoided with multiple cards. 
PCMCIA Multi-card Reader
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,499
Likes: 336
From: Europe
223.168 & 213.012 & 906.633 & 214.005
Are you sure you were not limited by the number of folders or some other limitations? Did you use FAT16 or FAT32 (not sure what difference that would make but others could comment)?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,121
Likes: 12
From: Connecticut
2018 BMW 540d
It's certainly possible.My experimentation was of a limited nature so,IMO,there are a number of possible variables.I only used one folder and I think the card was formatted in FAT 32.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 761
Likes: 23
From: Oklahoma
W211 E320 & W212 E550
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 624
Likes: 2
From: Westchester County, NY
2013 E 350, 2012 GLK 350, 2012 C300 4matic
On thing I don't has been mentioned - a significant difference between the PCMCIA and USB strategies is the ability for the USB solution to also read playlists on the flashdrive. I've found this to make it a no brainer for me, while I have both I only use the USB.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,850
Likes: 56
From: New York
2025 Range Rover, 2022 BMW M850 , 2017 MB E400 Coupe
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,121
Likes: 12
From: Connecticut
2018 BMW 540d
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
7 Craziest Things AMG Gas Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
s550 2009
A 32GD SD card (with 30 GB of music on it) works with the PCMCIA card but only 20 GB of music is playable from the card in my 2009 S550. The car does not recognize the remaining 10 GB of music even though a computer recognizes all 30 GB of music on the 32 GB SD card.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,499
Likes: 336
From: Europe
223.168 & 213.012 & 906.633 & 214.005
You forgot to mention: "just like the head unit manual explains". With 30 GB you have exceeded one of the parameters, most likely the max number of titles (usually 4000, not sure if it is the same on a W212).
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,142
Likes: 1,295
From: Southern US
2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
I bought the USB adapter from Benz, about 50 bucks. Then bought a 32 gb USB stick for about 35 bucks. The PCMCIA just did not even come close to the capacity of the thumb drives out there these days. Plus like posted earlier, you can create folders of favorites etc. Don't know about the sound quality of USB vs PCMCIA; stopped looking for PCMCIA once I had the 32 gb memory stick.
What is the part number for the USB adapter? My local dealer and another one do not have any info about it. They show me a list of cars that USB adapter works with but the E-class is not on the list. I have a 2011 E350.
Thanks!
