Drive Kit Plus in the 2014 E class
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Super Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 576
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From: Earth (Mostly)
2023 XC60 PHEV, 2023 XC40 BEV
Drive Kit Plus in the 2014 E class
I have had the Drive Kit Plus for the iPhone (http://drive-kit-plus.com/en/#s/start) installed into my 2014 E350. Is there anyone else using this device?
I'm finding that this device is VERY new to the US market, and comes with little to no users guides or operators manuals.
I've used the Siri insterface and that is cool without having to push the button on the phone, and with it using the car's antenna, my phone reception while driving is improved. Charging the phone while driving is nice too, but with the DKP's interface being in the glovebox, I'm sometimes forget the phone is still in the glovebox as I leave the car.
I'm looking for users that have it and have found some "Best Practices" of usage, or additional information on-line on how/when to use it vs. the factory nav and audio options. With Google navigation/traffic I hope to use its maps as I believe they would be more current as the car's navigation version ages.
Any assist would be appreciated ...
I'm finding that this device is VERY new to the US market, and comes with little to no users guides or operators manuals.
I've used the Siri insterface and that is cool without having to push the button on the phone, and with it using the car's antenna, my phone reception while driving is improved. Charging the phone while driving is nice too, but with the DKP's interface being in the glovebox, I'm sometimes forget the phone is still in the glovebox as I leave the car.
I'm looking for users that have it and have found some "Best Practices" of usage, or additional information on-line on how/when to use it vs. the factory nav and audio options. With Google navigation/traffic I hope to use its maps as I believe they would be more current as the car's navigation version ages.
Any assist would be appreciated ...
Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 124
Likes: 2
2013 ML
In US than you probably are one of the first people who has Drive kit plus, I ve been trying to find information about it but dealers dont know anything for DKP. I am planning to have it installed as soon as the iphone 5 version comes out. By the way how do you switch between command and drive kit plus? Does DKP menu comes up once you plug in the iphone or you have to press any buttons?
How much did you pay for Drive kit plus and installation?
How much did you pay for Drive kit plus and installation?
Junior Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 58
Likes: 1
ML320, 2013 E350 Sport
I have had the Drive Kit Plus for the iPhone (http://drive-kit-plus.com/en/#s/start) installed into my 2014 E350. Is there anyone else using this device?
I'm finding that this device is VERY new to the US market, and comes with little to no users guides or operators manuals.
I've used the Siri insterface and that is cool without having to push the button on the phone, and with it using the car's antenna, my phone reception while driving is improved. Charging the phone while driving is nice too, but with the DKP's interface being in the glovebox, I'm sometimes forget the phone is still in the glovebox as I leave the car.
I'm looking for users that have it and have found some "Best Practices" of usage, or additional information on-line on how/when to use it vs. the factory nav and audio options. With Google navigation/traffic I hope to use its maps as I believe they would be more current as the car's navigation version ages.
Any assist would be appreciated ...
I'm finding that this device is VERY new to the US market, and comes with little to no users guides or operators manuals.
I've used the Siri insterface and that is cool without having to push the button on the phone, and with it using the car's antenna, my phone reception while driving is improved. Charging the phone while driving is nice too, but with the DKP's interface being in the glovebox, I'm sometimes forget the phone is still in the glovebox as I leave the car.
I'm looking for users that have it and have found some "Best Practices" of usage, or additional information on-line on how/when to use it vs. the factory nav and audio options. With Google navigation/traffic I hope to use its maps as I believe they would be more current as the car's navigation version ages.
Any assist would be appreciated ...
Thanks!
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 576
Likes: 19
From: Earth (Mostly)
2023 XC60 PHEV, 2023 XC40 BEV
The DKP was dealer installed, cost was ~ $1000 between parts and labor.
I have the P1 package, so I activate it by plugging in the iPhone to the special cable in the glovebox and cycling through the DISC button. Then the iPhone app launches and you can access the app on the COMAND systems.
I have the P1 package, so I activate it by plugging in the iPhone to the special cable in the glovebox and cycling through the DISC button. Then the iPhone app launches and you can access the app on the COMAND systems.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 576
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From: Earth (Mostly)
2023 XC60 PHEV, 2023 XC40 BEV
All-
For what the DKP does, visit this site: http://drive-kit-plus.com/en/#s/start
So far:
1. I've used the Google navigation feature to go places. Google maps are more accurate now vs. the COMAND Nav features, includes traffic. Worth $1000? Not now, but perhaps in the future I may not have to Pay for Sirius traffic or NAV updates.
2. I can play the music from my iPhone and stream from Aupeo!. Worth $1000? No. With the built-in bluetooth, I can stream my iPhone music and Pandora.
3. Knowing the gas level, mileage and VIN on my iPhone. Worth $1000? No.
4. I'm using the SIRI feature to do what I can do by pressing the COMAND buttons instead of the button on my iPhone ... worth $1000? No. Geek factor? Priceless
I don't really use Facebook, Twitter when I'm driving alone, maybe with my wife along as a passenger that will be used more in the future.
For what the DKP does, visit this site: http://drive-kit-plus.com/en/#s/start
So far:
1. I've used the Google navigation feature to go places. Google maps are more accurate now vs. the COMAND Nav features, includes traffic. Worth $1000? Not now, but perhaps in the future I may not have to Pay for Sirius traffic or NAV updates.
2. I can play the music from my iPhone and stream from Aupeo!. Worth $1000? No. With the built-in bluetooth, I can stream my iPhone music and Pandora.
3. Knowing the gas level, mileage and VIN on my iPhone. Worth $1000? No.
4. I'm using the SIRI feature to do what I can do by pressing the COMAND buttons instead of the button on my iPhone ... worth $1000? No. Geek factor? Priceless
I don't really use Facebook, Twitter when I'm driving alone, maybe with my wife along as a passenger that will be used more in the future.
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1953 300 Adenauer, 1971 300 SEL 6.3, 1975 600, 1978 450 6.9
Currently, the DKP ties you to either the iPhone4 or 4s, with new hard and software required for the 5. We can only hope that the only hardware changes are the interface cable because otherwise you are either tied to an old phone (when Apple releases the iPhone 99 early in 2015) or are faced with unknown costs in addition to the original install costs.
A few years ago MB was wedded to Blackberry. Now it is Apple. As Apple market share declines I'm sure they will switch to the next up and coming platform -whatever that may be.
Too bad they just didn't put an HDMI input in the glovebox and allow the use of the built in screen with any input source.
With distracted driving a hot topic, I find it disturbing that manufacturers are adding more distracting features to cars. Why not just relegate that big screen to what is important to most drivers - navigation?
A few years ago MB was wedded to Blackberry. Now it is Apple. As Apple market share declines I'm sure they will switch to the next up and coming platform -whatever that may be.
Too bad they just didn't put an HDMI input in the glovebox and allow the use of the built in screen with any input source.
With distracted driving a hot topic, I find it disturbing that manufacturers are adding more distracting features to cars. Why not just relegate that big screen to what is important to most drivers - navigation?
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Nov 2009
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2023 XC60 PHEV, 2023 XC40 BEV
To add to CEB's comments about distracted driving, the DKP interface has no voice control as yet. I hear it's coming in the future, but the COMAND voice control system today cannot control the DKP. A BIG miss for a hands-off, safe driving experience with the DKP.
I'm certainly hoping this will be more functional with SW udpates in the near future, already MB has mentioned Car-to-X functionality (http://www.egmcartech.com/2013/06/19...ation-systems/) for the DKP.
I'm certainly hoping this will be more functional with SW udpates in the near future, already MB has mentioned Car-to-X functionality (http://www.egmcartech.com/2013/06/19...ation-systems/) for the DKP.
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Joined: Jun 2013
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BMW 5er
wow, the 4/4s requirements are 2-3 years behind the curve. new version of iphone due next month, too.
that being said, i wonder if this solution is for people who opted out of P1/Nav.
samking, have you sent and received text messages through the COMAND screen? just wondering if this was also a feature.
that being said, i wonder if this solution is for people who opted out of P1/Nav.
samking, have you sent and received text messages through the COMAND screen? just wondering if this was also a feature.
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Joined: Nov 2013
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CLA 250
Did anyone tested if the the "DRIVE KIT PLUS" works with iPhone 5 and Apple lighting to 30-pin Adapter
iPhone 5 + Apple Lightning to 30-pin Adapter
iPhone 5 + Apple Lightning to 30-pin Adapter
or just the 14s? Id seen it online and posted a question about it here a few months back but no one answered.
Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 124
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2013 ML
To add to CEB's comments about distracted driving, the DKP interface has no voice control as yet. I hear it's coming in the future, but the COMAND voice control system today cannot control the DKP. A BIG miss for a hands-off, safe driving experience with the DKP.
I'm certainly hoping this will be more functional with SW udpates in the near future, already MB has mentioned Car-to-X functionality (http://www.egmcartech.com/2013/06/19...ation-systems/) for the DKP.
I'm certainly hoping this will be more functional with SW udpates in the near future, already MB has mentioned Car-to-X functionality (http://www.egmcartech.com/2013/06/19...ation-systems/) for the DKP.
Just curious can you play FM radio and use drive kit plus navigation at the same time?
Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 124
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2013 ML
NO! But the iphone 5 Drive kit plus is coming next month.
Did anyone tested if the the "DRIVE KIT PLUS" works with iPhone 5 and Apple lighting to 30-pin Adapter
iPhone 5 + Apple Lightning to 30-pin Adapter
iPhone 5 + Apple Lightning to 30-pin Adapter
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From: St. Paul, MN
2011 E550 4Matic
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 573
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From: Los Angeles
'19 MBZ E450 Wagon, '19 BMW 530e
You don't need DKP to get get text message on the Command system. Just make sure your iPhone has Notification setting ON. (see pic below)I just bought my wife the Moto X and the phone auto switches to driving mode and it can READ and REPLY by voice
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 31
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2011 E350 Sport 4Matic
I'm also interested in this kit, although for a 2011 E. The iPhone 5 compatible Drive Kit plus appears to be available in Europe, but not in the US as of yet. Still, I question the wisdom of spending $1000 on this thing ($550 for kit and probably similar for dealer install). You would get Google Maps and some other features...but really this kind of should have been standard. Oh well.
Member
Joined: Jan 2014
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2013 E350 Sport Wagon - 4Matic
Do you know if this plies to 2013 vehicles? (I noticed you are driving a 2014). I would test it myself but my vehicle has not been delivered yet.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2013
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From: Boston
2010 E550
Ah...I don't have that option on my IPhone. Just Synch Contacts. I'm running 7.0.3 on AT&T. Wish I could get it to sync.
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 573
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From: Los Angeles
'19 MBZ E450 Wagon, '19 BMW 530e
@shashivr4: I had 2012 model until 3 months ago. Text works there. (Relax and wait for your car to arrive and let your sales rep set everything up for you)
@stale-bread: I am running 7.0.4 on AT&T
(Try unauthorized the iPhone and re-pair it and see if the options pops up. If not then you can always update the iOS)
@E Classy: "Just add water and wait 3 minutes for extra fobby-ness"
@stale-bread: I am running 7.0.4 on AT&T
(Try unauthorized the iPhone and re-pair it and see if the options pops up. If not then you can always update the iOS)
@E Classy: "Just add water and wait 3 minutes for extra fobby-ness"
