Major issues with audio skipping via Bluetooth? iPhone 7 and X
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2009
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I use an iPhone 7 Plus. Sometimes it is connecting flawlessly and works with no issue. About 25% of the time it skips. I basically know within 30 seconds of connecting whether it is one or the other. I think there may be something the sequence of connection. If I set the car to radio before I shutdown, and therefore it starts with radio on at startup, it seems more likely to connect in non-skip mode.
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 30
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From: Seattle, WA
2010 E500 4Matic
I think I found a fix
my 2011 e550 has the same issue. When I first got it I had to do a firmware update to enable Bluetooth. This was back when iPhone 6 just came out. It worked well, but after iPhone 7 and x came out it started skipping really bad. I found that if you connect your phone but don’t sync the contacts the issue goes away. So far so good. It only occurred to me to try this few days ago so I don’t know if this is a long term fix or just a temporary one, but for the time being it seems ok. I de authorized all devices, reconnected it and when asked to allow contacts access I selected “deny”. Music works well now. Hope this helps
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2014
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From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
my 2011 e550 has the same issue. When I first got it I had to do a firmware update to enable Bluetooth. This was back when iPhone 6 just came out. It worked well, but after iPhone 7 and x came out it started skipping really bad. I found that if you connect your phone but don’t sync the contacts the issue goes away. So far so good. It only occurred to me to try this few days ago so I don’t know if this is a long term fix or just a temporary one, but for the time being it seems ok. I de authorized all devices, reconnected it and when asked to allow contacts access I selected “deny”. Music works well now. Hope this helps
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2015
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From: Miami, FL
2003 CL 600
There probably isn't newer software for a 2011 than there was a year ago. They don't update the older cars anymore once they are that far out of warranty. The car is 7 years old, if you have a phone that's 7 years old you would toss it and start with a new one, that's what MB wants you to do with the cars unfortunately. It sucks trying to get the older cars to play nice with current gen phones.
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2015
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From: Seattle, WA
2010 E500 4Matic
Maybe it's time to do another one. I think I had mine updated last year. Seemed a little better afterwards. I had it done when I had the $130 off $250 service so it wasn't too bad. You just missed one, but they seem to be doing that promotion a couple times a year now.
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Joined: May 2015
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From: Miami, FL
2003 CL 600
unfortunately my earlier “fix” turned out to be a temporary one. Just took my car to dealership to see if there was an update available. There was not. They told me that for my year (2011) the Mercedes only guarantees Bluetooth compatibility up to iPhone 6. They told me there is nothing to be done. No upgraded module or software/firmware updates that would fix this issue. Super irritating. I can’t believe Mercedes can’t make a Bluetooth connection that works reliably, and scales with phone upgrades. It’s just nonsense. Cheaper cars don’t have that issue, yet the Mercedes is sadly too incompetent or doesn’t care enough to bother with it. Clearly shows how they prioritize the customers who buy their newest vehicles while completely ignoring anyone who doesn’t drive their latest models.
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 51
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From: Dallas, TX
e350
I have the reverse problem with my iPhone X. It doesn't connect well to my headsets and headphones, but when I get in my car, it connects right up and works flawlessly. I've almost stopped using a headset entirely.
Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 100
Likes: 11
From: San Antonio, TX
2010 e350 Luxury p2
2010 E350. Having similar problems with iPhone7. Last time i tried it was dropping connection every 30 seconds. Today, it didn't even pair with the phone when i attempted to give it a try,,, My only grievance with this car.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2014
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From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
Have you tried the standard bluetooth fixes? That means deleting the connection from the phone and the car, reboot the phone and then starting again from scratch.
Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 100
Likes: 11
From: San Antonio, TX
2010 e350 Luxury p2
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2014
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From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
Time to dump the iPhone then. I paid about $370 for my Samsung S8 last year during black friday. The S9 will probably be about that same price this year. Mine works fine.
Also just curious which version of the firmware that you have. I think in the old threads it mentions how to display it.
Also just curious which version of the firmware that you have. I think in the old threads it mentions how to display it.
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 6
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2011 Mercedes E550 Coupe
Hi there, did you get this issue resolved? My bluetooth is horrific after I upgraded my iphone 6s to an 8 and I also have a 2011 E550. Thanks!
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 2
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E350 Coupe
I have a 2011 E350 Coupe and I have the same problem. After months of going back and forth with my local MB dealership, purchasing a new BT antennae (b/c they stated this was the issue and it still didn't correct the problem), MB purchasing me a new iphone 7 (because they thought my phone was the issue and they experienced the same issue with the brand new iPhone 7) they finally escalated the issue to Germany. The result - My year car doesn't support iphones after 6s and they refunded me money back for the BT antennae purchase.
It's crazy that a car 5 years old at the time and with the price of these cars, that they're not able to scale and stay up to date with advancing technology. They should be able to have some type of software update they can apply. It makes me think is this going to be a problem with their cars or other cars going continuously. Will I need to purchase a car every 5-6 years if I want the features that I paid for to continuously work.
It's crazy that a car 5 years old at the time and with the price of these cars, that they're not able to scale and stay up to date with advancing technology. They should be able to have some type of software update they can apply. It makes me think is this going to be a problem with their cars or other cars going continuously. Will I need to purchase a car every 5-6 years if I want the features that I paid for to continuously work.
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 2
Likes: 2
E350 Coupe
I have a 2011 coupe with an iPhone 7 and experiencing issues. What software are you running on your phone? Are you still not experiencing issues with your iphone 7? MB told me that my year car doesn't support iphones after 6S
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 6,190
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From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
I have a 2011 E350 Coupe and I have the same problem. After months of going back and forth with my local MB dealership, purchasing a new BT antennae (b/c they stated this was the issue and it still didn't correct the problem), MB purchasing me a new iphone 7 (because they thought my phone was the issue and they experienced the same issue with the brand new iPhone 7) they finally escalated the issue to Germany. The result - My year car doesn't support iphones after 6s and they refunded me money back for the BT antennae purchase.
It's crazy that a car 5 years old at the time and with the price of these cars, that they're not able to scale and stay up to date with advancing technology. They should be able to have some type of software update they can apply. It makes me think is this going to be a problem with their cars or other cars going continuously. Will I need to purchase a car every 5-6 years if I want the features that I paid for to continuously work.
It's crazy that a car 5 years old at the time and with the price of these cars, that they're not able to scale and stay up to date with advancing technology. They should be able to have some type of software update they can apply. It makes me think is this going to be a problem with their cars or other cars going continuously. Will I need to purchase a car every 5-6 years if I want the features that I paid for to continuously work.
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 6
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2011 Mercedes E550 Coupe
What a complete racket! How is it that Honda, Toyota, Lexus, and even Ford can keep up with technology but Mercedes (and BMW for that matter), just can't do it???
I don't want an Android phone, that's why I bought an Iphone. I don't want a Honda, Toyota, Lexus, or Ford. That's why I bought a Mercedes.
Not loving my Mercedes after having 5 BMW's in the past for a few reasons, including this one! Thanks for your reply!
Equally frustrated!
Thanks!
I don't want an Android phone, that's why I bought an Iphone. I don't want a Honda, Toyota, Lexus, or Ford. That's why I bought a Mercedes.
Not loving my Mercedes after having 5 BMW's in the past for a few reasons, including this one! Thanks for your reply!
Equally frustrated!
Thanks!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,107
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From: West Central Florida
2011 E550 P2 4M Sedan
Most times the problem is on the phone side especially after a software update. Often time such issues are fixed with a subsequent update when they get enough complaints.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2009
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I've posted this before, but I was having the same problems, bought this device. Problem solved. Yeah, it cost me $80 but that is way cheaper than a new car, or any solution Mercedes could come up with. Very happy.
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
2011 Mercedes E550 Coupe
I've posted this before, but I was having the same problems, bought this device. Problem solved. Yeah, it cost me $80 but that is way cheaper than a new car, or any solution Mercedes could come up with. Very happy.
https://www.amazon.com/CoolStream-Bl...dp/B017RW3DLG/
https://www.amazon.com/CoolStream-Bl...dp/B017RW3DLG/
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,745
Likes: 2
From: NJ
w208
I've posted this before, but I was having the same problems, bought this device. Problem solved. Yeah, it cost me $80 but that is way cheaper than a new car, or any solution Mercedes could come up with. Very happy.
https://www.amazon.com/CoolStream-Bl...dp/B017RW3DLG/
https://www.amazon.com/CoolStream-Bl...dp/B017RW3DLG/
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 60
Likes: 17
None currently
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 71
Likes: 1
From: SoCal
2018 GLS 550; 2018 Volvo XC90
Does this interfere with Bluetooth phone calls at all? i.e. if you're streaming music/podcast with the plug-in device,and then a call comes in, can you still easily answer via the car's BT?
I have a frequent skipping problem with my 2015 S212 using an Android (it's a Blackberry Priv, which is basically an Android phone in a Blackberry body). I usually have to turn the phone BT off and just listen to my podcast via headphones, which is annoying. Also, volume on BT streaming seems very low, even with the phone volume up all the way.
I have a frequent skipping problem with my 2015 S212 using an Android (it's a Blackberry Priv, which is basically an Android phone in a Blackberry body). I usually have to turn the phone BT off and just listen to my podcast via headphones, which is annoying. Also, volume on BT streaming seems very low, even with the phone volume up all the way.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2009
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None currently
It doesn't. If a phonecall comes in the system alerts there is a call and switches to bluetooth for taking it, just as it would with any other audio source playing, then returns to the "media adapter" source afterwards. I have now set "bluetooth audio" to off on my system, so bluetooth remains active for telephone, but not audio.
Last edited by dn325ci; Aug 7, 2018 at 10:56 AM.
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
E350
Here’s how I got it fixed in 2012 e350.
From your car command go to System => Settings
then choose “Activate Bluetooth” to turn it off.
Exit out and verify that Bluetooth is off on your car. Go back and reactivate your Bluetooth to turn it back on.
This should fix the audio skipping issue with iPhoneX.
Took me a while to figure this out.
From your car command go to System => Settings
then choose “Activate Bluetooth” to turn it off.
Exit out and verify that Bluetooth is off on your car. Go back and reactivate your Bluetooth to turn it back on.
This should fix the audio skipping issue with iPhoneX.
Took me a while to figure this out.
