I don’t believe so, at least anymore. I had a count on both the AA/CP and the ECO override module that I just got from Vlad.

After installing ECO, it said: Install Success, 1 remaining. So I was thinking like yourself, I turned it back off (to see if I could basically) and then when turning it back on again, it stated: Install Success, 0 Remaining.

I don’t think we can record to the OSB, that is to say as you did that it records the VIN. It somehow could I guess, but I don’t suspect it does or has the ability. As always, I Kood-B-Wong

 

"Split Screen?" Ummm, no.

Just as with the OEM Comand, with Vlad's OBD2 solution, you will be able to set your MEDIA (Pandora), THEN switch to the NAV screen (now ACP) screen. Pandora will continue to play. But you will not be able to SEE both together VISUALLY. You will need to hop back and forth between the two. Just making sure you understand that.

You might be able to do more with the full replacement Android screen. But in addition to getting your hands dirty for a couple days minimum, the replacement screen will come with its own downsides, the least of which is the dealer will not touch anything associated with it.

 

That is correct with the OEM screen, but not the Android one I’m talking about. You can even do 2 different map apps at once, like Googlemaps on the left, Waze on the right and compare them, use 1 maybe w tolls, 1 without etc.

with the latest Android 10 Snapdragon processors, LG HD screens, these things are now finally acceptable, at least to me.

 

Here’s our OEM screen, with the other 2 sizes...

at first the 12.3 looked gaudy, but the more I looked at it... really grew on me, and with a quick glance I can take-in (even at half screen/split) enough info to get my eyes back on the road quickly.

 

Ah, your own personal Drive-In on wheels.

If your wife drives the car, hopefully she's taller that 5"6". Any shorter and she won't be able to look over the screen to see the curb. Can you spell Curb Rash? LOL

 

Holy crap those tacked on screens look absolutely hideous in the W212.

To each their own, but one of the reasons I own a W212 instead of one of the newer Benzes has to do with the interior being restrained and classy. That just turns it into a train wreck. The W212 with CarPlay (or AA) is modern without being stupid looking.

 

Yes, that’s a “small” concern. She’s 5-4, I’m 6-4. With me, I’ll still even see the hood, let alone the road. The bigger 12.3 diaganol screen is only 5.5” tall and will only go upwards over the dash no more than a couple of inches.

My concern is getting a green flag, the latest and greatest with all the bells n whistles (including screen mirroring, wireless AA/CarPlay for the NTG5.1 is well into the $600’s..... the older units are going quite a bit cheaper, but I’m not going to go cheap if I do it.

flowers ordered. Wine n dine Friday nite planned

 

It grew on me. My nephew just got his (2 yr on ordered) Tesla. Same screen, same look. It’s not for everybody for sure. I’m sure some will never adapt and that’s totally okay, my father still has a CRT tv in his den.

ps, I haven’t gone this way, just desire to!

 

This Tesla screen makes what I posted look very tame... the future is going to take some getting use to, eh!

 

Well, if you tend to keep your cars as long as I do, then no worries. But if you intend to keep the car a couple years then trade it on, you have to hope that your 7-8 year old car will appeal to a buyer who can get the integrated, big screen look in a newer W213.

For me? The tacked-on screens in the newer Benz convinced me to buy the W212.

 

No she’s a keeper for sure. I would of bought newer, but I couldn’t get a diesel any newer the ‘16, that was in 2018. The car and engine are unbelievable and a garage queen and keeper for a very long time.

My warranty is up in July of this year. Then I suppose I can install a Pioneer deck if I want. But, I don’t.

 

annnnd, $190 poorer, but the nearest dealer today did the firmware upgrade, and I drove around the corner, parked, and plugged in the dongle to reenable CarPlay, and plugged in my android auto enabled Pixel 3A, and.... and.... IT WORKS!

SO... just because you have the carplay volume setting on the dealer menu, and just because you have High_CY15_9, does NOT mean you have the latest firmware.....

 

Hooray. That's great to read. Enjoy!!!

 

Awesome news, congrats and enjoy! 👊🏻🍻

 

At dealer, determined both usb sockets are faulty. Tech says he wiggles it he gets a usb thumb connection. Anyway, they would have to order the dual port, and not a warranty covered item so they say. $216

i remember seeing this hub with the phone imprint on the 1 side, was it this site? Heck, might as well order that and do it myself rather than another hr drive to dealer, then waiting of course.

 

the phone imprint is on usb 2, thats for cars with android auto and carplay built in, which is an optional feature on w213 and others. not sure how ot look up its part number, I'd need the VIN of an car that came with one.

 

Got it brother, thank you!

At dealer, I had the dealer do the estimate for the new usb hub, that had the part# on it, and, it is updated or actually superceeds the older part# which doesn’t have the phone/tablet image on port 2.

To help anyone else in the future, here’s the results....
‘Mercedes Part# 172-820-20-00-80 dealer price $79.56 + $139.99 labor.

DIYers can search that number with good results. I went eBay $56.43, and brand new, not re-manufactured like so many out there; beware.






My dealer has a big picture window from the lounge looking into the service bays. I watched as my car left, then proceeded outside as I wanted to talk with the tech. Well, he took to the drive thru wash, then I nicely approached him as he parked it...

Nice bearded fellow, could of been on Duck Dynasty for sure. He tells me that the hubs do go bad, and especially when not being used. Not sure about that in-depth, but he said he did a “update pass control unit”. Not sure what that is/was, but I was thinking about my Vlad loaded CP and Eco. Whew... all was good, but I couldn’t tell him about that stuff.

I also got a complimentary map update. Probably of no good to me as I’ll be using googlemaps or Waze, but okay... it was a freebie I guess to make my trip more worth it.

So>..... “Reman Connection Unit” ordered, TBC

 

wierd that the numbers face the passenger when its on the passenger side of the storage cubby such that the passenger can barely see them without leaning way over...

just fyi...XEntry Parts Info says my 2016 has A1728202826 "Connection Unit - USB Connector"

and I guess you need two thin metal tools to insert into the slots and push the two release clips towards the middle to get it out. most of my small flat screwdrivers are too thick for the slits.

 

I’ll install it with graphics facing driver. In reviewing install videos, it appears to be ambidextrous. The USB only port 1, and the Comand port 2 have different connectors, but it looks like there’s room to do this.

 

that probably depends on the nature of what its plugging into. if its a plug on a short pigtail, then you can probably twist it around 180 degrees. but if its a captive plug in the bottom of the bay, then probably not.

 

I’ve watched 3 videos of this removal, all look like a little movement there. Not a dealbreaker if not.

 

Just me I guess, but I would install the connectors as recommended, with the phone port on the bottom. This way, you can plug the cord into it and leave it connected. If you put #1 in the bottom slot, you will have to reach around the phone connection (at top) in order to plug USB flash drives in #1. Phone at the bottom and you can leave the cable attached with no obstructions of the top port. Hope that makes sense.

 

This would be the only consideration to keep it inverted. For my setup; It will have the wireless dongle on it, well, unless I upgrade the screen that is. Still my overall desire of course.

 

Your car is under warranty and they won't replace faulty USB ports?

 

I guess since the ports charge a phone okay, no. I probably could argue this and win, but at this point, I’m not willing to drive the hr+ and then wait to get it done anyways. Shoots an entire morning, since I’m doing so many modifications anyways, basically easier for me to do this.

Wife pre-gave me the green flag to order in the new Android10 12.3” screen. So I have to run a wire to the USB hub and a center console removal is necessary anyways.