E-Class (W212) 2010 - 2016: E 350, E 550
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: CARiD

2010 E350 Bluetooth Audio Stutter when first connecting?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Dec 25, 2021 | 07:27 AM
  #1  
draculr's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 40
Likes: 5
2009 CLK280
2010 E350 Bluetooth Audio Stutter when first connecting?

I recently picked up a 2010 E350 expecting to have to use AUX like my 2008 CLK but to my surprise it has Bluetooth Audio that actually works fairly well and sounds good. The only downside is that when first connecting to my phone it will usually have a fair bit of audio stutter/skipping and lag when trying to control the audio through the in car controls (such as skipping tracks or pausing).

Sometimes it will have no issue at all, other times it will vary from a few seconds to a couple of minutes.

Is there anything that can be done about it? I deleted and reconnected my phone (iPhone 13) which didn't help, I tried disabling contact sync which did nothing either. Any way to get software updates?

Whereabouts is the bluetooth transmitter in this car for me to perhaps try positioning my phone closer?

I'm very happy to have bluetooth audio on a 2010 year car but it would be perfect if this issue can be resolved somehow!
Reply
Old Dec 26, 2021 | 08:24 PM
  #2  
Arrie's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
 
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,141
Likes: 1,293
From: Southern US
2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
Originally Posted by draculr
I recently picked up a 2010 E350 expecting to have to use AUX like my 2008 CLK but to my surprise it has Bluetooth Audio that actually works fairly well and sounds good. The only downside is that when first connecting to my phone it will usually have a fair bit of audio stutter/skipping and lag when trying to control the audio through the in car controls (such as skipping tracks or pausing).

Sometimes it will have no issue at all, other times it will vary from a few seconds to a couple of minutes.

Is there anything that can be done about it? I deleted and reconnected my phone (iPhone 13) which didn't help, I tried disabling contact sync which did nothing either. Any way to get software updates?

Whereabouts is the bluetooth transmitter in this car for me to perhaps try positioning my phone closer?

I'm very happy to have bluetooth audio on a 2010 year car but it would be perfect if this issue can be resolved somehow!
I first had a 2011 E350 brand new and soon traded it to my current 2010 E550. Both cars had the same problem with Bluetooth really not being even part of the car. Those days MB sold a "box" that would connect with the phone by BT.

But, for both cars I got software updates from MB and as my cars were under warranty it was free. Both cars sound from speakers improved and BT worked and still works on my E550. I don't use it often but it works very well.

You should ask your MB dealer if there are any software updates for your car. It is pricey but if BT is what you want then it may be worth it?

Reply
Old Dec 27, 2021 | 02:53 AM
  #3  
draculr's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 40
Likes: 5
2009 CLK280
I'll give the dealer a call when they're open and see what they say! If I could get that working smoothly I won't need to do a carplay install.
Reply
Old Dec 27, 2021 | 05:28 AM
  #4  
Left Coast Geek's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
5 Year Member
Photogenic
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 2,412
Likes: 1,482
From: 122W, 37N
2016 E350 4Matic wagon, 2019 Ford Expedition, 2019 Chevy Bolt EV
don't be surprised if the dealer charges on the order of 1 hour labor at their rates (its $200/hour here, eek) for a 'flashware' upgrade of the COMAND system. I needed to beg the dealer service to do this for my freshly acquired 2016 so I could use the ebay 'activator' to enable CarPlay and AndroidAuto (which have been working *great* for me for the past year). Now, 2016 had the 'new' NTG 5.1, which was used on W213, this android auto upgrade is not available for any previous year.
Reply
Old Dec 27, 2021 | 05:45 AM
  #5  
draculr's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 40
Likes: 5
2009 CLK280
Here in Australia I think the dealer rates are over $300/h! I’ve been quoted $1250 to get a CarPlay kit fully installed if it’s $300+ for a firmware update I may as well go with CarPlay instead.
Reply
Old Dec 27, 2021 | 05:49 AM
  #6  
Left Coast Geek's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
5 Year Member
Photogenic
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 2,412
Likes: 1,482
From: 122W, 37N
2016 E350 4Matic wagon, 2019 Ford Expedition, 2019 Chevy Bolt EV
Those chinese carplay/AA adapter kits can be pretty sketchy, so caveat emptor
Reply
Old Dec 27, 2021 | 05:58 AM
  #7  
draculr's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 40
Likes: 5
2009 CLK280
This is the one I was looking at: Online Store | main (naviplus.com.au)

Is that just a repackaged Ali express kit?
Reply
Old Dec 27, 2021 | 07:04 AM
  #8  
Left Coast Geek's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
5 Year Member
Photogenic
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 2,412
Likes: 1,482
From: 122W, 37N
2016 E350 4Matic wagon, 2019 Ford Expedition, 2019 Chevy Bolt EV
Originally Posted by draculr
This is the one I was looking at: Online Store | main (naviplus.com.au)

Is that just a repackaged Ali express kit?
quite possible, or maybe something the vendor has ordered specifically from a small chinese manufacturer that we'd all consider no-name. hard to say as the vendor isn't giving any brand names or clues other than sales pages.

btw, I'd be *very* surprised if a Mercedes dealer would install this for you as it involves plugging its various bits in between the car's components then figuring out where to stuff the 2 aftermarket modules..
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Dec 28, 2021 | 12:23 AM
  #9  
draculr's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 40
Likes: 5
2009 CLK280
Originally Posted by Left Coast Geek
quite possible, or maybe something the vendor has ordered specifically from a small chinese manufacturer that we'd all consider no-name. hard to say as the vendor isn't giving any brand names or clues other than sales pages.

btw, I'd be *very* surprised if a Mercedes dealer would install this for you as it involves plugging its various bits in between the car's components then figuring out where to stuff the 2 aftermarket modules..
I've got a guy I use for car audio installs who recommended this kit, but I'm not sure how reliable it would be!
Reply
Old Dec 28, 2021 | 12:40 AM
  #10  
Left Coast Geek's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
5 Year Member
Photogenic
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 2,412
Likes: 1,482
From: 122W, 37N
2016 E350 4Matic wagon, 2019 Ford Expedition, 2019 Chevy Bolt EV
well, if he's done that kit on your generation E, and it worked, sure, then its probably OK. it probably has quirks.
Reply
Old Jan 4, 2022 | 09:28 AM
  #11  
RDE38's Avatar
Member
5 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 82
Likes: 20
2011 e550
Do you happen to wear an Apple Watch? They tend to interfere with the connection when streaming Bluetooth. For me, if I pause the audio from my watch for about 5-10 seconds and then hit play again from the watch then the stuttering goes away.
Reply
Old Jan 4, 2022 | 03:38 PM
  #12  
draculr's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 40
Likes: 5
2009 CLK280
Originally Posted by RDE38
Do you happen to wear an Apple Watch? They tend to interfere with the connection when streaming Bluetooth. For me, if I pause the audio from my watch for about 5-10 seconds and then hit play again from the watch then the stuttering goes away.
Oh that’s very interesting. I do in fact wear an Apple Watch. I’ve found that if I hit stop on the car and wait until it actually stops the music then start it up again there’s a good chance the lag will be gone but next time I’ll try it from the watch and see what happens!
Reply
Old Jan 4, 2022 | 04:29 PM
  #13  
RDE38's Avatar
Member
5 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 82
Likes: 20
2011 e550
Yeah, and if I don’t wear the watch at all or turn it off then there is no stuttering.
Reply
Old Jan 4, 2022 | 07:06 PM
  #14  
Left Coast Geek's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
5 Year Member
Photogenic
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 2,412
Likes: 1,482
From: 122W, 37N
2016 E350 4Matic wagon, 2019 Ford Expedition, 2019 Chevy Bolt EV
now, I don't use an apple watch OR apple anything, but I've found that many Android phones start to get overloaded if you are doing too many different 'radio' things at once. these phones tend to have a single 'software defined radio' module in them, and for an example, if I have the GPS location enabled, and the wifi hotspot enabled and relaying cellular data reception, then the bluetooth audio streaming will get flakey. my newer Pixel 3A is a lot better than my first gen Pixel was.
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:33 AM.

story-0
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-1
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-4
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-6
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

Slideshow: From bulletproof sedans to surprisingly tough SUVs, these Mercedes models proved that the three-pointed star can go the distance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-08 09:55:49


VIEW MORE