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Hi, I recently acquired a 2012 W212 wagon and I am loving it currently. However I got used to carplay from my previous car. Primarily, I just want to have a good navigation system on the main display versus looking down at my phone constantly for safety reasons. I have been reading a couple of threads like this one for example: (https://www.reddit.com/r/W212mercedes/comments/1iyehif/all_of_the_carplay_options_and_opinions/), and some advertisements on this forum. Despite my research I haven't been able to find a definitive answer as to what people recommend. The roadtop seems promising and is the most affordable but, in the reddit thread it says the unit can get issues from being in the heat. That's why I wanted to ask the forum members what system they use and what they recommend to get a better idea what I should purchase. As far as what I am looking for, touchscreen is nice, but I have no issue using the original screen and the control knob at the base of the dashboard (honestly I would prefer to keep the original screen). I was originally planning on going wired, but I was reading you can lose some functionality with the main unit, so is wireless the best way to go in that case? Also as far as budget goes, I wouldn't mind spending more money on a nice system that will last me forever. Thanks!
”The roadtop seems promising and is the most affordable but, in the reddit thread it says the unit can get issues from being in the heat.”
That unit, amd others like it (like mine) definitely don’t like heat and are somewhat dependent on installation location. I installed mine on the RH side of the console, and I wonder if installing it behind the screen would have been better, which I know some have done, so it must be possible. I like my car really warm in the winter and this has on occasion shut down the unit. Because of how the wiring works, options are limited.
I’m currently leaning towards the unit sold by 4x4parts in Canada, likely the Linux version not Android. But the tarriff BS has slowed me down.
I would be ok with the OEM screen but it seems like those are older versions. And I’d rather have something more recent. If I’m wrong please let me know.
Return to work post thanksgiving bump. I was doing some more research and saw that some w212s come equipped with a harman/becker module in the glovebox, unfortunately my w212 does not come equipped with one. I think this solution would be the easiest as you can just plug the module into your vehicle. I found that info in this thread here (https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...play-w212.html). It seems like this company has good support and reviews so it will be something I look into. Hopefully I can hear more experiences from people here on the forum. Thanks.
I got the 12 inch road top unit for my 2010 glk, so far it’s been working well, biggest pros obviously having CarPlay and wireless audio streaming, didn’t have it on my car. Some negatives, sometimes takes a bit of time when changing from oem radio to the road top unit, and the microphone on the road top unit is not that great, but passable. I bought from Amazon for easy return if anything, but road top said their customer support is only for customers that bought through their official website, so when I had a question for them they said to contact Amazon for support.
Good Friday morning everyone, this is the unit I just purchased for my E350! It should arrive by the end of the month and I’ll keep you posted about the unit.
W212 M276 DELA 30 ; W211 M113k, W126 M117, W126 OM617, W211 OM642 ; R107 M117 X2, Sierra 1500 LZ0
Originally Posted by jjE350
Good Friday morning everyone, this is the unit I just purchased for my E350! It should arrive by the end of the month and I’ll keep you posted about the unit.
I look forward to your review and hopefully notes on installation. Love my E400, but the infotainment is so outdated.I have AA in my truck and it's a game changer.
That’s great news. It’s taken me several weeks to decide on which brand & model to purchase, but I’m really happy to hear your feedback and experience! I’m excited to see what is delivered later this month. Have a great weekend my friend!
I have a Road Top module that's been really finicky. I may have screwed it up with a firmware update and will pick up the Unami. Thanks!
I came close to purchasing a Road Top unit, but the Black Friday discount pushed me over the edge to go with the Navirider unit. I’m anxiously awaiting it’s arrival
They don't share installation information on their website, how difficult is it to install? Do you have any guides? I ripped apart my W211 to install a new screen and it was a giant hassle trying to find all the right connectors and route things. I don't want to rip apart my W212 interior if I can avoid it.
They don't share installation information on their website, how difficult is it to install? Do you have any guides? I ripped apart my W211 to install a new screen and it was a giant hassle trying to find all the right connectors and route things. I don't want to rip apart my W212 interior if I can avoid it.
Dub VBenz, as soon as I receive my unit I’ll let you know about the installation documentation 🤞🏻
Posting here to follow results. I picked up a 2012 E350 Bluetec with no Becker port in the glovebox yesterday and want to have carplay functions displayed on the infotainment screen. The Roadtop unit is an absolute no for me as I live in the deep south so heat would be a factor for half of the year or more.
This is my first Mercedes and I picked it up as a daily driver as I want to stop putting miles on my truck when I don't need to use a truck. In the past I've been more of a BMW guy (and have an e46 M3 convertible as a fun weekend car) but I like the way a heavy sedan, to use RR's term, proceeds so strongly!
Posting here to follow results. I picked up a 2012 E350 Bluetec with no Becker port in the glovebox yesterday and want to have carplay functions displayed on the infotainment screen. The Roadtop unit is an absolute no for me as I live in the deep south so heat would be a factor for half of the year or more.
This is my first Mercedes and I picked it up as a daily driver as I want to stop putting miles on my truck when I don't need to use a truck. In the past I've been more of a BMW guy (and have an e46 M3 convertible as a fun weekend car) but I like the way a heavy sedan, to use RR's term, proceeds so strongly!
OneSwellFoop, as soon I get my unit installed I’ll be happy to share information with you and the group, I’ve got my hopes up high for this project!
Wow, I came back from vacation and was shocked to see the thread got a lot of traction. This UNAVI unit seems promising... Someone I know has also had it done in the past allegedly. I heard they can allegedly be a PITA to get working, but the customer support is very good. I am going to do more research before I decide on my unit, but I think I am leaning towards the UNAVI based on all the positive feedback on this thread. When I decide on a unit, I will update the thread again and give my opinions on it. Until then.
Well I wound up buying the CarLinkLife kit and, so far, I am unimpressed. The first unit they sent was with a super budget shipper and, as far as I can tell, that one is still sitting in a distribution facility in the midwest and has been since December 16th. They sent another one that got here reasonably fast but their install video is incomplete, skips around, is unclear so that you've got to go back and reference various written materials that are included in the box to figure out what they mean. So, after all that, I've gotten what I thought was everything hooked up, but there's no audio of any sort coming out of the speakers (though my wife could hear me on her end on a test phone call, small victories, I guess.)
I've been installing my own head units and audio systems in my cars ( and my friends' cars) since the late 90's and this is, by far, the worst documentation and install instructions I have ever seen.
W212 M276 DELA 30 ; W211 M113k, W126 M117, W126 OM617, W211 OM642 ; R107 M117 X2, Sierra 1500 LZ0
Originally Posted by OneSwellFoop
Well I wound up buying the CarLinkLife kit and, so far, I am unimpressed. The first unit they sent was with a super budget shipper and, as far as I can tell, that one is still sitting in a distribution facility in the midwest and has been since December 16th. They sent another one that got here reasonably fast but their install video is incomplete, skips around, is unclear so that you've got to go back and reference various written materials that are included in the box to figure out what they mean. So, after all that, I've gotten what I thought was everything hooked up, but there's no audio of any sort coming out of the speakers (though my wife could hear me on her end on a test phone call, small victories, I guess.)
I've been installing my own head units and audio systems in my cars ( and my friends' cars) since the late 90's and this is, by far, the worst documentation and install instructions I have ever seen.
That was my experience with the Joying unit I got for my W211. After I got it installed, it's actually very nice, but the install really sucked.
I'm curious as to why you added an android screen to the 2017 W222? The screens are already huge, and doesn't it have enough modern stuff that you don't need aftermarket? What was the end result for the addition on the W222? Aka, what did you gain vs the OEM system?
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