Adding AUX input to 2020 E53
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From: Seattle, WA
2020 AMG E53 Cabriolet
Adding AUX input to 2020 E53
My new 2020 doesn't come with an AUX input (or even any kind of analogue input). I would like to add one. Using bluetooth would be fine, but I have been unable to find any bluetooth transmitter that can connect to the car as a receiver.
Can anyone suggest a way to add an AUX plug to this model?
Thanks,
Martyn
Can anyone suggest a way to add an AUX plug to this model?
Thanks,
Martyn
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 8
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From: Seattle, WA
2020 AMG E53 Cabriolet
Device type
Thanks for replying. The most common device is a Zune. I use it to listen to podcasts during commute. Yes, I recognise my phone can play podcasts, but I do still prefer the Zune podcast player.
What kind of A<>D converter would help here?
What kind of A<>D converter would help here?
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.
First, Zune is an outdated device that is no longer produced. If your car is equipped with COMAND try using the USB sync cable that came with the device? Otherwise, look on Amazon for a digital to analog converter (there are many) with connectors that are USB for the car and whatever is required for the Zune.
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2020 AMG E53 Cabriolet
Why? Because I have always with past cars connected my zune to my car for podcast listening, and now I want to keep doing that with a new car. Having a separate battery and better podcast client are why I prefer this to modern players (though that is definitely an unusual preference, for sure).
Yep, Zune is definitely a very outdated device, but AUX input is a very common standard. Nothing I want to do is Zune specific. The car will not connect to the zune USB cable.
There are many analog to digital converters on amazon, but they only work on PCs as far as I can tell. I couldn't find one that would work with a car.
So what I need is either an AUX or RCA input to either bluetooth or USB output that are compatible with a car. Already spent many hours shopping and buying there without success before I came here to ask.
Yep, Zune is definitely a very outdated device, but AUX input is a very common standard. Nothing I want to do is Zune specific. The car will not connect to the zune USB cable.
There are many analog to digital converters on amazon, but they only work on PCs as far as I can tell. I couldn't find one that would work with a car.
So what I need is either an AUX or RCA input to either bluetooth or USB output that are compatible with a car. Already spent many hours shopping and buying there without success before I came here to ask.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: San Jose area
'19 E63S sedan
Why? Because I have always with past cars connected my zune to my car for podcast listening, and now I want to keep doing that with a new car. Having a separate battery and better podcast client are why I prefer this to modern players (though that is definitely an unusual preference, for sure).
Yep, Zune is definitely a very outdated device, but AUX input is a very common standard. Nothing I want to do is Zune specific. The car will not connect to the zune USB cable.
There are many analog to digital converters on amazon, but they only work on PCs as far as I can tell. I couldn't find one that would work with a car.
So what I need is either an AUX or RCA input to either bluetooth or USB output that are compatible with a car. Already spent many hours shopping and buying there without success before I came here to ask.
Yep, Zune is definitely a very outdated device, but AUX input is a very common standard. Nothing I want to do is Zune specific. The car will not connect to the zune USB cable.
There are many analog to digital converters on amazon, but they only work on PCs as far as I can tell. I couldn't find one that would work with a car.
So what I need is either an AUX or RCA input to either bluetooth or USB output that are compatible with a car. Already spent many hours shopping and buying there without success before I came here to ask.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: San Jose area
'19 E63S sedan
Curious why you don't use your phone for podcasts and music. The BlueTooth integration works well and/or you can use CarPlay/Android Auto for an even better interface. If you use CarPlay/Android auto, the cable assures you're always charged. If not the wireless charge pad should work. But you're right, analog inputs have gone the way of cassettes.
Have you considered that approach and rejected it for some reason?
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Thread Starter
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From: Seattle, WA
2020 AMG E53 Cabriolet
I did indeed try the bluetooth route, including buying a couple of adapters. In all cases so far, they were not able to connect with the car, and when I contacted the manufacturer, they said this was expected. So then I reached out to more folks listed on amazon, and so far every manufacturer I talked to doesn't sell a car-compatible transmitter.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: San Jose area
'19 E63S sedan
I did indeed try the bluetooth route, including buying a couple of adapters. In all cases so far, they were not able to connect with the car, and when I contacted the manufacturer, they said this was expected. So then I reached out to more folks listed on amazon, and so far every manufacturer I talked to doesn't sell a car-compatible transmitter.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 8
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From: Seattle, WA
2020 AMG E53 Cabriolet
Curious why you don't use your phone for podcasts and music. The BlueTooth integration works well and/or you can use CarPlay/Android Auto for an even better interface. If you use CarPlay/Android auto, the cable assures you're always charged. If not the wireless charge pad should work. But you're right, analog inputs have gone the way of cassettes.
- I listen to podcasts quite often during the day, and my phone battery barely survives the day, so I want to conserve phone battery.
- The Zune podcast client is good, and better at least than the ones I tried when I first got my phone that were recommended by friends. I especially like how it downloads all future episodes in case they are later deleted.
- I subscribe to about 40 podcasts, and for each one the client knows already which episodes I have heard. Transitioning this info to a new client is possible, but real work, and in some cases the older episodes are no longer available.
I do avoid carplay for reasons unrelated to podcasts, having tried it when I first got the car. I don't like how the carplay navigation doesn't use my heads up display, and is just less well integrated than the car nav.
M
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2020
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From: Seattle, WA
2020 AMG E53 Cabriolet
M
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: San Jose area
'19 E63S sedan
BTW, that aux input board for COMAND says it doesn't work with external amplifiers. I believe all our cars have Burmester systems with external amps.
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: San Jose area
'19 E63S sedan
They specifically describe the transmit-to-car use case so I'd sure complain to Amazon if they say it doesn't.
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From: Seattle, WA
2020 AMG E53 Cabriolet
Followup on this device. The linked device on amazon said would work, and the manufacturer said it would work with the bluetooth A2DP. The car manual says it supports A2DP. However, like the 3 other bluetooth adapters I have already bought from Amazon, it does not connect to my car in either TX or RX mode.
If anyone has a bluetooth adapter that they have tried with a W213 2020 MB and found to work, I would be glad to try that.
Thanks to everyone who provided suggestions.
Martyn
If anyone has a bluetooth adapter that they have tried with a W213 2020 MB and found to work, I would be glad to try that.
Thanks to everyone who provided suggestions.
Martyn
