Pros:
1. 100% Full Screen wireless Apple CarPlay
Full Screen Wireless CarPlay need change head unit to a brand new one:
A: If your car equipped with MBUX Mid (code 548), after job done: you will get:
Faster processor and bigger ram
Full screen wireless CarPlay
USB Video Play Back
Optional:
Full Screen Map View in Cluster
Double activated Navigation running in two 12.3 inch screens (one is original map, on is Carplay map(google map or waze map or apple map)
Map Updated to latest.
Ability to upgrade Augmented Reality Navigation if you install AR Camera.
Ability to activate Dashcam App
Ability to activate AMG Track Pace
B: If your car is equipped with MBUX High (code 549):
MBUX High to New High:
Full screen wireless CarPlay
Optional:
AMG Track Pace App
Activate Dashcam App
Map Updated to latest.
2: No issue on Original AC display and Auto Parking Sensor Show-up
3: No Audio Conflict between Radio and CarPlay Navigation
4: No Bluetooth On/Off issue
5: No need any extra wiring
6: No need install any Media interface box, or Android system
7: No resolution loss: Full 1920x720 and Full 12.3 inch
8: No loss of display and control of Media Info of CarPlay in instrument cluster and centre touchpad
Cons:
1. MBUX 4G network will be lost, (can be recovered by dealer or indi workshop with dealer device, provided detailed instructions.)
Once New MBUX head unit installed, the MBUX network (internet) will be no longer available, so MBUX will be stay offline.
But functions in Mercedes me app in your smart Phone still working well like checking the car status, remotely lock/unlock, remote engine start, checking car locations, Hi Mercedes, all working well
So it will affect these features:
1. In “Hi Mercedes”, all local command all working well like “ambient light red”, "open roof blinds", but those command need network “How’s the weather today” won’t work.
2: In order to get this 4G network working again: you need go dealer for help, instruction of this dealer job can be obtained from us.
3: At time of selling out your car, you can install back the stock MBUX unit (fully reversible). and sell out the unit you bought from us to other people for full screen CarPlay. We can help you do remote coding to activate all (at very low cost).
Feel free to contact us if you have any further inquiries, and to get yours done: https://wa.me/6597335000
Thanks for the progress. You are the best! I might contact you later for the product.
Its a shame though, that even people with MBUX High HU need to replace the headunit and its not simple coding job (as I suspect that I have High variant).
I am very interested. I am not sure if my WhatsApp message when though. If it did not here is what I wrote.
Hi I saw you on MB World. Are you selling the product the Chinese firms are selling? Do I understand that you remove the MB head unit and replace it with your head unit? I assume that I must take apart the dash, is that correct? When I take the car in for service will MB say I voided the warranty? What is the cost?
I communicated with this company via WhatsApp. I'm optimistic that this is a reliable and quality solution. I intend to investigate the company and I will buy the product at a cost of $800 plus tax and plus shipping. I'm hoping that I can find a mechanic in the New York area to help me to remove the center console and switch the head unit which controls the display.
My plan is to make a video of this. If any of you live in New York City area, maybe you can introduce me to a mechanic to help me. I'm not afraid to take apart the Center console but I'd rather have someone help me if possible. If I understand correctly, there is a part that can be purchased from Mercedes that allows for full screen, CarPlay and I assume full screen, android auto. It sounds like this product is much better than the module that is placed in between the Mercedes module and the video screen which seems to be problematic. Standby. And I will report.
I am on the fence. I wrote to the guy selling the device but he has not answered all my questions.
Here is what I found out: This fellow in Singapore, his name is Max Yao, he sells a module which he claims is made by Mercedes-Benz. You have to open up your center console and remove the current module and replace it with the new module. Once the new module is installed. You have to have a cable that connects to the car and into a PC laptop. Then apparently Mr. Yao connects over the Internet to the computer and configures the module to work with your car. He wants $800 plus freight for the module. I believe the computer cable and connector cells for under $100. I asked him some questions which he either was unwilling or refused to answer. It made me nervous and I did not move forward. Simultaneously, a long time user of this website wrote to me and told me that he trusted Max and had done business with him. The questions I asked were as follows: 1.. Will this void my warranty in anyway if I take the car into Mercedes for service? 2. Will it be necessary for me to periodically update the software and what do I do if I have to reconfigure The unit? I had some concerns Because he did not answer my emails. It made me nervous. He also wanted an extra $150 to make the onboard camera work and I felt that was just gilding the lily. I had the feeling it was all about money and once I paid I would be on my own. It was complicated for me to get answers to the questions above. And given that he didn’t answer my two questions above I was nervous. Add to that that it’s a pain in the neck to take car apart and I just haven’t done anything.
I wish that we could find two or three of us to chip in and buy one of these units to see if it works. Then if it does, the rest of us could proceed. I also wonder if we can’t just buy the module from Mercedes ourselves if it’s legitimate.
I am on the fence. I wrote to the guy selling the device but he has not answered all my questions.
Here is what I found out: This fellow in Singapore, his name is Max Yao, he sells a module which he claims is made by Mercedes-Benz. You have to open up your center console and remove the current module and replace it with the new module. Once the new module is installed. You have to have a cable that connects to the car and into a PC laptop. Then apparently Mr. Yao connects over the Internet to the computer and configures the module to work with your car. He wants $800 plus freight for the module. I believe the computer cable and connector cells for under $100. I asked him some questions which he either was unwilling or refused to answer. It made me nervous and I did not move forward. Simultaneously, a long time user of this website wrote to me and told me that he trusted Max and had done business with him. The questions I asked were as follows: 1.. Will this void my warranty in anyway if I take the car into Mercedes for service? 2. Will it be necessary for me to periodically update the software and what do I do if I have to reconfigure The unit? I had some concerns Because he did not answer my emails. It made me nervous. He also wanted an extra $150 to make the onboard camera work and I felt that was just gilding the lily. I had the feeling it was all about money and once I paid I would be on my own. It was complicated for me to get answers to the questions above. And given that he didn’t answer my two questions above I was nervous. Add to that that it’s a pain in the neck to take car apart and I just haven’t done anything.
I wish that we could find two or three of us to chip in and buy one of these units to see if it works. Then if it does, the rest of us could proceed. I also wonder if we can’t just buy the module from Mercedes ourselves if it’s legitimate.
Thanks, I’m a bit on the fence as well for similar reasons as I’m still under warranty. Paying all this money and then having to go to a dealer and pay them to program your LTE seems daunting. I would be more daring if my warranty was up and I had cash to blow like that. If coders could figure out how to enable Baidu Carlife on non-Chinese vehicles, this problem would easily be solved. Baidu Carlife comes with all Chinese MBUX vehicles, and uses the fullscreen. On aliexpress, there are cheap USB dongles that convert Baidu Carlife to Apple CarPlay, enabling fullscreen Apple CarPlay on Chinese MBUX vehicles. This is what it looks like on Chinese vehicles:
I thought Aliexpress only allowed the user to connect via bluetooth. I did not know it allows full screen. Could we offer a reward, to a programmer, to create code that allows full screen CarPlay, It would need to be loaded via OBD2 from a laptop. We need to be able to reinstall the OEM software before we take the car to the dealer and reinstall the full screen software after we get the car back. Could we find 20 owners who would pledge to pay $300. That would be $6000. I suspect we would find 40 drivers.
I am snot sure where we would find such a programmer but I predict that they exist.
Thanks, I’m a bit on the fence as well for similar reasons as I’m still under warranty. Paying all this money and then having to go to a dealer and pay them to program your LTE seems daunting. I would be more daring if my warranty was up and I had cash to blow like that. If coders could figure out how to enable Baidu Carlife on non-Chinese vehicles, this problem would easily be solved. Baidu Carlife comes with all Chinese MBUX vehicles, and uses the fullscreen. On aliexpress, there are cheap USB dongles that convert Baidu Carlife to Apple CarPlay, enabling fullscreen Apple CarPlay on Chinese MBUX vehicles. This is what it looks like on Chinese vehicles:
I'm afraid that is not a good comparison.
That is a Mercedes CLA / A Class. They have a different version of MBUX and it's full screen from factory.
I know this as I've had a loaner for past few weeks while my E Class was in for warranty work.
The comparison is right. A classes come both with NTG 6 and NTG 7. But the Baidu Carlife thing is real. Even on NTG 6, where carplay isnt fullscreen, Baidu has been fixed to be fullscreen by last updates. Problem is ofc, getting baidu to work.
I think there is 50% change baidu would get to the car, if you just changed your Mercedes account adress - This will change the options available in store, and after changing the adress purchase the Smartphone integration package inside car store.
Is anyone willing to try the procedure above? I dont want to spend the money and then see it missing.
I am on the fence. I wrote to the guy selling the device but he has not answered all my questions.
Here is what I found out: This fellow in Singapore, his name is Max Yao, he sells a module which he claims is made by Mercedes-Benz. You have to open up your center console and remove the current module and replace it with the new module. Once the new module is installed. You have to have a cable that connects to the car and into a PC laptop. Then apparently Mr. Yao connects over the Internet to the computer and configures the module to work with your car. He wants $800 plus freight for the module. I believe the computer cable and connector cells for under $100. I asked him some questions which he either was unwilling or refused to answer. It made me nervous and I did not move forward. Simultaneously, a long time user of this website wrote to me and told me that he trusted Max and had done business with him. The questions I asked were as follows: 1.. Will this void my warranty in anyway if I take the car into Mercedes for service? 2. Will it be necessary for me to periodically update the software and what do I do if I have to reconfigure The unit? I had some concerns Because he did not answer my emails. It made me nervous. He also wanted an extra $150 to make the onboard camera work and I felt that was just gilding the lily. I had the feeling it was all about money and once I paid I would be on my own. It was complicated for me to get answers to the questions above. And given that he didn’t answer my two questions above I was nervous. Add to that that it’s a pain in the neck to take car apart and I just haven’t done anything.
I wish that we could find two or three of us to chip in and buy one of these units to see if it works. Then if it does, the rest of us could proceed. I also wonder if we can’t just buy the module from Mercedes ourselves if it’s legitimate.
1.. Will this void my warranty in anyway if I take the car into Mercedes for service?
Since we removed your old MBUX head unit, we replaced it by another exactly same MBUX (original Genuine Mercedes Brand New unit). So wrty won’t be affected at all. It is same like you change a original brake pad. You can go back to dealer to do what ever upgrade or service or repair. No problem at all.
2. Will it be necessary for me to periodically update the software and what do I do if I have to reconfigure The unit?
No. MBUX might reached it final version FUP4.0 already. So don’t worry. Even you got new update, you won’t lose this feature. And I am always around for anything happen.
BTW, I am always available to discuss with you via WhatsApp, you seems quite busy, so I did not bothering you. Email sent to me might be ignored as too many of them everyday.
The comparison is right. A classes come both with NTG 6 and NTG 7. But the Baidu Carlife thing is real. Even on NTG 6, where carplay isnt fullscreen, Baidu has been fixed to be fullscreen by last updates. Problem is ofc, getting baidu to work.
I think there is 50% change baidu would get to the car, if you just changed your Mercedes account adress - This will change the options available in store, and after changing the adress purchase the Smartphone integration package inside car store.
Is anyone willing to try the procedure above? I dont want to spend the money and then see it missing.
Very good point, You may try to change address first, and see if it can go through, just stop at the step of make payment. At least share your result here.
I will contribute $300 to the first person, in the USA, who has been on this site for at least three years, if you try this. I only ask that you report on it after installation if it works. If It works, reliably, I will buy it myself, and figure out how to install it. If it doesn't work, I'm out $300. If one or two other people will contribute and the guinea pig pays nothing. If it does work, then I have a feeling Mr. Max will make a lot of sales.
I will contribute $300 to the first person, in the USA, who has been on this site for at least three years, if you try this. I only ask that you report on it after installation if it works. If It works, reliably, I will buy it myself, and figure out how to install it. If it doesn't work, I'm out $300. If one or two other people will contribute and the guinea pig pays nothing. If it does work, then I have a feeling Mr. Max will make a lot of sales.
I will contribute $300 to the first person, in the USA, who has been on this site for at least three years, if you try this. I only ask that you report on it after installation if it works. If It works, reliably, I will buy it myself, and figure out how to install it. If it doesn't work, I'm out $300. If one or two other people will contribute and the guinea pig pays nothing. If it does work, then I have a feeling Mr. Max will make a lot of sales.
Wanted to chime in. I’ve already installed this same exact solution offered by Elebest in my 2022 Mbenz GLS. I posted about it and all the detail in the link below in the GLS subforum. Actually, before this solution existed, I reached out to Elebest asking him for a solution as I tried some Aliexpress carplay boxes (also wrote about them in the full thread), and none of them worked. Elebest came back to me and I already served at that time as a beta tester for this solution and things worked like magic.
I’ve had this wireless fullscreen carplay in my car for 3 MONTHS… it hasn’t crashed even once. Very stable, exactly what was promised. Worked everytime I get into the car; and I posted about all the little minor things in my full thread. Max was very responsive via WhatsApp and even helped me with the installation via a video call. As far as warranty, my service advisor said that as the owner am free to install any OEM equipment, and since the unit I got from Elebest was a brand new Mbenz OEM headunit, there are no concerns that I need to be worried about. I also had max coding ILS adaptive headlights in my GLS, as well as my S-class. Highly recommended and very positive experience. Good luck everyone. Am not as active on this forum as in the past as a I daily drive a BMW and spend half time on BMW forums lol, but happy to chat or feel free to reach out for additional feedback.
Summary from post above: 1. CarPlay is displayed at full resolution/clarity of the screen 2. It made CarPlay wireless. I can see the factory/setting window for CarPlay wireless (see photos in the link above). 3. All buttons and shortcuts also work including music swipe etc on the touch pad, 4. There are factory AC temperature, air conditioning, and sound toggle windows that appear when changed and then disappear (photo in link/post above) 5. With the pre-coded OEM parts he sent me, I also received high-end MBUX specifications and features. Once I installed everything, CarPlay full and wireless worked immediately. He also coded full-screen MBUX maps onto the driver’s display. If I get a camera, augmented reality can be enabled but I didn’t want it. 6. He also coded it to allow carplay text while driving, and also coded it to allow MBUX and CarPlay maps navigation to both work/navigate at the same time if needed.
In the end… thanks a lot, @EleBest, you fixed the only thing I hated about my GLS in the past…’
Thank you S W222. It is easy to see why you have almost 1000 likes! I will proceed
You’re welcome man!….. Lol… yeah.. I also take the approach of looking at the post-to-likes ratio before taking anyone’s comments serious on the thread. I have 1:2 or 50% ration and am proud of it. We all work hard on our reputation I guess, and we all want to keep it this way via honest contribution and helping others so we also get answers when we as questions too.
Anyway, also make sure to read the entire post in my thread and understand the benefits vs any disadvantages. To me, it worked well, and the things u may lose aren’t important to me (example: the full screen is based on last-connection sort of memory, so usually we set my wife’s phone for that cause she drives the GLS more than me. Frankly even the factory MBUX has this issue to randomly select one of the phones…. So to avoid this, I just let my wife phone as the main one always, then if I drive the GLS I just use the wired connection for my phone, to keep the wireless last memory setting for my wife’s phone so she won’t need to do manual connection again, although I can still connect but I don’t drive the GLS on daily basis to worry about that). The ability to type address while moving at low speeds is a good feature for us while traveling. Last. I don’t know if there is any other challenges other than last connectivity setting with the unit. Note that you will still have access to the partial screen carplay if you do wired cable (if you like), so it’s nice that both are still available. I don’t think there are any other disadvantages (oh, there will be no more android auto, but I don’t have androids, because the new wireless full screen carplay will take over the android auto option in the connections type window). So basically what he does is that he replaces android auto for you with wireless carplay… but he keeps also for your the partial screen wired carplay. Technically u can have two apple phones this way one for each connection method as you see fit. Trying to honestly think about other stuff, but nothing in mind to worry about. This new unit is faster than my factory med-spec factory MBUX… it has zero glitches and never ever got stuck. Plus, you end up with a backup redundant original MBUX headunit (your original unit or you can sell it on ebay they seem to go from 500 to 900 USd so you might get all your money back after you sell the car). I decided to keep it. Good luck man. Again read everything and decode for yourself, am here to help if you have questions when am around on the forum.
Thanks W222, I have a few questions if you can answer?
1. Does Waze work full screen?
2. Currently car play will read out any text I receive, if I touch the screen. Is that that same with Elebest?
3. I can dictate a text using car play, do you know if that works?
4, Do I understand that I can have Mercedes navigation and Waze at the same time on different screens?
5. I have the camera. Does the camera turn on by itself or do I have to start it each time?
6. How difficult was the remote programing? How long did it take?
I have to take apart my dash to install in my car. I am to looking forward to that.
Thanks W222, I have a few questions if you can answer?
1. Does Waze work full screen?
2. Currently car play will read out any text I receive, if I touch the screen. Is that that same with Elebest?
3. I can dictate a text using car play, do you know if that works?
4, Do I understand that I can have Mercedes navigation and Waze at the same time on different screens?
5. I have the camera. Does the camera turn on by itself or do I have to start it each time?
6. How difficult was the remote programing? How long did it take?
I have to take apart my dash to install in my car. I am to looking forward to that.
Thanks
1. Waze is part of CarPlay, so it must work just fine (it has nothing to do with the system). Although I haven't tried it but am 9(% it should. I'll try it next time I drive the GLS but am on business travel for 1 week now 2. CarPlay works the same exact way .... You are basically getting factory CarPlay system but in full screen. EVERYTHING will be the same including text reading, Siri activation, etc. 3. not sure what dictate is, so I don't know the answer, but again, you will preserve each and every factory carplay feature. 4, Mercedes navigation and CarPlay Navigation on different screens? YES at least I tried to use CarPlay navi and MBUX navi and it worked .. you can see that in the photo I attached. This is an added/bonus feature as I understood it and yes both can navigate and work at the same time. 5. I have the camera. Does the camera turn on by itself or do I have to start it each time? What camera? Dashcam? I don't have a dashcam, so never tried, but you can ask Elebest... I think he can simply make sure that your dashcam is activate. If you are rererring to reverrse camera, of couse, it will work just like factory again. I see from most of your question that you think this carplay solution acts like the chinese box... which I have also tried as you can tell from one of my threads. No, this solution is NOT a box, it's a factory OEM headunit shows shows carplay in full screne, so yes camera button and camera operation will be exactly as before. 6. How difficult was the remote programing? How long did it take? Hmmm, I think it took us 15 min... it's been 3-4 months by end of Oct or 1st week of Nov when I did it. I recall that he had to activate the unit to my VIN and within 10-15 min everything was working. You will need a Laptop (feel free to create a new admin profile for security purposes), download TeamViewer on it and give him access.. You don't need to do anything else. Make sure you an OBD2 to USB cable (called Openport 2.0), Elebest can suggest you one from Amazon to make sure u get the right one, I think it was cheap about 20-30 USD for the cable from Amazon, I first used it when he coded my S-class a few years ago and I've had it since then.
I am not sure about E-class, but in my case for the GLS it was under the passenger seat, and I had to take a few trim peace out, but worked fine and I had Max on video WhatsApp call guiding me. I think in the E-class it's just like the W222, somewhere in the dash under the screen. It must be easier. In 2019 I installed a cheap wireless carplay box and had to get to that area. Removing the central armrest peace and things was easy from there. You might be able to just use/search youtube for random videos just to get a feeling of the geometry and what to do.
Thank you W222, you are the greatest! I asked Max if there is a video showing how to open my dash,
To all, I will try this and I will report here. regards phil
You're welcome man... no thank you here, happy to help the community (that's why we join these forums; it's give and take!). I edited my comment and clarified the connectivity question. Good luck man; glad to see people here willing to be Beta tested for some of these fun projects just like I did for the GLS. Good luck! BTW, 2 years ago I almost bought an E-class for the house but ended up with an Accord lol, some of you might remember my post here on this forum. I still regret my decision at that time and wish I got the E (I had the S at that time so that's why).... Well maybe later this year, but am not sure if the Accord retains some of it's value now. It's on my summer shopping projects list.
OK, I am impressed. Max will put his money where his mouth is and give a $300 discount. If one more person will chip in ~300???
i'm in AZ. you can buy this module from carlinklife (without needing to take it to the dealer). if you're up for it, you can install if yourself. i did pay someone to install but the device was $300. now i have full screen CarPlay AND i have airplay to watch videos from my phone. 2021 e450 all terrain. separately, rjautomotive helped me install a new mbux head unit which gave me full screen navigation on the driver's side, ar nav, and dashcam. now i have every option that i was missing lol
i'm in AZ. you can buy this module from carlinklife (without needing to take it to the dealer). if you're up for it, you can install if yourself. i did pay someone to install but the device was $300. now i have full screen CarPlay AND i have airplay to watch videos from my phone. 2021 e450 all terrain. separately, rjautomotive helped me install a new mbux head unit which gave me full screen navigation on the driver's side, ar nav, and dashcam. now i have every option that i was missing lol
I had a bad experience with Carlinklife. I am surprised it works for you. I was ready to buy from Max at Elebest after I read W222's posting. Then, last night I spent 30 minutes with Max at Elebest on whatsApp and I was confused. We had a hard time communicating with each other.
I do not know if the unit he is selling will void my warranty. He would not say.
I do not know if I can get map updates from MB in the future, he would not say. I think I have to go to him and pay him but he would not say.
I asked him about how long would it take to install he would not say.
It may be only a communication issue. he may not understand me. Still, I want to be sure that there are no surprises after I pay
I had a bad experience with Carlinklife. I am surprised it works for you. I was ready to buy from Max at Elebest after I read W222's posting. Then, last night I spent 30 minutes with Max at Elebest on whatsApp and I was confused. We had a hard time communicating with each other.
I do not know if the unit he is selling will void my warranty. He would not say.
I do not know if I can get map updates from MB in the future, he would not say. I think I have to go to him and pay him but he would not say.
I asked him about how long would it take to install he would not say.
It may be only a communication issue. he may not understand me. Still, I want to be sure that there are no surprises after I pay
I will call RJ in the am.
For warranty issue, you better check your dealer for confirmation, since MB dealer is the one who gives you warranty.
Yes, you can get map updated from dealer.
For experienced installer like my boy in my workshop: 30 min job for hardware installation, but for inexperienced one, hard to say, and detailed installation video also sent to you. You can easily image the time needed.
For coding session, it is 10-60 min depending on your internet speed.
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.
