So I just got my new GLC Coupe 2021, and naturally I have a few questions. However the one that probably irritates me a lot will be shared here.

Smartphone integration - so I did NOT order the smartphone integration (code 14U) as the dealer said the car will have CarPlay port/output and I can add the integration for half the price via the Store when I get the car. He was correct - I have the port and I can add it for half the price via MB Store, but the port is located in the armrest compartment. So in total I have two USB-C ports , both in the armrest and one of them for the CarPlay, which is perfectly fine.

However I really expected that it would be located in the front behind the cupholders as I saw in some demo vehicles. Currently behind the cupholders I have a 12V output, I guess for lighter. I didn't order the smoker package, but it seems like it comes standard if you don't specifically order Smartphone package? So guys do you know if I had ordered 14U Smartphone integration the CarPlay port would have been next to the cupholders?

It just seems strange, even if you don't order the smartphone integration(14U) why wouldn't they put the port in front, where you can actually fit your phone, instead of a cable out of the armrest going through your console ? You can always decide to add the integration via the store at a later point and front port seems much more comfortable. You can place your phone there , rather than closing it in the armrest. I just don't really like the idea of a visible cable there. Isn't that a big design flaw ? They can always find a better place for the 12V output or just put one more USB-C in front next to it.

Is this the case with all the 2021 models? Could it be due to some parts shortages ? Anyone that has added smartphone package (14U) and port in the armrest as well?
I have friend with pre-facelift model and his CarPlay is in the center console, I was expecting this to be fixed and fitted in front where it's supposed to be and what I saw in the demo vehicles.

Just feel a bit misleaded here. Of course I will still use it ,but it doesn't really look good.
Anything I can actually do in that case ? I guess not ? Just accept it ?

What I have:

https://i.ibb.co/RhdFmXg/carplay-armrest.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/qjqLdCZ/12V-port.jpg

What I saw in the demo vehicles was this:

https://i.ibb.co/0McJYzm/front-carplay.png
https://i.ibb.co/4tyr0s5/carplay-new.jpg (but only the CarPlay port, couldn't find better image)

 

The front USB port is part of the optional wireless charging pad and the 12V socket moves to the passenger side below the glove compartment. W/o the wireless charging pad you have the 12V socket where the USB port would be otherwise. Not sure why they do it this way, but that's how it is. The wireless charging pad also adds NFC pairing, so it's really more than just a wireless charger.

 

Thanks so much @superswiss
That actually completely answers my long post above. Do you know if it can be installed at dealer?
And one more - do I need only that option or Smartphone integration as well? Just as a future reference.

Unfortunately nothing I can do, but to blame the salesperson he didn't know his stuff.
I asked him several times before ordering if I would have the port in front. All he said was that the port will come as I see it in the front , but he didn't mention I had to add the wireless charging which was not a big deal considering the price of the car, too bad :/ I just didn't look at the wireless charging as something that useful.

I have seen that image in the German config, but I only read it as wireless charging, didn't know that it affects the front port.
Well ... hopefully I won't get irritated by the cable. Eventually I might get the cplay2air adapter for wireless CarPlay or s.th similar.

 

I don't know if it can be retrofitted. The wireless charging unit and the smartphone integration are two separate things, so yes you need both if you want the front USB and CarPlay. The options differ from market to market. Here in the USA the Smartphone integration is standard. Maybe in your market it's a package that includes the Smartphone integration and the wireless charging unit, which could explain why if you just add the Smartphone integration via the store it's half the price.

 

Thanks @superswiss
Not really part of any package, they can be added as separate extras - 1)Wireless + NFC and 2)Smartphone Integration.
Seems like the Smartphone integration package might come with cables, hence it's a bit more expensive than in the Marketplace.
Who knows ? :/ If the dealership doesn't know, then how can I know. Just a bit pissed that I really insisted on having that option with port in the front and they don't know their stuff.
Ruins a bit the feeling of the new car when you don't get what you expect to


But in general @superswiss if I order the Wireless pad + NFC package, it comes with the USB-C next to it? I mean it is like one panel?

 

I assume it's one piece that is a direct replacement for your current one, but it may need a different wiring harness to get the data channel for the USB port. It also mostly likely needs to be coded, because there is a setting in the Infotainment system to turn off the NFC reader. If you leave it turned on, it triggers Apple Pay on iPhones, so I had to turn it off. The NFC pairing is only useful for Android phones. iOS doesn't support it.

 

Yep, definitely it would need the wiring, I just wanted to understand if I had ordered the Smartphone Integration initially, as I thought , what would have happened?

But it seems like I would still have the CarPlay port in the armrest and the standard 12V in front.
I mean it looks like the Wireless charging package is the one adding the usb-c port in the front, something like one panel as you said.
Otherwise I don't imagine only the pad being added, especially when there's a photo of that

Still a bit pissed , but I guess that's something so small I wouldn't notice at all and wouldn't ruin the feeling of driving a Benz.

Well ... for the next GLC I will think twice Who knows - it could all be wireless by then, hopefully.