Sometime between filling out the order sheet on Sept. 2, 2011 and last Saturday, Oct. 1, 2011, M-B changed our order.

Original order:
#320 Multimedia Package $3,000 including, from MBUSA web page and dealer confirmation:

What we were shown on the factory build order scheduled for next week. From the USAA Auto buying web page:

#S33 Multimedia Package $2,600. From USAA web page:

Look here for single vs. 6 disc changer ordering:
2012 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class SUV GLK350 4MATIC Price With Options
Mercedes-Benz: You get it OUR way.

Good news: Build has moved from late October to second week October.

Wayne
Changing discs often in East Texas.

 

140+ views and not one "Thanks for the headsup"?

Don't blame me if you get a single disc player when you really wanted the 6 disc changer.

 

It is strange that you weren't told about the Launch Packages. I ordered the S32 COMAND launch package, which is now mandatory on 2012s, but knew about that upfront from my dealer in August.

I don't think you'll miss the changer as much as you think. Most people load their music into the 40GB hard drive and don't need the CD again after that.

 

It's the principle that bothers me the most. The order was changed without so much as a "By your leave, sir?" I suppose Lisa & I will join the 20th Century and load up some music on a flash drive. Assuming I can learn to RIP music from CD to memory cards.
How does one transfer music from vinyl to silicon? Hey?

 

I agree. You should be been notified. In fact, I'm pretty sure the purchase contract states that if they cannot deliver the car to the specifications you ordered, they have to let you know and you have the right to cancel.

Oh, and a quick note of clarification. You don't need to copy CDs to flash drive to load them into the COMAND drive. Just pop the CD in and tell it to copy the music to the Music Register. Pretty easy from what I've seen on my parents' C300.

 

Cool. That sounds very Geezer Friendly.

 

evo2turbo,
Thank you for your help and encouragement.

 

We have it in my wife's 2011 GLK (although we still have the CD changer) and this is true. However, it seems to copy the music in real time so be prepared - it takes a while for the whole CD to be copied. My wife still has the 6 CDs in there and we have only added one CD to the Music Register so far. Maybe come Christmas she'll enter some holiday tunes. Enjoy!

 

Thanks! Sounds like a fun project if we have the car in time for the drive to North Carolina for Christmas.

 

When you load a disk and you want to transfer it to the HD you should first tell it how you want it set up. You should create folders on the HD like Pop, Jazz, Rap etc. Then you need to create sub folders in the main category folders so you can now load albums into each folder. If you do not want to load the whole album but only certain selections then you might want to create folders with just artists names so you can keep them in some sort of order (that's just my uncluttered thinking).

You cannot transfer music from anything but a CD, at least that is the way it is on mine. MB doesn't want you copying copyrighted music from thumb drives etc to the HD. I think if you have the MM cables that allow you to hook up an iPod then you will be just as happy with less hastle. If you use an iPod the system does a nice job of letting you navigate the iPod with just the thumb wheel on the console.

And, the last thing when you load music that you have burned to a CD your self or even off the shelf stuff you buy in many cases the songs do not have titles just track 1, 2 etc. IMO just attach a memory stick or whatever you use and enjoy.

 

In principle, among many others, one way is this one: http://www.soundware.co.uk/pages/convertvinyl.php

This guideline is dated 2009, and today there exist improved "interfaces" / techniques.

 

AWESOME! Thanks! "Dark Side of the Moon" in the Baby Benz! Can't wait!

 

I prefer the 6 disc changer (wife has 3 dvds of Friends and I have 3 of James bond dvds) works like a charm. I have 160 gig Ipod connected on the stereo so no ripping for me. Guess if I have the 2012 there will be DVD cases hanging around inside the car hich will be a pita for the consumption of space.

 

It seems that the 6 disc changer, like metallic paint, is a victim of the Japanese earthquake/tsunami. Understandable. No excuse for MBUSA/MB Germany/Local Dealer not advising me of the shortage.

 

My first single-CD MB run around car and found out after delivery from agent -another story. Not only do I keep CD's, I have LP and '45 collections from early 50's. Nevertheless, is there advice on installing/ replacing w the changer comfort option I enjoy in my sedan? Or is the SD card the only way to go?

 

My collection is similar. Throw your favorite CD's on the hard drive. You should be able to get 2-3 dozen on the hard drive depending on the amount of information on each CD. I haven't counted lately, but we have a lot of CDs stored and the drive is less than half full. I also thought I wanted the changer & M-B switched on me. I was annoyed at first. The hard drive is GREAT! I realize now that the changer is a P.I.T.A.

Wayne

 

I had the CD hard drive in my old Infiniti and I hated it. I've switched to the SD card and it's OK, but the 255 folder limitation and failure to read anything but filenames are two huge limitations; in another forum I got some love for the 80 GB Ipod in the glovebox solution. I'm a bit of an Applephobe, but if it makes it easy to work from the COMAND system with full database lookup, I might have to go that way...

 

Y'all are too picky. What's not to like about 6GB of music storage built in compete with database? Oh, right, it doesn't do MP3s. My phone will hold all the real music on earth as MP3 files & plugs in the console. Assuming I fill up the hard drive. I would have to live in the car to listen to all of it.

Wayne

 

OK, Wayne, I'm too picky.

(1) I have lots of files (which I have purchased, BTW) for which I don't have the CD
(2) Can you make a playlist on the Hard Drive? Can you randomize play by artist, or album, or across genres, or within a genre?
(3) 6 GB is well short of the 45 GB I currently use routinely. And it's not about playing the songs one after the other, which I grant would take a really long time; it's about having the song you want when you want it, followed by the song you want after that.
(4) Will payback allow dynamic settings to equalize loudness across songs?

 

Obviously, if one is an MP3phobe, the HD sucks. Enter my BlackBerry with any size micro SD card I care to purchase. 4+GB at the moment. If that doesn't do it for me, the SandDisk MP3 player waits in the wings. If I ever grow up, I suppose an iPod Touch would be nice. Point being: I'm covered in all directions.

Wayne

 

Maybe I don't know how the hookup works, Wayne. I have a Sandisk player with 40 GB of songs (most not in MP3 format... they're in ogg format, but let that ride). Sure I can hook it up throught the USB connection, but what controls do I have on how it plays and do i have to remember to turn it off when i stop the car and can I easily choose a playlist rather than a particular song and all the other things I said above. My perusal of the manual on this point suggested that the USB Connection method was ridiculously limited, but maybe I need to explore it further...

 

If there is a USB connection in the 2012 GLK I haven't found it. AUX in from the headphone jack is all I know about for non-Apple players like my phone & MP3 player.
I tend to select an album and let run. You know, so simple a caveman like me can do it.

Wayne

 

The Command manual I have been reading in my spare time says there is a
"Four-pin socket for 1⁄8 inch stereo jack, e.g. for MP3 players (audio and video); iPodŽ plug, to connect an iPodŽ; USB socket, to connect USB devices"
I think the connection depends on which Multimedia system you have, and if I am reading it right, it does allow you to access existing playlist with a USB device.
Jfalk, is your cable plugs in the glove box or center console? From what I can see the center console setup is the one that can do all the tricks you were asking about. Check out pages 141-145 of the 2012 Command manual.

For me, I just got a dedicated iPod Nano and uploaded all the wife's playlists. With my very limited "music interface" skills, (eg. I have no idea what your ogg format is) that seems to be my best route.

On a happier note, I should have first hand knowledge of this and other features Thursday afternoon.

 

I have the S33 infotainment system. There is an Apple pigtail and an AUX pigtail in the center console. No sign of a USB port. I need to look harder. I finally bought the cable last night. The phone & SanDisk MP3 player work through the AUX in cable. Clunky, no control from the GLK, but they do send an audio signal to the head unit & speakers. The built in hard drive offers the most functionality without spending more money.

Wayne