baxterdown

I took the ML in for the 1,000 mile inspection today. This was my conversation with the SA...

Me - So, did you find out about the iPod connector? (I had asked for a retrofit quote).

SA - Yeah! the cable's like fifty bucks (opening the glove box). Oh, wait! You already have the cable!

Me - (wanting to call him names) No, that is the auxiliary cable. As I explained to you, three times by the way, the truck came with the AUX connector and I would like to have the 30-pin connector instead.

SA - Oh, ok (looking at me like I were Martian).

Long story short, the SA called me an hour later to tell me that the iPod retro fit would be.... (drumroll please) -- EIGHT HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS!!!!!!

Are they out of their f((*&&g minds????? It takes, what?, 30 minutes to pop the Comand out of the dash, unplug the AUX cable and plug in the 30-pin cable! (which is, what, $30 bucks?)

This is unbelievable!

I know there is a DIY retrofit thread somewhere around here. I just thought I'd have the dealer do it since I have never taken a dash apart. I think I'm ready to become a first timer! :-)

Jose

benzoML350

hahahhahahaha. I hear ya man. I dont know what the issue for my car, as it reads on the sticker "iPod Intergration Kit" but it does not have that cable. I actually didnt even know that there was another cable that came out for the iPod. I just thought that the aux. input was the kit. But I have a friend who has an E500 with a similar situation as yours. Although I think its cheaper for him..lol. He was quoted about $350 for the part + 2 hours of labor @ $110.00.

lkchris

You don't have a clue.

It's a $375 dollar option factory installed.

You're dreaming if you think retrofit at a dealer can be cheaper.

baxterdown

Does anyone know the part number for the iPod 30-pin cable? -- Also, do I need anything else besides the cable?

I'm hoping to buy the cable and do the install myself. I remember seeing instructions somewhere (as in a full install thread with pics and all) but I can't find it now!!!

chilledbenz

For $800 bucks sounds like its a different radio unit all together. I was always under the impression they used the same radios on all the models and just added what they needed (ie ipood connectors or Sirius radio) but when I asked my service advisor about just adding Sirius to my new C and not ordering the P1 package, he typed it into the computer looking for the parts numbers and claimed there were different radios for each option and couldnt just order it for the standard radio.

XJ9

its not just the cable: the ipod retrofit kit is a special harness that plugsinto the radio, a module that translates the steering controls to ipod commands and finally the 30 pin cable. The ipod kit is like just under $400 from parts and then there is labor to get it installed.

now how they come up with $450 in labor is another story... it is a one hour install tops.

baxterdown

Thanks for the info! I e-mailed the SA. We'll see what he comes back with.

j.

350911

I just purchased a 07 ML350 with P1-2. Since it didnt come with the CD changer, I was thinking about installing the IPod kit. Called a few dealers & got prices from $500-$800 installed. Can this kit be installed aftermarket? It would be great if someone can post a few pics of the IPOD kit installed with the cradle.

baxterdown

+1. I can't believe what they want for the install!! I remember seeing a very detailed install on a forum somewhere (with great pictures). But, I can't find anymore. DARN!

If someone knows where to find it, please help us (350911 and me!)

350911

Baxter, I found what we were looking for, in another thread.
http://www.mercupgrades.com

Looks like alot of work involved,dont think I will attempt it.

baxterdown

Yep. That's the one I had seen before. Glad to see you found it!

It looks a lot more complicated than it really is. You're just taking off panels. I'm gonna read it in detail this weekend. I'll let you know what I decide.

j.

jbondox

$800 for a different radio? LOL... try $4k for a refurbished command. iPod is a plug and play, takes about an hour. and it does require programming at least when i was going through the STARS menu's I found on for adding iPod. So it is an assumption.

Floobydust

I'm not sure I would spend even $8.50 for the factory iPod unit (I have one, I should know). The OEM iPod adapter is an audio and ergonomic abomination and MB shouldn't be encouraged to try and pass of such trash in cars of this class. The whole iPod interface is a classic example of a half-as__d kludge, a worthy example of everything that can go wrong in a big corporate environment. Unless you're tone deaf or into audio books, go with something like the Dension or good old fashioned CDs in the changer instead.

- FD

baxterdown

I decided to bite the bullet and get the iPod retrofit done. The cheapest I found was from a shop that does all kinds of electronics work on MB. They did an AWESOME JOB!!!!

I'd like to recommend them. The place is called Color Pro Motorsports and their phone number is 954-328-1073. My contact is Mike Bowers. If you live in South Florida (Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, West Palm Beach) I highly recommend these guys. Please let them know that you heard about them here in the forum.

I'm a happy camper now. Greatest thing is that the stereo in the ML came alive! iPod sounds so much better than SAT.

Jose

Floobydust

Get a Dension put in and see what the H-k system can really sound like. And you won't total your truck trying to figure out the goofy MB interface on the steering wheel while reading the tiny instrument cluster display. I'm sure that after the collision the COMMAND screen will still be stupidly displaying the ever so informative, "AUX".

- FD

350911

You got me interested in Dension. Looked @ the web site & it would have to ship from Canada. Price is $450,+ s/h. Does the IPOD menu appear on the Command screen? Would have to find a shop to install it. M/B wants between $500-$850 to install IPOD kit.

Floobydust

It does indeed display on the Command screen. I have included some screen shots showing the Scan Albums mode, the Scan Artists mode, the Scan Playlists mode, and the Play All mode. The interface is very straightforward to use and, of course, the sound quality is fantastic.

I got my second Dension from Enfig Car Stereo in New Jersey (http://www.enfigcarstereo.com/). The price was the same as in your post, but it didn't have to come from Canada.

In the future, I plan to do some audio frequency response plots and post them so people can see what an audio joke the OEM interface is.

I hope this helps,

- FD

350911

Thanks for all the great info.,and with the pics it makes it easier to see how the command display handles the ipod info. I have to call around to see if I can find some1 to install it. If i go foward with it I will purchase from Enfig Car Stereo. Thank you again.

Floobydust

I installed mine myself in about an hour. It's super easy, so any competent installer should be able to to do it. If your car doesn't already have an OEM changer, you may need to have the dealer code the system to tell it you have one. This is also easy and quick (should take under 15 mintues). I don't know if coding needs to be done for sure because all the units I have installed have been in vehicles which already had changers.

BTW, I had my truck in at the dealer yesterday and was showing the Dension to the techs and some of the sales people. They couldn't believe how good it worked and and sounded. The MB tech said he is going to get one for his personal car and another customer (who happened to also be attending the "demo") called his MB iPod adapter "an embarrassment" compared to the Dension and wondered out loud why MB would put out such "junk" (his words). The sales people were going to talk to the manager to see if they could offer the Dension as an after-market accessory for their more technically demanding customers and for those that look into a post-purchase iPod adapter, see a $900 bill and say, "WTF"?

Good luck and enjoy the music!

- FD

350911

Dont have the CD changer in ML. Thats why I was thinking of getting the Dension. Gonna hold off for now on purchase, until I get a lil more time to make the calls.

Floobydust

I have posted my findings on the Audio & Electronics thread https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...87#post2698887

- FD

gaz

On the strength of this thread I have ordered the Dension Gateway 500 MOST for my ML. It arrived today, but I am slightly concerned that it states on the box 'Not compatible with MB text'. Does this mean the comand will not display the track/album details as in the photo links above?? I am a bit worried!!

Sebastian3249

I have 2007 ML350, made a mistake and did not order the ipod input. Short of retro fitting with Denison as noted above, what are my options to being able to have aux cable and manually controlling ipod? Or is or anything similar even remotely possible. Suggestions? Thanks.