DomiNOOCH

Hello everyone....I'm new to this forum, having just returned to the ML Class after years of enjoyment in the E Class but it was time for a change. My wife and I just acquired a sweet, one owner, accident free, Florida owned, 2015 ML350 in perfect condition with 19,000 mi. (just picked it up on Friday). Absolutely love the ride and am happy with our choice. However, there are two things that are disappointing to us and hopefully someone has the answers we are looking for. I have researched the owners manual, the digital manual, you tube, and any forum you can think of and have not found any clarification on the following:

1. In the CD mode of the command unit....is it designed to accept only one CD at a time....my 2010 command would store 6 CDs.
2. Also, what do I do about my older iPod that doesn't have the lightning connector? It's not recognized when I plug it into the USB port and the MB connector only has lightning connectivity.

Any advise or guidance offered would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks all !

chassis

The MB connector has USB, correct? Can you order a USB to iPod cable? I think I have one packed away in a box somewhere, they must be available online. Whether or not COMAND recognized the iPod operating system is another question. If/when you find a cable, select the "MEDIA" function on the COMAND unite to see if the iPod is recognized.

DomiNOOCH

The MB connector has media interface on one side and lightning connector on the other. My iPod (older model) doesn't have lightning connector capability. Hope this helps !

Do you have an answer about the CD question ?

chassis

Do you have a W166 ML? This is the W166 section. There should be two USB ports in the center console.

Single CD player in my 2017 W166 GLE 350.

we47b1me

some are multi disk, some are single, not hard to figure out if yours has a 6 disk

Koenig1

The 166 command unit has a hard drive(not sure how many MB) that you can copy several disks to, and therefore not worry about changing cd's. Just copy the pertinent cds' over and enjoy.

chassis

Confirmed function of early 2000s iPod mini via USB cable in top USB port of center console via Media function in COMAND in a 2017 W166 GLE 350.

Clapton sounding great on the hk.

My mind might be playing tricks on me, but it almost sounds like the iPod audio quality is better than recently downloaded files on my iPhone via USB cable through media function. iPod files were put on the iPod in the early 2000s from CDs from the 1990s.

bob58d

You can usually find used Mercedes cables on Ebay like this one.

MERCEDES BENZ MBZ OEM Genuine Interface USB Ipod AUX Cable Adapter A0028272704

My 2014 ML350 came with this type of cable. I had to purchase the lightning variety to match my iPhone and it works fine but I have since loaded all my music on a sd card and that works even better than the console iPod/iPhone connection for me.

we47b1me

Depends on the bit rate at which they were ripped. MP3 ripping 101. Aka flashbacks to the 2000s.

DomiNOOCH

I am really intrigued by this option....no one has mentioned this before! Where can I find instructions how to download the CDs?

we47b1me

in your manual IF you have the HD option

bob58d

That function is called the Music Register and you will find the instructions and limitations in the Comand owners manual. For 2015 it has a 10gb limit and, essentially, it rips your cds to mp3 (or other optional) format and saves it on the internal hd, using whatever version of Gracenote database is installed for tag information.

Bottom line up front: It works but it is clunky to setup and you will likely be much more satisfied with the other options.

Here is the MB link to the Comand System manual for the 2015 ML350:https://www.mbusa.com/content/dam/mb...E_B_COMAND.pdf


Page 207 is the Music Register section.

bob58d

The OP has a 2015 ML350. 2016 and up (W166) GLEs have a totally different version of Comand both hardware and software.

chassis

@we47b1me Thanks. I have no information on what bit rate the CDs were ripped. What was "normal" or "default" or "standard" in 2006 using iTunes, MS Windows current version in 2006 and audio CDs from the 1990s?

What is the bit rate for Apple Music downloads to iPhone today?

drwolf

If you ask me..

1. My ML accepted 6 CD's, you should be able to see it on the command screen. my current GLC (2017 model) only accepts only one.
2. If you are talking about the older Ipod classic's that have the 30-pin connection, you will need a special cable that has an AUX connector and a 30-pin connection
i dont remember the part # but it will recognize the older ones, but you can find the part numbers in these threads

chassis

This cable works in my 2017 W166.

Barry45RPM

Because MB lets you load cd content into the head unit hard drive they thought 6 cds was unnecessary... Also your car will accept an SD card (I use a 32 GB) or a USB Drive (I use a 32 GB) in the console.... cd's really aren't needed. but consider this adapter for the ipod...