RatherBeSailing

I am trying to connect an old classic iPod to the console AUX port of my 2015 ML350 but after much research cannot figure out the right cable to purchase. MB dealership states these 2 AUX 30-pin cable options are compatible with the vehicle. They cannot, however, tell me what the functional difference is or the meaning of the terms INTERFACE versus CONNECTION for each of the 2 AUX cable types. And they cannot tell me what kind of head unit my vehicle has. All the manuals are generic, they said.

A0038270404 ipod INTERFACE cable - DOUBLE pigtail 30-pin + RCA jack $80
A0038270204 ipod CONNECTION cable - SINGLE 30-pin $67

Would appreciate any helpful input to figure out the right cable before ordering.

Can anyone advise what the difference is between the double pigtail cable and the single cable?

It could be that one cable type provides display of the artist name and song title and the other type will only play the music but not allow display of name/title and will not allow you to pause… only to mute. What I do know is two things: (1) the 30-pin connector will produce better sound than the headphone jack, hence the old docks that could be connected to sophisticated sound systems and (2) the headphone port and RCA jack are primarily intended to power headphones which handle far less power than an external sound system.

hyibin

You need a ami to aux cable from ebay.

chassis

I play music from classic iPod using usb. Amazon has the right cable for you. No aux, it’s usb in the center console.

RatherBeSailing

Yes, that’s correct. Which one?

RatherBeSailing

That set up using USB cable was successful in a friend’s Range Rover and the ipod music played.
But it doesn’t work the same in my car sadly.
Using a USB to 30-pin connector cable, the iPod device is never recognized by my 2015 ML350 system and won’t play.
I’ve tried selecting USB storage, AUX and one other.
They all say no device connected.

RatherBeSailing

Any idea which one I should buy? What’s the difference?
A0038270404 ipod INTERFACE cable - DOUBLE pigtail 30-pin + RCA jack $80
A0038270204 ipod CONNECTION cable - SINGLE 30-pin $67

drwolf

You need the media connector cable first, then a 3.5mm aux connector cable to connect to the Ipod headphone jack