siuwan

I am trying to buy some sort of car mount for my phone (iPhone5). Where do you guys mount your phone in the R? I think right in front of the top speaker grill is an option. Any suggestions and what kind of mount would you recommend? Thanks.

Spud_Racer

What are you looking to use the phone for?

• Bluetooth Phone?
• iPod Adapter?
• Nav?
• Other?

Not sure why you'd want a mount for either purpose.

The iPod adapter is in the glove box (oddly enough) on my 07. Once your phone is connected, you can use the Comand system to control music selections.

The Bluetooth adapter for the phone is in the top compartment of the center console. I usually toss my phone in there or just stick it in one of the front cup holders. Of course you can just as easily leave it in your pocket too.

Don't have factory Nav? Trying to use a phone for Nav on the cheap? Get a Garmin. Worlds better functionality and display plus much louder for $150.

xxGenericSNxx

Well, first the bluetooth on 2009+ R Classes are built directly into the head unit (no more puck in the armrest).

@Spud_Racer I disagree about the nav thing (and it's probably what the OP wants to use it for).

Phone navs today on most smartphones are very advanced. I have a TomTom app on my iPhone and it works just like a real TomTom without the need to purchase another unit (just need to buy the app for like $50), volume is good, and display is large enough. If not- I have my copilot use TomTom on the iPad (when using a non Nav car). I find the factory one good enough.

@OP Best bet is probably a windshield mount, or a clip on AC vent mount.

badbenzz

Go look into Tetrax they work great and more importantly they take up no space.

Spud_Racer

Hey, the pre-09 guys got pucked!

Seriously, I couldn't believe it when the MB salesman was explaining it to me. So the car has bluetooth but I gotta go buy a $500 TV remote to be able to use it. Uh, OK. But, I can buy a used one off a stranger on eBay for $100. Nothing like the premium experience of a Mercedes Benz. Bizarre!

I can't use a phone for nav. Maybe it's just my iPhone 5 but it's nowhere near loud enough, the screen is too small, and the battery drains like somebody shorted the damned thing.

Or maybe it's the fact that I've become used to factory nav systems that mute the audio system to give directions.

Or maybe it's the fact that the only cars we've owned that I've tried to used the phone in were loud as hell sports cars, an S2000 and the SLK32 AMG. Not sure even a factory nav would work in an S2000 with the noise. And the SLK does actually have a factory nav system albeit a weird one that's CD based.

Anyway, with the phone, you end up with a mount as the OP is seeking and you end up with a power cord dangling across the dash. Just not a great solution for me. The phone is what I use if I'm looking for a restaurant in Manhattan when I'm on foot. No quibbles about GPS accuracy or directions. Even traffic info is getting better. But I don't think phones are ready for car duty yet.

xxGenericSNxx

Your R Nav is DVD based- just one disc instead of a million like on the SLK.

I'm using an iPhone 5 and I think it's fine. The cool thing I learned today was when I had nav running on the ip5 via Google Maps, the voice directions would come in through my car's speakers since I have it hooked up via bluetooth!

siuwan

I am sure we all use (or not) our phones differently in car. Anyways, I am pleasantly surprised by the google map Bluetooth integration too (thx for the tips)! And music playing from car will still fade out and in, which is nice. I will go shop for an air vent mount. Thx.

xxGenericSNxx

Totally discovered the Google Map bluetooth thing by accident today!

siuwan

in case anyone cares, this is how I have set things up.

glove box -> OEM 30-pin cable -> 30-pin cable extension (ebay $5.99, works 100%) -> OEM Apple lightning adapter -> vent mount

I am sure someone can hide the cable better, but I am ok with a black cable on black dash.

taranch

Does your phone have a case? If yes, is it a big case like an Otterbox, etc.?