tusabes

Those cassette tape adapters that have a headphone plug are an easy way to pipe in mp3 audio without using crappy FM transmitters.

But since the COMAND cassete door is motorized Ive been reluctant to try one of those cassete adapters, as I dont want to damage it...has anyone tried these adapters and do they work (IE does the cassete tape door close enough for the adapter to work, and is it safe to use? Is there a specific brand that works better than others (thinner cable, etc)?

Please respond only if you have tried one, Im not looking for guesses...or if you have a better solution for a AUX IN input thats not too costly, feel free to post.

MCS430man

I have a Phillips brand cassette adapter i bought for 10 bucks at wal-mart and it is hooked up to a 2nd generation Ipod that I use strictly for my car. I have a 2000 S430 with the early NAV. The cassette door does close, I even have the wire from the adapter hidden behind the wood trim running along and down the side of the nav unit. in fact, i may be the only one who has created an Ipod dock that fits in the area below my ashtray. i will snap a couple of photos and post them on the board a bit later so you can see how it looks. Personally, i think it's one of the best low cost functional mods you can do and it is a very clean setup with no wires exposed.

driftmyride

I too have the Phillips brand cassette adapter from walmart and it works great in my 2001 s500. I was reading somewhere on this forum i believe, you can take the nav out with the tape in the deck and then run the wire behind through the command unit for a more finished look. That way you can feed the wire with the ipod attached to a more desirable location rather than having a wire sticking out of your deck.

cameraman123

Yeah it will work. But the tape deck will pinch your wire a little bit. Not a big deal.

...Of course audio quality is sacrificed with the use of a cassette player

stevescoots

I have one fitted, I slid the comand out, drilled a small hole in the top (CAREFULLY!) and passed the cable thru, round the back of the comand and into the storage bin in front of the gear shift, you would not know it was there. there is enough slack in the cable and I left it loose so that I can eject the tape, snip the wire and pull it out the box if I ever wanted to remove it. works a treat with my ipod.

tusabes

wow I had no idea so many people were using them, I would love to see the pics

i thought everyone would say "dont do it!" for fear of damaging the motorized cassette door.

Is there a particular location I should run the wire so as to minimize impact to the door mechanism? From the center or to one particular side?

Gondon

The door doesn't get damaged. I just have it coming right out the center. Quality is actually 9/10 I'm surprised!

KevinJ

I agree with quality, also using a phone as music source, it is amplified to supply a little more juice to the S Class sound system.

Is easily better than my on board CD Changer and Radio, 9.5/10 I would say!!

Have mine going straight out of tape slot and then behind wood trim behind/to the side of the Command unit, through past the gear lever and into the cup holder holder next to the mobile phone cradle. If I use my phone I just connect to 3.5mm jack in cup area and keep it in place by closing cup area and resting on arm rest. nice.

I don't know why I didn't do this ages ago...

ALEV8

Mine works great, although the iPhone always has "feedback beeping" or whatever that is, so use a regular iPod that you never use anymore and can't just toss.....also add a charger for it and you are good to go. I did this with an old 80 GB 3d gen iPod that was collecting dust.

benzlady

I have the 2001 S430 and the cassette tape works great! I didn't modify anything, the thin wire comes out on the side. I didn't want to do anything permanent as suggested, in case I wanted to play one of my cassettes in the player. I love it!

chibenz

Tuslabes, here are the pics. There is this gentleman wrote down the whole post about conversion. I happened to have all the pictures on my drive so i uploaded them. I have the same setup and sound quality is not even bad.
http://img96.imageshack.us/g/photodhf.jpg/

Supergenius40

I have one too. I use my Moto Driod for MP3, Hands Free Phone and Slacker radio app. Had a message pop up Saturday to clean tape head. Only down side is the tape player runs while using it. I'm concerned about the deck motor but until then...

e350forme

bros I need help.

I tried 2 adapters and both result in "tape error" and the door opens.

The cable is NOT in the way no matter what you think.

None of the adapters spin either. Maybe I have to give it a good clean with electronics solvent , or try a regular cassette, or try a different comand unit maybe? (perhaps they are still affordable)

suf3r

No need that crappy cassette inside unit, solder wires directly to the board.
https://imgur.com/a/29ORanM

First circle: Connect together those pins, so unit will "see" that there is cassette inside
Second circle: Cut the trace between those pins

AUX cable solder:
White wire: channel left
Red wire: channel right
Black wire: ground

Also would suggest to use "ground loop insulator" and then connect it to your phone.

Quality is not great, but still better then nothing.

e350forme

I can solder somewhat and would be up for task but it looks like there is a learning curve..

is this on the COMAND unit?is this pcb board on the radio unit?
do I just splice into an aux cable and do the white red black deal?

I want to try this instead of this cursed tape thing

tusabes

There is a Bluetooth cassette that’s wireless so nothing sticks out

e350forme

i did notice that but again when i put a tape in it doesnt do anything. the cord isnt the problem but i do have to double check it wont play a regular tape (no one has them anymore)

i dont think that would help

tusabes

a tape requires the spinning reels to work , a cassette adapter does not . So if the problem is that your reels don’t spin it’s ok .

As long as the tape player head touches the cassette adapter it should work

suf3r

Yes, it's on COMMAND unit, disassemble it and there is small PCB board. And yes, buy an ordinary AUX cable, cut it, seperate wires and solder.