khnitz

Is there a bluetooth stereo receiver that is known to work with the M-B iPod adapter for the 2008 S550? My friend is looking to stream his music via A2DP into the stereo via the M-B iPod kit that was fitted (cable in the glovebox).

I know I could tell him to get the Aux cable installed in there, instead, and then there would be a number of stereo Bluetooth receivers to choose from, but is there something that is known to connect onto the iPod connector and work in this iteration of the S550?

I've seen reference to a Media Link piece, but I haven't found BTDT experience that says it would work in the M-B. Control through the stereo isn't as important to him as is streaming the audio wirelessly (and yes, he realizes he won't be charging the phone either, by going this route).

TIA for any assistance/advice!

NickCats

There used to be a product called AnyStream made by a vendor named Cartronics but unfortunately the owner passed away.

I have seen this product on ebay which looks very similar but I cannot confirm it will work :

http://www.ebay.com/itm/170665350484...84.m1423.l2649

The description mentions it is designed to work in a speaker dock so I am not sure how it would work in the ipod kit for our car, but I am tempted to risk the $38 and give it a try.

( I have found out that I can play Pandora from my ipod through the connector in the glove box which is all I would stream via bluetooth anyway )

Hope this helps,

Nick

khnitz

Yes, what you linked to is exactly like what would work perfectly for my friend...he doesn't want to deal with the cable in the glovebox, unless he specifically needs to charge his phone.

I'm just wondering if anyone here can confirm that this one (or another, similar model) has been shown to work in these cars with the M-B iPod adapter and cable.

I'll also see if there's an Anystream floating around somewhere, too.

Mandingo

I am looking for the same thing for my 2009. I tried the Coolstream and while it paired OK there was no audio through the iPod connector. I am interested to see if the Music Link works. I have also ordered an iPod-Aux adapter - if this works I can just order any Bluetooth streaming device with an AUX connector.

ulflei

God luck with your I-pod connector if you get the I-phone 5,the connector will not work anymore and till today no adapter from Apple available.

khnitz

I've gone ahead and ordered a Media Link ML-D100 to try in his S550...that should be here towards the end of the month (bought on &bay, it's shipping from S. Korea). I'll report the findings here.

If this adapter works, then the iPod connector won't matter (at least, not for streaming the music). But, I get that the iPhone5 uses a new connector scheme.

Expect the aftermarket to have some sort of adapters available shortly (Scosche, PAC-Audio, etc.) to go from the 30p connector to the new scheme...just like they created when the 30p connector scheme changed to only support 5V charging (no more 12V).

NickCats

Excellent ! Can't wait to hear the results...

Thanks,

Nick

Mandingo

If the bluetooth+cable solutions don't work I was thinking about this bluetooth+FM Tunelink solution - audio will clearly be lower quality but it is a very compact design and retains the major benefit of bluetooth (no cables).

Worth a try?

khnitz

Mandingo - can you send a link to the iPod/Aux connector you mentioned earlier? That would be a backup solution (with an A2DP receiver), if it works.

As for FM transmitter solutions, I've found it really depends on your travel route and how much competition you'd get from interfering broadcast stations. Also, the metalized films in some car windows (I'm not sure if the S-class has them) can also make them less effective.

Mandingo

http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com/viewi...d=280965356355

I haven't received it yet - I'll let you know when I have tested it.

nimski62

This works for sure, I have this same setup. "Plug in iPod" appears on the screen but the sound comes thru and it sounds great.

Mandingo

Thanks. Which bluetooth device do you use with it?

Mandingo

Oh, and I just tried the Tunelink FM BT receiver - it's so buggy it is completely unusable and got immediately returned to Amazon.

The entire experience was awful. Just initially pairing the device was a nightmare - tons of pairing errors on my iPhone - it took 10 minutes to even establish the pairing. Then when it thought it was paired it had dropped the connection (and vice versa - sometimes the BT connection was good but the app said it wasn't connected).

Setting the frequency on the app mostly didn't change the actual setting - my radio was only receiving signal on the original frequency setting.

For the 3 minutes I actually had a successful BT pairing and the right FM frequency I managed to get an idea of the audio quality. It was awful.

Mandingo

Cable arrived, unfortunately doesn't work. Couldn't get it to work with any of the iPod docks we have so I suspect it's a faulty cable. Seller has offered a refund but doesn't want to ship a replacement since he is concerned its a compatibility issue.

Bummer.

I guess the only option is the FM transmitter unless the ML-D100 works. I suppose I could pay a local shop to do a rewire on the iPod cable to work with one of the standard AUX BT receivers.

crasshh

I haven't tried the CoolStream yet, but according to their website only certain automobileswil and will not work here is a listing of what autos it will not work with.
"We have tested the CoolStream Bluetooth receiver on many different car models but not all. Incompatible vehicles include: Mercedes CLK550/GL550/E550, Mercedes all models from 2009 to present.

Mandingo

khnitz - did you receive the D100?

crasshh

I ordered the version from Dealextreme that many have gave good reviews for. What's more pleasing that it looks the same as the ML-D100 they are both from China (hmm?). However, this one from Dealextreme is only $10-12 dollars depending on the color, its in the glove box so i just got White.

http://dx.com/s/Bluetooth+V2.0+Music+Receiver

Mandingo

Have you received it? Does it work?

crasshh

Its coming from China so it could be a week or so. I will post review of it when it comes.

gssnet

I purchased Lightning to 30-pin Adapter thats has about a 3" cable and I can stream all audio even Spotify when my Iphone 5 is connected !!!

I purchased a new coolstream and it did not work today

khnitz

Mandingo - I still haven't received the adapter, yet (the ML-D100), it is supposed to arrive on 7-Nov. I likely won't get a chance to try it in my friend's S-class until 19-Nov.

khnitz

The ML-D100 arrived today! I've tried it on a BOSE speaker dock for iPod and a Sony iCF-CS10 iPod clock radio and it has worked fine so far.

Tomorrow, I'll try it with a Dension GW300 in-car iPod adapter.

Again, I likely won't get to my friend's S-class until later in November, but in the meantime I'll try it on whatever iPod adapters I come across.

Right now, I'm streaming music to it from my Atrix 2 Android phone.

Update: it tested with a Dension GW300 in my 2005 VW GTI just fine. I'll try other iPod adapters as I get a chance and will post updates here. Again, likely won't get to try that S-class until just before Thanksgiving.

sgianop

I would also be interested to see if/how the ML-D100 works in a situation where there is a bluetooth phone adapter involved. I would guess one would have to toggle back and forth between the two bluetooth connecitons.

The last time my 2007 S550 was in for service, i had a 2012 with integrated bluetooth audio and it was very nice.

khnitz

I did test the scenario you describe (1 connection to a handsfree kit, and another connection to the ML-D100) in my GTI. My Atrix2 was connected to the Motorola IHF1000 carkit, and then also to the ML-D100 connected to the Dension GW300 iPod adapter in the car. They worked fine...calls went through the carkit, and the music could stream through the iPod adapter connection.

I'm getting closer to when I can try this in the S-class (~13 days left) ...

sanjaysingh

We are all eagerly waiting for your update. THANK YOU.