OEM Media Interface Plus
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: FL
2012 S600
OEM Media Interface Plus
Anyone had the Media Interface plus added to a 2012 S-Class?
I have S600 2012 and want to add one, but I am getting mixed answers that it will not work.
Thanks
I have S600 2012 and want to add one, but I am getting mixed answers that it will not work.
Thanks
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,653
Likes: 560
2016 C300
Back when I was researching this I did find one post (not on this forum) from someone who had the MI+ and stated it worked as advertised in his 2010 W221. That's the only source I found. What differentiates the MB adapter from the less expensive 3rd party ones (aside from the cache of using an OEM product) is built in Pandora integration. If you're a heavy Pandora user that might be a factor.
Otherwise, the 3rd party pieces perform in exactly the same way. They use the same type of compression (SBC), and produce the same audio quality (which is quite good, depending on your source material). They all display metadata (song title and artist), allow navigation of your library via COMAND on the big screen and display info in the instrument cluster as well. They allow for steering wheel control of volume and to change tracks. All units would allow the playback of Pandora, although in the 3rd party apps the displayed title and artist info can get out of sync once you start skipping tracks. All are compatible with any BT device that outputs A2DP audio, like your Android device.
If music listening is important, I'd save the $300 on the OEM piece and invest it in replacing some key cabin speakers instead. You can get a massive improvement in sound quality from the stock system without adding a new head unit or amps.
Otherwise, the 3rd party pieces perform in exactly the same way. They use the same type of compression (SBC), and produce the same audio quality (which is quite good, depending on your source material). They all display metadata (song title and artist), allow navigation of your library via COMAND on the big screen and display info in the instrument cluster as well. They allow for steering wheel control of volume and to change tracks. All units would allow the playback of Pandora, although in the 3rd party apps the displayed title and artist info can get out of sync once you start skipping tracks. All are compatible with any BT device that outputs A2DP audio, like your Android device.
If music listening is important, I'd save the $300 on the OEM piece and invest it in replacing some key cabin speakers instead. You can get a massive improvement in sound quality from the stock system without adding a new head unit or amps.
Last edited by Mike5215; Sep 19, 2014 at 05:00 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,904
Likes: 29
S350 BT 4MATIC
Back when I was researching this I did find one post (not on this forum) from someone who had the MI+ and stated it worked as advertised in his 2010 W221. That's the only source I found. What differentiates the MB adapter from the less expensive 3rd party ones (aside from the cache of using an OEM product) is built in Pandora integration. If you're a heavy Pandora user that might be a factor.
Otherwise, the 3rd party pieces perform in exactly the same way. They use the same type of compression (SBC), and produce the same audio quality (which is quite good, depending on your source material). They all display metadata (song title and artist), allow navigation of your library via COMAND on the big screen and display info in the instrument cluster as well. They allow for steering wheel control of volume and to change tracks. All units would allow the playback of Pandora, although in the 3rd party apps the displayed title and artist info can get out of sync once you start skipping tracks. All are compatible with any BT device that outputs A2DP audio, like your Android device.
If music listening is important, I'd save the $300 on the OEM piece and invest it in replacing some key cabin speakers instead. You can get a massive improvement in sound quality from the stock system without adding a new head unit or amps.
Otherwise, the 3rd party pieces perform in exactly the same way. They use the same type of compression (SBC), and produce the same audio quality (which is quite good, depending on your source material). They all display metadata (song title and artist), allow navigation of your library via COMAND on the big screen and display info in the instrument cluster as well. They allow for steering wheel control of volume and to change tracks. All units would allow the playback of Pandora, although in the 3rd party apps the displayed title and artist info can get out of sync once you start skipping tracks. All are compatible with any BT device that outputs A2DP audio, like your Android device.
If music listening is important, I'd save the $300 on the OEM piece and invest it in replacing some key cabin speakers instead. You can get a massive improvement in sound quality from the stock system without adding a new head unit or amps.
There do not seem to be that difficult, but it is not likee switching out speakers on a less expensive vehicle.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: FL
2012 S600
Thank you Mike, I learned alot from what you wrote.
My intention is to get the SMS on the screen of the car and be able to reply to sms without using the phone handset. Would I be able to do that with the 3rd party tune2air or the MI+?
If the MI+ would get me the SMS then I would buy it.
The S600 comes with the Bang and Olfson speakers. They seem good enough.
My intention is to get the SMS on the screen of the car and be able to reply to sms without using the phone handset. Would I be able to do that with the 3rd party tune2air or the MI+?
If the MI+ would get me the SMS then I would buy it.
The S600 comes with the Bang and Olfson speakers. They seem good enough.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,904
Likes: 29
S350 BT 4MATIC
I have the media interface and II just picked up a 3rd party USB cable for $10 US. If it works, I saved over $100 US
. If not, well I will have to bail and purchase the one from the dealer for $117.
. If not, well I will have to bail and purchase the one from the dealer for $117.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,653
Likes: 560
2016 C300
Mike5215 that is solid advice. I was contemplating new speakers myself. As the base HK system in my car seems to need some assistance LOL! Upgraded speakers can make a huge difference - as long as you can get them in yourself There do not seem to be that difficult, but it is not likee switching out speakers on a less expensive vehicle.
There do not seem to be that difficult, but it is not likee switching out speakers on a less expensive vehicle.Thank you Mike, I learned alot from what you wrote.
My intention is to get the SMS on the screen of the car and be able to reply to sms without using the phone handset. Would I be able to do that with the 3rd party tune2air or the MI+?
If the MI+ would get me the SMS then I would buy it.
The S600 comes with the Bang and Olfson speakers. They seem good enough.
My intention is to get the SMS on the screen of the car and be able to reply to sms without using the phone handset. Would I be able to do that with the 3rd party tune2air or the MI+?
If the MI+ would get me the SMS then I would buy it.
The S600 comes with the Bang and Olfson speakers. They seem good enough.
Last edited by Mike5215; Sep 28, 2014 at 03:10 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,904
Likes: 29
S350 BT 4MATIC
Thanks Mike, I will take a look at those speakers. A quick question, did it cost your $650 installed or was it $650 just for the speakers?
Definitely agree that B&O sound system is very good.
Definitely agree that B&O sound system is very good.
Trending Topics
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,430
Likes: 187
From: USA
W140 Mercedes S350, W221 S550 sport
Nope, but it should be
Here is a 2012 S600 and no B&O
http://www.southlakemotorcars.com/we...s/12672668/#00
.
Here is a 2012 S600 and no B&O
http://www.southlakemotorcars.com/we...s/12672668/#00
.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: FL
2012 S600
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,653
Likes: 560
2016 C300
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,904
Likes: 29
S350 BT 4MATIC
Geez, if I ever got a 600, I would have to breakout the old mechanics clothes and also buy me a car lift for my garage so I could really work on my car.
Last edited by Nuru; Oct 1, 2014 at 06:12 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,904
Likes: 29
S350 BT 4MATIC
Well I have yet to attach a USB drive to my USB cable, but when I attached my phone to it, it started charging, but every 20 minutes or so, the car would try to read the phone as a drive and that would cut off the radio sound to whatever I was listening to SAT or HD local - is that normal
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,653
Likes: 560
2016 C300
Well I have yet to attach a USB drive to my USB cable, but when I attached my phone to it, it started charging, but every 20 minutes or so, the car would try to read the phone as a drive and that would cut off the radio sound to whatever I was listening to SAT or HD local - is that normal
Yes. The USB port in the car acts like a USB port on your PC. When it senses a connection it presumes it's a new external USB storage device that you wish to access, and it over rides your current source. You'd want to get a simple 12v USB charger in one of the 12v receptacles in the car to charge the phone. (One in the ashtray, two on the back side of the console.)
Last edited by Mike5215; Oct 2, 2014 at 11:39 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,904
Likes: 29
S350 BT 4MATIC
Thanks Mike, Yeah I have a couple of different options along those lines. BTW, the thing that stinks is that I expected the car to act like my PC which once you establish the connection and it determines what you want it does not keep asking like the car does LOL!
