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2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
Originally Posted by althethird
Thanks JettaRed. The black screen happened to me today and it was as simple as switching WiFi off and back on to get the screen back like you said. I couldn’t figure out how to resolve prior to your post.
Well, I've pulled the trigger and ordered the unit. Going to install it this weekend with the help of my engineer co-worker. TMD and Jetta Red, thank you for you input on this. FIngers crossed...
Nice. You will be fine.
- Take your time, it is not a race.
- Be prepared, have everything handy.
- Protect your car, cover surfaces, set things out of the way.
- If you get frustrated, or impatient take a break, grab a drink and come back after the chill returns.
- Have a good time.
Originally Posted by jrupp
Well, I've pulled the trigger and ordered the unit. Going to install it this weekend with the help of my engineer co-worker. TMD and Jetta Red, thank you for you input on this. FIngers crossed...
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
And there are several videos on YouTube how to do this. Watch them all as it will help you to visualize what you will be doing, as well as some good tips on how to do stuff.
Remember, Mercedes usually engineers stuff to be easy for the technician to perform while charging you the most they can.
Great write up TMD!
I used the Amazon link posted above and it says that this unit will only work in 2015 models and older. I have a 2016 SL so I’m out of luck???
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
Originally Posted by Jcrew
Great write up TMD!
I used the Amazon link posted above and it says that this unit will only work in 2015 models and older. I have a 2016 SL so I’m out of luck???
Do you not have CarPlay already? There is a version that supports NTG5.0 listed for the W205 C Class. I suspect it would work in your car.
Post a pic of your head unit and dash so I can see the differences if any.
Originally Posted by Jcrew
Great write up TMD!
I used the Amazon link posted above and it says that this unit will only work in 2015 models and older. I have a 2016 SL so I’m out of luck???
You can also find your command version by entering your vin number at this website: https://www.lastvin.com.
The unit at the Amazon link provided will work if you have NTG4.5 or NTG4.7.
There are many additional options other than the RoadTop unit if you have NTG5.0 and above including a hidden menu in the 2016 or 2017 models to enable CarPlay that was disabled at factory without installing an aftermarket unit.
Hey everyone! I have a well equipped 2015 SL400 (without “splitview” which I understand is incompatible with Roadtop) but including the Bang&Olufsen stereo, which I assume is compatible. Just like the previous poster I do NOT have a 3.5mm Aux input in the center console of my car, just the USB and MMI connections previously pictured. I have already purchased the B084LZ126 Roadtop unit from Amazon and am expecting delivery and will self install this weekend. Some questions, if you dont mind, lol:
1) since I have no 3.5mm AUX in the armrest then where/how do I connect for audio playback? Do I need an MMI to 3.5mm female adapter or is there some other “cleaner” way to connect besides a loose wire + adapter combo dangling in the armrest? I thought I read somewhere that the Roadtop can connect to AUX via Bluetooth for audio playback (as my phone currently does)? Am I crazy?
2) What is the best setup regarding phone calls? Run everything through Carplay only or do a hybrid with the phone using MB Bluetooth and Carplay using the other AUX option from above?
3) Is there any dip-switch settings that need to be made on the Roadtop unit that is specific to my car and how do I know what they are?
4) Does the factory reverse camera trigger wire plug in or is it a splice, and how is the functionality? (ie: does it operate within the Carplay/Roadtop environment or does it switch to (and from) the MB environment, and the. Switch back to Carplay automatically/manually?
5) is the latest firmware already installed on these units or is there an update that must be done?
6) How do you switch back and forth between the Roadtop and MB environment (hold down CLR button for 3 seconds?) and can you set it to default to Carplay everytime you turn your car on, or do you have to go in and activate the Roadtop/Carplay environment each time you restart the car? Does it remember where you “left off” when you restart the car?
Sorry for all the questions, but thank you for any input. Excited to get my new unit!
hi, i was wondering how u did the install for this Roadtop Carplay without using the MMI to Aux. how are you getting audio from Carplay if not through the Aux port? Thank you.
Originally Posted by althethird
Great write up indeed.
I placed my RoadTop unit inside the plastic passenger footwell cover that houses the cabin filter. There’s a small cutout under the glove box that’s just large for the unit and the wires.
Also, I did not use the Aux/MMI cables for my installation. Since I did not use the Aux/MMI cables, there was only one wire to ground to remove static in the audio… that wire was grounded to the body of the car with a screw that, if I recall correctly, attaches the dash plastic frame to the car which was near the middle of the radio on the passenger side.
Because of the ease to access the unit, I did not install the USB cables because I connect to the unit wirelessly; but, if I needed to perform an update, the footwell cover is easy enough to drop so that I could then attach the USB cables to perform a firmware update.
The only issue I have is using CarPlay Bluetooth for calls. I find that I have to turn the volume up to hear calls but the music’s volume is deafening when the call is disconnected. Because of this, I have the both the MB Bluetooth and RoadTop bluetooth connected at the same time. This works perfectly because increasing/decreasing the volume of a call has no impact on music volume. The only caveat to this setup is that you have to use the console dial to accept a call instead of the steering wheel.
JettaRed, I’ll update this post with my specific settings that works perfectly every time.
1. The RoadTop Carplay add-on is definitely the best $300 you can spend on your Mercedes. I really dont understand how such wonderful vehicles can have such terrible Infotainment systems. Anyway, this solves that problem. If you are considering this for your car, just buy it. Its life changing, not even kidding.
2. Installation really isn’t that difficult. Couple things to watch out for. You have to adjust the dip switches according to the manual. You have to connect the 2 ground cables to eachother. The head-unit is locked in place by a sort of rotating bracket system, you may not notice this on removal of the head unit, but will not be able to reinstall unless you account for this. Its no big deal, but worth mentioning.
3. Setup is pretty straightforward, read the manual. Most of the settings are already in place - some fine tuning may be required. The system is very responsive and does a great job of connecting and picking up where you left off upon reentey into the car
1) since I have no 3.5mm AUX in the armrest then where/how do I connect for audio playback? Do I need an MMI to 3.5mm female adapter or is there some other “cleaner” way to connect besides a loose wire + adapter combo dangling in the armrest? I thought I read somewhere that the Roadtop can connect to AUX via Bluetooth for audio playback (as my phone currently does)? Am I crazy?
You should be able to use bluetooth for output. The wire and adapter in the armrest is clean enough. If you want to make it even cleaner you can purchase a small piece of plastic to cut to shape and some matching liner material to cover that plastic and then cover the loose wire, etc. If you take your time and do it right nobody will know the wire is in there covered but you. You could also use wood, as it won't matter because you are covering it with some material anyway. You will just not have as deep of an armrest.
Am I crazy? You might be, but lots of crazy people have nice cars....
2) What is the best setup regarding phone calls? Run everything through Carplay only or do a hybrid with the phone using MB Bluetooth and Carplay using the other AUX option from above? The best setup for me, or others may not be the best for you. It is subjective. I have found running things through CarPlay works fine, as callers have no issue hearing me, or me them. You can try different ways to test what gives you the best sound quality.
3) Is there any dip-switch settings that need to be made on the Roadtop unit that is specific to my car and how do I know what they are? Yes. The instructions with the unit will provide that info. No way I would remember what those setting were.
4) Does the factory reverse camera trigger wire plug in or is it a splice, and how is the functionality? (ie: does it operate within the Carplay/Roadtop environment or does it switch to (and from) the MB environment, and the. Switch back to Carplay automatically/manually? There is nothing for you to splice with the factory reverse camera. It plugs in. If I remember correctly It is part of the wires that you switch over to the new harness.When I shift to reverse the backup camera comes on via the MB Environment. It is virtually instant. (It looks like you never had CarPlay installed). When you shift back to drive, or park it switches back to CarPlay screen that you had up prior. It is also instant switching. I guess if you want to be technical it switches in about a milesecond which to some may not be instant.
5) Is the latest firmware already installed on these units or is there an update that must be done? What was installed in my unit, or others may not be whats installed in yours. That would depend on how long your unit was sitting in the warehouse before it shipped and, or how recent they built it. Simply check what you have when it arrives.
6) How do you switch back and forth between the Roadtop and MB environment (hold down CLR button for 3 seconds?) and can you set it to default to Carplay everytime you turn your car on, or do you have to go in and activate the Roadtop/Carplay environment each time you restart the car? Does it remember where you “left off” when you restart the car? You hold the CLR button (button on the upper far right of your console area. I am not in my car so I assume that is the letters. Whichever the upper R button is. Car play comes on when you start your car. Most times it is instant. I have also seen it take 2 seconds, If for whatever reason it does not switch on you know where the button is to switch it. It does remember where you left off, prior to turning car off.
Side note- If you have your massage seats saved in your * button like mine you will have to toggle back to the MB environment (button hold as mentioned above) The seats wont come on via the saved star unless you do so. Hold CLR, MB pops up, press *, seat massage comes on, hold car return to roadtop. Since I have never has anything else saved as my favorite except my massage seats I do not know if anything other than massage if saved under * will have to do the same.
Sorry for all the questions, but thank you for any input. Excited to get my new unit!
Anytime.
Last edited by ThatsMyDawg; 09-07-2022 at 06:29 AM.
05-11-2022, 08:16 PM
