B Feelgood

What options do we have for adding an AUX jack into an 05-08 SL? I remember reading something about there being RCA inputs for the CD changer located behind the driver's seat?

Vader1

I've not heard of that. In the 2003-2004 SL there was an AUX input in the glove compartment but I think they discontinued it for 2005.

carlsturm

I'm not aware of any nor if anyone has managed to pull the stereo unit out and modify it.

I'm resigned to using FM transmitter which works relatively well.

okbarnett

you can do a mod by adding a A/V input, use it for anything you want. tvandnavtogo.com
or others. $1000

Viper98912

I use a Grom unit; it replaced the CD changer. It works "ok". Sometimes it freezes up and while it does integrate into the stock headunit, the buttons are slow to react sometimes. In the end, I have USB and Aux.

B Feelgood

Can you please link me to the product that you used?

B Feelgood

The solution that I was thinking of was called the Dension Gateway 500. Do you know how this compares to the tvandnavtogo solution? It's about half the price.

skylinrcr01

I'm not entirely sure how the MOST systems integrate with each other, or the universality, but it would be interesting to see if an Audi AMI unit would work. The ones for the A6 and A8 are MOST and have usb ports as well as aux cables. If someone take a picture of the harness and MOST connector on their changer I can compare it to my AMI unit.

My guess is that they won't be compatible, but if the connectors are the same, that's a start.

Viper98912

http://gromaudio.com/store/all-mbo4.html I believe is the one I bought

The Denison one (or one of the other popular ones around here) is no longer made

okbarnett

I heard the gateway worked, but you can probibly get one on ebay

compaddict

iTrader: (1)

We did the Dension Gateway 500 and are very happy with it.

Eraser-X

I have a m0bridge that I was able to get from ebay. It gives me an AUX input and bluetooth. Replacing both the CD changer and the phone system. As for the phone system it does a much better job than the MB system did and still allows for voice control. On the bluetooth side for music it still gives me full access to my iPhone interface for control.

Any of the mObrige devices for the MOST network should work (MBZ, BMW, Porsche) you just need to use a SD card to configure it for the MBZ.

euphoriaDSM

I just installed a used Dension Gateway 500 from a member on here and it works GREAT!. It charges my phone and plays my music. You can control from the phone itself or from the normal controls on the dash or steering wheel. It shows artist and song title on the screen and you can switch back to still use the factory cd changer. They are for sale on here often. Took no more than 30 minutes to install myself.

V12TTenthusiast

+1 Dension Gateway 500 is the way to go, best thing about it is I didn't have bluetooth before, but with the Gateway the factory unit has bluetooth now and the call functions on the command are all enabled.

hcvdg

V12TTenthusiast

If your unsure you can get a Mobridge. Mobridge has bluetooth no issues in my car. My friend has a Dension but I think you need to make sure you get the right equipment. With the Dension you can plug in USBs which Mobridge doesnt have.

850csi

Bumping this thread to bookmark it and see if anyone has any direct comparisons between Grom/Denison/Mobridge etc. Need to somehow play Spotify off of my iPhone in our 2008 R230.

pl626

Check this out


You can add a CarPlay USB dongle and run Spotify from your iPhone. Links to Seicane are in the YouTube description.

Nor Cal SL55

I don't think Seicane offers a head unit for the later model R230 dash trim. At least I couldn't find one on their website. Just a word of warning for those contemplating...

850csi

Thanks -- but I guess I should have been clearer. I have no intention of changing my NTG2 head unit. I'm just trying to figure out the best MOST device to swap in for the CD changer.

pl626

Did you check out this thread?

850csi

Oh that looks interesting; thanks!

smithwn55

For 07-08 SL55 owners, the best option I've found is to completely replace the MB head unit. My local shop quoted $2k for all the work and hardware and even promised my system would be integrated with my steering wheel controls as they've done several already (add $300 for an integrated back up camera). I've been assured this mod will create an entirely new, dynamic sound from factory speakers and that further speaker mods will be unnecessary.

See attached quote for all the detail.
Bill

pl626

Looks like a decent setup. Pioneer NEX is a good HU with CarPlay and Android. With the video bypass, you'll have VIM. If you're keeping the factory speakers, I don't know if you'll really hear a big difference in sound quality, but picture quality will probably be better. Pricewise, you can probably get them to knock down another 10-20% at least. You can get the AVH-2440NEX for less than $400 JL amp has some meat as well, but overall package and pricing seems ok.

The one big issue I'd have is the steering wheel control. It looks like they're basically bypassing the MB system and sticking on a small control box. That would be a problem for me...

smithwn55

Thanks for that feedback. I'll work um down a little!