SLK/R171: SLK 280 w/out Command Good Ipod solution?
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SLK 280 w/out Command Good Ipod solution?
Hey Guys. I searched the forums but have a few specific questions some of you may be able to help me with.
First of all, I just bought a '06 SLK 280 without command, and without navigation. it DOES have the six CD Changer, and a few more toys.
I was looking for an ipod solution and not sure how to proceed. I was under the impression the car came pre-installed with an aux-input cable. My mistake! I believe mercedes has an ipod integration kit for this car, but thought I required command to have it installed? Also the dealer said it would cost approximately ~$500 installed.
Are their any other options out their to hook up an IPOD DIrectly? I have gone through FM Transmitters and am not a big fan of them. I do not require steering wheel controls either. I have also heard any solution I get will require me to replace my six cd changer, thus making it useless. I was curious about maybe the Harmon Kardon solution?
Any ideas? Thanks for taking the time to read this.
-Neil
First of all, I just bought a '06 SLK 280 without command, and without navigation. it DOES have the six CD Changer, and a few more toys.
I was looking for an ipod solution and not sure how to proceed. I was under the impression the car came pre-installed with an aux-input cable. My mistake! I believe mercedes has an ipod integration kit for this car, but thought I required command to have it installed? Also the dealer said it would cost approximately ~$500 installed.
Are their any other options out their to hook up an IPOD DIrectly? I have gone through FM Transmitters and am not a big fan of them. I do not require steering wheel controls either. I have also heard any solution I get will require me to replace my six cd changer, thus making it useless. I was curious about maybe the Harmon Kardon solution?
Any ideas? Thanks for taking the time to read this.
-Neil
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From: Colorado, USA
MBZ SLK
Originally Posted by clusion
Hey Guys. I searched the forums but have a few specific questions some of you may be able to help me with.
First of all, I just bought a '06 SLK 280 without command, and without navigation. it DOES have the six CD Changer, and a few more toys.
I was looking for an ipod solution and not sure how to proceed. I was under the impression the car came pre-installed with an aux-input cable. My mistake! I believe mercedes has an ipod integration kit for this car, but thought I required command to have it installed? Also the dealer said it would cost approximately ~$500 installed.
Are their any other options out their to hook up an IPOD DIrectly? I have gone through FM Transmitters and am not a big fan of them. I do not require steering wheel controls either. I have also heard any solution I get will require me to replace my six cd changer, thus making it useless. I was curious about maybe the Harmon Kardon solution?
Any ideas? Thanks for taking the time to read this.
-Neil
First of all, I just bought a '06 SLK 280 without command, and without navigation. it DOES have the six CD Changer, and a few more toys.
I was looking for an ipod solution and not sure how to proceed. I was under the impression the car came pre-installed with an aux-input cable. My mistake! I believe mercedes has an ipod integration kit for this car, but thought I required command to have it installed? Also the dealer said it would cost approximately ~$500 installed.
Are their any other options out their to hook up an IPOD DIrectly? I have gone through FM Transmitters and am not a big fan of them. I do not require steering wheel controls either. I have also heard any solution I get will require me to replace my six cd changer, thus making it useless. I was curious about maybe the Harmon Kardon solution?
Any ideas? Thanks for taking the time to read this.
-Neil
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Originally Posted by Ynot
PM Motzkoman, he has the Audio 20 w/o the COMMAND and was able to install the iPod successfully.
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Originally Posted by IERAX
I was under the impression that you could not do that unless you did the mbenznl conversion to the audio 20 which is quite expensive.....It will be nice if there is another solution...Post something if you do have a a viable solution with a decent price-tag
The research continues!
-Neil
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From: global traveller
some slow@$$diesels
Originally Posted by IERAX
I was under the impression that you could not do that unless you did the mbenznl conversion to the audio 20 which is quite expensive.....
greetingz,
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MBZ SLK
Originally Posted by MBenzNL
...which is what motzkoman has...an original mercedes audio20 (slightly modified) in combination with the original mercedes Ipod kit...
greetingz,
greetingz,
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It is definitely the best conversion(and only 
) you can do and keep the wheel buttons functioning along with the original sound system...
At least Mbenznl's work comes highly recommended if you can afford to spend the money....the most cost effective route is a different head unit,i.e alpine and a relevant ipod kit...You lose the wheel buttons functions though
) you can do and keep the wheel buttons functioning along with the original sound system... At least Mbenznl's work comes highly recommended if you can afford to spend the money....the most cost effective route is a different head unit,i.e alpine and a relevant ipod kit...You lose the wheel buttons functions though
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From: Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
2007 SLK350, Storm Red, Premium 1 Pkg, Bi-Xenon Lights, Heated Seats, Airscarf
Originally Posted by IERAX
It is definitely the best conversion(and only ) you can do and keep the wheel buttons functioning along with the original sound system...
At least Mbenznl's work comes highly recommended if you can afford to spend the money....the most cost effective route is a different head unit,i.e alpine and a relevant ipod kit...You lose the wheel buttons functions though
) you can do and keep the wheel buttons functioning along with the original sound system... At least Mbenznl's work comes highly recommended if you can afford to spend the money....the most cost effective route is a different head unit,i.e alpine and a relevant ipod kit...You lose the wheel buttons functions though
Alpine and Crutchfield and both were completely no help.
Mike
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Originally Posted by Ynot
thanks, I was going to say that motzkoman's audio 20 is slighty modied by Steve IIRC.
I am unable to locate ANY aftermarket solutions that would tap into the fiber connections. Only Dension appears to have something in the works, but they stated a release date of March '06. So I am unsure how credible that is, or how long before they do release a product. I am also curiuos as to what the typical prices run for those things.
Does anyone know who makes our Decks for the audio 20 ?
-Neil
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whoever makes the audio 20's does not matter . You can replace the audio 20 with whatever head unit you want if you have not had a cd changer installed.
Without a cd changer,the audio 20 is not connected to the fiberoptic network.
With a cd changer,it is. There is a relevant document here http://
that makes it easy to understand.
www.billsden.org/mercedes/slk/docs/train_audio_comm.pdf
But even then you can rip it out and replace it with an alpine head unit etc. You just lose the wheel button functionality and the ability to see tracks/radios stations displayed. I will not mention the cost for doing mbenznl's cost for converting the audio 20 (pm him for particulars) but I think it would be better to use the money towards another head unit and an extra amplifier.
You could also install an extra amplifier and an A/B switch between the stock audio 20 and the speakers,that would give you better amplification and allow you to connect an ipod....
The dension product seems the better solution for integrating in the stock audio 20 system .....It is going to be expensive though and probably cost as much as a decent head unit.
P.S I read somewhere that there was an adaptation kit that allowed an alpine head unit to be controlled by the stock steering wheel buttons of the slk, but I have not found one yet,nor was able to validate the above info .
. You can replace the audio 20 with whatever head unit you want if you have not had a cd changer installed.Without a cd changer,the audio 20 is not connected to the fiberoptic network.
With a cd changer,it is. There is a relevant document here http://
that makes it easy to understand.
www.billsden.org/mercedes/slk/docs/train_audio_comm.pdf
But even then you can rip it out and replace it with an alpine head unit etc. You just lose the wheel button functionality and the ability to see tracks/radios stations displayed. I will not mention the cost for doing mbenznl's cost for converting the audio 20 (pm him for particulars) but I think it would be better to use the money towards another head unit and an extra amplifier.
You could also install an extra amplifier and an A/B switch between the stock audio 20 and the speakers,that would give you better amplification and allow you to connect an ipod....
The dension product seems the better solution for integrating in the stock audio 20 system .....It is going to be expensive though and probably cost as much as a decent head unit.
P.S I read somewhere that there was an adaptation kit that allowed an alpine head unit to be controlled by the stock steering wheel buttons of the slk, but I have not found one yet,nor was able to validate the above info .
Last edited by IERAX; Jul 10, 2006 at 10:11 AM.
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From: SF Bay Area, California, USA
2005 SLK350 - 2006 ML350
Originally Posted by IERAX
I was under the impression that you could not do that unless you did the mbenznl conversion to the audio 20 which is quite expensive.....It will be nice if there is another solution...Post something if you do have a a viable solution with a decent price-tag
On the how it is hooked up side, I can't say, but the work done by Steve was great and I have had no problems...
Last edited by Motzkoman; Jul 10, 2006 at 06:12 PM.
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Originally Posted by Motzkoman
I am a happy customer of MBenzNL and did not feel they were at all expensive...have you talked with them?
On the how it is hooked up side, I can't say, but the work done by Steve was great and I have had no problems...
On the how it is hooked up side, I can't say, but the work done by Steve was great and I have had no problems...
You can easily buy a good alpine unit with that money and put some money towards an amp if you are not interested in keeping the original and handicapped look of the audio 20.
i am torn between getting a conversion or a new head unit myself...
Last edited by IERAX; Jul 10, 2006 at 06:59 PM.
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From: global traveller
some slow@$$diesels
Originally Posted by IERAX
You can easily buy a good alpine unit with that money and put some money towards an amp if you are not interested in keeping the original and handicapped look of the audio 20.
i am torn between getting a conversion or a new head unit myself...
i am torn between getting a conversion or a new head unit myself...
greetingz,
