iPod audio options
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 302
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From: California
E63 AMG
iPod audio options
Unfortunately, my E63 didn't come with the iPod connector. However, I do have the AUX in the glove compartment. After researching the forums, I saw this great write up for installing the ipod kit to an 04 E55. I'm not sure if I'm ready to tear down my recently aquired vehicle to that level yet. Please reply with any feedback for efficiently hooking up an iPod to the vehicle.
Here are my options (lowest to highest cost):
1) Use the $10 AUX cable with my iPod and loose the ability to change songs while the iPod is in the glove compartment.
2) Scoche and Monster market a device for approx. $20-$80 that will allow RF remote control of the iPod while it is in the glove compartment http://www.crutchfield.com/p_142IPNR...=scosche&ssi=0
http://www.monstercable.com/productdisplay.asp?pin=3714
3)Go for the plunge and attempt to install the Mercedes iPod kit or have it done professionally ($expensive)
Here are my options (lowest to highest cost):
1) Use the $10 AUX cable with my iPod and loose the ability to change songs while the iPod is in the glove compartment.
2) Scoche and Monster market a device for approx. $20-$80 that will allow RF remote control of the iPod while it is in the glove compartment http://www.crutchfield.com/p_142IPNR...=scosche&ssi=0
http://www.monstercable.com/productdisplay.asp?pin=3714
3)Go for the plunge and attempt to install the Mercedes iPod kit or have it done professionally ($expensive)
Last edited by nardeezy@yahoo.; Jun 14, 2010 at 12:28 AM. Reason: typos
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 361
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From: Northern California
05 e55
I personally wouldn't really consider the dealer option to be a viable one... I wanted that as well, until I learned the ins and outs of it...
When you install the dealer iPod option, you loose the aux input capability. The iPod now plugs into it. Furthurmore, the Comand cannot control the iPod, the only way to control it is through the CAN Bus and the Comand is connected via MOST. What does this mean? This means the only way to shift through songs would be to use your steering wheel mounted controls, your passenger won't be able to touch it...
I use the aux input, and I love it because it gives me the flexibility of plugging in more than just an iPhone or iPod, but anything with a stereo mini jack. Sound quality is not bad at all, I actually get more loudness and bass through the factory system using the aux input compared to listening to a CD or FM/SAT.
When you install the dealer iPod option, you loose the aux input capability. The iPod now plugs into it. Furthurmore, the Comand cannot control the iPod, the only way to control it is through the CAN Bus and the Comand is connected via MOST. What does this mean? This means the only way to shift through songs would be to use your steering wheel mounted controls, your passenger won't be able to touch it...
I use the aux input, and I love it because it gives me the flexibility of plugging in more than just an iPhone or iPod, but anything with a stereo mini jack. Sound quality is not bad at all, I actually get more loudness and bass through the factory system using the aux input compared to listening to a CD or FM/SAT.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 361
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2006 E55 Wagon (RIP), 2019 E63S Wagon (Sold) 2023 AMG GT634S
Can someone post a picture or a diagram, or something - so show where in the Sam Dell this is in the glovebox?
I swear I could not find my a$$ with both hands in the dark.
I swear I could not find my a$$ with both hands in the dark.
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Joined: Oct 2006
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From: merryland
cornfed gtr and m3
Here ya' go. Sorry for the crappy quality, and I don't know why the pic is so small?
But it is pretty much dead center at the top.
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Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Orlando/West Palm Beach, Florida
2005 E55 & 2007 335iC
http://www.incartronics.com/ i've been thinking over a year to purchase there kit :P
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 361
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2006 E55 Wagon (RIP), 2019 E63S Wagon (Sold) 2023 AMG GT634S
D'Oh!
:-)
I'll have ipod tunes this afternoon....
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Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 361
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2006 E55 Wagon (RIP), 2019 E63S Wagon (Sold) 2023 AMG GT634S
http://www.incartronics.com/ i've been thinking over a year to purchase there kit :P
Has anyone installed this - this really seems like the way to go - I would LOVE to have all the phone and ipod integration.... heck - what's another $1000.....
But - I want some feedback before I do it....
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,619
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From: Georgia
E 63S Wagon Renntech, E55 Renntech, SL65, SL 55 030, ML, bunch of old ones--they come, they go...
Does everything....
come with an AUX input from a certain prodction date? I sure can't seem to locate mine, although there is an AUX icon on my screen....
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 302
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From: California
E63 AMG
I like this unit. It appears similar to the Vaistech products for Lexus.
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 692
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From: Houston, TX
2003 E55 AMG; 2013 GL550 4Matic; 2003 CL600
I installed the Mercedes iPod kit following the DIY here, works well:
https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...d-install.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...d-install.html
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 302
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From: California
E63 AMG
I installed the Mercedes iPod kit following the DIY here, works well:
https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...d-install.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...d-install.html
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 692
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From: Houston, TX
2003 E55 AMG; 2013 GL550 4Matic; 2003 CL600
That's the great write up that I was initially referring to. Only issue I have is that you lose control of the iPod in which it can only be controlled thru the Comand. For whatever reason, there may be a moment in which I need to look for something on my iPhone or iPod, can I do that manually while it's still plugged in>
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,619
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From: Georgia
E 63S Wagon Renntech, E55 Renntech, SL65, SL 55 030, ML, bunch of old ones--they come, they go...
Is the....
fidelity awful thru the aux input? And where might I find that cable, Ipod to mini, right?
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 692
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From: Houston, TX
2003 E55 AMG; 2013 GL550 4Matic; 2003 CL600
Not as good as it might have been if the signal were preseved in digital form all the way to the Audio Gateway via MOST.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,619
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From: Georgia
E 63S Wagon Renntech, E55 Renntech, SL65, SL 55 030, ML, bunch of old ones--they come, they go...
I'm thinking....
that it's probably about as good as Sat radio. Fair to say, if you don't use the most compressed files (or is that any better) ?
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 692
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From: Houston, TX
2003 E55 AMG; 2013 GL550 4Matic; 2003 CL600
I got the 160Gb iPod and most of my files are in FLAC format. It sounds quite good, but the purist in me still wants to eliminate that extra set of digital -> analog -> digital conversion steps.
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From: SWFL
E55, E320 CDI , CLA250, Jag XJ Supersport
Last edited by BagMan; Jun 18, 2010 at 05:29 PM.
