nardeezy@yahoo.

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)

harjothundal

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.

930chas

I use the aux. It works fine and sounds great.

Uber Wagon

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.

930chas

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.

azncantonw211

http://www.incartronics.com/ i've been thinking over a year to purchase there kit :P

Uber Wagon

good darn thing it wasn't a snake. Somehow I had the (mistaken) impression if was in the back corner toward the center of the car.

:-)

I'll have ipod tunes this afternoon....

Uber Wagon

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....

allenjdmb

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....

nardeezy@yahoo.

I like this unit. It appears similar to the Vaistech products for Lexus.

mekantor

I installed the Mercedes iPod kit following the DIY here, works well:
https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...d-install.html

nardeezy@yahoo.

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>

mekantor

Actually there is no control through Comand, its all through the steering wheel. Also, the audio still comes in via Aux, its not optical, so there is no fidelity gain.

allenjdmb

fidelity awful thru the aux input? And where might I find that cable, Ipod to mini, right?

mekantor

Not awful, the same as going through Aux, because it is still using Aux.

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.

allenjdmb

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) ?

mekantor

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.

BagMan

Check out my ipod install in the W211 forum

https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...ml#post4125365