zdkdeeier493

Check this out. FULL iPod integration. You guys get it all don't you! I guess it makes up for that redesigned center console... :p

http://www.mbusa.com/main/container....iPod/index.jsp

DRCrowder

anyone know if this is available with the E55?

BoBcanada

thats cool, but you can also play mp3s from the Cd so whats the point of buying one...

enzom

To play the thousands of songs on your ipod and control it with the steering wheel.

I just spoke with the tech person at MB USA who was just reading the press release issued yesterday. It will be available for 05 model cars "later this year" Could be September, but he really didn't know. Nor could he confirm it would fit the E55, but nothing in the press release said it wouldn't.

neutronium

They do say "Contact your dealer for information on compatibility with previous models".

So, if it hooks up to the fiber bus I don't think that changed in the command unit. Of course, it could just be another reason to find an 05 head unit...

xraymd

Anybody have an idea of what this will cost? Any MB tax?

BklynMarc

Apple rumor sites report Mercedes availability in APRIL 2005, starting in the MY 2006 ML class (redesigned for this year). From there, it will be made available to other MY 2005 and 2006 cars.

http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=825

I recall seeing a quote of $299 plus labor to add full iPod integration.

As for the benefit of having an iPod, I think it replaces the need to have the CD changer. An iPod with 30GB capacity holds 7500 songs or nearly a month's worth of continuous music without repeating. It is the size of a large wallet. You can potentially carry your entire home music collection in your car without the size, of say, CDs. Plus, with the menu function, you can access any song on your iPod within seconds, searching by artist, genre or album. Plus, the random play function and customized play lists only adds to the benefits over a CD.

korveine

That is awesome. Hopefully they have it for the early builds of the E55 soon. It would be awesome if they offer a in-dash DVD changer as well (do they?). I'd swap the in-dash CD changer for that and change to the Euro COMAND and have in-motion video! Having a video with the music or concert would be way kewl.

Belmondo

Forget "thousands" of songs, name 300 decent songs worth having on iPOD. One 700mb disc will fit aprox. 200 songs in MP3. Plenty for me and you can control it thorugh the steering wheel--- unfortunatly I dont have hte MP3 playback in w220. If iPOD has other convenience features that is fine but "thousands of songs " is only of benefit to someone who actually has thousands of songs that he likes enough to go htrough the trouble of putting them into iPOD.

scorchie

Count me in that probably large list of people! I have a 10GB iPod (one of the very first, my favorite) completely filled with the essentials (my "classics"), a 60GB iPod nearly full, and I hope that around June/July the 80GB model will be released.

-s-

neoprufrok

For me, I have a 40g iPOd and I've put the songs on my iPod without compression - so I have 1000 high quality songs. Combine that with my Shure in ear headphones and Headroom portable headphone amplifier - I have audiophile bliss anywhere I go.

The other benefit is portability. I have my iPod connected at work to speakers, I use it when I workout, and I have it in my car - all my favorite songs and albums with me at all times. A CD MP3 would require an MP3 compatible playback machine, a portable mp3 player as well.