W212 AMG Discuss the W212 AMG's such as the E63

Benz proprietary lightning cable has arrived

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Jun 21, 2015 | 01:57 PM
  #1  
PeterUbers's Avatar
Thread Starter
Out Of Control!!
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13,799
Likes: 3,228
2014 E63S; AMS 100 octane ECU dyno tune; EDOK TCU tune; BB intakes; sprintbooster
Benz proprietary lightning cable has arrived

Sound quality is phenomenal and superior to Bluetooth. It does eliminate the mini headphone jack if anybody cares about that. I do have a lightning cable extension on it as it is made just too small, cost me 60 bucks shipped on eBay




Prior to this I was using the 30 pin to lightning cable Apple extension with an additional lightning cable extension and this worked fine as well. I just didn't want all that clutter.

Last edited by PeterUbers; Jun 21, 2015 at 02:00 PM.
Reply
Old Jun 21, 2015 | 02:21 PM
  #2  
vdubpower's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,279
Likes: 58
From: OC
i drive them all, fast and hard
Can u post a PIC of the cable. On our new s they gave us one with a USB on one end
Reply
Old Jun 21, 2015 | 11:45 PM
  #3  
rory breaker's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,675
Likes: 11
From: NA
Yes
Bluetooth audio is horrible in these cars. Quality is pathetic. Is this CD quality, assuming the file being played is adequate to support?
Reply
Old Jun 21, 2015 | 11:54 PM
  #4  
Vrodman's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,399
Likes: 202
From: Bay Area, California
2015 E63s AMG, 2020 GLC 43 AMG
This sounds like a good idea. There is no doubt that direct connection is superior to BT from an acoustic standpoint. Additionally you gain access to folders and such in your navi display that cant be done with BT.

Do you know if this cable is compatible with 2011?

Also, I imagine that it is for newer phones? Like iPhone 5 and above? I am still on 4s so connector I believe is different.

Thanks in advance Pete and thanks for sharing all of your discoveries.

Cheers.
Reply
Old Jun 22, 2015 | 12:23 AM
  #5  
HPMan's Avatar
Senior Member
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
 
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 418
Likes: 44
From: Vancouver, BC
2014 E63 S
For those of you with a 2014 (and possibly older), you can simply use an Apple 30 pin to lightening adapter. I use this and the stock 2014 30 pin connector for my iphone and works flawlessly.
Reply
Old Jun 22, 2015 | 12:43 AM
  #6  
PeterUbers's Avatar
Thread Starter
Out Of Control!!
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13,799
Likes: 3,228
2014 E63S; AMS 100 octane ECU dyno tune; EDOK TCU tune; BB intakes; sprintbooster


Originally Posted by rory breaker
Bluetooth audio is horrible in these cars. Quality is pathetic. Is this CD quality, assuming the file being played is adequate to support?
Yes and no...'cd quality is truly uncompressed file ... All acc audio is compressed unless lossless... If lossless then yes, cd quality

You will be impressed

Yes, same can be achieved with 30 pin to lightning cable Apple extension as mentioned in first post

Last edited by PeterUbers; Jun 22, 2015 at 12:48 AM.
Reply
Old Jun 22, 2015 | 12:50 AM
  #7  
PeterUbers's Avatar
Thread Starter
Out Of Control!!
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13,799
Likes: 3,228
2014 E63S; AMS 100 octane ECU dyno tune; EDOK TCU tune; BB intakes; sprintbooster
Originally Posted by Vrodman
This sounds like a good idea. There is no doubt that direct connection is superior to BT from an acoustic standpoint. Additionally you gain access to folders and such in your navi display that cant be done with BT.

Do you know if this cable is compatible with 2011?

Also, I imagine that it is for newer phones? Like iPhone 5 and above? I am still on 4s so connector I believe is different.

Thanks in advance Pete and thanks for sharing all of your discoveries.

Cheers.
Vrod.... Won't apply to your 2011.... You're golden with your setup now

Cheers brother
Reply
Old Jun 22, 2015 | 12:54 AM
  #8  
PeterUbers's Avatar
Thread Starter
Out Of Control!!
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13,799
Likes: 3,228
2014 E63S; AMS 100 octane ECU dyno tune; EDOK TCU tune; BB intakes; sprintbooster
Originally Posted by vdubpower
Can u post a PIC of the cable. On our new s they gave us one with a USB on one end
The S class has a USB to lightning cable that offers full control of the idevice

E class still requires for 2014/15 a lightning to proprietary chunky plug interface to gain that control

Hence this NEW cable

The OLD cable was chunky proprietary plug to 30 pin idevice plug. Additional was mini stereo headphone jack on the old plug.

Just plugging in a USB to lightning cable to the 2014/15 e class gains only charging and nothing more, no audio transport and no control of idevice
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jun 22, 2015 | 01:12 AM
  #9  
vdubpower's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,279
Likes: 58
From: OC
i drive them all, fast and hard
yeah my 2012 has a 300 pin to old iphone set up....and the headphone jack...not sure whats ever the point of that jack....i still use a old school ipod and put music on that for in car listening....never really learned how to store music on the HD built in...
Reply
Old Jun 22, 2015 | 11:55 AM
  #10  
TheOtherEric's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 270
Likes: 1
From: Chicago, IL
993, 2014 E63 Wagon
Originally Posted by HPMan
For those of you with a 2014 (and possibly older), you can simply use an Apple 30 pin to lightening adapter. I use this and the stock 2014 30 pin connector for my iphone and works flawlessly.
The adapter lets your car control a new iPhone? Most Amazon reviewers state that the 30 pin to lightning adapter only permits charging, nothing else. And do you have a link to the adapter that works for you? Apple wants $29 while knockoffs run like $5 on amazon.
Reply
Old Jun 22, 2015 | 11:57 AM
  #11  
TheOtherEric's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 270
Likes: 1
From: Chicago, IL
993, 2014 E63 Wagon
Originally Posted by PeterUbers
... I do have a lightning cable extension on it as it is made just too small, cost me 60 bucks shipped on eBay
...
This new MB cable costs $60? Geesh that's brutal.
Reply
Old Jun 22, 2015 | 12:06 PM
  #12  
sgosha's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 38
Likes: 35
From: Bay Area
2018 AMG GT R
Hmm I think I had this cable installed from the factory in my '15 wagon. Is that just me or plugging the phone using this short cable which is hidden in the center console is too complicated?
Reply
Old Jun 22, 2015 | 12:30 PM
  #13  
PeterUbers's Avatar
Thread Starter
Out Of Control!!
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13,799
Likes: 3,228
2014 E63S; AMS 100 octane ECU dyno tune; EDOK TCU tune; BB intakes; sprintbooster

Originally Posted by TheOtherEric
The adapter lets your car control a new iPhone? Most Amazon reviewers state that the 30 pin to lightning adapter only permits charging, nothing else. And do you have a link to the adapter that works for you? Apple wants $29 while knockoffs run like $5 on amazon.
The apple brand $30 cable, 30 pin to lightning ..:. This is the only one that works to control and charge

Ironically it took me buying three of these Apple brand cables to actually get one that finally worked and did not give me an error message on the iPhone

This is my purchase of the one that finally worked... First two were bought from best buy

Last edited by PeterUbers; Jun 22, 2015 at 12:34 PM.
Reply
Old Jun 22, 2015 | 12:33 PM
  #14  
HPMan's Avatar
Senior Member
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
 
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 418
Likes: 44
From: Vancouver, BC
2014 E63 S
Originally Posted by PeterUbers
The apple brand $30 cable, 30 pin to lightning ..:. This is the only one that works to control and charge
+1. Also, if you need an extension cord, I have a Cable Jive one and it retains all control functionality. I tried a cheap one off amazon and it only permitted charging.
Reply
Old Jun 22, 2015 | 12:35 PM
  #15  
PeterUbers's Avatar
Thread Starter
Out Of Control!!
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13,799
Likes: 3,228
2014 E63S; AMS 100 octane ECU dyno tune; EDOK TCU tune; BB intakes; sprintbooster
Originally Posted by HPMan
+1. Also, if you need an extension cord, I have a Cable Jive one and it retains all control functionality. I tried a cheap one off amazon and it only permitted charging.
Same here...have the black cable jive off of Amazon, was dirt cheap
Reply
Old Jun 22, 2015 | 02:24 PM
  #16  
TheOtherEric's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 270
Likes: 1
From: Chicago, IL
993, 2014 E63 Wagon
Originally Posted by PeterUbers
The apple brand $30 cable, 30 pin to lightning ..:. This is the only one that works to control and charge

Ironically it took me buying three of these Apple brand cables to actually get one that finally worked and did not give me an error message on the iPhone

This is my purchase of the one that finally worked... First two were bought from best buy
Thanks for the info!

Looks like Apple will sell direct for $29, free shipping.
http://store.apple.com/us/product/MD...30-pin-adapter

Last edited by TheOtherEric; Jun 22, 2015 at 02:27 PM.
Reply
Old Jun 22, 2015 | 06:34 PM
  #17  
Vrodman's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,399
Likes: 202
From: Bay Area, California
2015 E63s AMG, 2020 GLC 43 AMG
Originally Posted by PeterUbers
Vrod.... Won't apply to your 2011.... You're golden with your setup now

Cheers brother
Yeah,

I realized later that I already had the cable to direct connect in the glove box. Just forgot at the moment I was reading your post. That and a few beers last night before I replied to your post!

Checked today and I can indeed direct connect the 4S directly. A bit of a pain in the butt because the phone has to stay in glove box. Need an extension of some kind that doesn't get damaged with the glove box closed.

Its not that big of a deal though anyway as I am loading up my music registry directly from CD player and it sounds pretty good! And I see the folders also!

And, I have a 32gig Compact Flash card on its way too. Almost too many options to choose from.

Cheers!
Reply
Old Jun 22, 2015 | 07:05 PM
  #18  
LFC09's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 182
Likes: 2
From: Queensland Australia
E63 AMG S Diamond White Saloon
My only beef with the lightning connector is that it isn't as secure. I found I was getting disconnections between ipod and connector. No such issues with old school ipod classic and 30pin connector.
Reply
Old Jun 23, 2015 | 08:30 AM
  #19  
sbtm's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 68
Likes: 3
2012 E63
Charging the iPhone through this isn't very fast either. Slow as hell!
Reply
Old Jun 23, 2015 | 11:21 PM
  #20  
rory breaker's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,675
Likes: 11
From: NA
Yes
How does spotify work w this cable, and what can you control from the console? Not familiar with these capabilities at all.
Reply
Old Jun 23, 2015 | 11:39 PM
  #21  
PeterUbers's Avatar
Thread Starter
Out Of Control!!
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13,799
Likes: 3,228
2014 E63S; AMS 100 octane ECU dyno tune; EDOK TCU tune; BB intakes; sprintbooster
Any iPhone navi app will quiet any music being played to give directions and turn by turn guidance then go back to the music

The only control you have via the command knob is for iPhone as an iPod and full control That way
Reply
Old Jun 24, 2015 | 08:30 AM
  #22  
rory breaker's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,675
Likes: 11
From: NA
Yes
Got it, so no specific app control like spotify, just the MP3's stored locally on the device.

And is the verdict that the $29 apple connector works just fine vs the oem cable?
Reply
Old Jun 24, 2015 | 08:41 AM
  #23  
sbtm's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 68
Likes: 3
2012 E63
Benz proprietary lightning cable has arrived

Anything on Apple's Car Play?
Reply
Old Jul 1, 2015 | 01:26 PM
  #24  
rory breaker's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,675
Likes: 11
From: NA
Yes
Originally Posted by rory breaker
Got it, so no specific app control like spotify, just the MP3's stored locally on the device.

And is the verdict that the $29 apple connector works just fine vs the oem cable?
Dropping by apple today hoping to get confirmation from someone here. Thx!
Reply
Old Jul 1, 2015 | 07:21 PM
  #25  
rory breaker's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,675
Likes: 11
From: NA
Yes
Well, I can confirm now, the apple adapter (with the bit of cord, that's the one I got) works flawlessly. Spotify tracks show artwork, and can be controlled from the cars interface, sounds 10x better than BT.
Reply


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:59 PM.

story-0
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-1
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-4
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-6
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

Slideshow: From bulletproof sedans to surprisingly tough SUVs, these Mercedes models proved that the three-pointed star can go the distance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-08 09:55:49


VIEW MORE