Apple CarPlay upgrade for the E63
seriously considering this. wondering if going to an A/V shop to install worth it(assuming ~150-200 for install)? or DIY?
thanks.
I've had it running in my 2015 E400 Cab for about two months. Has worked great and the wifi connection is fast and stable. There are multiple vendors for CarPlay smartboxes, I tried to get the Unichip, but they were unresponsive, I had an iCartisan unit installed, but we could never get it to work with the OEM bu cam, though it did use the OEM mic. The Joyeauto worked correctly out of the box, first install, but it did require an aux microphone. All the third-party vendors will also require you to use the AUX audio input, but other than that, the experience is seemless, like MB should have delivered in the first place.
Used Vlad's module and it worked well for me, no upgrade needed.
Also using his "ECO removal" functionality and it also works well. Nice! Even though the ECO light remains on.
To answer my own question above in the prior post - we can go into Dealer mode (hang up + 7 + 9 for about 5 seconds), but even in that menu there is no version readout. Weird.
I have a 2016 with build date of 07/15.
Used Vlad's module and it worked well for me, no upgrade needed.
........
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
But I agree, probably will just go for it. Going to report back.
I have a US Spec 2016 E350 with a build date of "17.09.2015", and the SA 531 option which is shown as "COMAND APS NTG5/NTG5.5" which also includes navigation and the internet enabled "MBrace" features.
I was told by vlad that I need a firmware update, and then his solution will work.
I also read elsewhere on the forums that for this car, you need firmware "High_CY15_9" or newer.
I'm presuming from the name that this firmware was created or released in September of Calendar Year 2015 -- so with a build date
of sept 17 2015, it's possible -- and even likely -- that my head unit has firmware that is an older version, because the head unit was probably loaded with firmware before my vehicle was assembled.
I read elsewhere on forums, that when the firmware is updated, when listening to the radio, that the "sound" menu on the bottom right corner (the one that you use to change things like the bass and treble, or the balance and fader") shows up as an icon for a music note, rather than text that reads "sound".
My system has the word "sound". Can anyone who has the updated firmware confirm what I read about the music not icon? I'm trying to figure out if observation applies to 2016 US Spec E350 with the SA 531 option, or whether it is off-topic for this set up.
I will update this thread with my experience a I learn more.
2016 E63, build date of 12/2015,#531 COMAND APS NTG5/NTG5.5,
Step 1) I checked my COMAND version and it was not current. So I asked the dealer to look at my Bluetooth dropping issue, and suggested the Sept 2015 update. Confirmed afterwards that I now have the correct version;
- Latest Comand SW High_CY15_9 or later? Confirm with holding 7, 9 and red hang up button.
2) Received OBD II module from Vlad, with COVID-19, shipping took 20 days!!!
Looks slightly different than eBay. Oh well.
The OBD II port is the to right of the hood release.
This fancy car’s OBD port has a cover!
Module inserted!!! (Car is in ‘accessory’ mode)
I’m “waiting” too
Ok. This is what I expected to see....
This part took the longest. I didn’t time it. Maybe 5 minutes?
I don’t know how high the number got, I was thinking it would go to 100 but got done much earlier (unless the count time was not linear)
Ok, it rebooted
Ok.....
Yay!!!!
This happens after I plugged my phone into the lightning cable (which was plugged into USB port #2 (the more forward ISB port in the center console)
This one works, confirmed that the rear port doesn’t work.
This is what shows when I used the rear USB (port 1)
So happy to see this!!
It works!!! It’s completely integrated with COMAND: the COMAND wheel rotates through the App icons, push to select them, the ‘selected’ icon name is highlighted in blue (see Waze icon above). Holding the Voice button on the steering wheel initiates Siri just like on any other car with CarPlay.
Last edited by Oliver Liu; Jul 13, 2020 at 03:23 PM. Reason: typo
I have a US Spec 2016 E350 with a build date of "17.09.2015", and the SA 531 option which is shown as "COMAND APS NTG5/NTG5.5" which also includes navigation and the internet enabled "MBrace" features.
I was told by vlad that I need a firmware update, and then his solution will work.
I also read elsewhere on the forums that for this car, you need firmware "High_CY15_9" or newer.
I'm presuming from the name that this firmware was created or released in September of Calendar Year 2015 -- so with a build date
of sept 17 2015, it's possible -- and even likely -- that my head unit has firmware that is an older version, because the head unit was probably loaded with firmware before my vehicle was assembled.
I read elsewhere on forums, that when the firmware is updated, when listening to the radio, that the "sound" menu on the bottom right corner (the one that you use to change things like the bass and treble, or the balance and fader") shows up as an icon for a music note, rather than text that reads "sound".
My system has the word "sound". Can anyone who has the updated firmware confirm what I read about the music not icon? I'm trying to figure out if observation applies to 2016 US Spec E350 with the SA 531 option, or whether it is off-topic for this set up.
I will update this thread with my experience a I learn more.
I have a US Spec 2016 E350 with a build date of "17.09.2015", and the SA 531 option which is shown as "COMAND APS NTG5/NTG5.5" which also includes navigation and the internet enabled "MBrace" features.
I was told by vlad that I need a firmware update, and then his solution will work.
I also read elsewhere on the forums that for this car, you need firmware "High_CY15_9" or newer.
I'm presuming from the name that this firmware was created or released in September of Calendar Year 2015 -- so with a build date
of sept 17 2015, it's possible -- and even likely -- that my head unit has firmware that is an older version, because the head unit was probably loaded with firmware before my vehicle was assembled.
I read elsewhere on forums, that when the firmware is updated, when listening to the radio, that the "sound" menu on the bottom right corner (the one that you use to change things like the bass and treble, or the balance and fader") shows up as an icon for a music note, rather than text that reads "sound".
My system has the word "sound". Can anyone who has the updated firmware confirm what I read about the music not icon? I'm trying to figure out if observation applies to 2016 US Spec E350 with the SA 531 option, or whether it is off-topic for this set up.
I will update this thread with my experience a I learn more.
My dealer updated my firmware, and then I did vlad's updates for car play and to disable eco mode. Both worked flawlessly for me too!
https://www.ebay.com/itm/MERCEDES-CO...-/262451909947
I also purchased this little gem (https://carplay2air.com) and can now use Apple CarPlay in all its pure WIRELESS form! It truly is awesome! Once I got through the initial setup process (took a few tries over several minutes) it now just takes a few seconds when I fire up the beast for it to connect automatically. It even has an additional USB plug on the other end of the module so I didn't lose any USB connections. So all in it cost me about $380 (Vlad's module - $180, + $40 shipping; car play $160). The car play module is now $130. This is one of the cheapest things I've done to the car and it has made me so happy to be able to cut the cord. It also helps the things still look completely OEM.




The waiting time was 2-3 weeks but I wasn't in a rush anyways, you would want to select the 2 USB hole option for the 2016 MB.
Last edited by manishjain24; Jul 29, 2020 at 08:32 AM.




The waiting time was 2-3 weeks but I wasn't in a rush anyways, you would want to select the 2 USB hole option for the 2016 MB.
Hoping this would be the best option for the W205 C-Class!!!
Eager to hear your responses/thoughts.




