Apple CarPlay in 2019 E200

[An-E200-owner]

Hi everyone. Bought a 2019 E200 few months ago, still under manufacturer's warranty. Only recently noticed that Apple CarPlay doesn't work in this car, no matter what I do. Starting with the manual and internet search, tried all sorts of ways to get it to work - it doesn't. Had a quick chat with a Merc dealer on the phone, who hasn't physically seen my car yet, told me that "many" 2019 E200 cars don't come with Apple CarPlay installed as standard. And, that, for such cases, they aren't able to install it from their dealership even if the car is still under warranty.

I found it hard to believe as Apple CarPlay has been introduced to Merc since 2016, as was to many other not-so-expensive brands. My car does have a dedicated smart device USB port that is used for this purpose. And, also Apple says that 2017–2020 E-Class includes Apple CarPlay:

iOS - CarPlay - Available Models

Find out which car manufacturers currently offer or are planning to introduce models that support CarPlay.

www.apple.com

This is from another google search that contradicts the dealer:

Which Mercedes-Benz vehicles have Apple CarPlay?

Which Mercedes-Benz vehicles have Apple CarPlay? Find out here!

www.arrowheadmb.com

1. Does anyone know how to find out if Apple CarPlay was installed in this car as standard?
2. Did anyone else experience the same issue (specific to 2019 E200 only)? If so, how did you get it fixed?
3. If the dealer is right (really hope not), is it possible to get Mercedes to install it without me having to pay for it?

Many thanks.

 

[Srdl]

A lot of cars don’t come with CarPlay as a standard fitment. It costs the manufacturer by way of licence fees to Apple so they are often an extra cost option. Some Mercedes systems (such as Comand) just aren’t compatible with CarPlay anyway. Your second link is from the US and their specifications are usually different from European market cars.

Put your VIN (bottom left of windscreen or on your V5) into one of these sites and that will tell you what your car came with:

Mercedes VIN Decoder | Decode Your Mercedes-Benz VIN

Want to know the specifications of your Mercedes? No problem! Our free Mercedes VIN decoder retrieves detailed information about your Mercedes-Benz vehicle.

www.lastvin.com

Free online Mercedes-Benz VIN Decoder : MBDecoder

Mercedes VIN decoder will check your Mercedes VIN and show you full vehicle specification

www.mbdecoder.com

The guys at Comand Online in Lightwater can supply (and fit) an upgrade if necessary . Have a look at this:

AfterMarket CarPlay and Android Auto System (NTG3.5, NTG4.5, NTG5)

This is a UK developed aftermarket CarPlay system which is available for NTG3,5, NTG4.5 and NTG5 cars with Audio-20 or COMAND. It supports Wireless CarPlay, wired Android Auto, and can support the factory reverse camera, 360 camera or an additional aftermarket camera.

www.commandonline.co.uk

 

[An-E200-owner]

Hi Srdl, thanks for the links to the VIN decoder sites, the first one (LastVIN) didn’t find mine, but the second one (mbdecoder) did. I don’t see Apple CarPlay listed under Accessories or Equipment. I have a follow up question - what would it be listed under and what is the code for it (e.g. “Pre-installation for MB-Link Smartphone Integration” is listed under Equipment with code 15U).



Also thanks for the info on Comand Online. This is going to be a fairly expensive job for such a common feature that has been available in most car brands for several years. I could get in touch with Comand Online, but would you by any chance have an idea how much they may charge for the installation? Couldn’t find the installation cost on their website. Thanks.

 

[Srdl]

Hi Srdl, thanks for the links to the VIN decoder sites, the first one (LastVIN) didn’t find mine, but the second one (mbdecoder) did. I don’t see Apple CarPlay listed under Accessories or Equipment. I have a follow up question - what would it be listed under and what is the code for it (e.g. “Pre-installation for MB-Link Smartphone Integration” is listed under Equipment with code 15U).

View attachment 66656

Also thanks for the info on Comand Online. This is going to be a fairly expensive job for such a common feature that has been available in most car brands for several years. I could get in touch with Comand Online, but would you by any chance have an idea how much they may charge for the installation? Couldn’t find the installation cost on their website. Thanks.

If you select “Installation” on the Comandonline website, it adds £250 but I don’t think you need that.

The 15U code sounds as if you have the system installed but it just has to be activated and, from doing some Googling, it seems most dealers are pretty clueless about this. There will be a charge but I have read that some dealers will do it for free.

I suggest you call ComandOnline (they are forum sponsors and won’t mind giving some free advice). Give them your VIN and ask what needs to be done. I’ll tag @Alfie in case he see this first.