CarABC Apple CarPlay / Android Auto

[Hotspur]

Having looked into getting CarPlay in my 2012 W212 and considering all the available options, I purchased the CarABC unit from Amazon which supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and is just a plug in of a unit into the Harman Becker slot replacing the original Becker SatNav black box in the glovebox and no fitting/dismantling required - it took less than 30 seconds to install and 5 minutes to set up on screen and works like a dream with the original screen and integrates with the cars controls including the steering wheel controls as well as the speech recognition button which calls up Siri and you can just talk to the car as you would your phone to direct you anywhere, play any music etc...

Whilst only installed yesterday, so will report back on the reliability of the system - but it is the single most impressive, easy and quality upgrade I have ever done with outstanding results - the standard screen is a high quality colour display (who knew from the standard old text based NT 4.x interface) with album art and pictures looking as they do on your phone. Google Maps and Waze work as they would do in any CarPlay/Android Auto equipped car, as does Apple Music, Spotify and everything else.

Very impressed and at a very reasonable price of approx. £250 with no costs for fitting.

Highly recommended - as I say, will report back after sustained use to see how reliable it is and if I experience any niggles.

 

[Not_Anumber]

Do you have a link to this on Amazon please ? Searching for Car ABC unit didnt bring up anything

 

[Hotspur]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wireless-Compatible-Mercedes-System-Bluetooth-Mirroring/dp/B09993XC87/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=1WHWXOI9F64RG&keywords=CAR+ABC+for+Mercedes+Carplay&qid=1645031257&sprefix=car+abc+for+mercedes+carplay%2Caps%2C59&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyTzAxMEdaV1Q2SUVPJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNzcxOTU5MkhGMUlOT09VSE9SMSZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNDQ5NDAxM0hKOFdaVklOWDA2MyZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

Search for CARABC for Mercedes CarPlay if the link dont work

 

[Jasons76]

i'd be interested in your thoughts on these units i have been debating about getting one for a while mainly so i can use google maps or waze instead of the becker sat nav and having my phone in a mount etc, can i ask probably a stupid question but i take it if you use this the original radio is redundant ie i couldnt listen to the original radio while using the google maps or waze or if i used an app to listen to absolute radio on the car play could i still use the carplay for maps, sorry i am not techie minded,its just we are planning on going to cornwall in the summer,and one other thing i have read you have to disconnect your phone from the vehicle then connect it to this unit is that correct.

 

[Hotspur]

i'd be interested in your thoughts on these units i have been debating about getting one for a while mainly so i can use google maps or waze instead of the becker sat nav and having my phone in a mount etc, can i ask probably a stupid question but i take it if you use this the original radio is redundant ie i couldnt listen to the original radio while using the google maps or waze or if i used an app to listen to absolute radio on the car play could i still use the carplay for maps, sorry i am not techie minded,its just we are planning on going to cornwall in the summer,and one other thing i have read you have to disconnect your phone from the vehicle then connect it to this unit is that correct.

Jason - I will try those things later today and report back.

For info - I played Talksport through the Talksport Radio App on the day I put it in the car as a test - and I was able to go into Google Maps for directions etc...but let me test your scenarios and come back to you later today.

 

[Alfie]

Sounds like a great idea. It will though only work in cars that have option 508 (pre wire for Becker map pilot). Its not a hugely common option.

 

[aircub]

I have fitted the above unit to my E220 2013 E Cabriolet using the NG 4.5 unit. I have to say it's a great unit. Follow the simple instructions to connect the Bluetooth of the car and your phone then launch the Apple Carplay (I don't have Android)

 

[Tony Dyson]

I think anyone looking to install or upgrade their Harman Becker MapPilot Sat Nav would consider this unit a clear winner! A true Plug 'n' Play upgrade and cheaper than a genuine Garmin unit and Map! I've certainly created a bookmark for if ever needed!

 

[Not_Anumber]

What is a Harmon Becker slot ? Is option 508 an essential for this ?

 

[LostKiwi]

It's a slot that takes the satnav unit. Code 508 is the option in the build sheet.

 

[Not_Anumber]

Thanks, got it now this is a replacement for cars that have the Harmon Satnav in a tray in the glovebox. Seems my prefacelift S12 doesnt have that, it's sat nav is just part of it's Audio 50 NTG4. Not sure there are any options to upgrade mine to Android Auto to use better maps, just a map upgrade to 2018 maps as far as i can work out.

 

[sonic]

Thanks for the post I have a 212 E350CDI 2011 with I think Audio 20, so possibly this won't work. I dont like the standard sat nav so have never upgraded it, I use my iPhone on a holder with Waze.
The wife has ApplePlay in her SLC its a nice set up, & Waze works well.

 

[Hotspur]

Thanks for the post I have a 212 E350CDI 2011 with I think Audio 20, so possibly this won't work. I dont like the standard sat nav so have never upgraded it, I use my iPhone on a holder with Waze.
The wife has ApplePlay in her SLC its a nice set up, & Waze works well.

mine is also W212 E350CDI - albeit 2012 - mine also has the Audio 20 with the Becker Nav - if in your glove box - at the top there is a little black box (size of a pack of playing cards) then you can press the button above it to eject it and replace with this unit...

 

[sonic]

mine is also W212 E350CDI - albeit 2012 - mine also has the Audio 20 with the Becker Nav - if in your glove box - at the top there is a little black box (size of a pack of playing cards) then you can press the button above it to eject it and replace with this unit...

Thanks for that I will check later today.

 

[sonic]

mine is also W212 E350CDI - albeit 2012 - mine also has the Audio 20 with the Becker Nav - if in your glove box - at the top there is a little black box (size of a pack of playing cards) then you can press the button above it to eject it and replace with this unit...

Sadly no box in mine.

 

[Not_Anumber]

Sonic, what options show up when you decode your VIN ? Are you sure you have Audio 20 ?
For instance if yours has option 525 CONNECT 20 HIGH (NTG7) like mine then that is Audio 50 rather than Audio 20. Its a sort of midway thing between Audio 20 and Command. I just upgraded the satnav maps on mine last night from dvd.

 

[Darrenr75]

Afternoon all.

I bought one of these CARABC devices for my 2014 C class Merc.

Plugs in and managed to get it all connected.

CarPlay fires up fine, and I can get my audio/music apps working fine. My problem is that with navigation app there’s zero sound.

Any ideas? Anyone else have this issue?

 

[Jasons76]

Having looked into getting CarPlay in my 2012 W212 and considering all the available options, I purchased the CarABC unit from Amazon which supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and is just a plug in of a unit into the Harman Becker slot replacing the original Becker SatNav black box in the glovebox and no fitting/dismantling required - it took less than 30 seconds to install and 5 minutes to set up on screen and works like a dream with the original screen and integrates with the cars controls including the steering wheel controls as well as the speech recognition button which calls up Siri and you can just talk to the car as you would your phone to direct you anywhere, play any music etc...

Whilst only installed yesterday, so will report back on the reliability of the system - but it is the single most impressive, easy and quality upgrade I have ever done with outstanding results - the standard screen is a high quality colour display (who knew from the standard old text based NT 4.x interface) with album art and pictures looking as they do on your phone. Google Maps and Waze work as they would do in any CarPlay/Android Auto equipped car, as does Apple Music, Spotify and everything else.

Very impressed and at a very reasonable price of approx. £250 with no costs for fitting.

Highly recommended - as I say, will report back after sustained use to see how reliable it is and if I experience any niggles.

how are you getting on with this unit ?

 

[Darrenr75]

I’ve had mine for a month now. On the whole it’s great but I just cannot get audio on satnav instructions. It did it work once but I didn’t change any settings and then stopped after 30 seconds. But everything else works great.

 

[matt_1]

Sonic, what options show up when you decode your VIN ? Are you sure you have Audio 20 ?
For instance if yours has option 525 CONNECT 20 HIGH (NTG7) like mine then that is Audio 50 rather than Audio 20. Its a sort of midway thing between Audio 20 and Command. I just upgraded the satnav maps on mine last night from dvd.

Hi mate, do you have a link on where to get those DVD's? I also have the 525 CONNECT 20 HIGH (NTG7) according to my VIN.