Dealer rip-off?

[chrisbo]

Ipod Interface for £411!!! Is this the best I can expect or can anyone recommend an independent that can fit the mercedes interface for less.

Thanks

Car is a CLS 320cdi

 

[stumpy]

Funny you say that. I have been to order a new E today and had the same conversation. You can use your Ipod using the input in the car. But you can't operate the Ipod from the car stereo. The full interface is 411 as you say, but it is a dealer fit item. So I suppose you can buy the parts from MB, and then have a decent car audio shop fit it for you. I think half that cost is the labour at 110 quid plus VAT

 

[Shambolic]

I bought an itrip in America ( apparently contravenes the telegraph act 1905 or something here) but you preset one of your stations too a blank frequency set the i trip to the same frequency and bobs your uncle 3000 songs and no cds in your carMy wife uses it daily and she is a technophobe.
Plugs into 9v connection in car to charge as you are using it and that is it. If you turn off engine or change the frequency the ipod pauses.
It was about 30 dollars!!!
Big Big saving

 

[OmniCognateNeutronRangler]

I have a friend who lives in the states who has one of these too and says it's very good. Didin't realise they were illegal here though.

 

[Blobcat]

Yes they are illegal, however Offcom tend to turn a blind eye as they transmit such low power. I use one and it is OK, not great due to the amount of RF pumped out from almost everything these days. If I have the DVD player on then I lose the Itrip signal .

 

[bibamus]

You can get them off ebay, made by a company called Griffin. I bought one for my Daughters ipod mini, cost about £20. Bit of a difference to £411!

Allan

 

[stumpy]

None of those are necessary because you can plug the Ipod into the jack in the glove box (I think). On the transmitters, you can still only control the music from the Ipod. At least by using the cable you don't have any interference from other sources. The full on system allows complete control from the car.

 

[chrisbo]

Thanks for all of this - I have an itrip but it isn't that great on long journeys as you keep having to retune it. (they are becoming legal over here I believe by the end of the year). Where would I get the official part from - can i just order it from the dealership or is there a website to go to?