Newbie with a question and his first Mercedes!!!

[mitzy]

Hello Everyone,

I have just bought my first Mercedes and it arrives on Friday... It's a C220 CDI Elegance and I can't wait to get in and drive!

I have a question though. I know that there is an AUX in connection in the glove box for fitting an MP3 player to, I have an iPod and want to use this very frequently. Does the multi function steering wheel control the iPod also or do I need to get a proper dock fitted?

If I do does anyone know what the cost will be?

Hope someone can help?

Cheers Mitzy

 

[Blobcat]

The Aux connection in the glovebox is purely a 3.5mm stereo jack I/P. You select Aux on the radio and then it just plays whatever is feeding into the jack. The ipod integration kit is ~£180 & ~£200 for fitting. I think it depends on what stereo/comand you have fitted as to whether the ipod kit is available for your car.
I have the ipod integration and to be honest whilst it is nice to see the song title up in the dash it is painful to search through for music as it is only controlled by the steering wheel. I need to setup more playlists and just set them going. You can of course do that with your Aux i/p by setting the ipod to play and not having to bother touching it again. One other thing with the integration kit is that you cannot control the ipod on the ipod once it is connected to the car. A pity really as the passenger doesn't get to choose the music. Or is that a benefit, I'm not entirely sure.

 

[colechelle]

have to agree with russ, had the standard 3.5mm plug in my r,class and used my i,pod thro that, i have fitted i,pod kits and find it such a job on the steering wheel controls to get where you want, stick to the standard input, its easier!!!!

 

[mitzy]

Hi Guy's, thanks for the info! My iPod has very poor battery life so I guess the best option would be for me to get the kit fitted, as I would want it powered by the car.

 

[Blobcat]

Hi Guy's, thanks for the info! My iPod has very poor battery life so I guess the best option would be for me to get the kit fitted, as I would want it powered by the car.

You can change the battery on the ipod. I used to have a car charger for the ipod and a 3.5mm jack to jack lead from the ipod into the aux i/p in the glove box. Cheap

 

[hawk20]

Big advantage with the i-pod integrated is that you can skip tracks using the arrows on the steering wheel. I just put mine on shuffle to play everything randomly and then skip any I don't feel like at the time.

 

[Blobcat]

Big advantage with the i-pod integrated is that you can skip tracks using the arrows on the steering wheel. I just put mine on shuffle to play everything randomly and then skip any I don't feel like at the time.

That is one way, I have ~15,000 songs on my ipod so searching and going random can be a pain. I expect that future models will be controlled by the comand as well so that it is easier to control. If I had tried the ipod integration before I bought it I don't think I would buy it as it just isn't worth it IMHO.

 

[hawk20]

That is one way, I have ~15,000 songs on my ipod so searching and going random can be a pain. I expect that future models will be controlled by the comand as well so that it is easier to control. If I had tried the ipod integration before I bought it I don't think I would buy it as it just isn't worth it IMHO.

I have virtually all my CDs on the i-pod. But I find no need to search. Just put it on shuffle and use the steering wheel controls to skip tracks you don't feel like.

And if you make a few playlists to suit different moods it is easy to choose one before starting, and let it shuffle through that, again with the ability to skip. Love mine and use it a lot.

 

[psmart]

Big advantage with the i-pod integrated is that you can skip tracks using the arrows on the steering wheel. I just put mine on shuffle to play everything randomly and then skip any I don't feel like at the time.

The car/ipod integration kit really seems the wrong way to go. For many years, I had a Rio Empeg player in the ML dash, with 100G hard drives builtin, and the interface was so easy to use, find songs etc, plus, like Windows Media Player, you got a range of graphics which worked insync with the music. Surely it would be easier for Merc just to build in a hard disk or Solid State disk into its COMAND units with an interface similar to the Empeg?

I use my Ipod via the Denison Gateway, and its a real pain as well to search for songs, you generally Never get to listen to the songs your in the mood for, as searching is such a pain.

 

[hawk20]

Sorry, but I don't think any of us should be searching while driving. The i-pod is best for just background music, randomly selected from your own collection, but with the ability to skip. For selection of particular tracks the 6cd changer is quite the best IMO.

 

[psmart]

Sorry, but I don't think any of us should be searching while driving. The i-pod is best for just background music, randomly selected from your own collection, but with the ability to skip. For selection of particular tracks the 6cd changer is quite the best IMO.

Erm! Perhaps you never search while driving, but some of us do so while stationary! Ie, Empeg Style: Artist, Album,play! 2 clicks and a turn on the knob, 5 second job! And if your too lazy, you use the remote!

Static lists are boring and do not reflect a humans mood! If youve just come out of a stresful meeting, then God Save The Queen may not be the most suitable choice, which your playlist idea, in my form, would invoke! Mozart or Jean Michele Jarre may be more appropriate and allow for a more relaxed and safer driving rather than beating the **** out of the next driver due to stress and punk rock???

 

[hawk20]

So pick a Mozart playlist.

Plus I have the 6cd changer as well.

And the radio.

 

[twistedsanity]

your gonna love it, i got my third merc on saturday, went from an e230 estate auto 1997 petrol to a 2005 C220 CDI auto elegance estate, its the nicest car i have ever driven, congrats!

 

[mitzy]

Thanks Twistedsanity, I'm still waiting sadly there was a delay with my car it's now coming this week but I can't wait I feel like a kid the night before Christmas...