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Android Auto/Carplay module, advice and experiences?

MarcusS212

MarcusS212

Member
Joined
Apr 18, 2025
Messages
49
Location
Sweden
Car
M-B S212 220 CDI 4Matic
Looking for a wireless Android Auto/Carplay module to modernize my 2016 S212. Plenty of them on the usual Chinese market platforms and elsewhere, probably made in the same Chinese factory anyway. I've zoomed in on two candidates:

1) Bavarian Automotive, UK based seller, £250.
2) Road Top, definitely Chinese, prices in USD only. $189.

Anyone have experience from any of those, or maybe another one I haven't found yet? I'm an Android user, would like to use my TomTom Go in the car and smoother operation with Spotify. No point in recommending Comand Online Ltd. I'm not taking my car all the way from Sweden to Surrey... 😉

There are Swedish and Danish suppliers too, but the modules look all the same and prices are at least twice as high. Why pay £500 for the same Chinese box I can find elsewhere for half or a third of the price?
 
Larkone said:
Does this help?

The Best Wireless Adapters for CarPlay and Android Auto for 2025

If your car includes Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, but you hate plugging in your phone while you drive, these dongles may do the trick.
uk.pcmag.com uk.pcmag.com

Those you have chosen are more expensive than the main field
Click to expand...

The adapters you linked above add wireless functionality to cars that already have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (I bought one of these devices myself), but my understanding is that the OP is looking to add Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to a car that does not currently have it at all.
 
As you may be aware, Integrated Automotive do these sort of things, but I don't know if they have a unit that works with a 2016 S212.

BTW, a 2016 S212 should have NTG5*1 (these replaced the NTG4.5 as of mid-2015), and NTG5*1 does have native support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto - did you look into it I.e. an official retrofit? The wireless adapter can then be purchased separately for £20.
 
markjay said:
As you may be aware, Integrated Automotive do these sort of things, but I don't know if they have a unit that works with a 2016 S212.

BTW, a 2016 S212 should have NTG5*1 (these replaced the NTG4.5 as of mid-2015), and NTG5*1 does have native support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto - did you look into it I.e. an official retrofit? The wireless adapter can then be purchased separately for £20.
Click to expand...
I've done my best to find all and any information, and as far as I understand my car can't be retrofitted/upgraded with native Android Auto and Carplay. I do have the NTG 5*1 but no Comand, only the basic Audio 20. All info I found states that Comand is required to code the car for Android Auto/Carplay.

I know about Integrated Automotive, but they're just as expensive as what I can find from Swedish and Danish suppliers. Don't like being a cheapskate but I don't want to pay 2-3 times more than necessary.
 
I ordered the Road Top box. It seems good enough, and the price is way better than other alternatives.
Guess I'll know for sure when it arrives.
 
Installed the Road Top MMI box yesterday, fairly easy job. Seems to be working as advertised, but I'll be doing some more extensive testing today.

Next step will probably be installing a rear view/back up camera, but getting all the wiring through the car isn't my favourite job.
 
MarcusS212 said:
Installed the Road Top MMI box yesterday, fairly easy job. Seems to be working as advertised, but I'll be doing some more extensive testing today.

Next step will probably be installing a rear view/back up camera, but getting all the wiring through the car isn't my favourite job.
Click to expand...
Hiya

I have installed a similar systems which is almost working well, but I cannot get any sound. Do you have a link to the PDF or video of audio setup please?

Many thanks
 
Gollom said:
Hiya

I have installed a similar systems which is almost working well, but I cannot get any sound. Do you have a link to the PDF or video of audio setup please?

Many thanks
Click to expand...
What audio system and NTG is your car equipped with?
 
MarcusS212 said:
What audio system and NTG is your car equipped with?
Click to expand...
Thanks for the reply. I have an 2011 S204 (facelift) with NTG4.5. No aux in the glovebox
 
Gollom said:
Thanks for the reply. I have an 2011 S204 (facelift) with NTG4.5. No aux in the glovebox
Click to expand...
I'm pretty sure you'll need a physical AUX connection somewhere to make it work, and activate the AUX in your head units engineering mode.
 
Last edited:
It's time for a small review of the Roadtop MMI box for Android Auto, since I don't have an iPhone I have no idea about how good Carplay is.

- Install was very easy, mostly since I have pretty much experience from doing that kind of work. But even for a total newbie it would be pretty straight forward and simple. I removed the glovebox and placed the module between it and the head unit. Wasn't comfortable with putting the module behind the screen.

- It's very fast to boot up and connect, and connectivity is good overall. The only small problems I've had is because of my phone sometimes decides not to play ball when reconnecting. It does the same with any and all Bluetooth devices, nothing to blame the Roadtop module for.

- Interface is fairly good, but it really shows that Android Auto and developers meant it to be used with touchscreens. Using the cars rotating knob could be a little bit cumbersome but no biggie really.

- Sound is as good as the original Mercedes system, but there are lots of possible settings to use. Seems you can tweak the sound to your individual taste almost infinitely, but as with everything Chinese the user manual and instructions doesn't help much in explaining what all that stuff actually does and how it works. If you like to experiment and play around it's great though.

- Google Maps works just as expected, and my main navigation app TomTom Go is just as good. Only thing is TomTom will frequently open in nighttime mode no matter what settings I use on my phone and in the car, but that seems to be an issue with the TomTom app itself, Google Maps works perfectly in that aspect.

So all in all I'm pleased. It works just as advertised and the customer service is good, I can recommend it. Next project will be installing a back-up/reverse camera, connecting it to the Roadtop module won't be a problem, except for dismantling the tailgate and routing the wires to the front... Any tips on that will be much appreciated!
 
Quick question if I may, is it relatively easy to put in a destination using the rotating knob or is it best to use your phone to set a destination (obviously before setting off)?
 
ToeKnee said:
Quick question if I may, is it relatively easy to put in a destination using the rotating knob or is it best to use your phone to set a destination (obviously before setting off)?
Click to expand...
It's easier using your phone. With the rotating knob it's basically the same as in the original Mercedes navigation.
 
Ive been looking at the aftermarket units that Iceboxauto do. Has anyone expereinced them or looked into them ? They arent cheap but they are Uk based and appear to have a good reputation with customers.

One of the attractions for me is to be able to replace the current tiny screen and the basic satnav of my option '525 CONNECT 20 HIGH (NTG7)' setup with a considerably larger screen and be able to add DAB+
 
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