Car play interface for w213 audio 20 NTG5.x. Is there any clarity on this addition?

[Splott]

Hi, I’m one of those lucky people with an e220 W213 fitted with audio 20 head unit that can’t take an OEM car play upgrade. VIN check calls up

522​	AUDIO 20 RADIO NAVIGATION CAPABLE NTG5​

As far as I can gather it’s recognisable by not having the mouse thing above the controller wheel in the centre console and an 8.4 inch screen (that kind off looks a bit small in the expanse of piano black plastic across the dash.these head units were manufactured by Panasonic or mitsubishi. I’d imagine they run with the higher resolution 8.4 screen.

Device info
NTG5E
Unit ID 1022721848
Sw version 18/21.0 41.21
Other info n5 A V1
2.00 (British English)

So is there a self fit retrofit available that isn’t a complete unit replacement at £500+ fitted?

Any instructions I’ve read appear to function the same way, audio through media usb, with car play interface activating through holding the return button. None of the suppliers seem to publish a solution for this car. Is it because it’s just too difficult? Too few of them? Or a friday parts bin car like BL used to make so no one knows for sure what you have.!

I can see there’s a few references to this in the forum but none seem to reach a conclusion.

I’ve just tried one of these pictured. Powers up, phone realises it can connect with car play, but no matter what settings are set on the box it never kicks into operation staying on the OEM screens ( which all continue to work fine).

These seem to be available from a multitude of resellers and I suspect few of them have any real idea how compatible these units are. Easy enough to install, with a little care and some empathy with what’s squeezed in the centre console. Shame I couldn’t get it to fire up properly.

Is there something diy available, or just time to live with it as is?

 

[markjay]

Firstly, the bigger screen with the higher resolution is part of the COMAND infotainment system, which is a higher-end unit than your Audio20.

Then, in principle both COMAND and Audio20 can be factory-fitted with Apple CarPlay, and so the screen size in itself isn't a factor.

And, the people who can tell you whether your Audio20 can be retrofitted with the original Apple CarPlay are either Comand.co.uk – Mercedes Retrofits Specialists – Unique Car Sound & Security or Mercedes Retrofit Specialists - Braybrooks (depending on where in the UK you're based).

And last, if an original retrofit isn't possible for your car, then this aftermarket box will do the trick:

Mercedes Benz E Class W213 (2016-2019) NTG 5*2 Audio20 Retrofit CarPlay and Android Auto Upgrade Kit - Integrated automotive UK

Wireless Apple Carplay Wireless Android Auto Rear Camera option Front Camera option OEM integration with Mercedes controls (Steering wheel, Rotary controller etc) Siri and Google Assistant ready DIY install UK support and Warranty The IMI-1000 from Integrated Automotive UK is a retrofit CarPlay...

integratedautomotive.co.uk

 

[Splott]

Firstly, the bigger screen with the higher resolution is part of the COMAND infotainment system, which is a higher-end unit than your Audio20.

Then, in principle both COMAND and Audio20 can be factory-fitted with Apple CarPlay, and so the screen size in itself isn't a factor.

And, the people who can tell you whether your Audio20 can be retrofitted with the original Apple CarPlay are either Comand.co.uk – Mercedes Retrofits Specialists – Unique Car Sound & Security or Mercedes Retrofit Specialists - Braybrooks (depending on where in the UK you're based).

And last, if an original retrofit isn't possible for your car, then this aftermarket box will do the trick:

Mercedes Benz E Class W213 (2016-2019) NTG 5*2 Audio20 Retrofit CarPlay and Android Auto Upgrade Kit - Integrated automotive UK

Wireless Apple Carplay Wireless Android Auto Rear Camera option Front Camera option OEM integration with Mercedes controls (Steering wheel, Rotary controller etc) Siri and Google Assistant ready DIY install UK support and Warranty The IMI-1000 from Integrated Automotive UK is a retrofit CarPlay...

integratedautomotive.co.uk

All makes sense. Thanks for the link.

 

[noidy75]

Hi, I’m one of those lucky people with an e220 W213 fitted with audio 20 head unit that can’t take an OEM car play upgrade. VIN check calls up

522​	AUDIO 20 RADIO NAVIGATION CAPABLE NTG5​

As far as I can gather it’s recognisable by not having the mouse thing above the controller wheel in the centre console and an 8.4 inch screen (that kind off looks a bit small in the expanse of piano black plastic across the dash.these head units were manufactured by Panasonic or mitsubishi. I’d imagine they run with the higher resolution 8.4 screen.

Device info
NTG5E
Unit ID 1022721848
Sw version 18/21.0 41.21
Other info n5 A V1
2.00 (British English)

So is there a self fit retrofit available that isn’t a complete unit replacement at £500+ fitted?

Any instructions I’ve read appear to function the same way, audio through media usb, with car play interface activating through holding the return button. None of the suppliers seem to publish a solution for this car. Is it because it’s just too difficult? Too few of them? Or a friday parts bin car like BL used to make so no one knows for sure what you have.!

I can see there’s a few references to this in the forum but none seem to reach a conclusion.

I’ve just tried one of these pictured. Powers up, phone realises it can connect with car play, but no matter what settings are set on the box it never kicks into operation staying on the OEM screens ( which all continue to work fine).

These seem to be available from a multitude of resellers and I suspect few of them have any real idea how compatible these units are. Easy enough to install, with a little care and some empathy with what’s squeezed in the centre console. Shame I couldn’t get it to fire up properly.

Is there something diy available, or just time to live with it as is?

Had exactly the same set up and issues as you, tried 2 different aftermarket carplays that sellers said would work, only to be stuck on the same OEM screen as you stated. I belive the system we have which i belive is Ntg5.5 Audio 20 522 is not compatible with retrofit

 

[noidy75]

Hi, I’m one of those lucky people with an e220 W213 fitted with audio 20 head unit that can’t take an OEM car play upgrade. VIN check calls up

522​	AUDIO 20 RADIO NAVIGATION CAPABLE NTG5​

As far as I can gather it’s recognisable by not having the mouse thing above the controller wheel in the centre console and an 8.4 inch screen (that kind off looks a bit small in the expanse of piano black plastic across the dash.these head units were manufactured by Panasonic or mitsubishi. I’d imagine they run with the higher resolution 8.4 screen.

Device info
NTG5E
Unit ID 1022721848
Sw version 18/21.0 41.21
Other info n5 A V1
2.00 (British English)

So is there a self fit retrofit available that isn’t a complete unit replacement at £500+ fitted?

Any instructions I’ve read appear to function the same way, audio through media usb, with car play interface activating through holding the return button. None of the suppliers seem to publish a solution for this car. Is it because it’s just too difficult? Too few of them? Or a friday parts bin car like BL used to make so no one knows for sure what you have.!

I can see there’s a few references to this in the forum but none seem to reach a conclusion.

I’ve just tried one of these pictured. Powers up, phone realises it can connect with car play, but no matter what settings are set on the box it never kicks into operation staying on the OEM screens ( which all continue to work fine).

These seem to be available from a multitude of resellers and I suspect few of them have any real idea how compatible these units are. Easy enough to install, with a little care and some empathy with what’s squeezed in the centre console. Shame I couldn’t get it to fire up properly.

Is there something diy available, or just time to live with it as is?

Had exactly the same set up and issues as you, tried 2 different aftermarket carplays that sellers said would work, only to be stuck on the same OEM screen as you stated. I belive the system we have which i belive is Ntg5.5 Audio 20 522 is not compatible with