E Class Coupe 2012 (c207) audio options

[Mr-Goose]

I picked up a 2012 e class coupe the other day. I absolutely love the car. The audio system sounds good but I wish it had DAB.

I think it has ntg 4.5. It has an SD card reader in the dash and USB in the centre console alongside an MMI socket. I would like to add a DAB receiver and interface with an iPod. I can read audio files from the SD card but I have some very long tracks (ranging from 30 to 180 minutes). Using the iPod in my old car it would remember the last played position. This car doesn't do that when playing from the SD card (does when turning off/on but can't change tracks and come back to previous point later). I have an MMI iPod cable on order and I presume it will support that since the iPod will handle it again.


The DAB solutions I'm considering are the Pure Highway 400 (supports Spotify too) or the denison USB connected device. I don't want to use the FM transmitter as I have found these to be a little unreliable in the past (long time ago). It can be connected through a 3.5mm jack but that means I would need to swap MMI cables. Has anyone used the pure 400 with fm? Is the quality good (I'm no audiophile)? Is the denison any good? I've never tried a dab to USB solution before.


The comand unit does list an AUX interface already (not greyed out). Is there a hidden input somewhere that I don't know about?


Are there any other solutions you guys have used? I don't want to use my phone with Bluetooth. I want something with more physical controls, not a tiny smartphone interface (while I'm driving).


I have considered a homebrew option using a raspberry pi but I can't find a cheap DAB module to test with.

 

[Dinnie]

If you pop open the centre console armrest, you should see a port for an iPod interface cable and then you can use the vehicle's multi function steering wheel and the large centre console silver dial. You'll need a special cable available from Mercedes or try ebay if the previous owner wasn't kind enough to leave it behind for you (as one should have been supplied with the car from new)

For other assistance with DAB, try these guys who specialise in Mercedes in car entertainment (ICE).
https://www.commandonline.co.uk/Mercedes-DAB-retrofit-kits/

 

[richard]

The 'AUX' is done via the MMI (Media Interface in Mercedes speak) with a AUX cable.

Consider fully integrated DAB such as www.in2digi.com (D-MB-2 is right for your car) - then you get to control it as the car was intended - i.e from a DAB menu on the main COMAND system !

comand.co.uk can supply and fit that for you.

Cheers

Richard

 

[Mr-Goose]

Thanks guys. I have considered the in2digi solution. It's a bit expensive given the relatively few stations beyond those already available on FM in my area.

Unfortunately the cables were not supplied by the previous own. I would have asked at the time had I known about them.

I'll wait for my iPod cable to arrive and take it from there.