E Class Iphone Integration

[e class coupe]

Thank you for allowing me to join this forum, this is my first post, i have just ordered my first Merc an e class coupé i am having to wait until May for delivery what i really need to know is what is the minimum i need to spec to allow full ARMREST integration of the iphone 3g/3gs. I have seen the iphone cradle that fits the armrest but what do i need to spec this?

Before i get many replies saying the e class comes with bluetooth just spec the ipod adapter, i dont want the iphone in the glove box ( i forget to take it with me) and i would like to use the car antenna to boost the poor iphone one.

Many Many Thanks

 

[Alfie]

Thank you for allowing me to join this forum, this is my first post, i have just ordered my first Merc an e class coupé i am having to wait until May for delivery what i really need to know is what is the minimum i need to spec to allow full ARMREST integration of the iphone 3g/3gs. I have seen the iphone cradle that fits the armrest but what do i need to spec this?

Before i get many replies saying the e class comes with bluetooth just spec the ipod adapter, i dont want the iphone in the glove box ( i forget to take it with me) and i would like to use the car antenna to boost the poor iphone one.

Many Many Thanks

Welcome to the forum, you have come to the right place.

The minimum you need for iphone in the armrest so it acts as a phone and an ipod is the Comfort phone option which gives you the ability to deploy the iphone 3G/3GS cradle. You then need a model year 09 ipod kit for the head unit plus the integration cable that connects the ipod kit to the iphone 3G cradle.

Be careful though as there are two iphone phone cradles. One has the interface connection on it the other does not. You need the one with the connection.

 

[johnpritt]

Thank you for allowing me to join this forum, this is my first post, i have just ordered my first Merc an e class coupé i am having to wait until May for delivery what i really need to know is what is the minimum i need to spec to allow full ARMREST integration of the iphone 3g/3gs. I have seen the iphone cradle that fits the armrest but what do i need to spec this?

Before i get many replies saying the e class comes with bluetooth just spec the ipod adapter, i dont want the iphone in the glove box ( i forget to take it with me) and i would like to use the car antenna to boost the poor iphone one.

Many Many Thanks

As one who has the iPhone in the armrest option in my CLK, it's still a case of "out of sight, out of mind". I regularly have to go back to the car to collect the iPhone because I've forgotten it again.

 

[richard]

In addition to Alfie's comments, if you want full integration of the iPod so that you can use it from the Audio system (and not just from the steering wheel controls and cluster display which is what you get with the basic iPod kit) you need to have the Media Interface. This is orderable from the factory (often packaged with the CD changer for some strange reason that marketing seem to think that your iPod is not replacing your CDs) - but also can be retrofitted (by Alfie for instance).

You still need the iPhone 3G cradle and an interconnecting lead to connect it to the Media Interface

Having seen it all integrated properly, it works really nicely.

Richard

 

[Deadhead]

Apple fanboy [sort of, and certainly not a boy any more] here. I've got the 120 gig iPod, filled with a bunch of my music, in the glove box of my new S211 E class. [Of course they sold me the iPod interface and not the Media connection so the iPod data only appears in the instrument cluster.] And I use the iPhone to make calls via the bluetooth and Audio 20.

There's a phone aerial thingy on the roof. When I'm using the phone does anybody know whether I'm using the iPhone's aerial or the one on the car?

 

[richard]

Like your strapline.

The external antenna is only used if the iPhone is plugged into the iPhone comfort phone cradle

Richard

 

[richard]

ps. the roof antennas can be dummy, GPS, GSM, DAB or most combination thereof !!

Richard

 

[e class coupe]

@ Richard

yes i want to control from the audio system as well, it is not the s211 e class but the newer w212 coupé, let me see if i have got this correct:- when i spec my car at the dealer i need:-
code 386 telephone pre wire with hands free and telephone aerial
code 510 CD changer and Media interface
and because i listen to 5live sports extra at home
code 537 DAB Radio
then aftermarket either from Alfie or the dealer
iphone cradle (the one with the cable off it)
ipod connector kit
is this correct?, will i then have to take the car to have the items coded or is it just a simple install (i'm an electrician who can strip and replace the trim in cars)?
Many thanks

 

[richard]

Yes, you are spot on.

No coding needed.

You need the iPhone 3G cradle (10 second install) and the special cable from that to the Media interface socket in the glovebox, which is a bit harder to install but its just some trim out and trim back in & a couple of holes you have to make to pass the wiring out of the gloveboxes.

You won't need to buy the "Media Interface cable set" cables, unless you want to occsionaly connect up an iPod or USB device instead of the iPhone in the cradle - but they may come with the car in anycase.

Richard

 

[e class coupe]

many thanks Richard, that has cleared everything up for me, it is my understanding the e class does come with the media interface cable set so i suppose i can get a few quid for them on flee bay as both me and my wife have iphones so i can't see any need for them.