Just bought Integrated Automotive Apple Car Play unit - next to fit it!

[Londonscottish]

Look forward to your review as this is something i am looking into very soon

I'm getting Comand Online to fit one in my 212 on Friday. Plus a sub

They're also fitting an extra USB charger in the central cubby so I can easily keep my phone charged but out of sight.

I can't wait!

 

[Jamsxr]

I'm getting Comand Online to fit one in my 212 on Friday. Plus a sub

They're also fitting an extra USB charger in the central cubby so I can easily keep my phone charged but out of sight.

I can't wait!

Just a heads up. I’ve found the one comand fitted to be pretty glitchy. I get an echo for the first few seconds of any telephone conversation, the volume levels are very different when switching to Aux/CarPlay - it’s significantly quieter, and cycling through the menus without a touch screen is a bit of a faff as it freezes every now and then.

Honestly, I don’t believe there’s a better solution out there, it’s just not perfect.

 

[Connoisseur]

The echo is eliminated via a setting on the ‘box’ during initial setup, so just needs doing now. The volume is a setting on Comand (boost?) again can easily be done. No experience of screen freeze, can Comand advise? hth

 

[Londonscottish]

Just a heads up. I’ve found the one comand fitted to be pretty glitchy. I get an echo for the first few seconds of any telephone conversation, the volume levels are very different when switching to Aux/CarPlay - it’s significantly quieter, and cycling through the menus without a touch screen is a bit of a faff as it freezes every now and then.

Honestly, I don’t believe there’s a better solution out there, it’s just not perfect.

Thanks for the heads up. Glitchy or not, it's got to be better better than my Chinese Bluetooth dongle.

Re the volume, I'll ask them but at least I'm also getting a powered sub too which helps with that side of things.

 

[Jamsxr]

Thanks for the heads up. Glitchy or not, it's got to be better better than my Chinese Bluetooth dongle.

Re the volume, I'll ask them but at least I'm also getting a powered sub too which helps with that side of things.

Yeah, be good to hear you feedback once it’s done.

 

[Jamsxr]

The echo is eliminated via a setting on the ‘box’ during initial setup, so just needs doing now. The volume is a setting on Comand (boost?) again can easily be done. No experience of screen freeze, can Comand advise? hth

The echo elimination is running at 98%. It seems to take a few seconds to kick in, meaning people always hear an echo at the start of a call - gets a little frustrating. I’ve tried it with a few different phones.

The volume is maxed out in the box settings menu, sounds like I need to ask them about a boost setting, I’ve not seen that.

 

[Connoisseur]

The echo elimination is running at 98%. It seems to take a few seconds to kick in, meaning people always hear an echo at the start of a call - gets a little frustrating. I’ve tried it with a few different phones.

The volume is maxed out in the box settings menu, sounds like I need to ask them about a boost setting, I’ve not seen that.

The ‘boost’ setting on my 205 is a Comand unit sound setting for the aux channel , not the CarPlay box.

hth

 

[Jamsxr]

The ‘boost’ setting on my 205 is a Comand unit sound setting for the aux channel , not the CarPlay box.

hth

Ah, good to know, so it’s within the car menu?

*Edit* just found it in the car menu, sorted. Thanks so much, that was a real bugbear.

 

[Connoisseur]

that’s good news In case it helps re the echo cancellation procedure I see that any system changes/improvements made during the echo test routine are implemented only after the box has been rebooted using the reboot button within the IMI settings menus. Just one other thought; the makers of the IA box do say that echo cancellation is not required for the majority of cars, mine didn’t require it at all. Might it be worth returning it to zero to see what that does?

 

[Londonscottish]

Yeah, be good to hear you feedback once it’s done.

In the past, I've found one of the real benefits of having a sub (apart from the really obvious one of filling in the bass frequencies) is that, for any given volume, you don't have to drive the rest of the system quite so hard.

I think the amp & speakers in mine are actually pretty good for a standard install but begin to struggle a bit once I crank it up. In theory, I won't need to drive them as hard so can stay out of that zone.

It's either that or a set of Morel door speakers. And another amp.

My first rule of hifi and sound systems. Don't, whatever you do, ask for a demo. It's fatal. Comand have a couple of demo cars where you can hear them. I'm NOT going to ask!

 

[Londonscottish]

Had mine done yesterday. I find the IMI really easy to use. Very intuitive and nicely integrated with the Comand rotary control in particular - my favourite aspect as I'm not a fan of touch screens in cars but I've always liked the nudge wheel.

Mark did warn me that it's better to run an Android in wired mode as opposed to wireless and I'd agree. When I was in wireless mode it had a burp yesterday and it lost contact with the nudge wheel until I turned everything off and let the box shut itself down properly.

Not a worry, I wanted the phone charging in the cubby anyway and this is just another way of achieving the same thing; I just run the cable in through the back of the cubby lid. While I was in, Comand also added a separate charging port in the cubby so I can charge a second phone, a power bank or whatever. My wife can use the two I've already got it the glovebox and the kids can use the double one in the back. And if I'm still short, I've also got one in the boot. When driving to the South of France you really can't have too many.

At the same time I had a 10 inch Phoenix sub put in which has enhanced the overall sound no end. At some point I'll get Comand to fit some Morel door speakers and probably tweeters as they are final weak point in the system. Compared to my headphones and home hifi there's a chunk of mid range detail that's simply missing. House music sounds great, Steely Dan less so.

Overall I'm really happy. Having all my music, podcasts, audio books and radio on the dash along with Google Maps and Waze is a game changer. Having a shed load of bass to go with it is the icing on the cake.

And I was really impressed by the level of knowledge and professionalism of the Comand team. I've been reading about their work on here for years and it was great to see it for myself. They are proper petrol heads too All in all a great way to spend my day off and and great way to spend some of my bonus.

 

[Londonscottish]

Update; I had a few connectivity problems during the week but, between talking to the guys at Comand Online, reading the Integrated Automotive website instructions and getting some feedback from one of the IA engineers via Command Online, this is quite common with Android Auto.

IA list out what to do on their website ; update your OS, update your Android Auto (and other relevant apps) and clear the Android Auto cache. That seems to have done the trick although I'll have to give it a proper long test to make absolutely sure.

Also, if you are using a cable, some USB A=>USB C cables are charging only; some of the data ones are carp. I ordered an OEM Samsung one to eliminate any risk. Every day's a school day.

Anyway, right now it's working happily in wireless and wired mode. The latter, handily, is also charging mode. Changing the screen to Android Auto makes the dash look a million times better (my 15 year old daughter was very impressed). Navigation is a breeze. The sound quality is very good, too.

For any Android users out there, here are the step to follow to get your handset ready;

Setting up and Connecting Wireless Android Auto - Integrated automotive UK

This article will discuss the challenges you may face when attemting to connect your Android Phone wirelessly to our IMI-1000. While Apple released their wireless implementation of CarPlay back in 2016, Android were mucbh later to the wireless party and as such, there are some "quirks" to...

integratedautomotive.co.uk

 

[91dm]

That's a really nice upgrade to the cabin.

 

[Londonscottish]

That's a really nice upgrade to the cabin.

It makes it look a decade younger.

Apart from anything else, once you've sat in a 213 and seen the modern dash, the screens on a 12 year old Comand system suddenly look very drab and dreary.

Every time I select reverse, Comand pops up (because of the reversing camera) and I'm back in the 1950's

Then I select Drive and the future's back.

 

[91dm]

Yes nothing dates a cabin like a old style screen or menu now. We put an android unit in our 2008 CLC and it made such a difference.

 

[Londonscottish]

Yes nothing dates a cabin like a old style screen or menu now. We put an android unit in our 2008 CLC and it made such a difference.

Yup. I didn't actually buy it for how it would look - I hadn't really thought about that aspect too hard. It was the functionality. When I jump into my wife's Fiat 500 I have DAB and Spotify at my fingertips. Just so convenient. It's not even a proper Android Auto/Apply Carplay set up but it works. Worse, every crappy little hire car I've had in the last 5 years has had full, automatic integration.

At home I stream everything off my phone onto a BT speaker or via Google Chromecast into my hifi. When I'm out and about I used one of my many sets of earbuds or headphones and it's radio/music/pod cast/audio book time. All the way to work and all the way back again.

No long ago I had to drive to Edinburgh and back. So a whole day's drive one way and a whole day's drive back. I could stream through bluetooth but changing it on the go was impossible. I basically had to pick one thing and stick with it until my next stop. Drove me nuts.

Now it's all at my fingertips AND because the IA unit uses the MB mics I can actually use Google voice commands which is another layer of functionality that I wasn't expecting.

AND, as you say, it looks fantastic. Which is just the cherry on top.

 

[Continental]

Thanks, no recent experience but did cut my teeth some years back dismantling various Lexus/BMW and other dashboards. The fear of starting the job will never go away he heh…

Good job this. A bit of fear is ok I think as it keeps you on your toes and hopefully makes you more mindful when prising off trims, clips etc.

 

[w212dcaf]

Silly question but does it include a screen ? Im stuck with a small in-dash screen on my prefacelift S212 rather than a HUD

Installed something similar in my parents' 2012 c-class estate with the smaller 5.8 inch screen. While you can't ignore it has a lower resolution, if the box you buy states it can be fitted to the 5.8inch display it will deal with adjusting to the 5.8inch and it's clear enough to read and work with, just not as 'smooth' as the 7 inch display on upgraded/later w212/s212 models. It certainly looks like a nicer and more user friendly, i.e. carplay, interface than the MB system of that age, and works quite well. Worth the punt I'd say.

 

[Wheeker]

So after much procrastination have just ordered the Integrated Automotive Apple Car Play/Android Auto unit for my pre-facelift A205 C200 with Comand. Not the cheapest on offer but comes recommended and with support from IA who are a UK based supplier.

Mercedes Benz NTG5.0/NTG5.1/NTG5.2 (2014 Onwards) Retrofit CarPlay and Android Auto Upgrade Kit - Integrated automotive UK

Datasheet: IMI-1000_- Datasheet_Sept_2024 pdf 3.52Mb The IMI-1000 from Integrated Automotive UK is a retrofit CarPlay and Android Auto Kit that adds Carplay and Android Auto functionality to a standard vehicle. PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS Wireless (and wired) CarPlay Wireless (and wired) Android Auto...

integratedautomotive.co.uk

Will fit the unit myself and post pics and words as a How To in case it helps others on here, plus a report on how well it works. Will be using it to provide CarPlay wireless, I went for this unit also because of full integration with screen and wheel/console controls. Once fitted there is nothing to see and connection is automatic.

I bought the OBD adaptor (which brings up the required Aux option on the Comand unit) from Ali Baba. Worked perfectly and cost only £25 ish compared to £75 from Integrated Automotive

Fingers now firmly crossed as they say. Hope to have it all done with the next 10 days…

Sorry I know this is an old thread, but looking at doing exactly this myself. I have some quick questions:

• I have a 2016 S205 C350e, there is no AUX input & it's not on the Media options, so I presume I will also need to buy an OBD Aux enabler? Does the audio then have to be plugged-in & routed via the USB port in the centre storage?
• Same as yourself I have the Burmeister Audio system, is the sound quality just as good now that it's via USB Aux?
• I see you fitted a new Mic, whilst someone else just used the existing MB Mic. Does this just depend on the unit spec as to whether you can use existing Mic or not?

 

[w212dcaf]

That 2cm

Sorry I know this is an old thread, but looking at doing exactly this myself. I have some quick questions:

• I have a 2016 S205 C350e, there is no AUX input & it's not on the Media options, so I presume I will also need to buy an OBD Aux enabler? Does the audio then have to be plugged-in & routed via the USB port in the centre storage?
• Same as yourself I have the Burmeister Audio system, is the sound quality just as good now that it's via USB Aux?
• I see you fitted a new Mic, whilst someone else just used the existing MB Mic. Does this just depend on the unit spec as to whether you can use existing Mic or not?

- I believe you'll need to use an OBD adaptor if Aux not already available.
- Can't comment on the sound system myself, only have standard in a 212
- I had a box from Integrated Automotive that used the internal mic, and I've had one that used an external mic. Depends on the specific components of the box that comes/fits. No problem with either microphone, you just have to run the cable for the external.

Note the 2cm run in the OP's images is at the bottom of the a pillar. The a pillar covers can be really easily removed with a lift 'up and out'. There may be a screw underneath the plastic 'airbag' label if you have one in the 205, but that pops off nicely with a flat tool of some sort. Then you can cable tie the microphone lead up the a pillar behind the airbag with all the other cables and pop the a-pillar trim down in the reverse order.