My new R Class :)

[Bobby Dazzler]

hahaha, I thought the "try turning the volume up" was a joke at first, but apparently not! Yes, when having trouble with sound levels, I tend to try the volume as a first course of action
Volume was up full. Still very low in the car. It's audible, at low speeds, but definitely nowhere near as loud as the rest of the stereo. I am gonna go for one of those bluetooth Amazon cig lighter jobbies, cheap and cheerful but hopefully will be good, especially as the radio reception is so nice in the car.

I recently posted this for the W164 ML which is very similar to your R:

For Bluetooth audio (and phone if you need it) blue an Anker SoundSync from Amazon for £12 and a flush fitting twin USB 12v car charger (Griffin are good) for around £2.

SoundSync Drive

Plug the USB charger into the 12v socket behind the arm rest between the front seats. Then plug the USB cable (connected to the Anker SoundSync) into the charger, and route the cable along the passenger side of the centre console. If you lift the lower edge (of the centre console) along it's length, then you can slip the cable up behind the centre console out of sight - do it a few inches at a time.

Then plug the jack plug lead (connected to the Anker SoundSync) into the jack socket in the side of the glovebox, and tuck the cable into the edge of the glovebox, routing it down to the centre console. Next mount the (sticky) SoundSync unit on the dashboard in a discrete position close to your left knee, positioning it so the cable has only a short run to the ashtray.

Now I'm not 100% sure on the precise route from here, but the I think I then routed the cable through the joint between the centre console and the dashboard, but take a look and you'll find a way of concealing it. If you do it in the order described then the excess from all three cables will be on the passenger side, tuck it all up behind the lower edge of the passenger side centre console.

Use your finger (or trim tools if you have them) to manouvere any visible cable so it's concealed and out of sight, be patient and it will disappear, just leaving the Anker SoundSync unit and the end of the USB cable visible. The Anker SoundSynv unit contains the play/pause/<</>> controls, and includes the microphone (for use making/receiving calls through your car speakers.

Sound quality is great, even for making calls (if you don't have the OEM hands free kit).

 

[joeysnowey]

Yup Dazzler that's a great post thanks very much!
I might just grab me one of those! I only have one question which has me confused regardless of which of these aftermarket options I look at.....

I have the Comand system so I can bluetooth my phone to the stereo (it connects automatically) which works for phone calls ONLY. But it's superb sound and means I can use the steering wheel controls, choose from contacts via the stereo etc. Now in reality, I don't actually need that, I could use the Anker system for calls, but is it possible to connect the iPhone to the stereo AND the Anker system at the same time, letting the stereo handle calls, and Anker handles bluetooth audio???? Would that be too complicated, would they get confused? I might just try it for phone calls too, and remove my iphone from the car's bluetooth but it would be super nice if the car handled calls, and Anker handled BT audio.

Oh and one other question, I don't quite understand why you plug the 3.5mm into the car aux in in glovebox. OHHHHHHH, maybe i just realised, is this not an FM transmitter? Does it only send its audio output down the 3.5mm wire? If so, maybe it wont work for me as the volume on that Aux input is extremely low on my car for some reason. I suppose if I buy off Amazon I can always try it and return it free of charge, so I might try that anyway!

Thanks again for a very useful post

 

[joeysnowey]

Just noticed there are two at very different prices on Amazon:

1. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0176G5TRO/?tag=amazon0e9db-21

2. https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0177T3OEU/?tag=amazon0e9db-21

Did you use the cheaper one or the other one?
thanks

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

If you're going to, then buy the cheaper one, direct from Amazon.

Speak to COMANDonline to see whether this booster could work in your situation. I think it might:
Mercedes iPod line amplifier | Mercedes iPod solutions | Mercedes Retrofits | Comand Online Ltd

 

[joeysnowey]

How darn helpful! Thank you!
Even more useful, I read this......

"if upgraded to the latest firmware, now have a volume boost function."

That actually reminds me that I want to upgrade the firmware and update the maps, if its possible for anything other than ridiculously silly money! Don't suppose you know of the cheapest place for maps, and more importantly, how to go about upgrading firmware? That sounds like it could solve the issue and hopefully confirms it is an issue they know about. thanks again

 

[MD5]

Hijack away old chap!! I was beginning to get Stockholm Syndrome

I am going to have to say this.... please don't tell me you're so gay about your car that you choose the grease you buy based on the colour? Bwaa ahah ahaaa haaaaaa

I wouldn't mind the steering wheel though!

I was talking to the seller about the use of coloured grease, and apparently KY are moving into the automotive sector with a range of colours, this one being "festive sphincter".

Easy on the sprouts today!!

 

[joeysnowey]

PPPPPPPP

MMMMMM

SSSSSSS


LLLLLLLL


And while in jovial mood - this one is worth a watch annually just to keep the laughter muscles working!

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[Bobby Dazzler]

How darn helpful! Thank you!
Even more useful, I read this......

"if upgraded to the latest firmware, now have a volume boost function."

That actually reminds me that I want to upgrade the firmware and update the maps, if its possible for anything other than ridiculously silly money! Don't suppose you know of the cheapest place for maps, and more importantly, how to go about upgrading firmware? That sounds like it could solve the issue and hopefully confirms it is an issue they know about. thanks again

If you're in the South East then COMANDonline are the people to talk to regarding software, firmware or hardware. Your dealer may do it for you too, worth asking for a price.

 

[joeysnowey]

Thanks, I am nowhere near South East unfortunately. I did hear they will do it for something like £120 odd, no way I am paying that, will find a way to have a crack myself at some point. Just wondered if anyone on here had done it. I am tempted to get diagnostics software for fault reading, usually that's what's needed for firmware upgrades but not sure. Will have a butchers, thanks Bobby

 

[joeysnowey]

Just in case anyone here can help, I just posted a new thread here - HELP PLEASE! Can you name this part?!

 

[joeysnowey]

Happy new year all.
I tried the SD Card reader first time today, no workie! It saw the card but said no files. It has a few hundred mp3s on it. Any ideas?
I am on a mac so sometimes get formatting problems, I formatted the card to EXFAT (Free space) and then put files on. Usually works in most devices. Only other option is MSDOS. Anyone know what sort of SD cards these Mercs like?