• The Forums are now open to new registrations, adverts are also being de-tuned.

USB connection for an R230 SL

V6GBJ

V6GBJ

Active Member
Joined
Mar 4, 2019
Messages
342
Location
North Wales
Car
GLC 43
Gentlemen. I have a 2007 R230 SL350 with Comand nav. etc. and a 6 CD changer. I had forgotten how clumsy and inconvenient these are compared with modern cars! Is there a simple and economic way to feed in music from a USB stick? I have seen some references here to "black boxes" costing £300++ which I could not justify given the limited time spent driving it! Any suggestions will be most gratefully received.
 
Depends on what options your car has. Mine is a 2009 and has the media interface option. You can see the connections under the centre armrest. If you have this the easiest thing to do is get a cheap secondhand iPod and plug it in there.
 
c63chris said:
Depends on what options your car has. Mine is a 2009 and has the media interface option. You can see the connections under the centre armrest. If you have this the easiest thing to do is get a cheap secondhand iPod and plug it in there.
Click to expand...
Thanks Chris, but unfortunately it does not have a media interface (as I had in my 2011 E350CDI coupe).
 
V6GBJ said:
Thanks Chris, but unfortunately it does not have a media interface (as I had in my 2011 E350CDI coupe).
Click to expand...

You can get it retrofitted by the likes of COMMAND. They are forum sponsors and have good rep. Had it done to my previous C63 but wasn’t a budget option
 
It connects in place of the CD changer so if that is currently working it will work. I've fitted the same unit into a Range Rover for a friend and the only difference was the interface cable to suit a different car, worked perfectly.
 
Mercedes Media Interface is only from MY2009 NTG2.5 system on the SL.

There is a Dension box that pretends to be a CD changer and gives USB access (and some can switch between CDC at startup and USB)

But this falls into the 'Black Box costing 300+' that the OP doesn't want.

Sadly the NTG1 system in the OP's car doesn't even have an AUX input.

Maybe there is a USB to FM repeater device. I haven't seen (or looked for) one though.

Richard
 
If his existing unit has an external (boot mounted?) 6 disc changer, it will connect in place of that but if it is the 6 disc in the one unit then you are probably right. I saw 6 disc changer and assumed a separate unit the same as the Command 20 in my partners R171.
 
Gilbertd said:
If his existing unit has an external (boot mounted?) 6 disc changer, it will connect in place of that but if it is the 6 disc in the one unit then you are probably right. I saw 6 disc changer and assumed a separate unit the same as the Command 20 in my partners R171.
Click to expand...
Wow, you guys have real expert knowledge so many many thanks for your advice! Gilbert, I have the 6 CD player mounted in the storage compartment behind the passenger seat. Would the Grom unit simply replace the CD player with true plug and play simplicity using existing connectors or would I still need a specific cable from the Grom into the CD connector? I see some references to NTG xyz, how do I find out which version is in my car? The Merc manufacturing spec. for the car does not show it. Having said that, I am not sure if is significant in terms of fitting and using the Grom unit. Gareth
 
Looking at the Grom website it does appear that it wouldn't fit but if you have a separate CD changer I can't see why it shouldn't. The one I installed in a Range Rover was listed as not being suitable but we took the chance and it did and works perfectly. Might be worth a call to Grom if you decide to go that way but you'd probably need to identify what unit you have in the first place. Alternatively, you could risk a tenner and try one of these New Bluetooth Car Kit Wireless FM Transmitter Dual USB Charger Audio MP3 Player | eBay. It connects using an FM transmitter so you just tune your radio to it, will play music from a USB stick or over Bluetooth and gives you the option of hands free phone too. Wouldn't expect the hands free side to work that well with no external microphone, the quality won't be as good as a direct connection but it'll at least allow you to play from a USB stick (and unless your music files are stored as 320kbs mp3 files, the source quality isn't going to be brilliant anyway).

I've got one of these Sonichi S100 Digital Radio Adapter in my works motor and another in the other half's SLK (which she had in her previous C180k). They connect using an FM transmitter and work well giving DAB radio as well as a line in, despite using FM the sound quality is plenty good enough.
 
Gilbertd said:
Looking at the Grom website it does appear that it wouldn't fit but if you have a separate CD changer I can't see why it shouldn't. The one I installed in a Range Rover was listed as not being suitable but we took the chance and it did and works perfectly. Might be worth a call to Grom if you decide to go that way but you'd probably need to identify what unit you have in the first place. Alternatively, you could risk a tenner and try one of these New Bluetooth Car Kit Wireless FM Transmitter Dual USB Charger Audio MP3 Player | eBay. It connects using an FM transmitter so you just tune your radio to it, will play music from a USB stick or over Bluetooth and gives you the option of hands free phone too. Wouldn't expect the hands free side to work that well with no external microphone, the quality won't be as good as a direct connection but it'll at least allow you to play from a USB stick (and unless your music files are stored as 320kbs mp3 files, the source quality isn't going to be brilliant anyway).

I've got one of these Sonichi S100 Digital Radio Adapter in my works motor and another in the other half's SLK (which she had in her previous C180k). They connect using an FM transmitter and work well giving DAB radio as well as a line in, despite using FM the sound quality is plenty good enough.
Click to expand...
Good morning Gilbert. When we get back from holiday I'll contact Grom and check the possibilities. However, the £10 item looks like being worth a try and no great loss if doesn't work very well. The Sonichi looks interesting as well bu t so far I have not been able to find an Aux socket inthe Comand unit! Thanks. Gareth
 
Hi Gilbert. I checked with Grom and they suggested an alternative device with a more suitable spec for the SL. Unfortunately this was a £300 box so I'm going to try one of the USB to FM + Bluetooth devices which you recommended. Thanks again for the tip
 
V6GBJ said:
Hi Gilbert. I checked with Grom and they suggested an alternative device with a more suitable spec for the SL. Unfortunately this was a £300 box so I'm going to try one of the USB to FM + Bluetooth devices which you recommended. Thanks again for the tip
Click to expand...

Hi Guys. I took Gilbert's advice and bought an FM/Bluetooth/USB device for £25 including an SDcard it is
SONRU Bluetooth FM Transmitter, Car MP3 Music Player Bluetooth Handsfree Car Kit, 1.44 Inch LED Display, Dual USB Ports (QC3.0+5V/1A), A2DP Crystal Sound Quality, Magnetic Clip with 1.1M Cable

The sound quality is remarkable. The only limitation is that you need to click through lots of tracks through albums to get to what you want to play. A little tedious but I usually have my assistant in the car.
Thanks again for the advice Gilbert
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 1 (members: 0, guests: 1)
Back
Top Bottom