W212 2011 Stereo upgrade

[Sabe75]

Hi all, I submitted a previous post e220 2011 Media interface socket around how to get the media interface socket out, I managed to do this by taking out the centre column with this video:

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However, now am thinking that this unit may not even support BT streaming and wanted to know upgrade options:

1. Can I put in a system from a newer mercedes e.g. MERCEDES E-Class W212 RADIO STEREO SAT NAV HEAD UNIT A2129005327 | eBay from a 2013-16 model and get the normal functionality e.g. using steering controls and centre column dial control.
2. Could I put in an Android replacement and still get the normal functionality e.g. using steering controls and centre column dial control.
3. Maybe just stick with a similar unit but provides BT streaming e.g. ntg4.5, would there be a code I need to enter when adding?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated... also, quick quick as I have it in bits at the moment while trying to source a media interface socket to control module cable similar to: MERCEDES BENZ MEDIA INTERFACE A B C CLS CLC E G AND OTHER NTG4.7 NAVIGATION | eBay --- the one in picture 2

Mine did have a label on the cable with reference: A2128208615

Any help would be greatly appreciated.... thank you

 

[CowleyStJames]

I bought this, WMA3000 - PRODUCT - ViseeO Worldwide Official Site
Turned out my Audio 50 didn't support audio streaming, even after turning on the BT streaming feature in engineering.
The Tune2Air supports all forms of streaming via the media interface port, even radio.
You also control everything still as you did before.
And doesn't interfere with mobile phone calls

 

[Sabe75]

I bought this, WMA3000 - PRODUCT - ViseeO Worldwide Official Site
Turned out my Audio 50 didn't support audio streaming, even after turning on the BT streaming feature in engineering.
The Tune2Air supports all forms of streaming via the media interface port, even radio.
You also control everything still as you did before.
And doesn't interfere with mobile phone calls

ah thank you, I was going to purchase this actually... until I found out that the media interface socket in my armrest does not work.... only works for the jack connector did put some in my post here: e220 2011 Media interface socket

Trying to source the socket at the moment, to try and fix that first...

 

[CowleyStJames]

ah thank you, I was going to purchase this actually... until I found out that the media interface socket in my armrest does not work.... only works for the jack connector did put some in my post here: e220 2011 Media interface socket

Trying to source the socket at the moment, to try and fix that first...

Do you not have the socket in the glovebox?
That's where mine is

 

[Sabe75]

Do you not have the socket in the glovebox?
That's where mine is

No, I had a real good look.... just in the centre console

Do you have two then?

 

[CowleyStJames]

No, don't have one in my centre armrest only in glovebox almost under air vent above top shelf

 

[moog999]

I bought this, WMA3000 - PRODUCT - ViseeO Worldwide Official Site
Turned out my Audio 50 didn't support audio streaming, even after turning on the BT streaming feature in engineering.
The Tune2Air supports all forms of streaming via the media interface port, even radio.
You also control everything still as you did before.
And doesn't interfere with mobile phone calls

I get the impression that it only allows control and display of music content if you are using an iPhone along with iTunes. It doesn't support things like spotify (even on iPhone) or android based music libraries.

So, if you don't have an iPhone, or do but only use streaming services, then all it does is act as a dumb connection between the device and the car, much like the aux in cable? In which case you can get exactly the same thing from a non branded device via ebay, for £13!!

UK Wireless Interface Bluetooth Music Adapter For Mercedes-Benz MMI AUX Cable | eBay

It'd be interesting to know if the straight head unit swap as mentioned in the original post might work too though.

 

[Sabe75]

I get the impression that it only allows control and display of music content with you are using an iPhone along with iTunes. It doesn't support things like spotify or android based music libraries.

So, if you don't have an iPhone, and use iTunes then all it does is act as a dumb connection between the device and the care, much like the aux in cable? In which case you can get exactly the same thing from a non branded device via ebay, for £13!!

UK Wireless Interface Bluetooth Music Adapter For Mercedes-Benz MMI AUX Cable | eBay

It'd be interesting to know if the straight head unit swap as mentioned in the original post might work too though.

I was hoping somebody might have done the swap and have a recommended unit... in fact would love to put a newer one in; but worried it will not fit ... hopefully some more people will comment with experience....

 

[Sabe75]

Good video for the radio removal:

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Now, need to find one on how to get to the media interface control unit....

 

[CowleyStJames]

I get the impression that it only allows control and display of music content if you are using an iPhone along with iTunes. It doesn't support things like spotify (even on iPhone) or android based music libraries.

So, if you don't have an iPhone, or do but only use streaming services, then all it does is act as a dumb connection between the device and the car, much like the aux in cable? In which case you can get exactly the same thing from a non branded device via ebay, for £13!!

UK Wireless Interface Bluetooth Music Adapter For Mercedes-Benz MMI AUX Cable | eBay

It'd be interesting to know if the straight head unit swap as mentioned in the original post might work too though.

Spotify does work for me, but I do have an iPhone.
The ability to stream radio stations is a plus too.
I must admit, I looked at replacing the head unit with an android device, but balked at the £700 plus required to purchase the unit I liked.
And the amount of work involved when I wasn't convinced it'd work

 

[Sabe75]

Spotify does work for me, but I do have an iPhone.
The ability to stream radio stations is a plus too.
I must admit, I looked at replacing the head unit with an android device, but balked at the £700 plus required to purchase the unit I liked.
And the amount of work involved when I wasn't convinced it'd work

Which unit did you look at? Yeah, I think that is the thing.... if you know it works, then it maybe more tempting.

 

[CowleyStJames]

It was on a Facebook group probably Mercedes E Class and a guy from, I think, Romania linked to a new head unit running Android.
Made to replace the screen, I think it was 7" with absolutely everything, sat nav, streaming music, dab, cameras, etc.
Can't find the post now, but Mercedes-Benz E-Class 2009-2016 (W212) radio upgrade, is a very similar thing except it's left hand drive

 

[moog999]

He does do a right hand drive version of that if you dig around that site. It looks excellent, but is pricey.

Just got my bt thing in the post. It works as I expected exept that it defaults to the usb source so the button needs pressing to enable bluetooth, which is really ****ing annoyong! Why not just power up and default to Bluetooth FFS!! I will ask the seller if it's an option....no instructions with it.

Sounds good though, same as the cable. No control or display of what's playing though....that's on Android using Spotify.

 

[Sabe75]

He does do a right hand drive version of that if you dig around that site. It looks excellent, but is pricey.

Just got my bt thing in the post. It works as I expected exept that it defaults to the usb source so the button needs pressing to enable bluetooth, which is really ****ing annoyong! Why not just power up and default to Bluetooth FFS!! I will ask the seller if it's an option....no instructions with it.

Sounds good though, same as the cable. No control or display of what's playing though....that's on Android using Spotify.

Shame on the control... that is why I want to first fix my media interface and then maybe purchase the WMA3000, I use an iPhone so would give the ability.... although would still be nicer to change for a new unit which has bluetooth streaming in.... been googling, maybe if an NTG4.5 version would fit, but I think you need to code them ....?

 

[moog999]

I would think the new head unit would need coding using star. Do you have a local Merc specialist nearby? Maybe call and ask them. If you buy and fit the new ubit, would they have a pop at coding it in?

Comand online would know but I'm not sure they're motivated to encourage us to DIY this stuff....maybe they could chip in with some friendly advice.

 

[Sabe75]

The garage where I have my service done, he specialises in Merc and BMW, he can do it.... would be interested to know how to do it

Also, I cannot find any good information on how to get to the actual media interface module, anyone have any clues?

 

[Sabe75]

Searching last night, I cannot believe the lack of aftermarket systems for the w212 2009 - 2012 systems available.... I am really struggling to find. If you have an older one like the W211 or newer then yes anybody got any good links?

 

[garycat]

Searching last night, I cannot believe the lack of aftermarket systems for the w212 2009 - 2012 systems available.... I am really struggling to find. If you have an older one like the W211 or newer then yes anybody got any good links?

Now that stereos are built into the dashboard and linked to displays and steering wheel controls etc, its no longer profitable to make aftermarket systems. The days of replaceable 1 or 2 DIN units is long gone.

 

[Sabe75]

a shame really, especially when it is hard to get the features, feels ridiculous that my older cars had USB inputs and BT streaming and yet my 2011 E Class Mercedes has a single socket, which turned out to be faulty and no BT streaming .... I am struggling even to source a cable, the media interface socket to the media control interface.... I suppose it would help if I could find the exact ID of the cable, the ID I had A2318270026 is only the outer plastic case of the socket and a label which I found on the cable A2128208615 does not seem to exist! My whole centre console / armrest is currently lying to one in bits lol

 

[moog999]

Which cable can't you find? Just google for Mercedes MMI cable?