Which COMAND system have I just bought

[cooker44]

Hi folks, new round here on account of the new C class estate (W204?) I put a deposit down on yesterday.

It's a C220 CDI Executive SE estate, reg Jan 2011. Question 1: The car has a COMAND APS unit, but I do not know which version NTG4, 4.5 etc etc. I know that it has a HDD as the dealer showed the music storage capabilities which leads me onto question 2: the car doesn't have iPhone integration, just an AUX socket in the glove compartment. What is the best after market iPod integration solution? Is it better to go for the MB upgrade (UMI?)? What sorts of costs are involved here?

Many thanks in advance for your responses

 

[npuk]

It will have Comand NTG4.

Ipod options: Comand Online Ltd :: Mercedes iPod solutions :: C, GLK, E, E Coupe class (W204, W212, W207)

Normally you get the UMI with Comand so are you 100% sure it doesnt have it?

 

[WOODYTHEWISE]

Hi,welcome to the forum.

 

[cooker44]

Thanks for the prompt response...nice to join an active forum

The dealer was insistent that there is no UMI (he spent a minute looking for 'it'). I will ask them to double check, and quote for UMI installation.

Looking at after market options you linked - ouch! May have to make do with the HDD. Like I said in OP, at least it has 3.5mm AUX soxket for when I get really fed up with the stored music.

Cheers

 

[JC180]

Don't thing the executive models have the UMI interface with COMAND. This was a special run out line of the pre-facelift C Class and the COMAND was a selling point clearly but they did not give the full beans as part of the package.

 

[gIzzE]

Thanks for the prompt response...nice to join an active forum

Did you have an Audi before??

 

[richard]

Dont get confused over terminology with UMI etc

There is a 'afterfit' navigation/ipod for the Audio-20 stereo only. This was called Universal Media Interface (UMI) and then renamed to Navigation 20. This has 3 cables hanging down in the glovebox - first version from the interior light, later version from the a rectangular rubber grommet on the side of the glovebox (or the top on some vehicles).

There is a full function iPod solution called the Media Interface. This is known as UCI also. This gets a small connector in the glovebox which a USB, or a iPod or an AUX cable can be plugged into, and then plugged into the USB/iPod/AUX

I would highly recommend the Media Interface (UCI) over the standard iPod kit. It gives you full control from the COMAND screen including track names / etc on the COMAND. Standard iPod kit just gives it on the instrument cluster and is awkward to use.

Richard

 

[dibblodocus]

Thanks for the prompt response...nice to join an active forum

The dealer was insistent that there is no UMI (he spent a minute looking for 'it'). I will ask them to double check, and quote for UMI installation.

Looking at after market options you linked - ouch! May have to make do with the HDD. Like I said in OP, at least it has 3.5mm AUX soxket for when I get really fed up with the stored music.

Cheers

Cooker - I also have an Executive-SE with COMAND (but no media interface), however I really don't miss it. The car has a PCMCIA slot that enables you to insert a memory card via an adaptor that you can pick up on Amazon for £5.

I got myself a 32Gb SD card, inserted it into the adaptor and thus have all my music in the car all the time. You can navigate the music on the card directly through COMAND and the system displays the track names etc.

I posted a long description about this on another forum here if it helps: COMAND: MP3 playback observations (very long post). - Mercedes-Benz Owners' Forums

Cheers,
Dibblodocus

 

[cooker44]

That sounds good enough for me, thank you. Where is the slot in the car? Appreciate the help.

 

[cooker44]

@gIzzE

Haha...BMW.

Yeah, of course it was sh$t....

 

[npuk]

That sounds good enough for me, thank you. Where is the slot in the car? Appreciate the help.

You can download the Comand manual here if you dont have one. Mercedes online manuals

The slot is clearly visible on the headunit.

 

[cooker44]

Super helpful, thank you :bannana: