Mercedes in-car tech

[Jimmcb]

Hi everyone

Bought myself in a private sale a nice 2019/69 E class merc.

The car has loads of tech and I’m trying to get the usb port in front storage area to ‘talk’ to my phone. It’s showing nothing at all - no charge or connection.

I also can’t seem to get the car to recognise that my phone is a device to connect on hard wire. Bluetooth is fine and can get music to play.

The car has COMAND and Apple CarPlay as tech fitted but I’m getting no joy for connection.

Anyone able to help me please?

Jim

[gingerboy]

Hi Jim

What type of phone? I had massive issues a while ago when an update in android meant that my existing USB was hopeless.

If you google the "best USB leads for Android auto" you should find some decent options.

It might not be the USB though. My Audi A6 has multiple USBs, only one creates a data / interface connection, the others just charge...... Bloody cars are so complex and packed with tech it's getting ridiculous.

I did find this as well - https://youtu.be/KmXs7d_tCu8

I had an eclass a while back, one issue is that certain features aren't enabled.....



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[bambam]

These guys are also very good with MB Comand stuff - https://www.commandonline.co.uk/

Worth giving them a call as there are vagaries in the MB world that don’t make sense - for example, I have 2 Aux options in the Comand system, but neither were actually connected to anything!

Good luck.

[DavidL]

Our newish to us MB is 10 years old but even that has way more tech than I need. I'm fully aware that I'm getting old but the priorities of MB are definitely not the same as mine. The problem is to have the bits you do want you get the rest.
From the stories I've heard I'm dreading the time when I start buying things that have collision avoidance. They just seem to clamp the brakes on for no reason!
I think I'll stick to about early 2000s tech!
There has to be a market for well styled (subjective I realise) comfortable, practical and swift cars but without the electronic crap that is usual. Something like a 2022 e class chassis with 2005 e class tech or even less. Frankly give me a manual box or a torque convertor auto, heated seats, a radio with bluetooth and a sunroof and I'm happy. I can turn on my lights and wipers myself and I don't really want constant electronic surveillance thanks.
Oh but I do want a 500 bhp supercharged engine and it needs to come as an estate option and a softtop and a coupe to cover all bases. But these already exist so there is no more work there.

[Jimmcb]

Hi Jim

What type of phone? I had massive issues a while ago when an update in android meant that my existing USB was hopeless.

If you google the "best USB leads for Android auto" you should find some decent options.

It might not be the USB though. My Audi A6 has multiple USBs, only one creates a data / interface connection, the others just charge...... Bloody cars are so complex and packed with tech it's getting ridiculous.

I did find this as well - https://youtu.be/KmXs7d_tCu8

I had an eclass a while back, one issue is that certain features aren't enabled.....



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Many thanks for writing. It’s an iPhone 12PM that’s bang up to date with the iOS.

All the best!

Jim

- - - Updated - - -

These guys are also very good with MB Comand stuff - https://www.commandonline.co.uk/

Worth giving them a call as there are vagaries in the MB world that don’t make sense - for example, I have 2 Aux options in the Comand system, but neither were actually connected to anything!

Good luck.

Thanks for that BB.

I’ll give them a shout

Jim

[Jimmcb]

Our newish to us MB is 10 years old but even that has way more tech than I need. I'm fully aware that I'm getting old but the priorities of MB are definitely not the same as mine. The problem is to have the bits you do want you get the rest.
From the stories I've heard I'm dreading the time when I start buying things that have collision avoidance. They just seem to clamp the brakes on for no reason!
I think I'll stick to about early 2000s tech!
There has to be a market for well styled (subjective I realise) comfortable, practical and swift cars but without the electronic crap that is usual. Something like a 2022 e class chassis with 2005 e class tech or even less. Frankly give me a manual box or a torque convertor auto, heated seats, a radio with bluetooth and a sunroof and I'm happy. I can turn on my lights and wipers myself and I don't really want constant electronic surveillance thanks.
Oh but I do want a 500 bhp supercharged engine and it needs to come as an estate option and a softtop and a coupe to cover all bases. But these already exist so there is no more work there.

That made me smile David. Thank you.

Jim

[hilly10]

Worst tec ever Mercedes, get a BMW. My wife had a 19 plate GLC how I hated that car even trawling through the info menu was a pain.

[xxnick1975]

Our newish to us MB is 10 years old but even that has way more tech than I need. I'm fully aware that I'm getting old but the priorities of MB are definitely not the same as mine. The problem is to have the bits you do want you get the rest.
From the stories I've heard I'm dreading the time when I start buying things that have collision avoidance. They just seem to clamp the brakes on for no reason!
I think I'll stick to about early 2000s tech!
There has to be a market for well styled (subjective I realise) comfortable, practical and swift cars but without the electronic crap that is usual. Something like a 2022 e class chassis with 2005 e class tech or even less. Frankly give me a manual box or a torque convertor auto, heated seats, a radio with bluetooth and a sunroof and I'm happy. I can turn on my lights and wipers myself and I don't really want constant electronic surveillance thanks.
Oh but I do want a 500 bhp supercharged engine and it needs to come as an estate option and a softtop and a coupe to cover all bases. But these already exist so there is no more work there.

Dacia and a remap bruv.

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[neilma]

I had an E Class of the same year and had the same problem. allegedly there was a known issue where a bunch of cars left the factory with the port not wired correctly. Dealer sorted mine (I think they had to swap the cables over).

Hope they can sort it for free for you as it was a known issue (well, wasn't well known originally as the sales guy then one of techs tried all the menu options, different cables and phones then spoke to the lead tech that knew exactly what it was, the car disappeared in the workshop for 30 mins and it was fixed....)

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[watchlovr]

Firstly make sure you’re using the correct port.
Secondly use a genuine Apple cable. Lastly read the handbook.

[Harry Smith]

While we're on the subject, does anyone have any view on the Mercedes ME app? Specifically the Tracker option.

[Dave+63]

Mercedes Me was free for the first three years with our car and was quite useful sometimes, locking and unlocking the car remotely via the app being most useful. We didn’t consider it worth paying for after the three years though.

Mercedes still monitor our vehicle though, I got an email advising me to contact them re brake pad replacement. A few days later, the low brake pad warning started showing on the car.

So whilst we are unable to take advantage of the technology, Big Brother is definitely watching us.

[Mr.D]

I have a new Evito van ,

It just won't work with a wired iphone , keeps bombing out every 5 minutes , finish up rather than the hassle of taking it into mercedes I bought a usb to wifi adaptor , now the iphone works fine over wifi to the in-car.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BWYLLT...roduct_details

[Jimmcb]

I had an E Class of the same year and had the same problem. allegedly there was a known issue where a bunch of cars left the factory with the port not wired correctly. Dealer sorted mine (I think they had to swap the cables over).

Hope they can sort it for free for you as it was a known issue (well, wasn't well known originally as the sales guy then one of techs tried all the menu options, different cables and phones then spoke to the lead tech that knew exactly what it was, the car disappeared in the workshop for 30 mins and it was fixed....)

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I believe you’re spot on Neil. Spoke to a lad who works for merc and that’s what he said. Two cables are rigged up wrong way round!!

Which dealer did you take your car to??

Jim

[Jimmcb]

Mercedes Me was free for the first three years with our car and was quite useful sometimes, locking and unlocking the car remotely via the app being most useful. We didn’t consider it worth paying for after the three years though.

Mercedes still monitor our vehicle though, I got an email advising me to contact them re brake pad replacement. A few days later, the low brake pad warning started showing on the car.

So whilst we are unable to take advantage of the technology, Big Brother is definitely watching us.

Thanks Dave.

Big Bro is indeed watching from so many angles.

Do you still have the motor??

Jim

[neilma]

I believe you’re spot on Neil. Spoke to a lad who works for merc and that’s what he said. Two cables are rigged up wrong way round!!

Which dealer did you take your car to??

Jim

Basingstoke..... Hope it works out for you ....

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[Dave+63]

Thanks Dave.

Big Bro is indeed watching from so many angles.

Do you still have the motor??

Jim

Yes, we’ve had it since November 2018 and 75,000 miles.

Six months ago, I bought a 2009 CLS350 to go along with it. That’s proper old school in comparison.

[Jimmcb]

Yes, we’ve had it since November 2018 and 75,000 miles.

Six months ago, I bought a 2009 CLS350 to go along with it. That’s proper old school in comparison.

Sounds a nice stable Dave. Hope you get to enjoy them both.

I got the E53 AMG 4matic+ cabriolet MHEV - bloody long title that!

Very nice indeed and different from my Audi S5.

Looking forward to getting the tech gremlins sorted tho!!

Jim

[Jimmcb]

Basingstoke..... Hope it works out for you ....

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Thanks Neil

Jim

[Jimmcb]

I have a new Evito van ,

It just won't work with a wired iphone , keeps bombing out every 5 minutes , finish up rather than the hassle of taking it into mercedes I bought a usb to wifi adaptor , now the iphone works fine over wifi to the in-car.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BWYLLT...roduct_details

Thanks Mr D

Unfortunately I need the usb port to actually work and it’s not which is my prob.

I’ll give an update once it’s fixed.

Jim

[Jimmcb]

Update

Car has been in to local dealers for 4 days. And I won’t get it back till Wednesday at earliest.

They’re now saying extended warranty won’t cover it and I will need to find £480 for repair. Wiring is allegedly at fault and why the COMAND Unit isn’t functioning as it should.

Long story cut short: have written to Merc UK and Directors of dealership seeking common sense. Service desk can’t seem to see it’s a fault at manufacture level.

Aaaaasggghhhhhhhhhhhh

Jim

[xxnick1975]

Not saying you should pay if it's covered but £480 sounds pretty cheap for that at a mb dealer

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[learningtofly]

Firstly read the handbook. Secondly use a genuine Apple cable. Lastly make sure you’re using the correct port.

FTFY

[Steve B]

While we're on the subject, does anyone have any view on the Mercedes ME app? Specifically the Tracker option.

You have to pay for the full monitored tracker option (i think it was £300 for 3 years) my insurance wouldn't accept the 'standard' tracker option as sufficient.
I do like the fact you can check you've locked the car/shut windows etc and do so if you haven't, and the only other part I use is sending trip details to the car satnav from the phone.

Steve

[Harry Smith]

You have to pay for the full monitored tracker option (i think it was £300 for 3 years) my insurance wouldn't accept the 'standard' tracker option as sufficient.
I do like the fact you can check you've locked the car/shut windows etc and do so if you haven't, and the only other part I use is sending trip details to the car satnav from the phone.

Steve

Thanks for that, could be worth buying the app then although I noticed today after I left the car there was a notification on my iphone asking if I wanted to lock it although I already had! Have to investigate further lol.

[Boss13]

Agree with above. I have bought the app function which allows tracking and theft detection. And tells you in case there is a shunt whilst parked. It was cheap enough for this option.
The full package is a lot more and I didn’t feel I would use most of the stuff.

The subscription I bought is called ‘Remote Package’ which I think was around £75 per annum. Very happy with it. Not quite Tesla levels of functionality but definitely does the job.

[hogthrob]

Mercedes still monitor our vehicle though, I got an email advising me to contact them re brake pad replacement. A few days later, the low brake pad warning started showing on the car.

So whilst we are unable to take advantage of the technology, Big Brother is definitely watching us.

But did the car tell MB it needed brake pads, or did MB tell the car to put the warning light on?

[/TINFOIL HAT]

[aa388]

Agree with above. I have bought the app function which allows tracking and theft detection. And tells you in case there is a shunt whilst parked. It was cheap enough for this option.
The full package is a lot more and I didn’t feel I would use most of the stuff.

The subscription I bought is called ‘Remote Package’ which I think was around £75 per annum. Very happy with it. Not quite Tesla levels of functionality but definitely does the job.

I have the remote and navigation packages on mine, and I occasionally use some of the bits. The most used is the remote locking as if I have something a colleague needs collecting I just leave it in my car and unlock it when they are next to it then lock it up.


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[Jimmcb]

So I have had a major fall out with the dealer local to me.

EVERYONE else with same issue and who visited their dealers have had this issue addressed as a known fault at manufacture in these cars from MY 2019. But not my local dealer on west side of Edinburgh. They won’t even bother to research the matter with MB UK or the dealers in the network or research when they’ve done these repairs previously FOC.

You couldn’t make it up!

I got the, “sorry you feel that way sir” and “you can take it up with MB yourself, but we won’t help you because we can’t speak to them!”

Shocking level of support for a known manufacturer fault. Calling MB is hopeless, they don’t answer the phone!

Grumpy Jim

[watchlovr]

angela.shepherd@daimler.com

[Jimmcb]

angela.shepherd@daimler.com

Thanks WL

Is she a good contact to write to??

Jim

[hogthrob]

Thanks WL

Is she a good contact to write to??

Jim

She's CEO of "MB Retail Group UK".

[watchlovr]

Thanks WL

Is she a good contact to write to??

Jim

Worth a try but I’d not hold my breath.

[Jimmcb]

Worth a try but I’d not hold my breath.

Thank you. She has my email!!!

Jim

[Boss13]

I have a new Evito van ,

It just won't work with a wired iphone , keeps bombing out every 5 minutes , finish up rather than the hassle of taking it into mercedes I bought a usb to wifi adaptor , now the iphone works fine over wifi to the in-car.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BWYLLT...roduct_details

I have the same issue. I was going to order carlinkit which looks the big brand. But based on your feedback, will give this a try. Will arrive tomorrow and look forward to testing it out! Thanks.

(I think the bombing out is probably a cable issue, I had this before and when buying a new cable it works again, frustrating! Wireless is easier in any case, saving the faff of plugging in each time you enter the car)