Mercedes Benz iPhone cradle

Tony27nine · 07-17-2008, 05:12 AM

Anyone having problems with their 3G iPhone in their Mercedes? I have an 07 CLS with Command which, together with the iPod connector and Bluetooth cradle worked superbly. The new 3G phone doesn't charge via the iPod lead and won't load the phonebook properly via the Bluetooth module - basically it's useless in the car.
I was hopefull that the new iPhone cradle would make up for the 3G's deficiencies (but more than a little miffed at the possibility that I was going to be charged another £250 for the pleasure of sorting them out!!). I went to the dealer and had him prove to me that the cradle worked before I parted with the cash - it didn't. Although the phone integrates and charges, there was no access to music so, either he didn't know what he was doing or the claims of full function integration are untrue.
My tip for Mercedes drivers would be stick with the old 1st generation iPhone until they sort out the mess.
If anyone knows of any work arounds or adapters that I could use I'd be grateful.
In the meantime, shame on Apple for misselling the iPhone 3G as being all that the old one was and more when in fact for many it's much less.

pfg504 · 07-26-2008, 09:37 AM

Originally Posted by Tony27nine

Anyone having problems with their 3G iPhone in their Mercedes? I have an 07 CLS with Command which, together with the iPod connector and Bluetooth cradle worked superbly. The new 3G phone doesn't charge via the iPod lead and won't load the phonebook properly via the Bluetooth module - basically it's useless in the car.
I was hopefull that the new iPhone cradle would make up for the 3G's deficiencies (but more than a little miffed at the possibility that I was going to be charged another £250 for the pleasure of sorting them out!!). I went to the dealer and had him prove to me that the cradle worked before I parted with the cash - it didn't. Although the phone integrates and charges, there was no access to music so, either he didn't know what he was doing or the claims of full function integration are untrue.
My tip for Mercedes drivers would be stick with the old 1st generation iPhone until they sort out the mess.
If anyone knows of any work arounds or adapters that I could use I'd be grateful.
In the meantime, shame on Apple for misselling the iPhone 3G as being all that the old one was and more when in fact for many it's much less.

About 3 years Apple issue a statement to developers that the FIREWIRE iPod interface was being phased out and that vendors should be using the USB specifications. Mercedes ignored the directive and is still today installing a interface that uses part of the Firewire specification. The iPhone 3G does not support FIREWIRE and as a result, no charging.

The basic problem - Firewire recharge pins are 19/20 at +12VDC. USB is on pin 23 at +5 VDC.

Apparently Mercedes was taking the cheap route saving about $2.00 US and used the +12VDC Firewire pins for charging.

The reply for my local service in Wilsonville Oregon, that it is not a defect and that IF they get around to supporting it they'll let me know.

Typical Mercedes crap...

There is a new cradle the is already released in Europe: http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/06/...grates.iphone/

Tony27nine · 07-27-2008, 12:45 AM

I still believe the fault lies with Apple not Merc Benz. Just look at all the other accessory manufacturers that went down the Firewire route. I'm the proud owner or car chargers, iPod docking stations, speakers etc etc all of which worked well with my iPod or my 1st gen iPhone. Why change? It wouldn't be to make all it's loyal customers have to replace all their kit by any chance? The other thing is why would the old iPhone Bluetooth with the car yet the 3g won't. Basically the new iPhone is pants compared with the old one IMHO. Has anyone else noticed how much slower all the apps work than the old one particularly the contacts. I think this was launched in a mad dash to screw a much cash out of everyone as possible without enough thought and testing - sounds like Microsoft all over again.....

pfg504 · 07-27-2008, 02:47 PM

Originally Posted by Tony27nine

I still believe the fault lies with Apple not Merc Benz. Just look at all the other accessory manufacturers that went down the Firewire route. I'm the proud owner or car chargers, iPod docking stations, speakers etc etc all of which worked well with my iPod or my 1st gen iPhone. Why change? It wouldn't be to make all it's loyal customers have to replace all their kit by any chance? The other thing is why would the old iPhone Bluetooth with the car yet the 3g won't. Basically the new iPhone is pants compared with the old one IMHO. Has anyone else noticed how much slower all the apps work than the old one particularly the contacts. I think this was launched in a mad dash to screw a much cash out of everyone as possible without enough thought and testing - sounds like Microsoft all over again.....

So your position is that if I were to tell to keep your hand out of the fire and you put it in anyway, it's my fault. Interesting.

Apple owns the specification, it gave the manufacturers and developers notice 3 years in advance. It is solely the responsibility of the manufacturer to NOT PRODUCE A PRODUCT THAT DOES NOT FOLLOW THE SPECIFICATION.

Regarding the slowness, the integration of the Exchange/Outlook mobile support along with all of the other features is probably causing the launch of the applications to be slower. The original software was about 160 Mbyte in size, the latest was over 240Mbyte. A 50% increase in the amount of code in the base product. The price of more features/functions is usually a slower product.

When the 2.0 code was out in Beta, this type of issue was probably written off as a result of extra debugging code in the product. Now that it is GA, these issues a being addressed.

The developers are under non-disclosure with regard to what is being reported and the results of the report through their bug reporting channel.

Tony27nine · 07-27-2008, 04:55 PM

I think that we're at cross purposes. You speak as if the average consumer has any clue what Apple are telling other manufacturers. My field of expertise is finance and healthcare and frankly I don't care what version software, what processor or what language the thing runs just that it does what the vendor claims it does. Apple may have told other manufacturers not to "put their hands in the fire" but no-one told me they were changing the way iPhones were powered up - they were just happy to tell me that it was just like my old phone only better (see the UK ad campaign) which is actually untrue at worst and very misleading at best. It's just like the old phone but with some (quite significant) differences i.e. it won't charge in many accessories that you may have, it's slower in many applications and it may not connect via Bluetooth as the old one did . Would it have been impossible for them to have continued to support Firewire and USB? I'm afraid it's not my field of expertise so I can't answer that one.
PS I have no idea what you mean by GA...

Saverino · 07-27-2008, 05:35 PM

Do you have the bluetooth module that looks like this?

Thats what I use and my contacts sync and everything with both of my cars...
I'll show you.

Everything works. Contacts, Received, Dialed, etc...and it even works through the MFD.

Tony27nine · 07-28-2008, 02:16 AM

thanks for the reply. Actually I've got the other one which is par for the course. I'll stick it in the box with my Betamax video and HD DVD player!

hausenpepper · 09-08-2008, 09:49 PM

I just bought a CLS550 2009 and am having the same problem. My iPhone 3g works flawlessly, but will not charge. Needless to say a major pain. I will graciously pay for an adapter which moves those pins around or another cord so my iPhone gets power. Any takers?

harleygold · 09-08-2008, 11:14 PM

Gosh Tony, I wish I had your problem.

Tony27nine · 09-09-2008, 02:21 AM

point taken Harleygold! :-)
Hausenpepper - you can buy a basic charger that slots into the cigarette lighter. I still haven't resolved the problem with integrating the phone with the original MB Bluetooth however I'm awaiting delivery of a 3rd party module purchased from itjustworks.com so, fingers crossed I'll only have to put up with trailing wires when charging.