How to Add Bluetooth to Old Mercedes Factory Radio ( No MBZ Cradle )

You need Bluetooth Music in your Classic Mercedes Benz.

Factory Limitation: Some of the 2000 – 2010 Mercedes Benz Factory head unit only supports Bluetooth for phone connections; streaming music is not possible directly from the factory setting. Here are your options on how to add Buetooth to old Mercedes factory radio.

Option One:

The “Mercedes Benz OEM Bluetooth Phone Cradle Adapter” is a genuine (OEM) Bluetooth adapter designed specifically for Mercedes Benz vehicles equipped with an integrated hands-free system. It is typically found in models from 2005 onwards.

Option Two :

Aftermarket Options: While there are aftermarket Apple CarPlay or Android Auto units available for streaming music, they tend to be expensive and require expert knowledge for installation. NOT RECOMMENDED!

How to play Bluetooth Music in Classic Mercedes without MBZ Cradle

DO NOT replace your Mercedes Benz Factory Radio just to get Bluetooth?

There’s a much cheaper and easier solution!

Westley aka Gizmo Guy introduces a cost-effective solution appropriately named Gizmo Guy Gadget Bluetooth Adapter. to add Bluetooth connectivity to your existing Mercedes head unit, it adds seamless audio streaming to your Mercedes Benz Factory Radio,saving you hundreds of dollars and preserving the original look and feel of your car. Most importantly, add Bluetooth to an old mercedes radio and you will get to keep your classic Mercedes Benz 100% stock for the best resale value of a classic vehicle.

Identify Your Mercedes Benz Model and Years

Identify your head unit: This method works for Mercedes models from 1997 to 2010 with MOST or COMAND fiber optic Check the video for specific head unit examples.

Here’s a breakdown of Mercedes-Benz MOST vs COMAND systems:

COMAND (Cockpit Management and Navigation Display):

Mercedes Benz COMAND – A management system allowed users to control their vehicle’s functionality from the center console. Using the D2B (Domestic Digital Bus) optical network, allowed controls for everything from vehicle navigation to radio.

• Function: COMAND is a multimedia infotainment system that integrates various car functions into a single unit, including navigation, audio controls, phone connectivity, and more. It utilizes the MOST network for data transfer in models equipped with it.
• Years and Models: COMAND was introduced in the late 1990s and became the dominant infotainment system for Mercedes-Benz in the late 2000s and early 2010s. It was found in a wide range of models, from the A-Class to the S-Class.

The Mercedes Benz MOST (Media Oriented Systems Transport):

The COMAND system was later upgraded to MOST bus giving it a new look and a new name. Now called the COMAND APS NTG, the new system became the standard in-car infotainment system in all Mercedes. And it remained so till 2018

• Function: MOST is not an infotainment system itself, but rather a high-speed fiber optic audio system used to connect various components in a Mercedes, including the head unit, navigation system, CD changer, and other entertainment devices.
• Years and Models: MOST was primarily used in Mercedes-Benz vehicles from the late 1990s to the mid-2000s, particularly in higher-end models like the S-Class, CL-Class, and E-Class.

Key Differences:

• Type: MOST is a data network, while COMAND is an infotainment system. MOST was gradually replaced by faster and more flexible solutions. Today, it’s no longer used in new Mercedes-Benz models.
• Function: MOST carries data for various components, while COMAND provides a user interface for controlling those components.
• Years: MOST was phased out earlier than COMAND. COMAND was also superseded by the MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) system in 2018. However, you can still find COMAND systems in pre-2018 Mercedes-Benz models.

The Mercedes COMAND head unit is an in-car infotainment and vehicle control system developed by Mercedes. Offered in every Mercedes since the 2000s, it serves as a hub for audio, communication, navigation and vehicle telematics.

How to Remove the Mercedes Benz Factory Radio Head Unit

1. Park Your Mercedes Benz and Shift it to neutral and turn off the ignition.
2. Remove the Mercedes dash components:
   • Cigarette lighter compartment
   • Ashtray compartment
   • Air control panel (2 T20 screws)
   • Control switchboard (carefully pry with a plastic tool)
3. Access the head unit: You’ll see four T20 screws – two on the bottom and two above. Remove them to slide out the head unit.
4. Disconnect the head unit: Unplug the main connector by pressing the release tab.
5. Locate the CD changer connector: It’s a white connector. Carefully remove it.
6. Connect the Bluetooth module: Plug the module’s connector into the slot where the CD changer connector was.
7. Power the module: Find a safe constant power source, like the cigarette lighter. to secure the connection properly
8. Reassemble everything: Put everything back in the reverse order you removed it.
9. Pair your phone: Turn on the Bluetooth module and pair your phone.
10. Switch to auxiliary mode and enjoy! Play music or make calls through your original Mercedes sound system.

Mercedes Benz with Gizmo Guy Gadget Benefits:

Gizmo Guy Gadget is significantly cheaper and easy to add on to any classic Mercedes Benz Factory Radio to preserve the classic originality and NOT lose access to the CD changer or other premium features.

Over the last 20 years Mercedes has launched 13 different iterations of the COMAND unit which makes it quite confusing. However, each COMAND unit has some specific functionality and slightly different looks (display, buttons, controller) giving it a unique identity.

Mercedes COMAND version – by year of production

First Gen COMAND system: First Gen COMAND systems were ones running on D2B optical networks. Mercedes launched three versions of First Gen COMAND that were installed in many Mercedes models till 2003.

Second Gen COMAND System: Second Gen COMAND system was one that replaced the D2B optical network with MOST bus. It was released in 2002 and is now called COMAND APS NTG.