How to Upgrade Older Mercedes-Benz with Bluetooth Music

Mercedes Benz Sound System Upgrade

if you are looking to upgrade older Mercedes-Benz with Bluetooth, this article will save you tons of headaches, time, and money upgrade your older Mercedes-Benz with Bluetooth Music and add Talk-Handsfree to your original Mercedes Benz sound system.

Are you looking for an easier way to update and upgrade older Mercedes-Benz with Bluetooth audio streaming?

My name is Westley, aka the Gizmo Guy. I am a car audio enthusiast with over 30 years of experience in installing, repairing, and messing with thousands of car stereos. I specialize in upgrade Older Mercedes-Benz with the latest Mercedes Benz Bluetooth technology to enable audio streaming in older Mercedes models that lack built-in Bluetooth or Auxiliary input.

One of the latest innovations for older Mercedes-Benz models is the Gizmo Guy Gadget Bluetooth Adapter designed for the MMI port, allowing you to stream music wirelessly through your car’s sound system. This simple, affordable device is easy to install: just plug it into the MMI port, pair it with your phone via Bluetooth, and select the auxiliary option in the car’s audio menu. The result? High-quality sound without the hassle of static or complex setups.

Before we dive into the evolution of Mercedes-Benz infotainment and navigational head units, let’s explore why this Mercedes Bluetooth adapter could be the perfect upgrade Older Merceds-Benz.

First, let me give you background and the evolution of the Mercedes Benz infotainment and navigational head-units. 

Understand the Mercedes COMAND Bluetooth

Mercedes-Benz MOST and COMAND audio systems have been implemented across different years and models in (1998 – 2010) Mercedes-Benz vehicles:

Key Implementation Milestones:

• 1998: COMAND system introduced in the W220 S-Class.
• 2002: MOST network first implemented in the W221 Bluetooth Audio Adapter.
• 2004-2014: Significant upgrades to COMAND across various models, integrating more features and better user interfaces.

The Mercedes Benz Bluetooth Audio streaming laid the groundwork for the sophisticated infotainment and audio experiences found in modern Mercedes-Benz vehicles, evolving to meet the demands of both technology and consumer expectations.

Mercedes Benz Bluetooth Audio streaming: D2B COMAND from Copper to Optical

The D2B system is a type of wiring system that was used in some Mercedes-Benz cars in the late 1990s. It was designed to allow different parts of the car’s electronics, like the audio system and navigation system, to communicate with each other faster and more reliably.

One of the advantages of the D2B system is that it can transmit data quickly, which means that the car’s electronics can respond faster and work better overall. The system also uses special cables that are better at transmitting data over longer distances and are less likely to be affected by other electronics in the car.

1. MOST (Media Oriented Systems Transport):

• Introduction: The MOST network was first introduced by Mercedes-Benz in 2002, starting with the W211 E-Class and later expanding to other models.
• Models: MOST has been used in a variety of Mercedes-Benz models including the E-Class (W211), S-Class (W221), C-Class (W204), and others. It has been the backbone of multimedia communication in these vehicles, enabling features like high-quality audio streaming and video playback.
• Years: MOST technology has been implemented in Mercedes-Benz vehicles from 2002 onwards, continuing in many models through the mid-2010s, with newer vehicles gradually transitioning to Ethernet-based systems.

2. COMAND (Cockpit Management and Data System):

• Introduction: COMAND was first introduced in 1998 with the S-Class (W220), and it has evolved through multiple iterations over the years.
• Models: The Mercedes Benz COMAND system upgrade has been featured in various Mercedes-Benz models, including the S-Class (W220, W221, W222), E-Class (W211, W212), C-Class (W203, W204, W205), and more.
• Years: COMAND has been a staple in Mercedes-Benz vehicles since 1998, with each new version bringing updated features, better interfaces, and improved connectivity. The most significant upgrades appeared in the 2004-2014 models, with the introduction of more advanced navigation, voice control, and smartphone integration.

Introduction of COMAND 2.5 

The COMAND 2.5 system is an infotainment system that was introduced by Mercedes-Benz in the early 2000s. It was an updated version of the previous D2B COMAND system that included a larger display screen, which made it easier to read and navigate through menus with more detailed maps and better real-time traffic information. 

The COMAND 2.5 may seem to refer to an updated version, however, it is misleading since the 2.5 is really referring to the size which is a 2 and a half DIN, which means the housing is one-half size more than your standard Double DIN for car stereo. The COMAND 2.5 system had a cassette drive, a built-in CD drive for the Navigation map disc, an FM/AM Tuner, and a 4-channel amplifier all made into one COMAND center.

COMAND 2.5 uses a D2B optical bus for connection to the external CD changer, the telephone system, the optional Bose surround sound system and the optional voice control system. The COMAND 2.5 unit was made by Bosch.

This means that your standard car stereo will not fit and it will require a special kit if you wish to replace the unit. Which I really do not recommend since it will totally ruin the aesthetic of the beautiful interior design of the Mercedes Benz.

One of the main features of the COMAND 2.5 system was its improved navigation system, The system also included a larger display screen, which made it easier to read and navigate through menus.

The COMAND 2.5 system was implemented in various Mercedes-Benz models between 2002 and 2004, including the 

• W220 S-Class, 
• W215 CL-Class, 
• R230 SL-Class, 
• W203 C-Class, 
• W209 CLK-Class. 
• W163 and W164 of the M-Class,
• Mercedes W212 Bluetooth audio

The 2nd Generation Mercedes COMAND 2.0

COMAND 2.0 is the same technology as COMAND 2.5 except that everything is in one double-din height device, the cassette drive was removed (and an AUX input added) and the navigation drive could also be used for an audio CD. The units use DX-type mapping CDs. The COMAND 2.0 unit was made by Bosch.

The COMAND 2.0 MOPF (Model Year Optic Package Facelift) system 

The COMAND 2.0 MOPF (Model Year Optic Package Facelift) system was introduced by Mercedes-Benz in the early 2000s as an updated version of the original COMAND system. It included a range of new features and improvements, including a larger display screen, an improved navigation system with real-time traffic information, and integration with an audio system and climate control. 

The COMAND 2.0 MOPF system was implemented in various Mercedes-Benz models between 2000 and 2002, including the 

It was also used in some models of the C-Class and CL-Class during this time period.

Introduction of MOST and COMAND-APS NTG1

Around 2002 Mercedes introduced the MOST (Media Oriented Systems Transport) to replace the D2B optical ring network. The MOST systems consisted of 3 separate devices: the COMAND head unit, the Audio controller, and the navigation.

It used a DVD-based navigation instead of the CD-based COMAND 2. It also plays MP3 CDs/DVDs.

• Mercedes W211 E-Class 2002-2009
• Mercedes W220 S-Class 2004-2005
• Mercedes W215 CL-Class 2004
• Mercedes C219 CLS-Class 2004-2008
• Mercedes R230 SL-Class 2005
• Mercedes R171 SLK-Class 2004-2008

Introduction of COMAND APS NTG 2:

From 2004 to 2005 Mercedes Benz introduced the COMAND APS NTG 2. It comes with the same features with a rear-view camera, TV tuner, GPS antenna, and iPod support.

• Mercedes W203 C-Class 2004-2007
• Mercedes C209 CLK-Class 2004-2009
• Mercedes Mercedes Vito/ Viano 2005-2010
• Mercedes A-Class 2004-2008
• Mercedes B-Class 2005-2008
• Mercedes W164 ML-Class 2005-2008
• Mercedes X164 GL-Class 2006-2008
• Mercedes Sprinter 2006-2009
• Mercedes W 251 R-Class 2006-2008

Introduction of COMAND APS NTG 3

Mercedes introduced the high-end COMAND APS NTG 3 after the affordable NTG 2. It was offered as a standard feature for their flagship S and CL-class cars. The NTG 3 came with many new features, including an internal hard disk for map data storage, DAB radio support on the MOST bus, and a larger 8″ TFT display with a rotary controller and quick access buttons. Standard features included an in-dash DVD/CD changer and a flash reader, while options for a digital TV tuner, HK surround sound system, and a 600W DSP amplifier were available. The NTG 3 also allowed controls for the HVAC system, seat controls, rear sun shade, vehicle locking, immobilizer, alarm, and interior/exterior lighting. It was supported on Mercedes W221 S-Class (2006-2009) and W216 CL-Class (2006-2009) models.

The COMAND APS NTG 3

The COMAND APS NTG 3 system in Mercedes vehicles was replaced by the upgraded NTG 3.5 in 2009 for the W221 facelift and in 2010 for the W216. The NTG 3.5 offered several new features, including built-in Bluetooth phone, split-view functionality, and support for a 7-digit post-code system.

The COMAND APS NTG 4 

The COMAND APS NTG 4 was a more affordable version of the NTG 3 technology for lower-end Mercedes models. It had a smaller 5″ screen with a resolution of 480×240 and only supported 5-digit postcodes instead of 7 like in NTG 3.5. However, it was the first COMAND system to have the Mercedes Media Interface, which allowed for iPod, USB, and 3.5mm aux input. It also had a hard-disk-based navigation, a built-in Bluetooth phone, and retained the centre-mounted rotary controller. The first version was offered in the 2007 W204 C class, with other models like the SLS and E class featuring a 6″ screen that was fixed, while the W204’s screen was electronically folded up and down.

Supported Models:

• Mercedes W204 C-Class 2007-2011
• Mercedes W212 E-Class 2009–2012
• Mercedes C207 E-Class 2009-2012
• Mercedes W218 CLS-Class 2011-2018
• Mercedes C197 SLS AMG 2010-2014
• comand aps ntg 2.5 bluetooth audio streaming

Gizmo Guy Gadget Bluetooth Adapter is designed to provide you with a seamless Bluetooth experience for your older Mercedes. With its plug-and-play installation, you can connect your Apple or Android smartphones to your Mercedes Benz original audio system and start streaming your music, and podcasts, or making calls without any hassle.

If you want to enjoy hands-free calls, music streaming, and GPS navigation in your older  Mercedes, then the Gizmo Guy Gadget Bluetooth adapter is the perfect solution for you. Gizmo Guy Gadget Bluetooth Adapter is compatible with all classic Mercedes models equipped with D2B, MOST, or COMAND. Best of all, the installation process is easy and straightforward.