Bertaux,
Congratulation on your S500.
If you wish to remain with Sprint, the Argos may be your best solution despite its expense. The Mercedes V60 puck is not compatible with any Sprint firmware that I am aware of. Upgrade of your S500 to a V60 configuration would be about as expensive as the Argos option if you could locate parts through ebay, and much more expensive to have a dealer do it.
There is no Mercedes iPod kit that integrates with your car. Further, your car does not have an AUX input that would allow you to use a simple stereo plug. The only system I am aware of for good integration is the Dension Gateway 500; you need the D2B version. You're already familiar with it, apparently - but it would be a good idea to read in detail. The interface for the D2B version is limited (your COMAND does not display text, i.e., song titles - only track numbers). However, the sound quality is superb, and you do have steering wheel controls. Also, there is an option to allow using the iPod itself for all of its selections and sort options, and use the steering wheel controls for volume and changing tracks.
What firmware update do you want for COMAND? Flashing COMAND units can be dicey, and unless it is an update called for by a service bulletin (there has been at least one, because of audio dropouts not related to a call waiting signal from the phone) it is not recommended. The update is only available from Mercedes. There is no MB Sirius unit that integrates with the D2B COMAND. And, RDS is not available on any U.S.specification W220, much to my chagrin. it is available on European specification cars.
When you look at the Gateway 500, however, be sure you check out some of the additional equipment options just becoming available. Out of the box it has USB and RCA jacks; and new equipment (that I have not seen) provides intriguing options. Information is on the home page for the GW 50 and is also in the user manual, which you can download. One of the options includes bluetooth, but I don't know enough about it yet.
Congratulation on your S500.
If you wish to remain with Sprint, the Argos may be your best solution despite its expense. The Mercedes V60 puck is not compatible with any Sprint firmware that I am aware of. Upgrade of your S500 to a V60 configuration would be about as expensive as the Argos option if you could locate parts through ebay, and much more expensive to have a dealer do it.
There is no Mercedes iPod kit that integrates with your car. Further, your car does not have an AUX input that would allow you to use a simple stereo plug. The only system I am aware of for good integration is the Dension Gateway 500; you need the D2B version. You're already familiar with it, apparently - but it would be a good idea to read in detail. The interface for the D2B version is limited (your COMAND does not display text, i.e., song titles - only track numbers). However, the sound quality is superb, and you do have steering wheel controls. Also, there is an option to allow using the iPod itself for all of its selections and sort options, and use the steering wheel controls for volume and changing tracks.
What firmware update do you want for COMAND? Flashing COMAND units can be dicey, and unless it is an update called for by a service bulletin (there has been at least one, because of audio dropouts not related to a call waiting signal from the phone) it is not recommended. The update is only available from Mercedes. There is no MB Sirius unit that integrates with the D2B COMAND. And, RDS is not available on any U.S.specification W220, much to my chagrin. it is available on European specification cars.
When you look at the Gateway 500, however, be sure you check out some of the additional equipment options just becoming available. Out of the box it has USB and RCA jacks; and new equipment (that I have not seen) provides intriguing options. Information is on the home page for the GW 50 and is also in the user manual, which you can download. One of the options includes bluetooth, but I don't know enough about it yet.
