Mercedes-Benz E-Class W213 Android Head Unit Review

Upgrade Your Mercedes-Benz E-Class W213 Infotainment System

Many Mercedes-Benz E-Class W213 owners find the factory infotainment system's control scheme, particularly with aftermarket CarPlay or Android Auto dongles like the Carlinkit Pro 3, to be less than ideal. While these dongles bring smartphone functionality to your car's screen, operating them solely through the original rotary dial or controller can feel cumbersome and unintuitive. This is where an 'Air Touch' modification comes in, transforming your W213's display into a fully responsive touchscreen. This review explores the process, benefits, and considerations of this popular infotainment upgrade.

The Air Touch Modification: Enhancing Usability

The core issue for many W213 owners is the lack of direct touchscreen control when using devices like the Carlinkit Pro 3. While these modules are designed for seamless smartphone integration, the Mercedes-Benz interface often restricts interaction to physical controls. The Air Touch modification addresses this by installing a custom touch panel directly onto your existing infotainment screen. This isn't a full head unit replacement, but rather an enhancement that allows your factory screen to recognize touch inputs. This dramatically improves the user experience, making navigation, app selection, and media control as simple as using your smartphone.

Installation Process and Results

The Air Touch installation is a precise procedure requiring professional expertise. It involves carefully disassembling the original monitor to meticulously apply a custom-fit touch overlay. This overlay is designed to be durable and seamlessly integrated, ensuring it doesn't detract from the screen's clarity or aesthetics. Once installed, the system is tested to ensure full touch functionality with connected devices like the Carlinkit Pro 3. The before-and-after difference is significant: drivers can finally interact with their CarPlay or Android Auto interface directly via touch, eliminating the need to fumble with the rotary dial. This makes using navigation apps, music players, and other smartphone functions far more convenient and safer while driving.

Installation process:

1. Careful removal of the original W213 infotainment display.
2. Precise cleaning and preparation of the display surface.
3. Accurate application of the custom touch panel overlay.
4. Reassembly of the display unit and system testing.

The result is a vastly improved user experience, bringing modern touchscreen convenience to your E-Class. While the original context for this modification was in Korea, the technology and benefits are universal for W213 owners seeking a more intuitive infotainment system. The cost in Korea for this specific modification, as indicated by the source context, is generally under ₩50,000 (approximately under $40 USD), though this can vary based on the specific shop and parts used.