RebelScum

Hey all. New to the forum here, so apologies if this has been asked already.

After being a BMW fan for MANY years, I just got a 2005 CLK320 (my first Merc!) and I'm officially a convert. LOVE this car. But I want to know what's the best stereo upgrade available?

I want to keep it OEM, or at least OEM look. I'm not interested in altering the L&F of the car if it's at all possible.

I need Bluetooth and iPhone integration. Don't really care about Nav; that's what iPhones are for, right?

I want to keep the dash display and wheel controls.

It's hard to find this info online strangely, so any advice you can offer is greatly appreciated.

Cheers!

Rudeney

If you want the keep the factory radio, mCar makes an add-on that will give you Bluetooth hands-free and streaming, as well is iPod connectivity (by emulating the CD changer). There's info about it on the forum.

If you intend to replace the head unit, about your only choice to match the factory L&F is Dynavin.

tw2

You might need to compromise a little on what you want. Unfortunately there are not a whole lot of options available. What country are you in? Different markets had different options and different solutions. Its easy to keep the steering wheel functions with any option but generally full functionality only comes with an aftermarket head unit. Hopefully 2005 was the facelift year as that will make it easier for you.

RebelScum

Thanks guys.

Dynavin is my go-to choice but they don't make a unit for the 2005+ CLK. It's frustrating.

They DO make a unit for the C-class, but I'm unsure if it will fit my car. Though the graphics show the HUD display of my car and not the C. Again, frustrating.

I'm in Canada, and yes 05 is the facelift year with the fibre-optic system and Harmon Kardon Logic7 sound.

RebelScum

There's also this company Seicane, but I've never heard of them and they seem sketchy as hell.

Anyone ever dealt with them before?

http://www.seicane.com/android-7-inc...-wifi-sia-9302

Rudeney

The only difference between the W203 and W209 radio is about a centimeter's worth of width (the W203 is wider). Search the form (and benzworld) - I believe there have been some members using the W203 Dynavin in the W209. I seem to recall one guy actually shaved down the sides of the unit to make it fit better.

mguerrero

welcome to the club! I also came from BMW although I was with MB first had a 2003 clk320 back in 2006 ... loved the E39's but needed something faster and people want way to much for the M cars ... so I bought my 2003 clk55 3 months ago and loving it - still love me some BMW's tho ... I wish the MB community had the equivalent of Bimmerfest!

jctevere

If you don't care for the NAV to be on your car's screen, in my older 2008 C-Class I used a Blackberry Bluetooth A2DP streaming connection. This connects to the AUX input and requires an external power source (I plugged it into the car power outlet that was in the glovebox next to my AUX input in my C-Class).

This allowed me to stream music wirelessly from my iPhone through my car when I connect to the AUX setting. It would also play nav instructions through the car's radio if I had it turned on (would even lower music).

It was pretty cool and seemingly integrated, it would power on by itself and my phone would connect automatically when my car started. I don't recall if calls came in over this setup as my C-Class had this feature and would take over.

The adapter was pretty expensive (~$70) on Amazon, but I think I found one on eBay for half that. You can get something other than the Blackberry one much cheaper, but I'm not sure of the quality of those. Sound quality on the blackberry unit was actually pretty good.

mpresive

I am newbie and am looking to upgrade to a pioneer in dash navigation HU in my 03 clk. My main concern is will i lose the use of the left side steering wheel controls ? Thanks

Rudeney

You can get aftermarket CAN bus adapters to interface the steering wheel controls to the Pioneer HU.

tw2

+1 Yep it is not difficult, I have done it on two cars both with Pioneer units (not that it matters the brand).

kennywong1234

Hi Rudeney can I have more detail of that CAN bus adapters? I'm having pioneer unit and will be great if I can connect it on my volume control

mpresive

Ok great thanks Rodney

Rudeney

There are several options, here's one I found with a quick Internet search:

http://pac-audio.com/default.aspx

kennywong1234

Thanks Rudeney!!

RebelScum

A pioneer (or any other after-market solution) doesn't work for me; I love the OEM look at I like to think my after-market stereo upgrade days are FAR behind me at this point.

Right now I'm considering a refurbished COMAND system; from what I understand they're plug & play, but I don't know if they have BT built in. If they do, that's a perfect solve for me, as my car came with the iPod kit already installed.

Will a refurb 09 COMAND solve my problem?

Thanks guys

tw2

I used the axxess aswc for the steering wheel controls. Easy to install and works with any brand head unit.

Rudeney

No COMAND unit for the W209 will have Bluetooth built-on.

RebelScum

Drats.

Well then I guess all I'm looking for is a reliable and invisible way to add BT functionality to my existing head unit.

The car came with a Parrot installed, and it's just terrible. I'd really like for the phone buttons on the stereo to work...any thoughts?

Thanks everyone

Nero Tenebre

Get the mCar audio device. It's exactly what you want because I was looking for the same thing. Check eBay as mcar sells there.

Rudeney

Yes, mCar is the way to go for BT and iPod while keeping the OEM sound system. It's not perfect, but for the price and easy install, it can't be beat.

clk350NZ

Just had one fitted with Nav for my 2006 CLK350 W209 - Let me know your thoughts!! So far pretty happy!!




After

Rudeney

Looks nice - what model is that?

clk350NZ

Not really branded but i think it is this one:

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Merce...757260857.html

Eojj

That looks really nice.. Will mcar be plug and play for my clk500 MY2004?