AFTER MARKET Double Din

[anhie69]

i was wondering if i change my stock radio to a aftermarket double din, would the steeringwheel controls still work? and will it still display track info on the dash like the stock one. and also if the 6 disc changer will still function right? thanks i have a 03 E320 btw

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[JeffyPooh]

In short, no.

[anhie69]

Originally Posted by JeffyPooh

In short, no.

thanks now i know

[sub786]

But replace it ,it worth it. I did mine and rewired door speakers ( DIY). Alpine double din W900 bt is cool.

http://www.alpine-usa.com/product/view/ina-w900bt

[moosejaw]

The pioneer systems work
They have a module to interface with steering wheel controls

[anhie69]

thanks i was thinking about it but does it still work with the built in 6 disc changer?

[isstay]

Alpine works to but need adapter (read the end of overview page) and you will not miss your CD-changer because even single DVD will hold more songs than 6 CD’s.

[RussellL]

Originally Posted by JeffyPooh

In short, no.

Are you sure? Not even this? http://www.cars-electronics.com/doub...rol_p1329.html

You Tube

You Tube

[Bluebird1]

That looks too good to be true. Anybody done this mod? How's the sound?

[6spdcoupe]

Yes, just about any aftermarket HU can work with the Steering controls. Changer and cluster display, not so much.

[sub786]

This looks like for Europe only. GPS will not work in USA. Alpine is the best. It cost is more than 1000 dollars but its worth it. It also phone directory of all the location . Upgrade of GPS is easy. It has rare camera. ipod, rare TV monitor connector. Here is link

You Tube

You Tube

[6spdcoupe]

Originally Posted by sub786

This looks like for Europe only. GPS will not work in USA. Alpine is the best. It cost is more than 1000 dollars but its worth it. It also phone directory of all the location . Upgrade of GPS is easy. It has rare camera. ipod, rare TV monitor connector.

Alpine is 'best' how ? This is a purely subjective statement that you may want to state when saying it. There is also absolutely nothing 'rare' about any of their devices or I/O.

[sub786]

As I mentioned the MB link is European , may be for Europe but not in USA. We have different GPS system. For more features visit this link and compare it. Also I saw the video clip of the MB , the software loads slow especially GPS, the chip is not fast.
Also you don't need wires to play your videos. Alpine has Bigger screen 7" . It is very useful when using GPS and DVDs. It is expensive for reason 1100+ vs 600

http://alpine-usa.com/product/view/ina-w910

Read under "About Us" tab it says "Cars-electronics.com is a Factory-Direct e-Commerce platform owned by KEMDDO Co., Ltd and based in Shenzhen, China". I have experience in buying close to this product it has same software and came with 2g chip which holds GPS. I tried to use for USA and it never worked. They are sold with different names . Behind the scene same software only difference is face plate. I had a bad experience so I suggest make sure what you are getting. Any one from USA think many time do research and call the company and if some one give you guarantee that GPS will work in USA then buy it.
Some companies use Windows CE version and customize it so that it looks like MB logo when it loads. The window CE takes long time to load from off. Test yourself then you will see there are many companies on ebay who sell cheap stuff . You get what you pay.
Hope this helps

[6spdcoupe]

Originally Posted by sub786

As I mentioned the MB link is European , may be for Europe but not in USA. We have different GPS system. For more features visit this link and compare it. Also I saw the video clip of the MB , the software loads slow especially GPS, the chip is not fast.
Also you don't need wires to play your videos. Alpine has Bigger screen 7" . It is very useful when using GPS and DVDs. It is expensive for reason 1100+ vs 600

http://alpine-usa.com/product/view/ina-w910

Read under "About Us" tab it says "Cars-electronics.com is a Factory-Direct e-Commerce platform owned by KEMDDO Co., Ltd and based in Shenzhen, China". I have experience in buying close to this product it has same software and came with 2g chip which holds GPS. I tried to use for USA and it never worked. They are sold with different names . Behind the scene same software only difference is face plate. I had a bad experience so I suggest make sure what you are getting. Any one from USA think many time do research and call the company and if some one give you guarantee that GPS will work in USA then buy it.
Some companies use Windows CE version and customize it so that it looks like MB logo when it loads. The window CE takes long time to load from off. Test yourself then you will see there are many companies on ebay who sell cheap stuff . You get what you pay.
Hope this helps

That doesn't back up your statement, at all, though. Perhaps Alpine is 'better' than the unit posted above, but it does not make it the 'best' with so many other offerings out there.

[sub786]

Presently I don't see any other with all those features. May be in next few months someone provides better features. But for sure not that Chinese product, they run on windows CE

[6spdcoupe]

Originally Posted by sub786

Presently I don't see any other with all those features. May be in next few months someone provides better features. But for sure not that Chinese product, they run on windows CE

You don't ??? Have you looked at all ? Kenwood, Sony, JVC, Clarion, Pioneer etc .. ALL the big names have all the same features. Some may have or not have one or two minor features that another doesn't, but what you mentioned above is not by any means new or unique and has been available for at least the better half of a decade.

[sub786]

Yes before buying I checked it. Go to store and check it yourself you will see the difference launching NAV. For the price it has all.
The important thing which makes a big difference is that you can play multiple programs without slowing the system. You can watch song ( video ) and can see a navigation ( small window). Again that chines stuff is like throwing money.

[michael kuzni]

Originally Posted by 6spdcoupe

That doesn't back up your statement, at all, though. Perhaps Alpine is 'better' than the unit posted above, but it does not make it the 'best' with so many other offerings out there.

would you care to share what other mainstream brand makes a better head unit or double din for that matter? i don't believe it is opinionated, Alpine really does make the highest quality best sounding double din on the market. compare specs with other brands. pioneer has the cool bells and whistles, Kenwood Excellons just look cool, and...what else? no other players really.

[AMGAffalterbach]

Originally Posted by RussellL

Are you sure? Not even this? http://www.cars-electronics.com/doub...rol_p1329.html http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siNpy2m7nrw

Other than touch functionality and some negligible features, WHY in all hell would you do this? The interface looks unfinished and utterly cheap and ruins the entire point and high quality interface of COMAND. I really don't feel as if COMAND is THAT inadequate as to necessitate some cheap after-market din

[6spdcoupe]

Originally Posted by michael kuzni

would you care to share what other mainstream brand makes a better head unit or double din for that matter? i don't believe it is opinionated, Alpine really does make the highest quality best sounding double din on the market. compare specs with other brands. pioneer has the cool bells and whistles, Kenwood Excellons just look cool, and...what else? no other players really.

Highest quality in what way ? They are using nothing 'special' or out of the ordinary than any other manufacturer. Especially in the past several years.

'Sounds better' ? THAT is not opinionated ? Purely subjective there my friend.

Kenwood Excelons 'look cool' but perform great. Oddly they have taken the cake the past few years stemming back to the 8120 for the best Premium double din nav in this country.

[tcsekhar]

Anyone tried to replace the factory Fiber Optic Interface Bose Amp with a different Copper Wire interface Bose Amp for a after market Head unit - without having to rewiring and replacing speakers?

[RussellL]

Originally Posted by AMGAffalterbach

Other than touch functionality and some negligible features, WHY in all hell would you do this? The interface looks unfinished and utterly cheap and ruins the entire point and high quality interface of COMAND. I really don't feel as if COMAND is THAT inadequate as to necessitate some cheap after-market din

The Command stereo is crap! No nav, sat, map or phone.
If I could find a headunit with nav and bluetooth that can be integrated into the existing system then I would buy it in a heartbeat.

[AMGAffalterbach]

Originally Posted by RussellL

The Command stereo is crap! No nav, sat, map or phone.
If I could find a headunit with nav and bluetooth that can be integrated into the existing system then I would buy it in a heartbeat.

Do you mean on the same screen? Because I don't find it that hard to use and all those features are well integrated switching between them and such. The only thing I find lacking is Bluetooth but I am not seeing the benefits of these aftermarket head units. COMAND works quite well for my use and I do use all of its features. Whatever suits you, I am not judging for I am sure you have your reasons, but genuinely interested into what is so bad about the stock system.