OnlyGerman

Hello my 2006 e350 has the manual ac control unit, I'm looking to replace it to the e500 4 zone(03-06)unit which is digitally controlled. Ive heard this is plug and play but am confused on which I would need since after 2007 the e350's were digital but still had the manual temperature control. I have looked but have not found a correct answer, and do not know what the downside of this will be ?!
Thanks

apl175

All W211 vehicles have fully automatic temperature control. Optional (or standard in some market configurations) 4 zone systems, called "THERMOTRONIC" and represented by option code 581 in all model years have both a digital temperature display and graphical fan speed indicator in a vacuum florescent display. An additional temperature control and temperature display is placed in the rear air outlet panel. Seven different versions of this control panel (and probably more software versions internally to each) exist.

Standard on most cars is a 2 zone fully automatic "THERMATIC" system. From USA MY03-06, this unit has a series of LEDs that indicate fan speed, and distribution and rotary controls for temperature selection. From USA MY07-09 the LED portion is replaced with a vacuum florescent display that graphically represents air distribution and fan speed.
Furthermore...from approximately USA MY07-09 all W211 vehicles with market variant USA no longer have a "REST" function, and instead have a MAX A/C.

Based on your description, it is not clear what system you have as you describe it as having a "manual ac control unit". If you are in the USA, and have an E350, it most likely has the two-zone THERMATIC system I have described above. As both systems are fully automatic (temperature, air distribution and fan speed) I am not sure what you are attempting to do.

konigstiger

https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...it-change.html

OnlyGerman

Thank you ,
I have the THERMATIC 2 zone system. I am wanting to get a control unit that has the LED display found in the 03-06 e500, according to the link, this may work without an issue.

Mackhack

I did swap it too. It's not quite that simple Kushp14. You can't control the right side flaps for defroster and center as well as rear because your car doesn't have the necessary actuator motors.

What it gives you is a nicer looking dashboard. Unfortunately not more. I don't wanna miss it at all and I don't care that I can't control them. The car looks so much better.

What you can do is, don't go with the E500/E55 Thermotronic control unit, but with the E350 one from facelift cars. They also have the LED matrix control unit, less buttons, looks almost the same but you can control defroster and center flaps just like you can do it now.

OnlyGerman

thank you,
Yes switching from 2007+ should retain all my functions with a lcd display. Does controlling the driver airflow on the left change the passenger at the same time since it is still a 2 zone ? I do not mind as long as I can keep the same functions when using the e500 unit. Also, can you still open and close the windows by pressing the recirculate button?
thanks again.

Mackhack

Yes you can close the windows by pressing the recirc button.

OnlyGerman

Was finally able to do this and can confirm it is plug and play... I swapped with a unit from a 2009 E350.

Stuttgarten

Hey Kushp14, do you mind listing the part number for older and newer units. I'd love to do mine.

Craftysince86

I have one for sale if you are interested. Just posted it a week or so ago

$100 +shipping

Mackhack

The swap is done in 10 minutes.

OnlyGerman

My replacement part number is :2118303290, and was from a 09 e350. I would recommend replacing with a unit from 07-09 E350 to retain all functions.

Mackhack

I would go even older like 2003/2004 if I would be you. The newer control units lost some features such as REST.

Stuttgarten

I noticed MY '07 & '08 have a different part number, compared to MY '09. Will that make a difference in functionality?

I found one from an E500 MY'05, which looks very nice, but maybe it won't work since mine is only dual zone.

Mackhack

I have a 4-Zone hint in my E320 with 2-Zone just bc it looks cooler with the display. It works like a charm. If you buy a later one you will lose the REST feature. That's why I said earlier buy a 2003-2004 unit to keep all the functionality. You won't gain anything except the cooler look with the 4-Zone unit. So don't expect to change a car into a space shuttle by changing the AC control unit.

Stuttgarten

Most older units are scuffed or they come from E500 (Quad zone). You really can't find a dual unit from an '03, '04, or '05 that's an LCD. It looks like all dual zone units are just like mine. Living in CA, you really don't need the REST function, I'd rather keep engine heat out of the car, unless I'm parked somewhere where outside temp is 28F and I'm sitting in car. Maybe that will never happen to me.

If I end up with an LCD quad unit, and I can get all my current functions to work, I'm fine with that. REST is no biggie and passenger side air flow, no biggie too.

Mackhack

I'm in CA too and I do like REST. If you had your AC running, you park the car, press REST and the car stays cooler for when you come back. I bought a total of 6 2004 units from used E55's and E500's which were flawless and put it in other peeps cars for them. So I really don't know why you would say one can't find good looking units anymore from these MY's. I wouldn't settle for less.

beejAMG

Ey Crafty, can you please send me the link of the item youre selling? like what Mackhack says, Id like to upgrade the look but retain all the function of the buttons if I could. cheers mate!

Stuttgarten

Sounds like you did work on a number of them, were any of the dual zones LCDs, and I'm referring to MY '03-'06. I know all MY '07-'09 were LCDs.

Mackhack

All cars were 2003-2006 cars with 2-Zone only (analog control unit). Everyone's AC worked as before and gained the coolness factor. 2007-2009 have an LCD with 2-Zone and the REST button was eliminated for cost savings.

All V8 E-Class (E500, E550, E55, E63,E65) come standard with 4-Zone and therefore with the LCD unit, all non-V8s come standard with 2-Zone AC but a 4-Zone control unit will work and support all given functions.

Stuttgarten

Thanks for clarifications

Craftysince86

i'll shoot you my number and give me a text and i'll send you pictures

i have a pre-facelift digital climate control

beejAMG

Im interested with this upgrade as well. this is what I currently have in my car...




and this is what Im looking at... (courtesy of Crafty)







a couple of things im worried about,
1. my stock unit has the temp gauge on the rotating dials (L/R) the new unit has the AIR DIRECTION. would this work?
2. would all the buttons from the new unit function as it is with my car?

thanks for any clarification gentlemen. much appreciated.

Craftysince86

when i purchased a 2 zone digital control everything worked was plug and play, vents all re-directed etc.

this is one of the threads i was trying to follow, where a few people say it's plug and play.

https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...it-change.html

i can't remember what the air re-direction question brought up but i remember them saying it does work as well.. i'll see if i can dig up the old thread

Mackhack

They will all work. You will up/down the temp with the blue/red buttons vs. your dial switch. Your unit was build in calendar week 29 of 2002. Looks flawless to me from here.

Since you won't upgrade a 2-Zone AC system with simy switching the control unit yiu need to use the driver side air vent direction dial for both sides. The passenger still won't be able to control his side (only possible in a true 4-Zone system). So don't be sad if your passenger tries to warm up her feet while you are blowing your warm are into your face. That of course is just a side note