cal_hotdog007

Hi, I have a 2005 SLK 350 that does not have the COMAND system. I asked a Mercedes dealer if they could install the the factory GPS on it but they said since the car doesn't have the COMAND system, it doesn't have the wiring necessary for installing the factory GPS. Is it true? If so, is it possible to install an after market in-dash GPS and MP3 player to it? And any suggestion on what model to get and where to do it? I live in the Silicon Valley. Thanks!

Geordie_UK

NOt sure of the Model, but Pioneer do something like you require, it also plays DVD like the COMAND. I think the main problem that exists with the SLK is that there is no one making a blanking plate that reduces the double DIN size fascia to that of a single DIN.
However, its possible that a good car audio shop could manufacture on that is suitable.
Personally, I'd just get an IPAQ and load TomTom GPS Navigation software on it, but then you still have the problem with MP3's. You might be lucky and have a player in the car that works with MP3 CD's, but I suspect that it was Jun or so onwards before the standard Audio accepted MP3 Discs
Hope that all makes sense !!

Freddyboi

You can get a stock navi from mercedes into the slk even if it was not wired for it. My uncles Slk supposedly was wired for Navi, or thats what we were told, but it wasnt and we didnt find till the navi unit came in. The guys at the mercedes dealer in Oakland said they cant do it, but the guys that i usually bring my car to at Claridges were able to do it. So, stock nav is possible, just a lot of $$ and time. Luckily, oakland mercedes paid for our navi so we got a aftermarket kenwood, with 6 disc, and dvd player. works fine and i would say better than the stock nav. touch screen, mp3, and all the gizmos, and touch screen which makes life a lot easier. Both stock nav and aftermaket ran around the same price. for the kenwoord, we have to change the speakers so it would run right. Both your looking around $4400. WE got it done in Oakland at a place called audio mobile. They had to custom mold a bezel to fit the screen.

cal_hotdog007

Thanks guys.

I just got a quote from Z Auto Sound on Stevens Creek in San Jose. $4000 installed including tax for the Kenwood DDX8017 (in-dash DVD/WMA/MP3 player) with navigation and iPod interface and custom mold bezel. I am getting it done tomorrow. I really regret not getting the original Navigation Package which would only cost $2800 + tax = ~ $3000. I really can't stand the basic CD/radio on my SLK.

Freddyboi

i think you would regret getting the stock system, even though its cheaper, for the extra 1 k you get a lot cooler functions. you can play dvds for one, and tilt for another and touch screen. just my .02

BostonSLK350

When you get the kenwood system in can you take some pictures and post? also i would asume the track etc interface with the steering controls are now useless?

wil_sutton

I worked in the car stereo business for a long time. Anyone trying to make the decision as to purchase factory or aftermarket should really look into finding a VERY GOOD car stereo shop in the area, check them out, and price them out.

Money can buy anything, but it is so invasive to try to do much of anything with the stock MB equipment that I just can't see letting even the best installers into the system.

The custom bezel will never look as good as factory. It's nearly impossible to reinstall the factory equipment after the fact. All the speakers and the wiring have to be replaced along with the dash equipment (thanks to fiber optic wiring). If there is a steering wheel control adaptor for the car, it won't work QUITE the same as it did before. Has anyone addressed the issue with the cluster clock having to be set from the radio (on the COMAND, anyway)?

In short, this is going to end up costing more than $4000. As a car stereo specialist in another life, this just smells like one of those jobs that's going to keep getting more and more expensive. Besides, it's just plain asking for trouble.

Get the stock radio. It sounds pretty decent for factory, everything will still work right (and it's MBs problem if it doesn't), and it's a hell of a lot cheaper.

Let us know how it goes if you decide to do this... I don't know about you guys, but this car is my baby, and no one does anything that isn't necessary with the electronics.

-1-

Wil, based on your experience, you're saying DON'T attempt an aftermarket radio/NAV install in the SLK350? What about installing the Sirius sat system in a pre-wired 2005? Are the factory kits available? Not talking about aftermarket sat radio kits.

RoadkingHI

Got to agree with keeping the stock one.
MB has made improvements over the years and with all the electronic concerns the stock one sounds good to me... but then I am using my "$1, two-ninety-five ears".
Personally I would rather spend the bucks for a home system.

slktyperice

It's actually not as hard as you think. If you go with a single DIN install, I guarantee it will look horrible. Here is a pic of an install. As you can see, the bezel does not match the dash. That will be the only hard part in the install is to match the dash.

I would personally start with a double DIN system like the Pioneer AVIC-D1 or the Eclipse AVN5495 which are around $1500-$2000. From there, you rip out anything and everything that has to do with the Audio20. You rip out the stock speakers. Make the custom bezel that fits the double DIN, then mount a 2 channel amp in the trunk to power the front 3-way components (4-ch if you want a sub in the back too). That's about $300-600 installed depending on how good an amp you get. Upgrade the front 3-way components to DynAudio System 360's. That's $1100 or so installed. The labor for the rest of the system should be no more than $400-500. You're looking at $4000 for a system that is significantly better functionally and definitely better sounding (with the Dyn's). You lose the steering wheel controls (I'm sure you can get some sort of adapter. For such an amazing system, just reach down and adjust the volume on the unit itself, don't be lazy. With the new HU, you can add Sirius/XM and iPod functionality quite easily. Plus the AVN5495 has a built in hard drive for MP3s so you might not even need the iPod.

I personally just upgraded my system. I retained my stock Audio20 headunit, and added an amp and sub. I also added an A/B switch between the Audio20 and the amp, so I could accomodate another input via a stereo plug. That way, I can accomodate an iPod, a PSP, or whatever else I want to feed directly into the amp. The downside is that for this AUX input that I control the volume of the system from the AUX device itself, but I can deal, since it sounds so much more powerful. The OEM speakers can take quite some power. So much, in fact, that I can't even turn them up to the point of clipping because it hurts from the loud volume. As an interim solution, you could forget the amp/sub/upgraded speakers and use the internal amp of the new HU to power the fronts. They will still sound more powerful and you're saving a load of money. But if you're willing to go so far as to rip out the entire stock system, go for the gold and do it right the first time.

hnicgm

Hi. I'm in a similar situation...MY06 SLK350 without COMMAND. But I see I can buy a COMMAND unit online.
Question is, is this doable? Easy, dealer-done install and fully functioning?
Would you trust Autobahn in Belmont CA (SF area) do this?