DIY installation of AVIC & other aftermarket HU's for W203 (Warning! lots of images!)
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,152
Likes: 60
From: NJ, NYC
Something Slow
my install is completed thanks to C24Owner who did most of the work we bypass the bose system and it sounds great i add a Rockford 4 channel Amp to the Factory Door speakers.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: Denver, CO
2003 ML500
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes Teases Updated EQS With Steer-By-Wire and a Yoke
Verdad Gallardo
Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 226
Likes: 2
From: Toronto, Ontario
'15 C400, 03' C240, '79 240D
Sanf, have you tried updating the NAV software yet?
Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
From: So. California
Mercedes C230 SS Komp
Sanfs fantastic job!! Can you please give us a bit more details on the wiring ease of install. I'm also absolutely torn between a Command upgrade or an aftermarket unit. Since I'll do the install myself if its any thing like the AVIC Z1 install thread then I'm in for a nightmare!!
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 748
Likes: 2
From: Boston, MA
E53
Sanfs fantastic job!! Can you please give us a bit more details on the wiring ease of install. I'm also absolutely torn between a Command upgrade or an aftermarket unit. Since I'll do the install myself if its any thing like the AVIC Z1 install thread then I'm in for a nightmare!!
I got the Scosche VW03B harness for my 07 C230 nonbose system. The only thing that's different from the given diagram is the "red" 12v+ ign switch. You will need to get that off of your cig lighter. Personally, I would go with an aftermarket unit. You get a lot more out of it for less money.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,482
Likes: 4
From: Portugal
'13 E500 Coupe AMG// '17 E350d // '24 E53 AMG
Double DIN aftermarket HU???
Ok, Like some guys here, I'm sick of my comand, the navi is worthless, and phone system with BT sucks, so I'm looking on Double din radios with nav and BT to replace the comand system.
Wich unit do you guys recon?
Till now I have this ones:
Kenwood DNX 7200 (garmin navi and better looks)
Clarion MAX973HD (best one)
Pioneer avic D3 (don't like the looks)
Pioneer avic HD3BT (Z2 -favorite one)
Alpine IVA-W202R (don't like the looks and BT and navi is extra!)
I also realised that today almost every brand have the steering wheel interface controls, so that its not a problem (I don't know prices of this yet) but Alpine goes even furder having an display interface!!!
So, I want a large display + nav + BT + steering wheel controls, wich one will fit and work best guys???
I like the kenwood looks, but in terms of software pioneer is best?
By the way, with wich map companys each one works? (teleatlas or navteq or other)
Wich unit do you guys recon?
Till now I have this ones:
Kenwood DNX 7200 (garmin navi and better looks)
Clarion MAX973HD (best one)
Pioneer avic D3 (don't like the looks)
Pioneer avic HD3BT (Z2 -favorite one)
Alpine IVA-W202R (don't like the looks and BT and navi is extra!)
I also realised that today almost every brand have the steering wheel interface controls, so that its not a problem (I don't know prices of this yet) but Alpine goes even furder having an display interface!!!
Vehicle displays present the same upgrade problems as steering remote controls, and again, Alpine has interface
solutions. Most of the Alpine Head Units and Mobil Media Stations are compatible with the vehicle displays in the
dashboards of Citroen, Mercedes, Benz, Nissan, Opel, Peugeot, Renault, and other vehicles. Using the interface,
the vehicle display will show the radio station name and frequency, the CD track, iPod information, the volume level
and other information. This year, Alpine introduces a new protocol for the vehicle display output.
solutions. Most of the Alpine Head Units and Mobil Media Stations are compatible with the vehicle displays in the
dashboards of Citroen, Mercedes, Benz, Nissan, Opel, Peugeot, Renault, and other vehicles. Using the interface,
the vehicle display will show the radio station name and frequency, the CD track, iPod information, the volume level
and other information. This year, Alpine introduces a new protocol for the vehicle display output.
I like the kenwood looks, but in terms of software pioneer is best?
By the way, with wich map companys each one works? (teleatlas or navteq or other)
Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
From: So. California
Mercedes C230 SS Komp
Yes I would have to agree w/ ya Gaiex. If you do your homework, you can get any one of those units including, nav, satellite radio, Bluetooth, Ipod Integration, steering wheel integration (coming soon for 05 and up) for less then $1800 installed. I myself am leaning towards the Kenwood DNX 7100. I've had a chance to play w/ all the units, and the Alpine was my least fav. Why did you rate the Clarion the best?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,482
Likes: 4
From: Portugal
'13 E500 Coupe AMG// '17 E350d // '24 E53 AMG
Yes I would have to agree w/ ya Gaiex. If you do your homework, you can get any one of those units including, nav, satellite radio, Bluetooth, Ipod Integration, steering wheel integration (coming soon for 05 and up) for less then $1800 installed. I myself am leaning towards the Kenwood DNX 7100. I've had a chance to play w/ all the units, and the Alpine was my least fav. Why did you rate the Clarion the best?
http://www.clarion.com/gb/en/product...044080657.html
I was searching for pictures of installs and I can't find nothing on the clarion...
Last edited by gaiex; Dec 22, 2007 at 10:48 AM.
SPONSOR
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,459
Likes: 152
From: Houston/ Austin /Toronto / UAE / Minneapolis / Orlando /Cincinnati
Eurocharged Performance ML63 and TT lambo
I personally have the d3 and have had a z2. If i had it to do all over again, i would stay away from the pioneer as the navi is not that great. I had a factory acura navi in my tl and loved it (made by alpine)
As a former car audio installer, i would go with the clarion
As a former car audio installer, i would go with the clarion
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,482
Likes: 4
From: Portugal
'13 E500 Coupe AMG// '17 E350d // '24 E53 AMG
I personally have the d3 and have had a z2. If i had it to do all over again, i would stay away from the pioneer as the navi is not that great. I had a factory acura navi in my tl and loved it (made by alpine)
As a former car audio installer, i would go with the clarion
As a former car audio installer, i would go with the clarion
Another thing, Clarion price is between the "cheap" kenwood and the high price of the Z2!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,211
Likes: 2
From: Laguna Niguel, CA
Do these aftermarket GPS units have gyros and speed sensors like the factory unit that keeps it working even when you lose GPS signal? I find that Comand is much better than my aftermarket portable unit because of that and was curious of these higher end units are more factory like in that regard.
