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Kenwood DNX8120 in 2007 C230

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Old 10-01-2008, 09:54 PM
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2007 c230 sport
Kenwood DNX8120 in 2007 C230

Just had the Kenwood dnx8120 installed in my c230. I can say this is one of the best headunits i have come across. If you want satelite radio , navigation this is the headunit for you.
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Last edited by mr45revolver; 10-01-2008 at 10:28 PM.
Old 10-03-2008, 08:15 AM
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Looks good man. I'm eyeing the KNX5120 myself. Did you use the Scosche mz2347b for the Dash Kit? Also, did you DIY? Thanks.
Old 10-03-2008, 02:56 PM
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I installed the DNX 8120 in my 2000 E-320. As I am writing this, the car is in the stereo shop for the third time. There are many, many issues - lots of bugs. I can't get the unit to beep when I press a key on the screen (Yes, I tried to set it up in the set up screen), the map will not go to night colors automatically with the light switch (Installer says they all have that problem!). I won't go into all the other bugs, but there are many. Also the installer swears there is only one USB cable on the back of the box - there should be two. Also he has tried many hours to get the steering wheel controls to work with the 8120 with no luck. He is using the proper kits, but for some reason my particular car is not compatible. Today they are trying to find individual wires (working with the kit manufacturer) to splice. The kit manufacturer says my VIN number is an "oddball" number? They never had this problem before. I have had to micromanage all of this and kept pushing to get this done. They just want to give up all the time. What a pain!

I have the backup camera, HD Radio, iPod (plus video) integration, and disabled interlock that prevents video playback while driving.

BTW, I am selling my old Comand with a full set of DVDs for $500. Let me know if anyone is interested.





Old 10-03-2008, 04:18 PM
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Old 10-03-2008, 06:19 PM
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Success! I just got back from the installer, and he got the steering wheel controls hooked up to the DNX 8120. Now I can change the volume and select the next track from the stock wheel controls. He also got the USB cable hooked up into the Glove Box. I'm rock'n now! I put a 250 watt sub in the trunk, and also added a 300 watt stereo amp. I changed the speakers in the front doors and added a tweeter to the top of the door. I always loved the car, but hated the telematics. Now I have both...
Old 10-03-2008, 07:33 PM
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Very cool. Can you share what parts they used? I'm looking to do the same install myself and glad to hear/know that you had such great success. Cheers!
Old 10-03-2008, 08:42 PM
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Originally Posted by kegobass
Very cool. Can you share what parts they used? I'm looking to do the same install myself and glad to hear/know that you had such great success. Cheers!
Check out the parts here:

http://www.pac-audio.com/swixprogram...Vehicles&ID=46

These were for my E-Class. You can do a search for your specific car on their web site. I am so glad I finally got this to work. Good luck!

(Extra credit points if you can identify which band is playing in the picture on my first post!)

Last edited by hpilot; 10-03-2008 at 08:57 PM.
Old 10-03-2008, 09:36 PM
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Originally Posted by hpilot
Success! I just got back from the installer, and he got the steering wheel controls hooked up to the DNX 8120. Now I can change the volume and select the next track from the stock wheel controls. He also got the USB cable hooked up into the Glove Box. I'm rock'n now! I put a 250 watt sub in the trunk, and also added a 300 watt stereo amp. I changed the speakers in the front doors and added a tweeter to the top of the door. I always loved the car, but hated the telematics. Now I have both...
What steering wheel control adapter or devices did you use?
Old 10-03-2008, 10:06 PM
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Originally Posted by c32used
What steering wheel control adapter or devices did you use?
SWI-JACK and SWI-CAN2. Check out the link in my last post above.
Old 10-03-2008, 11:08 PM
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That's an easy one...Rush. Its Geddy Lee. looks to be from a recent tour as he has the laundry in the background as his bass cabs. I play bass and he's probably my biggest idol.

Thanks for the info on the steering wheel controls.
Old 10-03-2008, 11:13 PM
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Originally Posted by hpilot
SWI-JACK and SWI-CAN2. Check out the link in my last post above.
So swi-can2? Why not just the regular swi-can? Another member I know uses swi-can and the swi-jack...I use it also but been unlucky with them. I had the radio function on the C32 diagnostic screen turned off since I don't have the OEM nav/radio anymore and did this after the pac devices were originally installed and I had to remove the battery positive cable momentarily to remove ECU to sent to flash and it caused the pac devices to loose memory and once reprogrammed the memory would go after putting back the everything together. We decided to replace the jack but no go...do you think its cause I had the radio set to off on star diagnostic machine at mb dealer?
Old 10-04-2008, 06:21 AM
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I have the 2007 C280 which I believe is the same W203 as the C230 for the most part. When I use the Pac vehicle tool, I don't even see the steering wheel controls as an option. I then went to Crutchfield and they said for my Year/Make/Model, all I need is the SWI-JACK..nothing less. So it will be interesting to see if just having that works.
Old 10-04-2008, 08:17 AM
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Originally Posted by kegobass
That's an easy one...Rush. Its Geddy Lee. looks to be from a recent tour as he has the laundry in the background as his bass cabs. I play bass and he's probably my biggest idol.

Thanks for the info on the steering wheel controls.
You are right sir! That was R30 in Frankfort, Germany - an incredible DVD! What is it with the laundry? I agree with you - what an great bass player...
Old 10-04-2008, 08:23 AM
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Originally Posted by c32used
So swi-can2? Why not just the regular swi-can? Another member I know uses swi-can and the swi-jack...I use it also but been unlucky with them. I had the radio function on the C32 diagnostic screen turned off since I don't have the OEM nav/radio anymore and did this after the pac devices were originally installed and I had to remove the battery positive cable momentarily to remove ECU to sent to flash and it caused the pac devices to loose memory and once reprogrammed the memory would go after putting back the everything together. We decided to replace the jack but no go...do you think its cause I had the radio set to off on star diagnostic machine at mb dealer?
Well, I can't say. I have the W210, so that is why I need the swi-can2. It took my installers many hours to get it to work properly - well beyond my level of knowledge. One thing I can say is that the people at PAC were very helpful. You might want to give them a call...
Old 10-04-2008, 08:33 AM
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I did some more digging and found that Kenwood UK sells a "Stalk Controller Adapter" which I assume is the equivalent to the US Steering Wheel Controls.

You can check your car info against their list: http://www.kenwood-electronics.co.uk...rs/stalk_list/

From what I can tell, Kenwood doesn't sell them directly and finding a dealer who sells them is a bit of a chore. I found one on Ebay (Portugal) for about $158 US. Not sure if it's worth the cost since the PAC ones are half as much.
Old 10-04-2008, 08:51 AM
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Originally Posted by kegobass
I did some more digging and found that Kenwood UK sells a "Stalk Controller Adapter" which I assume is the equivalent to the US Steering Wheel Controls.

You can check your car info against their list: http://www.kenwood-electronics.co.uk...rs/stalk_list/

From what I can tell, Kenwood doesn't sell them directly and finding a dealer who sells them is a bit of a chore. I found one on Ebay (Portugal) for about $158 US. Not sure if it's worth the cost since the PAC ones are half as much.
Well at that cost get a car.pi for around $130 and people who have it have no issues whatsoever that I know of
Old 10-04-2008, 08:52 AM
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Originally Posted by hpilot
Well, I can't say. I have the W210, so that is why I need the swi-can2. It took my installers many hours to get it to work properly - well beyond my level of knowledge. One thing I can say is that the people at PAC were very helpful. You might want to give them a call...

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