Hi guys,

I've been on this forum for a few years but have mostly just lurked and truly appreciate the knowledge and help you provide. Here is the situation I am seeking advice for;

Just purchased a 2002 CL55 with COMMAND system that has never had the factory phone installed (V60). I am trying to add Blue-tooth as well as an iPod interface to the car. I am really confused to be quite honest.

I understand that I can add the BT in one of 2 ways 1) install the MBZ parts for the V60 and add the BT puck 2) Argos solution which is relatively Plug and play from what I can read.

On the iPod side I think the solution is the one that disables the changer in the trunk (which is not really a big deal if I have an iPod) but only allows 6 play-lists. I'm told that both of the aftermarket solutions will be ~$1000 - 1200 installed.

Here's what I'm struggling with. I just 4 months ago installed a Kenwood 9140 into my 2000 CLK 430 (cab) which is now going on the market and I am likely no get no more for the car with the Kenwood than with the factory Command reinstalled. With this in mind I am thinking I'll just move it over to the CL55 and get Garmin Nav (touchscreen) which I can tell you is infinitely better than the factory system. This would also give me integrated BT (Parrot) as well as DVD capability and an easy addition of a BU camera.......the only thing stopping me from doing this is the fact that the Driver interface and the steering wheel controls do NOT work with the phone and are limited at best with the iPod.

So here is the advice I'm looking for: should I spend ~$1200 to add BT and iPod integration to the outdated and cumbersome factory Nav system with very good integration (except maybe the iPod) or spend around the same money to have the Kenwood moved to the CL55 and reinstall the factory system back into the CLK before I sell and live with limited integration......unless someone knows of a better interface than the PAC system to use the SW controls.

Thanks in advance for your advice.........BTW if you also know anyone you would refer me to in Orange County (LA) for install help and expertise that would be greatly appreciated.

Paul in OC

 

So I have decided to move the Kenwood 9140 to the CL before I sell the CLK. I have been looking for info on adding a Double Din radio in the place of the factory Command system in a 2002 W215 as the wood panel will need to be modified and then a filler or some other modification as the hole will be WAY larger than the new DD size.

I contacted the guys in Brooklyn that have a panel for the S class but it would appear that the CL panel is different and I'm not hopeful they will have a solution.

SkyLaw has been very helpful and I want to thank him for his assistance. Does anyone elso have experience here in addition to just cutting out the wood opening, centering the unit and adding a large plastic backplate to fill in the space.

Any experience here would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,
Paul

 

Have you contacted forum member Chris the Swede? I know that he is familiar with COMAND upgrades that include console modifications. He might have what you are looking for. Here is a link to his store: http://www.mbscashopen.se/en/index.php

 

Thanks for the lead. Chris does not have anything for the CL, so it looks like we'll be modifying the existing panel to do the install. I'd probably be less likely to do this if the car were newer but at this point I think the increased functionality of the new system will outweigh the modification.

Any experience anyone else has (good or bad) would be greatly appreciated.