2005 Mercedes Benz C240 Car Audio Install!!!
#1
2005 Mercedes Benz C240 Car Audio Install!!!
Hey guys I was wondering if you could help me with a few questions I have about an install of a indash tv for the 2005 C-class. I am a manager of a car audio place called Audio Jam in Delware. We have in our shop this week and next a brand new 2005 C-calss. This baby is getting loaded with everytyhing.
There is one problem with that though. This beautiful machine seems to be built with the capacity to not have aftermarket radios. Unline the thousands of Benz's that we have worked on in the past, there is nothing available for aftermarket radio or indash tv in our case.
I dont own a Benz but I was posting on here for help because It seems like you guys are the place to ask these questions since you seem to really car about your cars. This Benz that we have in our install shop has only 140 miles on it!!
This customer brought it to us as his first stop because he wanted to get the best car audio install he possibly could get. Please help me by posting pics of any custom installs that you can possibly find. I have spent hours upon hours researching on the web and this website is my last resort!!
I will post pictures when I am all done. Please repsond asap. We have to October 15th, which is next friday, thats when I told the customer that his car would be finished!! Thanks for reading and please help. I want this customer to leave as happy from our store as the other Mercede's customer have left in the past. I want to be the first store to ICE a brand new Benz!!
Heres the list of goodies the customer is getting. Well over $10k !
Eclipse indash cd/dvd/navagation/am/fm player
Two Alpine 5.8 inch Headrest screens
One JL Audio 12 inch subwoofer
Front and Rear XR 6.5 inch speakers from JL Audio
JL Audio 5 channel amp
Clifford/Viper two-way paging alarm w/ gps tracking system
....and too much more to add.....
There is one problem with that though. This beautiful machine seems to be built with the capacity to not have aftermarket radios. Unline the thousands of Benz's that we have worked on in the past, there is nothing available for aftermarket radio or indash tv in our case.
I dont own a Benz but I was posting on here for help because It seems like you guys are the place to ask these questions since you seem to really car about your cars. This Benz that we have in our install shop has only 140 miles on it!!
This customer brought it to us as his first stop because he wanted to get the best car audio install he possibly could get. Please help me by posting pics of any custom installs that you can possibly find. I have spent hours upon hours researching on the web and this website is my last resort!!
I will post pictures when I am all done. Please repsond asap. We have to October 15th, which is next friday, thats when I told the customer that his car would be finished!! Thanks for reading and please help. I want this customer to leave as happy from our store as the other Mercede's customer have left in the past. I want to be the first store to ICE a brand new Benz!!
Heres the list of goodies the customer is getting. Well over $10k !
Eclipse indash cd/dvd/navagation/am/fm player
Two Alpine 5.8 inch Headrest screens
One JL Audio 12 inch subwoofer
Front and Rear XR 6.5 inch speakers from JL Audio
JL Audio 5 channel amp
Clifford/Viper two-way paging alarm w/ gps tracking system
....and too much more to add.....
![Smilie](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
Last edited by Audio Jam; 10-08-2004 at 12:09 AM.
#2
It's possible to do, just keep in mind it's an entirely fiber-optic system. AKA - you have to replace/bypass everything (which it looks like you're doing anyhow given the components you listed). I believe Metra still has a dash kit for the '01+ C-Class, if memory is correct the part number is 99-8711. Beyond that, there is no wiring harness (since it's all fiber optics). You're going to have to run all new wire. It's definitely going to be a hell of a project but if done right by a competent installer, it should come out good. Since I've never actually done a full system on one of these myself, I really don't have any specific tips in terms of how to pull it off.
I assume they own the car and they're not leasing it (because MB would be pissed if a lease came back with the headrests cut up). The company I do business with for headrest TVs, Epik, doesn't make them for Mercedes because they're "not a family car". But on top of that the headrest is motorized like the rest of the seat which makes it more complex to work with.
Let us know how it turns out. Just make sure you really trust the techs you put on this car, and make sure they're not rushed, otherwise you might run into some ugly damage claims.
I assume they own the car and they're not leasing it (because MB would be pissed if a lease came back with the headrests cut up). The company I do business with for headrest TVs, Epik, doesn't make them for Mercedes because they're "not a family car". But on top of that the headrest is motorized like the rest of the seat which makes it more complex to work with.
Let us know how it turns out. Just make sure you really trust the techs you put on this car, and make sure they're not rushed, otherwise you might run into some ugly damage claims.
![Smilie](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
#3
Member
Originally Posted by orcberg
It's possible to do, just keep in mind it's an entirely fiber-optic system. AKA - you have to replace/bypass everything (which it looks like you're doing anyhow given the components you listed). I believe Metra still has a dash kit for the '01+ C-Class, if memory is correct the part number is 99-8711. Beyond that, there is no wiring harness (since it's all fiber optics). You're going to have to run all new wire. It's definitely going to be a hell of a project but if done right by a competent installer, it should come out good. Since I've never actually done a full system on one of these myself, I really don't have any specific tips in terms of how to pull it off.
#4
Well like I said, I've never worked on one myself, but from what I understand from other installers who have, it's just fiber optic stuff behind the deck (with the exception of your power wires). Analog speaker lines come from the rear. I could be wrong but that's the way the system was explained to me. It might still use the VW harness but I'd be kind of surprised. Ah well, just added my input to the best of my knowledge
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#5
Originally Posted by orcberg
It's possible to do, just keep in mind it's an entirely fiber-optic system. AKA - you have to replace/bypass everything (which it looks like you're doing anyhow given the components you listed). I believe Metra still has a dash kit for the '01+ C-Class, if memory is correct the part number is 99-8711. Beyond that, there is no wiring harness (since it's all fiber optics). You're going to have to run all new wire. It's definitely going to be a hell of a project but if done right by a competent installer, it should come out good. Since I've never actually done a full system on one of these myself, I really don't have any specific tips in terms of how to pull it off.
I assume they own the car and they're not leasing it (because MB would be pissed if a lease came back with the headrests cut up). The company I do business with for headrest TVs, Epik, doesn't make them for Mercedes because they're "not a family car". But on top of that the headrest is motorized like the rest of the seat which makes it more complex to work with.
Let us know how it turns out. Just make sure you really trust the techs you put on this car, and make sure they're not rushed, otherwise you might run into some ugly damage claims.![Smilie](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
I assume they own the car and they're not leasing it (because MB would be pissed if a lease came back with the headrests cut up). The company I do business with for headrest TVs, Epik, doesn't make them for Mercedes because they're "not a family car". But on top of that the headrest is motorized like the rest of the seat which makes it more complex to work with.
Let us know how it turns out. Just make sure you really trust the techs you put on this car, and make sure they're not rushed, otherwise you might run into some ugly damage claims.
![Smilie](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
![Smilie](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
#6
Administrator
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Stupid question and no flame intended. Why did you even bid on the car knowing that you didn't know anything about it? One look at the HU would have told any installer worth their money that his kits wouldn't work. That or not knowing about speaker wiring, power wiring, etc. Next you're going to be asking for a wiring color code on this brand new MB. IMHO; if I where your customer I'd want to see your work on an actual car instead of an experiment that I would be charged full price for. Frankly it sounds more like you're the customer wanting this and are just verifying that your install shop didn't give you a line of bull. $0.02
#7
Originally Posted by Audio Jam
Yeah we took apart the dash today and got some good news for once....only the cd changer is fiber optic. So that saves us about 4 hours of re-wiring all the speakers in the car
We also tried the Metra kit but the 05 is totaly different. We have a few of em in stock and the Metre kit falls right in the dash hole thats how big the 05 dash is. The headrest are also manual ones, not motorize, but that is the lease of our concerns. The headrest screen are gonna be almost impossible...we may have to confer him to a headrest tech....everything else is on the go. We found out a way to do the dash. We are just gonne make a customer dash that matched the interior. I'll left you guys know how it turns out. Thanks for all the help!!
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#8
Originally Posted by amdeutsch
Stupid question and no flame intended. Why did you even bid on the car knowing that you didn't know anything about it? One look at the HU would have told any installer worth their money that his kits wouldn't work. That or not knowing about speaker wiring, power wiring, etc. Next you're going to be asking for a wiring color code on this brand new MB. IMHO; if I where your customer I'd want to see your work on an actual car instead of an experiment that I would be charged full price for. Frankly it sounds more like you're the customer wanting this and are just verifying that your install shop didn't give you a line of bull. $0.02
#9
And we bidded on the car becuase we are the ****! And no such thing as a stupid question. We do know everything about speakering wiring and everything else. I ONLY ASKED IF ANYONE HAD DONE CUSTOM WORK!!! YOU TOOK EVERYTHING ELSE OUT OF CONTEXT!! Dont even say anything until I post the pics. I got a question for you though....whats eating you?
Last edited by Audio Jam; 10-08-2004 at 10:48 PM.
#10
This is the type of custom work I am talking about. Here is my 2004 Civic Si. Its just a civic but its an example of what I mean.
There is another picture of my hatch with the custom system. We are going to do something like that in the next week with the Mercedes. As soon as I get pics of the benz I will post them!
![](http://www.we-todd-did-racing.com/wetoddimage.wtdr/wNTA5MTcxNnM0MTNkZmQzMXk1NDE%3D.jpg)
![](http://www.we-todd-did-racing.com/wetoddimage.wtdr/wNTA5MTUwNnM0MTNkZmQzMXk1NDE%3D.jpg)
There is another picture of my hatch with the custom system. We are going to do something like that in the next week with the Mercedes. As soon as I get pics of the benz I will post them!
#11
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2009 C300 SPORT 4MATIC
Audio Jam
Nice custom work. The bad news is that I don't believe we have seen pictures in this forum yet showing a 2005 C Class with aftermarket audio. (And I believe we probably won't see many given the layout and structure of the resigned 05 console).
You will find a few pics of mods on 2001-2004 cars, though, but I guess that does not do you much good.
Good luck.
You will find a few pics of mods on 2001-2004 cars, though, but I guess that does not do you much good.
Good luck.
#12
Originally Posted by jmartinacevedo
Nice custom work. The bad news is that I don't believe we have seen pictures in this forum yet showing a 2005 C Class with aftermarket audio. (And I believe we probably won't see many given the layout and structure of the resigned 05 console).
You will find a few pics of mods on 2001-2004 cars, though, but I guess that does not do you much good.
Good luck.
You will find a few pics of mods on 2001-2004 cars, though, but I guess that does not do you much good.
Good luck.
#13
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2009 BMW 750i, 2008 Toyota Prius
Originally Posted by Audio Jam
Unline the thousands of Benz's that we have worked on in the past, there is nothing available for aftermarket radio or indash tv in our case.
#15
Originally Posted by freakinfreak
You've worked on THOUSANDS of Mercedes in the past? Somehow I find that hard to believe.
#17
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Debadged 6-Speed '05 C320 Sports Coupe
It would be very useful if you could post information that would show the steps to open the dash around the head unit, switches and A/C, on the '05.
Thanks.
Thanks.
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Whichever one is available (1 of 5)
The purpose of these forums is for the exchange and sharing of information, not for insults such as "Don't you know this, already?". I may know a lot about computers, I still learn new things everyday. I search these forums to gain new knowledge. Anything I have experienced, I will be glad to share with my fellow members. I guarantee you that there is NO one person who knows everything in this forum, except GOD. We are here to share and to learn. Life is forever a learning experience. Technology is very dynamic, so we learn new things everyday. Be thankful that you have learned new things in these forums, and also be proud that you can teach us new things.
#19
Originally Posted by paulhu
The purpose of these forums is for the exchange and sharing of information, not for insults such as "Don't you know this, already?". I may know a lot about computers, I still learn new things everyday. I search these forums to gain new knowledge. Anything I have experienced, I will be glad to share with my fellow members. I guarantee you that there is NO one person who knows everything in this forum, except GOD. We are here to share and to learn. Life is forever a learning experience. Technology is very dynamic, so we learn new things everyday. Be thankful that you have learned new things in these forums, and also be proud that you can teach us new things.
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#20
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Debadged 6-Speed '05 C320 Sports Coupe
Originally Posted by Audio Jam
The dash can be taken apart with any type of tool that is flat. You have to take out the vents on the dash above the radio before you can get to the radio itself.
#22
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2009 C300 SPORT 4MATIC
Audio Jam
Please ignore the obnoxious posts. As I said before, your other custom work looks impeccable. Definitely post pics of your final product as I will shed a great deal of light on the issue of disassembling the 2005 c class console.
Take care.
Martin-
Take care.
Martin-
#23
Originally Posted by wingless
This post shows the dash on my '05. is the correct process to remove the curved vents, above the switches?
#24
Originally Posted by jmartinacevedo
Please ignore the obnoxious posts. As I said before, your other custom work looks impeccable. Definitely post pics of your final product as I will shed a great deal of light on the issue of disassembling the 2005 c class console.
Take care.
Martin-
Take care.
Martin-