2004 C230 Sport Coupe - Aux in or other MP3 solution?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 453
Likes: 3
From: Bay Area, CA
'04 Mars Red C230K Sport Coupe (not Coup-EH)
2004 C230 Sport Coupe - Aux in or other MP3 solution?
I have a 2004 C230 Sport Coupe (the hatchback) with a CD changer installed. After experiencing less than stellar performance from FM transmitters, I wanted to try to plug in my MP3 player directly into the head unit. Unfortunately, the tape hides behind the main screen on this head unit, so tape converters are out of the question. I've been hearing about an aux input that is available. Is it available on this head unit and model?
Also, I've seen something where people have stopped their tape deck and soldered wires directly onto the outputs in the radio itself. I would do this, except it would undoubtably void my warranty. I'd like to try for a relatively non-invasive approach, if at all possible.
Thanks in advance.
Also, I've seen something where people have stopped their tape deck and soldered wires directly onto the outputs in the radio itself. I would do this, except it would undoubtably void my warranty. I'd like to try for a relatively non-invasive approach, if at all possible.
Thanks in advance.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 3,559
Likes: 4
From: Las Vegas, NV USA / London, UK
GL320CDI / C63 Edition 507 Coupe (EDP) / E63 S (on order) / G500 / Smart Brabus
Originally Posted by jedcred
I have a 2004 C230 Sport Coupe (the hatchback) with a CD changer installed. After experiencing less than stellar performance from FM transmitters, I wanted to try to plug in my MP3 player directly into the head unit. Unfortunately, the tape hides behind the main screen on this head unit, so tape converters are out of the question. I've been hearing about an aux input that is available. Is it available on this head unit and model?
Also, I've seen something where people have stopped their tape deck and soldered wires directly onto the outputs in the radio itself. I would do this, except it would undoubtably void my warranty. I'd like to try for a relatively non-invasive approach, if at all possible.
Thanks in advance.
Also, I've seen something where people have stopped their tape deck and soldered wires directly onto the outputs in the radio itself. I would do this, except it would undoubtably void my warranty. I'd like to try for a relatively non-invasive approach, if at all possible.
Thanks in advance.
1) Upgrade to COMAND. You get nav, you get other stuff, and you get aux input, hardwired, done the way it should be done.
2) Get a cassette tape adapter with a flat or thin cable. Sound quality is pretty good considering you're working with the stock radio anyhow.
3) Get a radio off eBay and hardwire inputs to the tape on that, then keep your original radio for warranty purposes. Or, modify your original radio, and if you ever have a warranty issue, THEN buy one off eBay.
#2 is probably cheapest and easiest, although the second part of #3 could be
cheap too.
-s-
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 453
Likes: 3
From: Bay Area, CA
'04 Mars Red C230K Sport Coupe (not Coup-EH)
I got slightly frustrated today driving around looking for a cassette adaptor that has a ribbon cable instead of a round cable, but to no avail. When I went home I just sliced away the outer cable cover to my existing cassette adaptor and was able to comfortably fit the cassette adaptor in the head unit. Basically, I trailed the wires off to the left side of the flip up display and closed it, and it fit with no resistance. Tape ejects easily too. It's not the prettiest mod, but it works and isn't invasive. As an alternate to the disable-the-tape mod, one may just put the tape adaptor in and trail the wire into the glove box for a better-looking mod.
However, I'd like, in the future, to get a COMMAND system with GPS and all that. Can anyone tell me which model COMMAND I'd need for this car (2004 C230 hatchback)? Also, for GPS, don't I need to install an antenna as well? Does anyone know if the existing in-glovebox CD changer works with the COMMAND? Also, I've been hearing that some COMMANDs have MP3 playback abilities. Which model is this?
Sorry for so many questions
, and thanks for the responses.
However, I'd like, in the future, to get a COMMAND system with GPS and all that. Can anyone tell me which model COMMAND I'd need for this car (2004 C230 hatchback)? Also, for GPS, don't I need to install an antenna as well? Does anyone know if the existing in-glovebox CD changer works with the COMMAND? Also, I've been hearing that some COMMANDs have MP3 playback abilities. Which model is this?
Sorry for so many questions
, and thanks for the responses.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 3,559
Likes: 4
From: Las Vegas, NV USA / London, UK
GL320CDI / C63 Edition 507 Coupe (EDP) / E63 S (on order) / G500 / Smart Brabus
Originally Posted by jedcred
I got slightly frustrated today driving around looking for a cassette adaptor that has a ribbon cable instead of a round cable, but to no avail. When I went home I just sliced away the outer cable cover to my existing cassette adaptor and was able to comfortably fit the cassette adaptor in the head unit. Basically, I trailed the wires off to the left side of the flip up display and closed it, and it fit with no resistance. Tape ejects easily too. It's not the prettiest mod, but it works and isn't invasive. As an alternate to the disable-the-tape mod, one may just put the tape adaptor in and trail the wire into the glove box for a better-looking mod.
However, I'd like, in the future, to get a COMMAND system with GPS and all that. Can anyone tell me which model COMMAND I'd need for this car (2004 C230 hatchback)? Also, for GPS, don't I need to install an antenna as well? Does anyone know if the existing in-glovebox CD changer works with the COMMAND? Also, I've been hearing that some COMMANDs have MP3 playback abilities. Which model is this?
Sorry for so many questions, and thanks for the responses.
However, I'd like, in the future, to get a COMMAND system with GPS and all that. Can anyone tell me which model COMMAND I'd need for this car (2004 C230 hatchback)? Also, for GPS, don't I need to install an antenna as well? Does anyone know if the existing in-glovebox CD changer works with the COMMAND? Also, I've been hearing that some COMMANDs have MP3 playback abilities. Which model is this?
Sorry for so many questions
, and thanks for the responses.-s-
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,596
Likes: 0
From: NY/NJ
Originally Posted by jedcred
I got slightly frustrated today driving around looking for a cassette adaptor that has a ribbon cable instead of a round cable, but to no avail. When I went home I just sliced away the outer cable cover to my existing cassette adaptor and was able to comfortably fit the cassette adaptor in the head unit. Basically, I trailed the wires off to the left side of the flip up display and closed it, and it fit with no resistance. Tape ejects easily too. It's not the prettiest mod, but it works and isn't invasive. As an alternate to the disable-the-tape mod, one may just put the tape adaptor in and trail the wire into the glove box for a better-looking mod.
However, I'd like, in the future, to get a COMMAND system with GPS and all that. Can anyone tell me which model COMMAND I'd need for this car (2004 C230 hatchback)? Also, for GPS, don't I need to install an antenna as well? Does anyone know if the existing in-glovebox CD changer works with the COMMAND? Also, I've been hearing that some COMMANDs have MP3 playback abilities. Which model is this?
Sorry for so many questions, and thanks for the responses.
However, I'd like, in the future, to get a COMMAND system with GPS and all that. Can anyone tell me which model COMMAND I'd need for this car (2004 C230 hatchback)? Also, for GPS, don't I need to install an antenna as well? Does anyone know if the existing in-glovebox CD changer works with the COMMAND? Also, I've been hearing that some COMMANDs have MP3 playback abilities. Which model is this?
Sorry for so many questions
, and thanks for the responses.If I had seen this thread I wouold have saved it and mailed it to you since I tossed it yesterday after I picked up my SLK350.
Good luck!
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
C230 Coupe
Hello All!
If i buy this, and install it.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2003-...5#ht_614wt_866
then will i have AUX?
I already have this
https://mbworld.org/forums/attachmen...id=37907&stc=1
but no where to attach it
maybe the command unit has a spot in the back for it?
If i buy this, and install it.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2003-...5#ht_614wt_866
then will i have AUX?
I already have this
https://mbworld.org/forums/attachmen...id=37907&stc=1
but no where to attach it
maybe the command unit has a spot in the back for it?
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
many
A totally different approach would be to hijack the CD changer audio lines, presuming you don't use the changer. Literally pull out the audio pins and add an 1/8" jack to the end.
Keep a CD in there playing endlessly to keep the audio alive.
If that's too hard, you could maybe splice into the audio lines, and endlessly play a "zero data" CD.
We did that on one car, but sorry don't know in detail how to do it on yours.
I would think there might be an adaptor that would do this, but am not aware of one offhand.
Keep a CD in there playing endlessly to keep the audio alive.
If that's too hard, you could maybe splice into the audio lines, and endlessly play a "zero data" CD.
We did that on one car, but sorry don't know in detail how to do it on yours.
I would think there might be an adaptor that would do this, but am not aware of one offhand.
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