BeaverMjr

I need some suggestions for an audio upgrade in my ’02 coupe. I have the Bose system with the stock head unit. I was considering using icelink to integrate my iPod with the system but read somewhere that I won’t be able to see the song titles on the dash. I’ve found that a tape adapter works quite well. Also, this radio has no aux input.

Here are my thoughts and you all are free to tell me if this sounds like a good idea or not.

I’ve been kicking around the idea of adding navigation to my car. Many here on the forum have done this and like it a lot. Does the navi system have an aux input?

I guess what I’m wondering is: what would you recommend for audio options? I’d defiantly like to integrate my iPod and be able to see the song titles on the dash. I’m leaning towards navi as well. Could I upgrade the entire system to the ’05 system so I could get the titles to be shown?

Please advise

JohnCL

You can get an aux jack with the OEM NAV and its default location is in the glovebox on the right side. I do not have alot of knowledge on the iPod install, but I run my Dell DJ through the aux jack and it is great.

Updating to the '05 system is not possible due to differences in the two systems. I believe that the '05 uses the MOST system and ours are CANBUS.

Saprissa

John is exactly right. With an '02, you cannot upgrade to an '05 system. Totally different electronic protocol. Your best bet is to get COMAND Navigation with an AUX input jack installed in the glove box. MBenzNL is your best bet to get it done right & cheap !!! It's OEM, fully integrating the Navi with your MFD, and you can plug in iPod, XM Roady, SIRIUS, Dell DJ or whatever you want, to the AUX input.

CitronC230K_03

if you get one with SAT capabilities you can get MB Sirius installed, controlled w/ steering wheel controls and display on your MFD.

you still wont be able to see track/song info from your iPod on the MFD with COMAND 2.0.

ctC230K

Guess what, the 05 doesn't show the song titles from anything on the stereo, doesn't even have RDS for radio stations.

CitronC230K_03

but will show the title info for Sirius and iPods!

i cant believe they still dont have RDS. after all this time. it does display CD info though, right?

ctC230K

yes for iPods but on the MFD not stereo. no, it hasn't displayed anything on the stereo for me so far, not even CDTEXT.

CitronC230K_03

maybe it was a navi headunit i saw with CD text displayed. funny how behind they are.

ctC230K

what's even funnier is the fact that they would make the MFD buttons tune the radio up and down instead of jump between presets or scan up and down.

CitronC230K_03

yeah, that would suck. i enjoy cycling the presets with my steering wheel controls.

JohnCL

^That is a feature that I am glad that I have. I can't believe that they did away with that. I use mine to jump between presets, I never switch it to tune.

CitronC230K_03

i dont think they did away with it john. i think you can still set it in the features(station search or preset memory), it just doesnt work.

BeaverMjr

Let me condense the above and see if I understand:

You guys recommend the command system with navi. I could then setup the aux cable in the glove box. What adapter would I need for the iPod with the aux cable?

You mentioned getting the command through MbenzNL. Who is MbenzNL? When you say cheaper how much cheaper and can he help with installation? What is this MFD you speak of?

With the aux cable I can hookup XM Roady, iPod, and other items…this I like. I’m thinking of going to J C Penny to get my free XM Roady with 3 months free service. The command and aux setup will let me integrate it with my car and see if XM is all that and a barrel of monkeys.

It does suck that MB hasn’t given us radios with RDS. Is RDS being used in Europe or is it just USA specific? If it’s country specific, I could understand their slow adaptation. At least though I can get the text of my iPod. Does the title info appear for the XM Roady?

Saprissa

My Euro COMAND 2.0 doesn't have the SAT button, but has TV instead.
TV Tuner is on my sched mod list (eventually). For SAT radio, I use the AUX input through COMAND and added a SIRIUS Blaupunkt Receiver.
Euro COMAND does have RDS though, and many more radio stations are transmitting RDS text.

I wish there was a "Super" COMAND with built-in SAT, TV, RDS, DVD Navi etc...
but gotta live with what we've got !

Carlos

Saprissa@aol.com

CitronC230K_03

yeah when i had my audio10 i enjoyed my RDS. i wish US COMAND had it. oh well

BeaverMjr

This is getting confusing. Please don't flame me for the stupid question: will the euro navi work in a us car?

Saprissa

Yes.
I would say about 1/3 of the COMAND units that Steve (MBenzNL) has installed on US cars have been EURO COMANDS. The rest US spec COMANDS. Do a search for plenty of threads on the subtle differences between EURO & US COMAND.

I've had EURO COMAND on my US car for about a year now, with absolutely no problems whatsoever. Why did I choose EURO COMAND over US COMAND ?
- the sexy british female voice
- RDS
- TV capability (with optional TV Tuner)
- cause I wanted my car to feel more European (getting back to its roots) !

Carlos

Saprissa@aol.com

Saprissa

MBenzNL is Steve. Do a search. Steve comes to the US 3-4 times a year (different locations) and installs tons of OEM MB stuff. He warranties his work, uses correct MB parts, and you don't have to worry about dealer install prices, or setting your onboard computer to the required settings.

MFD = multi-function display. That's the screen in front of you in the dashboard. COMAND integrates with your MFD so you can control and see navigation and other features right in front of you (if you like).

RDS is very prevalent in Europe, and used much more extensively, to include traffic congestion and re-routing reports through RDS. Here in the US it is being used more and more by many radio stations, but mostly in just a plain text mode. (some stations display title & artist of songs, others just display their station call-sign). Look forward to more RDS text messaging via radio in the future.

I don't have an XM Roady, but if it's anything like the SIRIUS Blaupunkt receivers, then YES, you will get title & artist information displayed.

Carlos

Saprissa@aol.com

BeaverMjr

Thanks for the wealth of info. I found steve's site and sent him an email regarding the command unit.

Do you know when steve is coming to the states next and where he's visiting? I ask this because I live just outside Albany, NY. I'm sure he won't come here, just wondering how close / how far a drive. I'm always willing to take a summertime treck to someplace I've never been to get this done.

Mike

CitronC230K_03

it varies between east coast, west coast or mid west. not sure when the next trip is planned. usually no more than 6 months between

Saprissa

I'm pretty sure he just did a run through New York in late March. I think you just missed it.

The locations he goes to are solely dependent on how many orders / installs he gets in that given area. So if he only has one or two orders, you might have to travel farther (ie NYC), but if you can get 10 or more Mercedes owners to have Steve do some install work, then he'll come to you. (the number 10 may or may not be accurate, just using it as an example). Check with Steve (e-mail) to see exactly how many installs he needs at one location to make it worth his while.

One last thing, if you get the COMAND unit, the only thing you need to get on your own is the navigation CD's. Usually found on eBay, or on the Classifieds section here on this forum, or you can buy the whole set (big $$$) from your dealer.

Carlos

Saprissa@aol.com

BeaverMjr

Doh!

Do you think it's possible to install a command unit without steve?

amdeutsch

Yes. Session posted a thread on how to remove the HU. Reverse it for the installation of the Command. The rest is explained in the other posted threads.

drexappeal

How far are you from Toronto? Looks like he's making another trip out to N. America, but Toronto seems to be the closest to your area.

https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w203/104160-steve-mbenznl-may-june-2005-trip.html

BeaverMjr

I'm about 6 hours from Toronto. That's not all that far a drive. I'd be willing to head North west to get a command unit.

Just out of curiosity, after 9/11 with the hightened security, is there any thing special I would need to get into canada?