Hi all,

I am a relatively new member and have only owned the car since November 05. It is a C200 Sport Edition as sold here in Australia as a limited edition so it has the AMG Body Styling. What you guys call ss over in the states. As the Nav system was way over priced we didnt order it from factory. I have thought of adding it aftermarket from ebay or steve NL but I have another idea that I would like some opinions on.

I am thinking of getting one of those Kuda dash mounts:


My idea is to get a touch screen and add a laptop - then add a GPS navigation to the laptop. This will allow use of MP3s, DVD, GPS and even TV through a tuner on this screen and might even work out cheaper than getting a Comand System.

I wanted to know if anyone has added a screen on the dash and how it would look as the image above doesnt really give a good idea. I dont want to wreck the look of the car.

I am also going to add the AUX input to the current Audio 20 system through the guides on this forum.

This is a great resource for Mercedes owners and I have gained lots of knowledge from reading through the forums. Your ideas and opinios on this would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks heaps,
C200Sport
Australia

 

Tacky Nav doesn't look in my opinion.

 

Wouldn't it be easier to buy a TomTom?

 

Yep thats my main worry - making it look tacky.... I thought if I find a screen that resembles the dash colour closely it wont look as bad so I was hoping someone else has done it and can send me some pictures.

As for a Tom Tom it wouldnt give the option of MP3s and DVD, I want something with loads of features. Although there is a Garmin unit I think that has MP3s storage on it and also has a video input which may be an option also.

 

Maybe...but it's all that some of of can afford. Does a Kia look tacky to me- kinda but if its all I can afford and gets me to and from school and work- im all for it

 

That actually looks better then I thought it would...the base seems to be covered in leather.

Erik

 

heyy dont get that....if u have teh stock radio, go with something like this... theres no need to connect ur laptop to ur car, first of all, u'll be driving

 

I would have put that in the lower open spot to still have access to the buttons. I may go this route as well but the only thing I wont like is the loss of the steering wheel functions

 

Yep it is quite a good base and it also does not harmt he dash - it attaches under the central air vent and the front airconditioning vent so there is no holes on the dash and is totally reversible with no harm done.

 

I thought about putting this in the lower DIN space, but since this thing closes (the screen doesnt have to be poped up) and i keep the screen closed all the time...

yeah you do loose the steering wheel fuctions unless we find a adaptor for it

 

That is my concern also - Loss of steering wheel buttons and phone control. I really dont want to loose that.

 

I went by the local Alpine dealer and got the latest Alpine book. This shows that Alpine currently has kits for Mercedes also that allow integration of their units and even have an insert to fill the gap of the factory unit to the alpin din size for facelifter models with new comand or Audio 20 such as mine. Not sure however if steering wheel functions are intergrated and what happenes to the centre display in the speedo area or the phone system.... has anyone heard of this?

 

sterring wheel audio would need to have a adaptor, tele will not work

 

Hi,
I do realise an adaptor would be needed but the question is does an adaptor actually exist?

 

if you dont like the idea of a single din, alpine and kenwood have some nice double din... here is an alpine one..



thats $1,100
the navi is $1,700
so about $3,000 including install... so nevermind i guess

 

search on the forum. we have spoken numerous times about the steering adapter.... if I remember correctly, alpine has one available and pioneer has one in other markets available.

 

C200 Sport, you're really talking about a Car Computer. Which is a great idea and if done right is a good alternative to COMMAND.

Although MBWorld is a great resource for Mercedes specific questions, you may find that MP3Car.com has more of what you are looking for. I recommend checking out the "Show Off Your Ride" forum. Currently I am a member there and will be attempting what you are trying to do as well. I've purchased the PC components and have a Liliput 7'' touchscreen being shipped. I just don't know where to mount it either! I don't want to remove the existing HU, as I'll be using the AUX in and will be able to keep the steering wheel controls. PC will supplement the car not replace components.

Reasons for going a Car PC route:
1. Cheap & Highly customizable Navigation options (This includes using Google Earth as a Nav)
2. MP3 / MPG / DVD / TV Player
3. Internet Access
4. Engine management software
5. GPS locate your car (Your own personal Lojack)
6. Blue tooth phone integration
7. Voice Recognition Software
8. Night Vision / Rear view Camera

The list can go on, and is really only limited by your imagination, since your car is now essentially a computer.

 

I plan on putting in a car computer with a 7in touchscreen where the stock radio is now as soon as someone releases a mounting kit for 05 06s so i can mold it on

 

[QUOTE=C200Sport... and even have an insert to fill the gap of the factory unit to the alpin din size for facelifter models with new comand or Audio 20 such as mine. [/QUOTE]

anyone else confirm this? i looked at their online catalog, but cant find anything. would love to get rid of my stock radio

 

I can have a look for the catalog tonight... The catalogue even has a photo of a CLK with an alpine stereo with in dash monitor in its place --- around it is a black plastic to match the original stero dimentions which is supplied through alpine as the local dealer told me.
Now in terms of the Adaptor for steering wheel functions as other have mentioned above it does exist but I havent researched that yet.

 

Reseach IBUS link for interfacing a car computer with existing steering wheel controls.

However, from what I can find an IBUS link has not been released for any MB. Of course there are plenty for BMWs and other cars.

As stated above Alpine & Pioneer do make interfaces to steering wheel controls - BUT those are for thier high end stereo units. Not touch screens and unfortunately not computers.

Also if you could get that html link for the mount I would be very interested to see, since everywhere I've ever looked you have to fabricate your own.

 

Metra is the only company that I could find that makes a mounting bracket for the 2005-2006

Here's the link:
http://www.metraonline.com/downloads...NST99-8712.pdf

 

This is where I found the monitor mount:
http://www.kudausa.com/mount.php?mod...options_id=234
But if you just do a google search for 'Kuda W203' you will find a number of sites with it.

As for the mounting bracket for an aftermarket stereo - I have not fouind the alpine catalogue I had - will go by the store and pick another up - But the guy there told me he can get mounting brackets for any mercedes. Maybe go down to your alpine dealer and ask there.

 

http://www.alpine.com.au/default.html#
Go to the catalogues section and you can see a CLK with an Alpine system in it.

However please note this is an Australian Alpine Website. The dealer told me he can get the din adaptor for any mercedes but it may even be the same one found above.