wuzzaap123

I've been working on this project for a few weeks..
Heres my worklog and installation pics if people are interested in doing the same thing.

Theres also a thread for my installation on mp3car.com forums
Setup runs as follows:
7" Xenarc 700TSV Touchscreen monitor
Alpine CDA-9856 Headunit w/ detachable faceplate
Carnetix P1900 psu/shutdown controller w/5V output
Aopen Mini Pandora
Aopen minipci wireless wifi card
Fujitsu 80gig HD
Intel Pentium M 1.6 GHz Processor
D-Link 7-port usb powered hub
BU-353 GPS receiver
Turtle Beach Audio Advantage Mini Usb soundcard
Scorpius P20 Wireless USB keyboard with Thumbstick mouse
JL Audio 500/1 Amp
JL Audio 300/2 Amp
CDT Audio 6.5" components
CDT Audio 6.5" fillers
JL Audio 12" 12W6V2 subwoofer

Started off by buying a trim kit for the w203 sedan, used fiberglass bondo to attach to the 700tsv face.



Some sanding and applied bondo filler, filled in small gaps with Squadron green putty




Added primer and more sanding for final coat of paint


Tore car apart, headunit and carnetix are placed behind the monitor


My amps


Detachable Faceplate extension using CAT6 cable


Wifi Antenna placed on passenger side top. Reception is pretty darn good.


Glove compartment box with usb hub and Aopen minipc. Kinda messy.. havent had time to hide all the wires.


Wireless keyboard with mousestick


Final result


Roadrunner Running Iguidance



Still got some more work to do, but its pretty much done..

nlpamg

Wow! That is badass! Looks great!

I'm jealous...

cla 1000

Super hot!!!! How much for the whole thing?

Tangerine

damn

wat else can it do?

wuzzaap123

I dont know the exact amount, but minus the speakers, sub, and 2 amplifiers, the carputer was ~$900.

wuzzaap123

whatever your pc can do.
satellite radio
gps
music
movies
wifi/internet
radio
phone control
games

Theres alot of software being developed everyday. If your really interested go check out the mp3car.com forums

BadAssC230k

DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMN SON! thats hot!

EV0LVE

Whoa!!! I want one

yeloaw

OMG, very nice!

Moviela

You are loaded with talent. That is the nicest integration of a LCD screen in a Mercedes. Nice location for the WiFi antenna, looks like it came standard with the car.

The car computer gives you functionally and control that is so sadly lacking in the COMAND product. When new software comes out, you can update the system easily without a trip to the dealer. Internet capability is something that should be universal, all cars should have it. I can see someone doing a video conference on the I5 now.

I am not sure the JL amps are large enough......for Yankee Stadium, but should fill in any dead spots in your sound field.

Congradulations. Thanks for sharing. A great mod!

wuzzaap123

Well I thank all the people on these forums. Got most of my information for how to take my car apart (thanks Jose). Got my information on how to take apart the center vent (its where i hid my gps antenna and routed my wifi cable to my computer). So its nice to contribute what i've done to you guys.

artkitt99

Great job, looks really nice....

ChristianJan

Wow, that is so awesome! Good work. I especially like the way you filled in those gaps and also fitted in that frame for the Screen.

C230SportsCoupe

Mine should be complete today if I get the soldering done, yet I took a slightly different route:

1. I trimmed all the buttons off the front of the LCD and fitted a slot DVD drive below the screen.
2. I made my own case and mounted it upside down under the glovebox (yes it blocks ventilation to the passengers feet, oh well, not my feet ).
3. I moved all the buttons for the LCD and computer (LCD power, LCD A/V, PC power, PC reset, LED indicators, and extra USB ports) to a custom ashtray insert made from bondo-glass.
4. I have the carnetix PSU and am playing with remote turn on using the door unlock rather than ignition so I can cold boot rather from unlocking the doors with the key (want to run from CF card).

So I have a few questions:
1. What skin are you using for RR? I haven't found one I like yet (using TinyXP which strips much of Win XPs functionality).
2. What range can you get on the Wifi antenna?
3. How did you run all the wires into the glove box?

and some comments:
1. Why not use an external Wifi antenna? I am going to mount mine under the vent in the hood with the GPS
2. Are you planning to use OBD-II?
3. I plan to buy a CanBus adaptor and start data logging the codes for the steering wheel buttons so I can have volume via the CarPC and no headunit, Sat radio and TV plus FM radio and normal TV via the CarPc.

wuzzaap123

1. Im using the CFX skin, running at native resolution 800X480
2. I get pretty good reception from my wifi antenna. I can still pick up my router signal from inside my house about half a block away. If you use netstumbler you can get a good idea of how many networks are in the air. I'm sure if you mounted your wifi outside, you can get even better reception.
3. The glove compartment wires, I used a dremel and cut a small 2"x2" piece from the side of my glove compartment box out. Through this hole, you can access the deck area. Its a pretty small opening because theres another piece of plastic that is sort of blocking it, but i managed to get all my wires through. I'm still debating if I should hide my usb hub behind the screen and connect another 4 port one to it for easy usb access, this would eliminate about 75% of my wires in the glove compartment box.

davis449

Carputers are fun! I've had mine in my w202 for a little over a year now and I love it. Nice install man.

MJ50

wtf!!! a must-have for geeks~

drexappeal

for the cpu for the install. That setup is

Much props and

NO_WUR_E

Wow, now that's what i call a mod! congrats on a job well done. you're probably a man on the go. time to install a wireless router so your passengers and your buddies driving next to you can cruise with a laptop.

mig888

Wuzzap and I sat down... what.. like.. not even 2 months ago talking about his planning? Now that it's finished, this has to be one of the fastest integrated carputer projects I've ever seen. Mad props - looks like you took apart the dash pretty easily.. I wonder why? ;D.

We're doing it on the X5 next buster!

flip

white_w203

now thats some high tech ****. major props for having it done. i wish i was techinically inclined to do anything close to that.

JDM

Thats awsome. The bezel really impresses me, looks factory.

drexappeal

What would be even more impressive is if you tell us that you somehow managed to maintain the functionality of the components with the OEM steering wheel buttons.

pshek

That's the main reason I'm keeping my Argos bluetooth module, oem headunit, and voice control module. Carputer install would be very easy to do, but too much of a distraction during spirited driving.

wuzzaap123

Steering wheel control would be nice, im sure there is probably some way you can do it, make your computer detect it as a usb drive and have it integrated with the software. But im satisfied with my touchscreen controls, its very easy to navigate.