DIY installation of AVIC & other aftermarket HU's for W203 (Warning! lots of images!)
Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 129
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From: N. Cal
05' C230K Sport Sedan
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w203/197530-diy-head-unit-install-w203-05-center-console-removal-instructions.html
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 52
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From: bay area
v6c230ss
Dam thats hottt
very nic setup there jon. Does anyone know if its as simple to install for some of us with the H/K package?
Jon can you possibly find out that question because some say that the H/K has fiber optics...Id sure like to have an aftermarket DD over the command.
thanks
very nic setup there jon. Does anyone know if its as simple to install for some of us with the H/K package? Jon can you possibly find out that question because some say that the H/K has fiber optics...Id sure like to have an aftermarket DD over the command.
thanks
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 52
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From: bay area
v6c230ss
oh BTW with that install kit does it sit a little deeper....meaning it doesnt run flush with the climate control and the multi function buttons. Ive seen some kits like that and cant tell with your kit.
Banned
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 118
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From: Debary FL
2006 C230
Recommend a head unit?
I have been looking into the pioneer HU's and the Avic's look really nice and luxurious installed. I am thinking about getting the D3 but i decided to post to ask which HU you guys would recommend?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: NJ
'08 E550 4Matic
The D3 is a great HU for the price. I got mine for $750 off of ebay.
I finished all the wiring last night, including the steering wheel adapter. Ill try to post some pics later this afternoon.
I finished all the wiring last night, including the steering wheel adapter. Ill try to post some pics later this afternoon.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,424
Likes: 3
From: New York City
C55 ///AMG, 535xi
I have the N2 unit. I perfer something single din and can "close" so less chance of damaging the screen. besides, I keep mine closed at all times, until I need to use it.
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From: DC/VA
CL203
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Chicago
04 C32
Almost a Member!
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 37
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From: City of Angels
05' c230K
Yes it sits flush with the climate controls and the controls above it. It sits just like the OEM HU. I don't know much about the HK system sorry guys..
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: San Jose, Bay Area
2002 C230 coupe , NOt THE AVATAR!!
hey hey in scale 1-10
what do u think is the diffiult of installing the Pioneer??
i know how to remove center trim and install CD-changer
also i know how to build a comp (which everyone could
)
what do u think is the diffiult of installing the Pioneer??
i know how to remove center trim and install CD-changer
also i know how to build a comp (which everyone could
)
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: DC/VA
CL203
i have absolutely no car audio experience and i was able to get it working... but then again it took a little longer than i had planned. as long as you read the directions inside i'm sure most anyone can do it. overall i would give it a 7 because mercedes is a pain to deal with.
i still haven't installed the bluetooth, rear camera, or extended the A/V input to the glove box yet... i'll have that done by next month or so.
since you have experience removing the center trim and with other electronics... it would probably be a 5-6 for you. this was my first encounter with the console and such so it took more time.
i still haven't installed the bluetooth, rear camera, or extended the A/V input to the glove box yet... i'll have that done by next month or so.
since you have experience removing the center trim and with other electronics... it would probably be a 5-6 for you. this was my first encounter with the console and such so it took more time.
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 37
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From: City of Angels
05' c230K
The only compliant I have now after having this for the past few months is that is you want to watch a DVD, you have to pop out the Navi DVD. This really isn't a big deal to me at all; I don't watch DVD's while driving and honestly i really don't watch DVD's in my car at all. I guess if i was on a long road trip I may. However if i was on a long road trip i wouldn't use the Navi that much anyways because it can be distracting when it pompts you every few minutes even if your on a freeway. The Z series uses a harddrive instead of a DVD based Navi system so you don't have this issue there. The Z is more than double the cost and you run the risk of the harddrive overheating and losing al the info etc etc. (My buddies did and he even added an extra vent and fan system on his) I just didn't want to go this route. Plus i think the general thought here in the forums and in the Avic forums, and i tend to agree is that the D3 looks alot nicer. Other than that the D3 works really great, MUCH better than the Command. MUCH MUCH better. I borrowed my friends E55 and used his Command, after using my Avic for a month, and it felt like the difference between a old 80's Apple computer with the orange screen and my macbook pro. Its adequate but thats about it. I certainly wouldn't complain if I didn't have any options, but im glad we do and for alot less $$.
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Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Chicago
04 C32
The only reason to get the D3 is because of its low cost and ability to play DivX files on media discs. I think that the D3 looks 
with that knob.
Simultaneous DVD playback + navi is a must in my book. It does not nag you with all the navi pop ups when you're in movie playback.
with that knob.Simultaneous DVD playback + navi is a must in my book. It does not nag you with all the navi pop ups when you're in movie playback.
Almost a Member!
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 37
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From: City of Angels
05' c230K
The only reason to get the D3 is because of its low cost and ability to play DivX files on media discs. I think that the D3 looks with that knob.
Simultaneous DVD playback + navi is a must in my book. It does not nag you with all the navi pop ups when you're in movie playback.
with that knob.Simultaneous DVD playback + navi is a must in my book. It does not nag you with all the navi pop ups when you're in movie playback.
SPONSOR
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,459
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From: Houston/ Austin /Toronto / UAE / Minneapolis / Orlando /Cincinnati
Eurocharged Performance ML63 and TT lambo
Beautiful install...where did u mount the xm antenna at? I am assuming the opposite dash corner of the sat antenna?
Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 96
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From: Monmouth County NJ
05 CLK500
question about aftermarket install
hey guys, i posted in the audio forum but not getting any help from there so i thought id post here.
i have an 05 clk (same system setup as the C class) with harmon kardon system and i have the avic-z2 that i thought was getting installed today. I took it to the shop and the installer said that the whole car is fiber optic ( he said they used to be only the cd changer and headunit and phone, now the whole system is fiber optic) and he would have to run new wires from the aftermarket headunit to the stock amp and from the amp to the speakers. My questions are...
1) is that a good idea? should i just replace the stock amp with an aftermarket one? (would he even be able to keep the stock amp after rewiring???)
2) i read on other posts that people just used a VW harness and that was it...no need to rewire anything for the aftermarket headunit (https://mbworld.org/forums/showthread...highlight=avic) ...is this not true for my car??
3) the shop is charging me $700 for creating a custom trim ring for the avic, rewiring the car and installing it..is this a good price or am i getting ripped off?
i am not an expert in this area at all so any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
i have an 05 clk (same system setup as the C class) with harmon kardon system and i have the avic-z2 that i thought was getting installed today. I took it to the shop and the installer said that the whole car is fiber optic ( he said they used to be only the cd changer and headunit and phone, now the whole system is fiber optic) and he would have to run new wires from the aftermarket headunit to the stock amp and from the amp to the speakers. My questions are...
1) is that a good idea? should i just replace the stock amp with an aftermarket one? (would he even be able to keep the stock amp after rewiring???)
2) i read on other posts that people just used a VW harness and that was it...no need to rewire anything for the aftermarket headunit (https://mbworld.org/forums/showthread...highlight=avic) ...is this not true for my car??
3) the shop is charging me $700 for creating a custom trim ring for the avic, rewiring the car and installing it..is this a good price or am i getting ripped off?
i am not an expert in this area at all so any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 453
Likes: 3
From: Bay Area, CA
'04 Mars Red C230K Sport Coupe (not Coup-EH)
The HK system, like the BOSE, has a fiber optic connection from the head unit in the front to the amp in the back. The installer will have to run several sets of wires to get the speaker wires in the back, but he will either have to replace the amp or bypass it completely (as the AVIC has a built-in 200-watt amp that he can use). $700? I'm not sure, but for all the wiring that has to be done and the panels that need to be pulled up that doesn't seem to be too bad.
The VW harness works for sure with 02-04 C classes; of the 05 with the HK I don't know. Also, a concern that came up with the BOSE was the differing impedance of the speakers used as compared to nearly every other speaker in the world; I don't think the HK has this issue, but I'd check just in case, otherwise you'll probably blow the speakers.
The VW harness works for sure with 02-04 C classes; of the 05 with the HK I don't know. Also, a concern that came up with the BOSE was the differing impedance of the speakers used as compared to nearly every other speaker in the world; I don't think the HK has this issue, but I'd check just in case, otherwise you'll probably blow the speakers.
