DIY installation of AVIC & other aftermarket HU's for W203 (Warning! lots of images!)
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,152
Likes: 60
From: NJ, NYC
Something Slow
Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
From: NJ
2005 C240 4Matic
Ok I am lost and maybe it is me but I have a Pioneer D3 with rear view, ipod cable and bluetooth module. Thanks to this thread I was able to locate the SCOSCHE MZ2347 and appear to fit just right. Question, what else do I need to get this to work? Steering wheel controls would be nice but not as important as NAV… this is going into a W203 05 with H/K system.
Side note; am replacing speakers with Infinity reference components and a pair of JL audio subs with a 5 channel amp.
All I need to know if there is any wire harness that I must get!!!!
Thanks guys !!!
Side note; am replacing speakers with Infinity reference components and a pair of JL audio subs with a 5 channel amp.
All I need to know if there is any wire harness that I must get!!!!
Thanks guys !!!
So Now I have Bluetooth, iPod and nav for less than $800.00 including new components for the front, new coax for the rear doors as well as the top deck and two 8” Rockford Fosgate. I need to clean up the trunk but just the inside alone without the subs sounds 10 times better… Pic coming soon
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
I believe that is the one I connected to, the picture seems different in color but I remember there were only a few wires left and definitely didnt use the brown one. What you can do is get a piece of wire and connect it to the power antenna and put the other end on that wire while the unit is on and on fm. I experimented with that and I think that is the wire I connected to and got great reception.
Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
From: NJ
2005 C240 4Matic
I could not find that harness so ended up splicing a few cables. to get the reception better I used VW / Audi / European Factory Antenna with Flat Plug to Aftermarket Radio
on the other end connected the orange fiber to it and then the blue "power antenna" from the D3 to plug number 13 on the orignal harness... before then it as the pits, after the above what a differrence...
Hope this helps.
on the other end connected the orange fiber to it and then the blue "power antenna" from the D3 to plug number 13 on the orignal harness... before then it as the pits, after the above what a differrence...
Hope this helps.
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
2007 C230
Bypass
I just installed the F90BT in my 07 C230. I used the ebay all scosche kit with the VW03B wiring harness and the vw antenna adaptor. If you want to bypass the f90bt safety features (no video while in motion and you have to engage the parking break to change routes) it is very easy to do. You move the yellow/black mute wire from the back of the pioneer harness from it current pin in the bottom right, to the top row four pins in from the right. then you ground that wire and the parking brake (light green) wire to the black ground wire on the vw03b harness. if you do a search in the Avic411 forums there is a picture of this. It works perfectly takes about 2 minutes to do.
As for powering the unit I too had to tap the switched power from the lighter. My FM reception sucks with the included vw antenna adapter but I am going to try just running it off that switched power as well. If anybody has the solution please let me know.
As for powering the unit I too had to tap the switched power from the lighter. My FM reception sucks with the included vw antenna adapter but I am going to try just running it off that switched power as well. If anybody has the solution please let me know.
Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 126
Likes: 0
1990 500SL-2002 C230 Coupe-2012 c250 Sedan SOLD-2012 C63 Coupe
...
How do you get steering wheel control with a kenwood unit? Do they make both controllers for the kenwoods? I've only seen the swi-can and not the swi-ps for the kenwoods.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
C280
OK WOW...my eyes are bleeding (kidding). Just about read the whole thread.
Got a couple of questions guys.
Before I came here i was bummed out cuz all these places keep telling me to rewire my car. (i guess they're trynna make some profit by not telling me about the amp bypass).
I cant have the whole thing rewired because I just dont have that over 1g budget.
I want to make clear I got everything right before I go back to them..
1- I dont have the car yet, until the weekend, but it says in the specs that it has Premium Audio. Does this mean its bose? HK? AKA is premium fiber optics?
2 - So bypassing the amp means that the speakers are just directly connected and run by the avic? the amp is out of order basically?
2b - Does this mean that the subwoofer is out of order too? Or that it also is being powered by the avic?
3 - Anybody in Boston (or even NH, RI, Conn.) that can help me install this without rewiring for a reasonable price? I remeber i read theres a guy here from Conn who has done this 2 times (once with re-wiring, once with a non fiber MB, nows your chance for a simple install bypassing the amp
)
Thanks guys =]
Got a couple of questions guys.
Before I came here i was bummed out cuz all these places keep telling me to rewire my car. (i guess they're trynna make some profit by not telling me about the amp bypass).
I cant have the whole thing rewired because I just dont have that over 1g budget.
I want to make clear I got everything right before I go back to them..
1- I dont have the car yet, until the weekend, but it says in the specs that it has Premium Audio. Does this mean its bose? HK? AKA is premium fiber optics?
2 - So bypassing the amp means that the speakers are just directly connected and run by the avic? the amp is out of order basically?
2b - Does this mean that the subwoofer is out of order too? Or that it also is being powered by the avic?
3 - Anybody in Boston (or even NH, RI, Conn.) that can help me install this without rewiring for a reasonable price? I remeber i read theres a guy here from Conn who has done this 2 times (once with re-wiring, once with a non fiber MB, nows your chance for a simple install bypassing the amp
)Thanks guys =]
Last edited by johnny_88; Jun 5, 2009 at 09:28 AM.
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
C280
OK WOW...my eyes are bleeding (kidding). Just about read the whole thread.
Got a couple of questions guys.
Before I came here i was bummed out cuz all these places keep telling me to rewire my car. (i guess they're trynna make some profit by not telling me about the amp bypass).
I cant have the whole thing rewired because I just dont have that over 1g budget.
I want to make clear I got everything right before I go back to them..
1- I dont have the car yet, until the weekend, but it says in the specs that it has Premium Audio. Does this mean its bose? HK? AKA is premium fiber optics?
2 - So bypassing the amp means that the speakers are just directly connected and run by the avic? the amp is out of order basically?
2b - Does this mean that the subwoofer is out of order too? Or that it also is being powered by the avic?
3 - Anybody in Boston (or even NH, RI, Conn.) that can help me install this without rewiring for a reasonable price? I remeber i read theres a guy here from Conn who has done this 2 times (once with re-wiring, once with a non fiber MB, nows your chance for a simple install bypassing the amp )
Thanks guys =]
Got a couple of questions guys.
Before I came here i was bummed out cuz all these places keep telling me to rewire my car. (i guess they're trynna make some profit by not telling me about the amp bypass).
I cant have the whole thing rewired because I just dont have that over 1g budget.
I want to make clear I got everything right before I go back to them..
1- I dont have the car yet, until the weekend, but it says in the specs that it has Premium Audio. Does this mean its bose? HK? AKA is premium fiber optics?
2 - So bypassing the amp means that the speakers are just directly connected and run by the avic? the amp is out of order basically?
2b - Does this mean that the subwoofer is out of order too? Or that it also is being powered by the avic?
3 - Anybody in Boston (or even NH, RI, Conn.) that can help me install this without rewiring for a reasonable price? I remeber i read theres a guy here from Conn who has done this 2 times (once with re-wiring, once with a non fiber MB, nows your chance for a simple install bypassing the amp
)Thanks guys =]
so just got off the phone with a 3rd shop and I told them that i just wanted to bypass the amp instead of having to rewire the whole car because of the fiber optics andI got "well yeah bypassing needs rewiring also to get some at least acceptable quality". 80$ an hour for installation = 320$ then he said this doesnt include installation of navi antenna, adaptors, (bluetooth adaptors?) etc. Therefore I'm looking at at least 600$ once again. So 2 places quotes me 600 another 1000. I feel like somethings not right here. I'm in the process of asking user C24owner for an installation.
As for the pioneer distributor in Massachusetts, they said they wont touch a mercedes.
On top of that their price was 1000$ for the F90.
On amazon its 600$ but does anyone know if this includes the warranty?
Ive heard of some people saying that pioneer told them "its not from us so we cant touch it".
Don't know if in order to get the 2 year warranty i HAVE to buy from a official distributor.
If anyone can help me with those questions Id appreciate the extra info.
Thanks.
Last edited by johnny_88; Jun 5, 2009 at 09:50 AM.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: Natick, MA
2007 E-350, Volvo S80, Dodge Caravan
for the kind of money you will spend on a good stereo I would buy it from an authorized dealer. If there is a problem you have a safety. If you have a premium sound system your head unit and amp are connected via fiber. The amp is then wired to the speaker (sorry for stating the obvious). I have a 2007 E-350 and I mine is wired the same way. you can not just bypass the amp becuase the head unit (pioneer) will not be able to drive all speakers on its own. To much draw and the HU will burn up.
Once you have the car and can confirm the config post the results here.
Once you have the car and can confirm the config post the results here.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,101
Likes: 5
From: Toronto, NYC
2002 Mercedes Benz C230 Coupe
Hi all,
I have an '02 Coupe which currently has the original audio system in it (Tape HU, non-Bose, CD changer).
Im looking to upgrade for better sound quality, ability to play MP3 CD's and bluetooth connectivity with my phone to make/receve phone calls handsfree while driving.
If I want to keep the steering wheel control functionality (volume, track changes etc), what gear will I need? What HU would you guys recommend?
Im not looking for Navigation and looking to spend as less as possible.
Appreciate the help guys.
I have an '02 Coupe which currently has the original audio system in it (Tape HU, non-Bose, CD changer).
Im looking to upgrade for better sound quality, ability to play MP3 CD's and bluetooth connectivity with my phone to make/receve phone calls handsfree while driving.
If I want to keep the steering wheel control functionality (volume, track changes etc), what gear will I need? What HU would you guys recommend?
Im not looking for Navigation and looking to spend as less as possible.
Appreciate the help guys.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,101
Likes: 5
From: Toronto, NYC
2002 Mercedes Benz C230 Coupe
Hi all,
I have an '02 Coupe which currently has the original audio system in it (Tape HU, non-Bose, CD changer).
Im looking to upgrade for better sound quality, ability to play MP3 CD's and bluetooth connectivity with my phone to make/receve phone calls handsfree while driving.
If I want to keep the steering wheel control functionality (volume, track changes etc), what gear will I need? What HU would you guys recommend?
Im not looking for Navigation and looking to spend as less as possible.
Appreciate the help guys.
I have an '02 Coupe which currently has the original audio system in it (Tape HU, non-Bose, CD changer).
Im looking to upgrade for better sound quality, ability to play MP3 CD's and bluetooth connectivity with my phone to make/receve phone calls handsfree while driving.
If I want to keep the steering wheel control functionality (volume, track changes etc), what gear will I need? What HU would you guys recommend?
Im not looking for Navigation and looking to spend as less as possible.
Appreciate the help guys.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,101
Likes: 5
From: Toronto, NYC
2002 Mercedes Benz C230 Coupe
Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 151
Likes: 0
From: Bremerton, WA
2000 ML430
Here is a photo my radio's back. It looks like I should be able to wire in any HU that I want. The only Optical connection seems to be to the burned out CD changer. I take it the VW plug adaptor will allow me to toss in just about anything, right?
Front:
Front:
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,101
Likes: 5
From: Toronto, NYC
2002 Mercedes Benz C230 Coupe
Hey all,
Just picked up an AVIC F700BT unit and cant wait to have it installed. But before I start the project, I want to make sure I have all the parts I need. I have the necessary harness.
All I need now is the mounting kit. Any suggestions on where I can get one from for a good price? Also, I live in Canada, so shipping is an issue. Any Canadians buy a mounting kit?
Also, does the MB radio antenna plug straight into the AVIC unit or do I need some sort of an adaptor?
Thanks.
Just picked up an AVIC F700BT unit and cant wait to have it installed. But before I start the project, I want to make sure I have all the parts I need. I have the necessary harness.
All I need now is the mounting kit. Any suggestions on where I can get one from for a good price? Also, I live in Canada, so shipping is an issue. Any Canadians buy a mounting kit?
Also, does the MB radio antenna plug straight into the AVIC unit or do I need some sort of an adaptor?
Thanks.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,027
Likes: 1
From: Taipei Taiwan
'10 E63 Obsidiant Black; '06 R350 Alabaster White; 05 C55 Obsidiant Black (sold)
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,101
Likes: 5
From: Toronto, NYC
2002 Mercedes Benz C230 Coupe
