DIY installation of AVIC & other aftermarket HU's for W203 (Warning! lots of images!)
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,948
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From: Houston, TX
C32/C55 AMG
I'm thinking the radio reception may have some thing to do with the service bulletin on a lot of our cars. Apparently you have to replace the whole rear glass in order to get the reception to improve.
I know when I turn on my rear defroster on my car, the reception goes away or has a lot of static. My radio and every thing is stock.
I know when I turn on my rear defroster on my car, the reception goes away or has a lot of static. My radio and every thing is stock.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 6,213
Likes: 8
LET C32 2002
I'm thinking the radio reception may have some thing to do with the service bulletin on a lot of our cars. Apparently you have to replace the whole rear glass in order to get the reception to improve.
I know when I turn on my rear defroster on my car, the reception goes away or has a lot of static. My radio and every thing is stock.
I know when I turn on my rear defroster on my car, the reception goes away or has a lot of static. My radio and every thing is stock.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,971
Likes: 3
From: SF
2003 CLK 320
Hey guys. I am in the process of installing my hu. but i ran into a problem. I cant find the 12v acc turn on.
those of you that installed your hu, where did you get that power from. i dont want my unit to be on 24/7 lol
please help
Brian
those of you that installed your hu, where did you get that power from. i dont want my unit to be on 24/7 lol
please help
Brian
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From: VA
THE C350
Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 172
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From: new jersey
2006 c280 4 matic
it took 2 hrs for me to find the wire that i used cause i forgot that every tjing has a delay when turning off so i kinda tapped to the wipers lol it works but when i turn off the carthe radio stays on for bout 15 20 secs lol
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2009
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From: SF
2003 CLK 320
I tapped the cig lighter. took me about 10 minutes. lol. i ended up getting a light test. that helped a lot. but i blew out the cig fuse. had to put a new one in there. and it ended up being the wire =)
Thanks
Brian
Thanks
Brian
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: Seaford, Delawhere
2002 C240
I know this is going to be a dumb question and search is my friend but going through this whole thread will take a long time, and with half the pictures not working I figured I just asked and see what kind of response I get, I was wondering what all do I need, i.e connectors and/or kits to put in a double din dvd player into my 02 c240? I want to keep the steering wheel functions as well as the 6 disc cd changer if I can. The car is bone stock as of now since I just bought it last week. Thanks in advanced guys.
Super Moderator
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,295
Likes: 22
From: VA
THE C350
I know this is going to be a dumb question and search is my friend but going through this whole thread will take a long time, and with half the pictures not working I figured I just asked and see what kind of response I get, I was wondering what all do I need, i.e connectors and/or kits to put in a double din dvd player into my 02 c240? I want to keep the steering wheel functions as well as the 6 disc cd changer if I can. The car is bone stock as of now since I just bought it last week. Thanks in advanced guys.
btw please add your location so we can help you better in the future.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,101
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From: Toronto, NYC
2002 Mercedes Benz C230 Coupe
I know this is going to be a dumb question and search is my friend but going through this whole thread will take a long time, and with half the pictures not working I figured I just asked and see what kind of response I get, I was wondering what all do I need, i.e connectors and/or kits to put in a double din dvd player into my 02 c240? I want to keep the steering wheel functions as well as the 6 disc cd changer if I can. The car is bone stock as of now since I just bought it last week. Thanks in advanced guys.
To start you off though, here are some answers:
The Pioneer AVIC is by far the most popular double din audio/visual system for cars..lots of people here have installed them in their W203's. The AVIC's also let you use your steering controls but you will need a special adapter for that which is called the CAR-PI-131 for your 02 W203 (CAR-PI-133 for newer W203's). You will also need a mounting kit which secures your AVIC to the car. Metra makes these kits..look for Metra double din mounting kit for W203. Search on eBay. Other sources are listed in this thread...do a search for the model number. You also need an antenna adapter because the OEM radio antenna does not plug into the AVIC directly. The adapters are usually sold with the mounting kit. As Samaritrey has said, you cant use the OEM CD changer with any non-OEM head unit.
One other option for you to consider is the OEM COMAND from MB which will let you interface with the CD changer and the steering wheel controls withotu adapters etc. but you better have deep pockets if you wan to go this route.
Cheers!
Super Moderator
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,295
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From: VA
THE C350
My cd based nav unit cost under 200 so you don't have to have deep pockets. you do need patience though that is how i got my nav unit and my bix so cheap 
bix for under 550 deal of the century.
bix for under 550 deal of the century.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: Seaford, Delawhere
2002 C240
Thanks guys for the help. I have done a little bit of researching already and from dealing with my old car, I will do more and more research. Thanks for your knowledge and input though.
Super Moderator Alumni
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,684
Likes: 12
From: West Los Angeles
Midnight Blue 2004.5 C230 Kompressor Sport Sedan. 2002 w210 E320, 2009 w211 E350 Sport
Just like school, you're not going to learn anything if you don't read. Same thing goes for any aftermarket modifications you make to the car. You don't go into a DIY project without reading and doing research first. I wouldn't recommend anybody to try DIY, if they don't have the patience to research first. The worst-case scenario in jumping in (without initially studying) is you have a bunch of parts laying around that you don't know how to put back together. Is that really worth the "money saved?"...Not really.
Good luck with your project and we wish you the best of luck. There are many people still active on this forum that I'm sure can help you "fill in the blanks" if you reach an impass. I've asked for advice on stereo equipment in the past because it's definitely not my forte, but it was definitely not without reading through long threads like this first.
Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 199
Likes: 0
From: NJ
C63 AMG / B8 A4
I have been looking into installing the AVIC unit into my C230, but i cant seem to find a company that makes a mounting brackket for our cars as a double din? I was on crutchfields site to try and grab some info and they are not offering any double din brackets, any ideas where i can find one fo our vehicles?
Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 162
Likes: 0
From: Des Moines, Iowa
07 C230 Sedan / 01 Mazda 626
I have been looking into installing the AVIC unit into my C230, but i cant seem to find a company that makes a mounting brackket for our cars as a double din? I was on crutchfields site to try and grab some info and they are not offering any double din brackets, any ideas where i can find one fo our vehicles?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,101
Likes: 5
From: Toronto, NYC
2002 Mercedes Benz C230 Coupe
I have been looking into installing the AVIC unit into my C230, but i cant seem to find a company that makes a mounting brackket for our cars as a double din? I was on crutchfields site to try and grab some info and they are not offering any double din brackets, any ideas where i can find one fo our vehicles?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,101
Likes: 5
From: Toronto, NYC
2002 Mercedes Benz C230 Coupe
Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 132
Likes: 0
2006 C230 6spd > C300 4Matic
Heres the pics, using a kit from ebay with harness and amplified antenna. Using the AVIC-F900BT.. GPS antenna is run but passenger windshield on the dash, microphone on my sunvisor with iPod plug in my glove box to play video and music.
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: long island, NY
c240
Check list help for f900bt
I'm on the road to buying a Pioneer Avic f900bt. i did the research and went through all threads and just wanted to make sure this is all i need, to make it work with most OEM devices. this is what i have bookmarked so far.
- F900bt
- SWI-PS
- SWI-CAN
- double din dash kit.
this is going into a 2001 c240.
(any extra Advice would truly be appreciated.)
Thanks, Evan.
- F900bt
- SWI-PS
- SWI-CAN
- double din dash kit.
this is going into a 2001 c240.
(any extra Advice would truly be appreciated.)
Thanks, Evan.
Super Moderator
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,295
Likes: 22
From: VA
THE C350
I'm on the road to buying a Pioneer Avic f900bt. i did the research and went through all threads and just wanted to make sure this is all i need, to make it work with most OEM devices. this is what i have bookmarked so far.
- F900bt
- SWI-PS
- SWI-CAN
- double din dash kit.
this is going into a 2001 c240.
(any extra Advice would truly be appreciated.)
Thanks, Evan.
- F900bt
- SWI-PS
- SWI-CAN
- double din dash kit.
this is going into a 2001 c240.
(any extra Advice would truly be appreciated.)
Thanks, Evan.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 311
Likes: 0
From: SoCal/NorCal
08 E63
