DIY installation of AVIC & other aftermarket HU's for W203 (Warning! lots of images!)
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 692
Likes: 0
From: NJ
'05 c240 4matic wagon
i've had a TomTom Go 700 for more than a year and it's pretty good. Haven't had a chance to compare with other brands though. The only issue I have with it is map updates - they seem to be far between and that shows from time to time. And POI searches - they're displayed with respect to your current location, not the final destination. That can really suck.
I love the display size of their new line, the 900 & Co.
Searched on the internet and got it for about $200 less than what it listed for at the time... like $699.
Upside is you can take it with you. The suction mount is definitely up to snuff. In my car, I use those Swedish mount kits, forgot the name - they have adapters for any car and nav, also cell phones and PDAs.
I love the display size of their new line, the 900 & Co.
Searched on the internet and got it for about $200 less than what it listed for at the time... like $699.
Upside is you can take it with you. The suction mount is definitely up to snuff. In my car, I use those Swedish mount kits, forgot the name - they have adapters for any car and nav, also cell phones and PDAs.
Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
02' C230k Sport Coupe
Your welcome!
Thank you guys for the praises... If I have other projects I will post the DIY. I found out that we do need simple instructions to do things to our cars, most of us are "technically challenged" and the more explanatory the better 
Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
02' C230k Sport Coupe
Costs:
AVIC Z1: $1450 (new)
Bluetooth: $110
XM Tuner: $149
Harness: $20
Installation Kit: $20
General installation items (ties, butt connectors, etc...) : $10
Installation cost: $0 (if you go to bestbuy add $500... lol)
AVIC Z1: $1450 (new)
Bluetooth: $110
XM Tuner: $149
Harness: $20
Installation Kit: $20
General installation items (ties, butt connectors, etc...) : $10
Installation cost: $0 (if you go to bestbuy add $500... lol)
Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
When I used to do stereo installations (way back when most of you were watching power puff girls) people would come to me after going Circuit Chity and Worstbuy saying "I don't know what the deal is...I paid them $50 to install my pull-out tape deck and it doesn't work". After opening the dash I noticed that their $50 hard earned dollars went to scotch tape or "wire connectors" as some of their employees called it.
I know they have improved their work but I still don't think they are all that great at what they do. I've heard, seen and fixed too many nightmares. However, they are a great place for wiring harness' and dash kits.
Great write up Fanito.
I know they have improved their work but I still don't think they are all that great at what they do. I've heard, seen and fixed too many nightmares. However, they are a great place for wiring harness' and dash kits.
Great write up Fanito.
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
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,934
Likes: 1
From: Chicago
04 C32
fanito - great write up. I have a Z1 here on the table, along with the 70-9401 harness. One thing that I'm confused about is your ACC explanation. In two pictures, you say that you connected ACC (the red wire from connector 1) to the cigg lighter. In another picture, it sounds like you didn't wire it to the sig, and just swapped the yellow and red wires between the Z1's connector one and the 70-9401 harness. Which way is correct? Thanks!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 6,665
Likes: 4
From: Boston
2004 C32 ///AMG
did you use an antenna adapter?
how do you know how to connect which wires to the metra harness?
also, after the metra harness is wired to the unit, is the rest plug and play?
thanks
how do you know how to connect which wires to the metra harness?
also, after the metra harness is wired to the unit, is the rest plug and play?
thanks
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,934
Likes: 1
From: Chicago
04 C32
I haven't installed mine yet, I just got it today and am preparing. The metra harness is color coded to match the wires from the Pioneer harness. The rest is not plug and play for me since I have the Bose system.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 6,665
Likes: 4
From: Boston
2004 C32 ///AMG
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 6,665
Likes: 4
From: Boston
2004 C32 ///AMG
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,934
Likes: 1
From: Chicago
04 C32
they are availible on ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...6098&rd=1&rd=1
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...6098&rd=1&rd=1
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 274
Likes: 0
From: rochester, MI
2002 C230 K, 6 speed
they are availible on ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...6098&rd=1&rd=1
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...6098&rd=1&rd=1
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 6,665
Likes: 4
From: Boston
2004 C32 ///AMG
they are availible on ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...6098&rd=1&rd=1
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...6098&rd=1&rd=1
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Central Indiana
2004 C230K
This post has sold me on going for the AVIC-Z1 over aftermarket Comand. I-pod integration, Bluetooth, and a GREAT DIY guide for me to follow when the time comes. Now, the question is....
AVIC or BiX? Which to do first?
Thanks Fanito!
AVIC or BiX? Which to do first?
Thanks Fanito!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,934
Likes: 1
From: Chicago
04 C32
I'd get BiX first! Frosty lenses make the car look so dated
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 6,665
Likes: 4
From: Boston
2004 C32 ///AMG
Steve is running out of them
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 274
Likes: 0
From: rochester, MI
2002 C230 K, 6 speed
Did you guys get your kits from ebay yet? Unfortunatley my ebay account had my old adress saved on. It has been over a year that I moved from there so the post office stoped forwarding mail to my new adress. The Ebay seller sent the item to my old adress, and now, I think that the post office will return to sender.
