First pics of my COMAND retrofit!!
but may I know where do you get all those stuff for $1190
I thought that system will cost a fortune
Can you tell me where I can get all the parts needed and also the command itself?
thx
My recollection - based on someone's report - is that US COMAND units offer no improvement in sound quality compared to the stock US cassette stereo (Audio 30). I wonder if the sound part of Euro COMAND is on par with Audio 10... Anyone?
My sound quality has definitely improved some, not alot but noticable.
Last edited by Class C; Nov 27, 2002 at 10:04 AM.
Looks really nice
but may I know where do you get all those stuff for $1190
I thought that system will cost a fortune
Can you tell me where I can get all the parts needed and also the command itself?
thx
Please email Steve (MBenzNL) at s_krabbenborg@hotmail.com
He could answer all your questions and pricing.
I am in LA, too and am interested in retrofit COMAND. Did you install by yourself or find some shop to do it for you?? if so, which shop would you recommend??
thanks
The euro comand comes standard with RDS and is an almost straight forward modification. One only needs to change the stock C-connector into a C1 and C2 connector which involves changing the contactpins of the wires involved (5 on a standard C-class with CD changer).
I installed Jay's comand yesterday which was the first 203 comand install for me and did a second one today which only took about 1,5 hour.
One can use an OEM MB splitter and use the already available GPS antenna (teleaid) to connect the comand to, but it is easier to use a second GPS antenna and stick that under the dash (whicg is recommended by mercedes in their navigation install manual).
Instead of bareviations on the toprow of buttons that are to be found on the US comands, euro comands have icons. The euro comand has an additional TV button and a SYS button to change some settings of the system.
To get the navigation info displayed in the dahcluster, one will have to get the navigation "present" programed by the dealership.
greetingz,
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Btw, doesn't putting the GPS antenna under the dash affect its reception at all?
According to the avreage mercedes dealer it is NOT possible to add a command system afterwards to the car...if you have it done by mercedes, please keep in mind that those people know what they do and therefore installation should take 1,5 hour max! Resetting the software (to get the navigation screen in your dash) may take another 15 minutes.
greetingz,
There is no such thing as Bose head unit.
Can u tell me where u have then install? thx alot =)
He's in Orange County until Friday night, he could do your install while you wait. Only takes less than 2 hours.
Regards,
Jay
After in installation you dont have any problem so far?
I just sent steve an email, hopefully he replies soon....how long is the installation?
thanx
And it isn't just "more bass" that is improved over the Audio 30, the whole frequency range sounds "better"!
Hmm? The two AM stations I listen to come in perfectly fine on my Audio 10
And it isn't just "more bass" that is improved over the Audio 30, the whole frequency range sounds "better"!
With the old fashioned continuous tuners this would not be a problem except for the missing 1000 KHz at the top of the band. But with the current turners, which tune to distinct frequencies, some stations, especially lower power stations, cannot be received.
so....Class C
After in installation you dont have any problem so far?
I just sent steve an email, hopefully he replies soon....how long is the installation?
thanx
Hmm? The two AM stations I listen to come in perfectly fine on my Audio 10
And it isn't just "more bass" that is improved over the Audio 30, the whole frequency range sounds "better"!
The added 6db of adjustment of the stock head unit also provides added treble, should you desire it. However, the addition of bass is what most people percieve as 'sounding better'. It may be that to your ears, the added 'loudness' warms up the sound to your liking. A similar effect happens when you play CD's that have been burned with the bass turned up on them a few extra DB's in the burning program. If youre happy with the Audio 10, great. To me, its an ugly looking, poorly designed unit with dubious features, and a high price for a headunit that has very little to offer over the stock unit, and some serious drawbacks. In addition, the single indash CD sacrifices the cassette player-which, when the display folds down, is another one of those G-whiz cool things like the flowering cupholder and the opening of the panorama roofs dual sunshades- I know, its not a showstopper, and I don't play too many cassettes, but on ocassion I do, so its nice to still have the option.
The only thing that would get me to ditch the stock unit is the COMAND unit, that baby is sooooo coooooool!
Group Buy, anyone???

Or perhaps if MB comes out with a head unit down the road that looks as nice as the original one, but has an equalizer
. Could always add that, but I find the aftermarket equipment rather cheesy and cluttered looking.
No problems at all, the system runs very well. I would call it a factory install. Got my MB dealer to warranty it!
Please tell me how do u do that hehe and which dealer it is? thx
Will someone please just answer this for me (I know I sound neurotic, but... well I guess I just am a bit neurotic!):
If i retrofit my US C230K with a EURO COMAND, will the NAV work with a US map, while in the US (provided, of course, you are also in the region for which you have the map CD of)?
Thank a lot! BTW - the pics look great! If you could go into more detail on the changing of the C connections that'd be great! I'm very interested in doing the retrofit both for my car, and my mom's (CLK320)


