C-Class (W203) 2001-2007, C160, C180, C200, C220, C230, C240, C270, C280, C300, C320, C230K, C350, Coupe

First pics of my COMAND retrofit!!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Nov 27, 2002 | 01:02 AM
  #26  
evian's Avatar
Almost a Member!
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
M Benz
Thumbs up

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
Reply
Old Nov 27, 2002 | 01:20 AM
  #27  
Class C's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 423
Likes: 0
From: LA, Ca
W203
Originally posted by vadim
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?
Vadim,

My sound quality has definitely improved some, not alot but noticable.

Last edited by Class C; Nov 27, 2002 at 10:04 AM.
Reply
Old Nov 27, 2002 | 01:23 AM
  #28  
Class C's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 423
Likes: 0
From: LA, Ca
W203
Originally posted by evian
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
Evian,

Please email Steve (MBenzNL) at s_krabbenborg@hotmail.com

He could answer all your questions and pricing.
Reply
Old Nov 27, 2002 | 01:59 AM
  #29  
adi's Avatar
adi
Almost a Member!
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Irvine, So. Cal
'02 C32 AMG
Class C,
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
Reply
Old Nov 27, 2002 | 02:21 AM
  #30  
PoonerElRay's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 476
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver, BC
2017 GLA 250 4Matic
Can you watch DVD movies on that thing?
Reply
Old Nov 27, 2002 | 02:28 AM
  #31  
E_Corleone's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 192
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
2001 Silver C320
i gotta get this

great upgrade! i want one. what kinda connection is used for the tv input? did you try the tv before you installed it?
Reply
Old Nov 27, 2002 | 03:28 AM
  #32  
MBenzNL's Avatar
Former Vendor of MBWorld
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 4,011
Likes: 3
From: global traveller
some slow@$$diesels
The TV doesn't function without a TV tuner...the OEM MB TV tuner is expensive BUT with a german made RGB connector (approx. 200USD) one is able to hook up a DVD player, PS II or video/camera without using a TV tuner.

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,
Reply
Old Nov 27, 2002 | 03:37 AM
  #33  
oggle's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,587
Likes: 0
From: Louisiana
E320
MBenzNL,
Is this something I can install on my own or should I pay the dealer to do it?

Btw, doesn't putting the GPS antenna under the dash affect its reception at all?
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Nov 27, 2002 | 03:42 AM
  #34  
MBenzNL's Avatar
Former Vendor of MBWorld
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 4,011
Likes: 3
From: global traveller
some slow@$$diesels
Originally posted by oggle
Btw, doesn't putting the GPS antenna under the dash affect its reception at all?
no...we tried both Jay;s car and the car in which I installed the comand today and both had 8 satelites reception...they both even had 2 satelites while still parked inside.

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,
Reply
Old Nov 27, 2002 | 03:53 AM
  #35  
oggle's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,587
Likes: 0
From: Louisiana
E320
MBenzNL, I can't seem to PM you on this board. Can you email me at dadawee@hotmail.com? I'm interested in buying a Command unit from you (for 2003 C320), if you have it. Thanks.
Reply
Old Nov 27, 2002 | 09:40 PM
  #36  
Class C's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 423
Likes: 0
From: LA, Ca
W203
Here is RDS at work, Stock Market Reports every 5 min till close.





Reply
Old Nov 28, 2002 | 12:02 AM
  #37  
Blueice's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 296
Likes: 0
From: Ca, Newport Beach
2002 C320
Can u tell me where u have then install? thx alot =)
Reply
Old Nov 28, 2002 | 12:05 AM
  #38  
Outland's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,916
Likes: 1
From: The blue white rock, third out.
2002 C230 Coupe(M111)
Originally posted by vadim
There is no such thing as Bose head unit.
I should have refered to it as the "Bose enabled" head unit. The head unit on the cars with the Bose 'upgrade' have functions not on the 'base' unit.

I (like many here) have replaced mine with Audio 10 (by Becker) and the difference is HUGE.
No its not. Just a little more bass-no search, no AM, and a really ugly head unit on the Audio 10.

A side note: it's called "COMAND", not "Command".
Actually, I did refer to it as 'COMAND' in the second part of the post you quoted...
Reply
Old Nov 28, 2002 | 01:17 AM
  #39  
Class C's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 423
Likes: 0
From: LA, Ca
W203
Originally posted by Blueice
Can u tell me where u have then install? thx alot =)
Blueice, please contact MBenzNL (Steve) at s_krabbenborg@hotmail.com

He's in Orange County until Friday night, he could do your install while you wait. Only takes less than 2 hours.

Regards,

Jay
Reply
Old Nov 28, 2002 | 01:26 AM
  #40  
LAMAY123's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 465
Likes: 0
From: So. Cal.
A 2-Seater Roaster & A 4-Door AMG & 2008 S550
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
Reply
Old Nov 28, 2002 | 01:28 AM
  #41  
Blueice's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 296
Likes: 0
From: Ca, Newport Beach
2002 C320
great thx!
Reply
Old Nov 28, 2002 | 01:31 AM
  #42  
LAMAY123's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 465
Likes: 0
From: So. Cal.
A 2-Seater Roaster & A 4-Door AMG & 2008 S550
Hey, Blueice, maybe we can have the retrofit done together if you are doing yours before he leaves on friday..
Reply
Old Nov 28, 2002 | 02:54 AM
  #43  
Blueice's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 296
Likes: 0
From: Ca, Newport Beach
2002 C320
I just talked to him and he said he can only do it in SF =( i think he sold all the command he had sniff...
Reply
Old Nov 28, 2002 | 09:38 AM
  #44  
Jim Banville's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,823
Likes: 1
From: GA
'06 Lexus GS300 RWD, '07 Camry SE V6 auto, '91 190E 2.6 auto
no AM
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"!
Reply
Old Nov 28, 2002 | 02:14 PM
  #45  
Lynn's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,744
Likes: 1
Originally posted by Jim Banville
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"!
Then, you got lucky. The US AM band starts at 530 KHz and goes up to 1710 KHz in 10 Khz increments. The Euro AM band starts at 531 (no typo) KHz and goes up to about 1600 KHz in 9 KHz increments.

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.
Reply
Old Nov 28, 2002 | 09:12 PM
  #46  
Class C's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 423
Likes: 0
From: LA, Ca
W203
Originally posted by LAMAY123
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
No problems at all, the system runs very well. I would call it a factory install. Got my MB dealer to warranty it!
Reply
Old Nov 28, 2002 | 11:13 PM
  #47  
Outland's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,916
Likes: 1
From: The blue white rock, third out.
2002 C230 Coupe(M111)
Originally posted by Jim Banville
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 AM stations do not work like a US spec unit- Autoclass even notes this below its online description of the unit. As Lynn has already noted, you got lucky that the stations you listen to 'bleed' over into the frequencies your Audio 10 car recieve.

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.
Reply
Old Nov 29, 2002 | 12:03 AM
  #48  
LAMAY123's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 465
Likes: 0
From: So. Cal.
A 2-Seater Roaster & A 4-Door AMG & 2008 S550
Originally posted by Class C
No problems at all, the system runs very well. I would call it a factory install. Got my MB dealer to warranty it!
Which dealer do you go to? You mean they don't even know that your comand is not factory installed?
Reply
Old Nov 29, 2002 | 10:25 AM
  #49  
Blueice's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 296
Likes: 0
From: Ca, Newport Beach
2002 C320
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
Reply
Old Nov 30, 2002 | 11:00 PM
  #50  
davidasman's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta, GA
2002 C230 Kompressor
does NAV work?

In all these posts I've read about COMAND retrofits everything seems great in the end. But no one ever mentions whether the NAV will function properly. I'm *assuming* that since you have the GPS antenna installed and are picking up satellites that everything works fine.

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)
Reply


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:01 PM.

story-0
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes-AMG's new electric GT 4-Door Coupe trades combustion for software, synthetic noise, and more than 1,100 horsepower.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 20:08:15


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-2
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-3
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-4
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-5
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-6
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-9
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE