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

Class C

Vadim,

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

Class C

Evian,

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

He could answer all your questions and pricing.

adi

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

PoonerElRay

Can you watch DVD movies on that thing?

E_Corleone

great upgrade! i want one. what kinda connection is used for the tv input? did you try the tv before you installed it?

MBenzNL

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,

oggle

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?

MBenzNL

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,

oggle

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.

Class C

Here is RDS at work, Stock Market Reports every 5 min till close.

Blueice

Can u tell me where u have then install? thx alot =)

Outland

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.

Quote:

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.

Quote:

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...

Class C

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

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

Blueice

great thx!

LAMAY123

Hey, Blueice, maybe we can have the retrofit done together if you are doing yours before he leaves on friday..

Blueice

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...

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"!

Lynn

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.

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!

Outland

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.

LAMAY123

Which dealer do you go to? You mean they don't even know that your comand is not factory installed?

Blueice

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

davidasman

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)