iPod Integration Kit vs. All-in-One head unit (e.g. Pioneer AVIC)
 

I'm getting sick of running my iPod through a crappy FM/cigarette lighter adapter, but before I fork over the considerable amount of cash to the dealer for the kit and install, I thought I'd consider possible options.

I don't have factory navigation, and it's not a big deal to me as I know exactly where I'm going 95% of the time (work, home, gym, girlfriend's, etc...repeat). Aside from the obvious benefits of DVD, navigation, Bluetooth, satellite radio, and the like from a unit like the Pioneer AVIC, are there any major disadvantages/issues with them? Have the issues with steering wheel controls been addressed by the Pioneer UK part? For those of you who have spent the money for an AVIC, have you been happy with your choice?

Based on what I've read, it seems it will cost me about another $1000 to go with a quality aftermarket head unit versus getting the iPod kit installed. Is that right? I don't trust my limited mechanical/electrical abilities enough to install either one on my own. What could I expect for total installation cost for something like the AVIC?

Also, is the AVIC generally considered THE way to go for an aftermarket head unit? Or is there something better/comparable that is capable of fully functionality with a Benz?

iPod kit from the dealer should be like $300, you can get it installed at any stereo shop. I don't think they'd charge you more than $100

IMO, the MB Ipod Integration is underwhelming in features and overwhelming in price. The shortcomings of the Ipod Integration that could be solved by an aftermarket headunit are:

1)10 character limit on MFD of song title.
2)No display at all on main headunit
3)No control of Ipod functions other than volume on headunit.
4)No ability to select Podcasts or Audiobooks with steering wheel control. This is my biggest gripe, and the reason I am going with an aftermarket headunit. Currently, I have to uplug the Ipod, select the podcast or audiobook, then plug it back in. (Not while driving, of course :rolleyes: :smash: )

With that said, I am still glad I ordered my car with the Ipod Integration installed, as I couldn't live without my Ipod in the car at all. But, it is the only thing about my car I haven't been completely satisfied with.

The sound quality is great, IMO, and I couldn't imagine living with FM modulated sound.

Hope that helps.

I can listen to podcasts and audiobooks no problem through my MB ipod kit

My recommendation is to go with an aftermarket unit simply because of the flexibility it can offer in the future, though even now there are some advantages.

1. Cheap bluetooth integration. Instead of paying $200 for the bluetooth puck (which may not work with your phone) plus whatever it costs for the phone kit by itself (about $600 or so, if I remember), you can get it as part and parcel (or an option, in some cases) of your new HU.

2. Better iPod integration, as well as the possibility of future integration. The new update of my HU, Pioneer's 9800BT, takes USB inputs as opposed to iPod only connections, giving it the ability to work with nearly any usb-based music player (though not as well as the iPod, admittedly).

3. You don't necessarily lose steering wheel controls, especially with Pioneer and Eclipse.

4. Better sound. The system in the 2005s is better than that of the 2004s and before, but aftermarket almost always sounds better.

5. The ability to have HD radio, if that's your thing, plus the possibility of using XM or Sirius satellite radio, if that's your thing.

In the end, you only lose the display of track numbers and the like on your speedo screen. :mercy:

you just listed all the options that i want/needed. i just gotta play the waiting game and find a good deal for a AVIC! :y

There was something up on Avic411.com about a $200 rebate on all Avic purchases (the deal didn't include major B&M stores - i.e. Best Buy, Circuit, etc).

To be completely honest, I love my Avic-D3. I went from the same ****ty FM transmitter situation to one and IMO it's the best money I've spent on my car. Good thing is, if you get a new vehicle, you'll most likely only need to buy a few pieces to transfer it into it (which I might or might not end up doing depending on what I get).

I think I'm pretty much sold on an aftermarket HU after reading these posts. The MB iPod kit just seems like a waste of money. Best deal I've been able to find is $739 for a Pioneer AVIC D3 on sonicelectronix.com. Comes with the iPod and Bluetooth cables/adapters. They also allegedly throw in a wiring harness and mount.

I think this is a good deal.

hmm still a little too rich for my blood. guess ima have to find some ebay deals.

Another option you may consider is a more classic HU option, such as the new P700BT as opposed to a double-din GPS unit. The reasons for this are twofold.

1. If you get a portable GPS unit, you have more flexibility in terms of options of an interface that you like, plus, if you have multiple cars or a rented car on a trip, you can take it with you. In my experience, if you turn up the volume on the portable, you can easily hear the turn-by-turn in all but the most insanely high volumes on your radio, so the "cut sound to hear instruction" is not as critical as I thought. Plus they're cheap; Magellan 4250 was $250 (I think, if not $299) after coupon at Costco last week. Factor in the cost of the HU at $330 and I got iPod+bluetooth and GPS for two cars for less than $600.

2. Pioneer has this silly thing in their AVIC series of treating you like a thirty-year old just learning how to walk, and it wants to equip you with a snorkel and a pair of water wings just in case. As far as I've heard in reviews, you can't dial out while moving (not the case in the 9800BT I have), and you can't enter an address while on the move. Though I do understand their caution (because people are, on the whole, incapable of chewing gum and walking in a straight line), it really frustrates me that it forces you to stop to do anything.

Plus, you gain something of added safety with the ability to pull off the faceplate, plus it's cheaper to swap out later if you like (if this new one is iPhone compatible, I might go for it later for a 3G iPhone, as mine is not) and, unless you want to watch DVD movies on the road, you're set.

i have a quick question will an PIONEER AVIC-Z2 fit in an 02 C230K

If you want to be a little patient and prefer the Kenwood and Alpine over the Pioneer then their next gen of double-dins will be released very shortly. I do believe they are taking pre-orders on the Kenwood unit already.

The prices will be a little high at this point though.

I'm pretty sure that the bypass you can rig will take care of those problems with the AVIC's. They're all over Ebay...everything from "super-secret" wiring diagrams that people will sell you to some actual hardware that you just wire in.

I hear what you're saying about having the flexibility of a portable navigation device (my girlfriend actually works at Garmin, so I've tried out some of their models). But I don't think I'd want a single-DIN HU. I don't think it would look right, and I'm not a fan of the motorized/retractable screens. Why not use the space in the center console if you have it?

Possible theft is always a consideration, but I love that fake Ford F-150 faceplate that Fanito made for his great AVIC install.

Don't tell me you will go with a single din motorized screen ! the double dinn looks way better IMO.

with some lil fitting mods yes look at my sig.
If you wanna know more, do a lil research on this forum in the sticky everything is there.

isn't hte z2 motorized? i already have comand, so i'm not even tripping. but i've seen some ebay deals for d3's, but i didn't put a bid on them. just gonna snipe it out i guess, aha.

Is that single DIN compatible with the steering wheel controls?
(D2B ring?)

yeah it is ! Z1 and Z2 are basicly the same with more POI than the Z1 and some few stuff.

the single din flips in and out... I hate that because when out it kind of covers the air vent.

the Z series flip only when you need to insert a cd.

You mean the CAR PI ?
Well it should on the pioneers single or double din.
But instead of listening to me, make sure you ask the seller about the compatibility whith your car and the headunit.:nix:

do you have the d2? or the d3? i'm looking towards the d3 because if i got the z, wouldn't it kinda interfere with my shifter? plus, there would be a HUGE space where my HU is

Seems like the D3 (or one of the D-series) would be better than the Z-series IMO. I just don't like worrying about a big screen sticking out and blocking air vents, etc. Not to mention a possible break in the mechanism at some point. It definitely seems like double-DIN is the way to go.

The one on my sig is the Z1 and looks good.
The shifter won't go higher than the AC control (in park mode w/ AT) unless you put on a longer shifter but that would be:crazy:. I doubt you would do that.
I guess the D3 is ok since it is a doulbe din. but for 2 or 3 hundred bux more, I would get Z1/2 with a hard drive in it.

The Z1 is on my sig.(double din), as well as the D3.
The ones that block the air vents are single din such as the N series.

Problems connecting aftermarket radios to fiber optic?
 

Hi,

I'm surprised that some of you were able to install an aftermarket radio into your late model Mercedes. I asked a local shop (Kartunes) to do this for me. At first they said no problem. Then they took everything apart and discovered that almost all the factory inputs/outputs are fiber optic, including the speaker wires. They concluded that there is no way to hook up the copper wires of an aftermarket radio to the fiber optic driven speakers of the 2004 C230. According to them, the factory Bose speakers in the doors are special low amperage speakers. A normal amp would blow them out. Since I really just wanted to listen to the Ipod in the car, they proposed that instead of a new radio, I buy a D2B Ipod integration kit from from Dice Electronics ($450 + labor) that apparently fools the factory amp into thinking that the Ipod is a CD player.

Is it true that you have to replace the fiber optic and speakers to install your aftermarket radio/nav systems?

Has anyone tried the Dice D2B gadget?

Thanks,

Jim Fradkin
Leesburg, VA