07 Benz

OK, so I've decided to go for the factory Comand system instead of aftermarket. Just saw this on ebay..

First of - is this the model I need for my 07 sport? Second, it says its from a 05 clk - is there any difference in the 05 and 07 comand units?

What do you guys think of this specific unit? What else will I need for the install to get my wheel controls and dash display to work? I know I will need the antenna and also plan to get the ipod integration kit...

Thanks guys.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Merce...fAudioQ5fVideo

FraKctured

I've found it really annoying to try and figure out what will and what won't work in terms of Comand, Phone integration, iPod integration etc.

I don't know why MB makes this so difficult. I know they want you to buy the Comand system, but from the posts on here, the factory system leaves a lot to be desired when compared to the other options. Lots of posts mention that the loss of the steering wheel control is worth it. That's a sad commentary on the Comand system in my opinion.

Good luck trying to figure it out--let us know how it works out.

nickgailloux

It will likey work but there will be a small gap on either side of the unit because the C and CLK use a very slightly different shape unit.

acr2001

Yes, that unit will work perfectly in your car EXCEPT(!) for the gaps that you will have on either side! Also that price isn't good. I bought a brand new G class comand unit (identical to the w203 unit, but has reverse camera input) for ~$500 on eBay. You need to do a lot of searching and wait it out for the right price. If you want to install the phone kit (phone kit + bluetooth puck = bluetooth phone kit) you will run into problems because your 07 is not prewired. For anyone with an 05 or 06 you need an MHI module, contact plate, and bluetooth puck. It is not nearly as complicated as it's made out to be.

Your steering wheel controls will work out of the box, so will the cluster, but the navigation menu on the cluster will not appear until you have it coded.

91RS

I've been considering getting one as wel, I just haven't had time to do any research. I thought I read somewhere that these have a DVD drive or hard drive or something that has to go in the trunk? Or is that pre-facelift cars?

acr2001, did you add a rear view camera to yours?

07 Benz

So the G and C class Comand units are the exact same and will fit with no gap? Don't like the idea of a gap...

So the wheel controls and cluster display will work out the box on those two units? The phone is not a must have, but would be nice.

Also - for the nav to work, I will need to get my car coded like in the sticky?

Might start to looke for a G class unit so I can add a rear cam. Is that the only differance?

omg its nate

Wouldn't just be easier and have better features to just go aftermarket? Seems like a lot to spend.

07 Benz

Just not a huge fan of the aftermarket look... but yea, if the $ starts to get out of control I will be going this route.

Norwichdelta06

an aftermarket would look nicer...check around this forum there are people who've done aftermarket setups and see how you like it. But anywayz keep us posted on what you do

acr2001

Really? Nicer? To each his own I guess, but in my opinion I've never seen an aftermarket unit that didn't look like crap in our cars. The comand unit looks best and has every major feature if you get the phone kit, but is more expensive.

acr2001

Yes, Yes, and no, the nav should work out of the box, it just wont appear on the cluster display until you have that coded. In some rare cases the comand unit will not work in your car until it is coded (this is usually true if your car has an open fiber loop with nothing on it - if you have no audio options.). The camera is the only difference I know of on the G class unit - but there is one other - the clock works differently and on my unit shows the wrong time (off by an hour) because I have not had it coded. The cluster still shows the correct time. The sticky you're looking at is probably for the pre 05 unit which is different.

acr2001

Nothing goes in the trunk on a W203, you are thinking of the other sedan models. The DVD drive is built into the comand unit.

It's actually easier to install than an aftermarket unit. Radio pops out, comand unit pops in, you stick the antenna behind the dash, and you are good to go (plus coding for the gauge cluster to show directions, and in some cars coding is necessary for comand to work).

There is a thread with step by step photos showing how to remove the factory radio - search.

BF_JC230

Steve should have a few units...

This is an EASY Do It Yourself - Takes a couple hours going SLOW...

1.) Pop out upper center vent
2.) Lift / Remove shifter trim
3.) Remove upper control panel (one clip, large, is a little tight)
4.) Remove ashtray housing (Replace with smoker delete and 12v plug)
5.) Remove HVAC controller (Replace with Digital HVAC controller)
6.) Remove Audio 20
7.) Cover fiber cable end (s)
8.) Remove instrument panel
9.) Remove instrument panel frame
10.) Install GPS antenna with FAKRA blue connection, route wire to COMAND
11.) Plug in and install COMAND, ensure all four snap clips are in screw locations
12.) Reinstall interior trim
13.) COMAND may need to be programmed to your VIN's fiber loop
14.) Turn by turn and NAV will need to be set to "Present" for the MFD

W203E35

It will work. The C Class, CLK Class and G Class all use the same COMAND.

I have seen some for 800 including the DVD (navi disk).

07 Benz

What about "the gap"??

W203E35

Honestly I never knew there was a gap. The interior looks exactly the same. Just keep looking I have seen many w203 ones.

I noticed the person who mentioned the gap, is this because he/she used a G class? Maybe the G class might have a gap (still works with C) but maybe the CLK fit's perfectly?

The 209 and 203 look identical. I have a feeling you won't run into any gap issues with the 209. The seller does say it fits 203.

Maybe you can contact the seller and ask him about the fitment?

Good luck

OneOfaKindTrini

Its for the w203 and the w209.. I've been inside a w209 CLk with the Designo package it looks like the same thing. It seems like a good buy.

OverDrive

Possible Intrest in mine.... I want to get the Single Slot.... one with the disk...

https://mbworld.org/forums/c32-amg-c...nsole-c32.html

AMGfan

I agree a lot of installs out there are crap but I have been lucky with my E55 and SL65 installs. I am sure a competent installer can really make an aftermarket HU look fantastic in a C, E, SL, or whatever MB you drive. I just think the COMAND unit is lacking in utility and counter-intuitive with regard to menus and the nav...my Garmin nav in my Kenwood alone was worth switching to aftermarket.

SL w/ Kenwood DNX8120



E w/ Kenwood DNX8120

acr2001

The G class unit fits perfectly in the W203.
The W209 unit does NOT. They are not identical in size.
There is a gap on both sides. See photo.



I know more about these comand units than I care to admit.

acr2001

Damn, those are some VERY nice installs with the matching panels.
I'm used to seeing that ugly plastic panel people buy on crutchfield. It's really low quality and it looks it. I've even seen some where the whole head unit is slightly skewed to one side. Also, you are right about the menus in the comand unit being conterintuitive. But feature wise I'm fairly satisfied (If it had a hard drive for music I would be totally happy, but MP3 CDs do alright for me).

acr2001

I'm just wondering why you would go with the Euro unit over the US unit?
Don't you need a CD changer with that unit if you want to listen to a CD AND navigate at the same time?
You will have to burn a hacked DVD in order to have navigation functionality, just in case you're not aware.

BF_JC230

2006+ with the dished in (OK) button will play MP3...2005 with flat (OK) button will NOT!

I think the COMAND is very good, the best thing for me is entering a destination with the phone number and then getting turn by turn in the MFD.

acr2001

Yes, the joystick / OK button is the only way to tell from a picture of the unit.

07 Benz

Did you ever get the unit to fully work (wheel controls, cluster display, ect...)? Did this unit come from an 05/06 C class?

Will this unit play Mp3? I assume all units will take the OEM Ipod integration kit...