ChrisRam

I am a tech journalist but in a different market and wanted to wait until after CES to pick out my unit. I visited the Pioneer booth to see what they cooked up for 2010 and was not impressed, the 110BT looks to be their high end for at least the next six months.

I wanted to visit the rest of the contenders but ended up being too booked up or hung over to hit Sony or the other guys.

So here we go, another Pioneer thread. Please keep in mind that the others are older and this is the latest model with all of the bells and whistles. Is there anything else on the market that is better at: looking sweet, giving directions, taking / making calls, audio quality and everything else that these things do?

Before moving on, I have a 2003 C320 Sport Sedan with the CD Changer and I think the Bose Audio ( I would really like to find a sure fire way to check ). I know I have the digital thermo, heated seats, moonroof and pretty much every option other than the 4matic.

So the first question is, what is the best at doing common tasks? If it was your money, what would you get. I would like to retain all of my wheel buttons and if possible keep the display stuff.

What all do I need to change out? Speakers, amps, sub?

That is pretty much it. Thanks in advance.

ChrisRam

I looked up the VIN on the Russian site and got this:


810loudspeaker, sound package
sound package (bose) (с 01.12.1986)
819CD changer - alpine - in trunk (с 31.07.1992)

My changer is in the glove box though.

samaritrey

you have bose


edit: looks like you figured that out for yourself
btw i think if the cd changer showes up in the vin thing that just means it was ordered with cd changer and not installed at the dealer ship.

07 Benz

You need to go look/play with the different models. All will pretty much have the same basic features, but the user interface/controls/appearance will be different.
I liked the Pioneer… just the boot up time was too long.

ChrisRam

I ended up getting the Pioneer AVIC-Z110BT for 879 today. Then I picked up the Polk Audio PA 1100.5 5 channel amp for 368 and finally a set of Polk Audio MM6501 6.5 inch component speakers for 171.

I have an older 12 inch Kicker in the guest house that I will use for the sub, at least for now. I am not looking to blast music so the neighbors hear it or anything, I just don't want that muddy sound that comes from the factory system. You would think that a Mercedes Bose system would not sound like something that came from a My First Sony.

I am still not sure what speakers to put in the rear doors and I have no idea what is in the trunk from the factory.

Now I need to find the CARPI 131 adapter and see if there is a guide to talking all of this stuff apart.