Hello guys I'm looking into buying a 05 C230k.....It's all OEM asides the radio... the PO decided to go with aftermarket that looks like >><< any one know how much it would cost to get an OEM one?

150 or less on here.search classifieds or Ebay our craigslist

Stick with aftermarket IMO. just go better.put pics on here if you can so we can get an idea of how bad it is.

I just sold myn for $100 off of my 05. It wont be to hard to find one because a lot of people switch to aftermarket and don't want there old stock ones, but theres not to many people who want to buy stock. If you don't like the look of his aftermarket you could always switch to another aftermarket that you do like

I'll go back and take pictures today..... You guys really don't like the stock look?? I thought you guys would to make it look more "classy".... He has a big touch screen kenwood in there.

I am looking for stock too. I am thinking that aftermarket looks kind of... aftermarket. I am re-thinking now. I would like to see your pic's. There are sooooo many out there. PLUS, they all come with DVD. Do I want a passenger watching a DVD playing while I am driving? I know, don't watch. Just a distraction and thought.

Bob

You would think! But no, actually. No car is safe below a certain price point.

You should most definitely replace the aftermarket crap with a stock unit. I've seen a lot of well-done integrations of aftermarket units on these cars and even the best still looks well out of place. Keep it stock.. it'll be a rarity on here.

you are 100% right...i did the aftermarket ...looked like crap and out of place...of course had tons of features but the look was all out of wack......went with OEM command unit and dame it looks good.....everything matchs and it was a simple plug and play...just have to get it star coded ....if I can find some one with star diag in NJ that would be a final touch...

my 2cents....
javvy

I understand that as of late. Our aftermarket decks resemble more of the Asian "look at me bling bling" decks. I don't favor lights and excessive flash. You can still find some decent looking decks.

I couldn't disagree more from a cost and feature standpoint. I realize that there are some bawdy looking aftermarket head units/radio options out there, but dollar for dollar, aftermarket will get you more.

I need features that make listening to the cars audio system possible. High voltage outputs from the RCA outs, true subwoofer control, selectable EQ points with adjustable Q factor, high speed iPod integration, time alignment. Heck have you heard a car with the automatic eq'ing that Audyessy can provide.

I haven't seen a stock deck do that.

Out of curiosity, what is the model number of the Kenwood deck you are replacing?

Ed

Definitely agree.

Do you guys buy home stereo components based on how they look?

This is a odd thing to me. The primary concern of a radio to me is how it plays and most important to me, how it sounds.

I have to agree with Javvy.... BUT FINDING a stock unit is easier then saying. I have looked and that is why I am looking aftermarket. I guess I will be patient until one comes along. I am told too, to get a fiber optic one rather then a non.
I am new to MB and this whole replacement thing has got my head spinning.
Maybe I should have bought an old BUG like my '71. Now THAT was fun to work on. None of this computer stuff.

Bob

Well no, but I would definitely rule one out that had a ton of flashing neon lights and was completely tacky. That's the issue with AEM units in cars. Granted not all are like that (though a lot are), but still I can't stand how anything other than a factory unit looks. Even the best integration seems at odds with the rest of the interior.

Should note: I'm no audiophile - have standard Audio20 in my C230, sounds fine to me.

I have a stock radio for sale. I pulled it out yesterday from my 2005 C230K Sports Coupe. It is the Harmon/Kardon fiber optic version

I have to agree with Javvy.... BUT FINDING a stock unit is easier then saying. I have looked and that is why I am looking aftermarket. I guess I will be patient until one comes along. I am told too, to get a fiber optic one rather then a non.
I am new to MB and this whole replacement thing has got my head spinning.
Maybe I should have bought an old BUG like my '71. Now THAT was fun to work on. None of this computer stuff.

Bob

If you are in North NJ, I know 2 indys that can star diag for you. PM if you are interested.

I'm no audiophile, either, so, to me the HK system sounds pretty damn good to me even as is. And to my daughter who is driving the car on a daily basis.

And no, I don't even have home stereo system. Except in the garage.

To me, having an in-dash cd, better aux options, or the ability to see the length of a track I'm listening to (without hitting the damn "T" button) far outweigh the stock alternative, even though I do have a stock radio, of course. I'm just lazy.

You could always get a new headunit that's more conservative, like a Becker, or an older unit from Eclipse, Nakamichi, etc., that would be more fitting to the car.

Well the facelift cars have in-dash CD and aux options.. though apparently they are vastly inferior to the pre-facelifts, right Tommy?

Now you're getting it!

Any improvements to the head unit itself are offset by the cheaper-looking center console stack, of course.

The 2005s are the facelift right? If not, I have a audio 10 CD player yet I think its only for the 2001-2004.

Audio 10s are pre facelift, and the 2005s are facelift, 2005s take audio 20s

In all honesty I agree that the aftermarkets don't look as nice as the originals, but I think its worth all the extra features you get with aftermarket. Plus my hole audio system sounds a million times better ever since I got my aftermarket. I dont think it looks that bad either. I think it really depends on preferences and how important some features are to you. For instance I have bluetooth audio on my pioneer, which is when I get in the car with my phone my iphone and headunit hook up automatically via bluetooth. Then I call wirelessly play songs and make and receive phone calls with great quality. I can also choose to hook it up with an ipod wire to charge it or an AUX. Plus I can watch DVDs, stream movies from my iphone, or hook up any AV product. Once on a road trip I hooked up an nitendo 64, and my friends in the passenger seat and rear seats all played mario cart on a drive to the beach. Know Iv never seen a stock unit that does that haha. But in all reality I would take a stock Command unit over my aftermarket any day, but when it comes to the cost the aftermarket makes more sense to me. Here are some pics of how aftermarket units look in our cars for the people who want an idea. (First 2 are ones of my 2005 facelifted sedan and the last one is of my 2002 pre facelift coupe)

The one in your facelift car, Peydidy, is very well integrated but definitely not for me.. I agree the stock COMAND unit looks best. The one in your coupe, however, is classic aftermarket nasty. Then again so is the whole pre-facelift interior. Oh damn, apparently I'm not "getting it" after all, Tommy.

You are going to have an absolute fit when you see newer cars fitted with tablets. Its coming.