kirax2

how hard is it to do all these wiring?? is it color to color?!?!

Peydidy

Pretty much color to color with the exception of grounding and the power source. I hit a problem with getting it to power on but figured it out today so I should have it all done buy tomorrow hopefully.

Peydidy

Got the headunit done today and also took the car in for a oil change too. Will post up pics tomorrow

Peydidy

Chapter 3: Audio and Carbon fiber interior

I was originally planning on putting a app radio in the coupe but after playing around with it for a while in my friends car who had one I decided it just wasn't for me. Spent a few days going to different audio stores trying to figure out what unit to get, I decided on the new 2012 JVC KWAV60BT. Pretty happy with it over all, I kinda like it more then the pioneer P4400BH I have in my sedan. Also I put my sedans stock speakers into the coupe, which is a nice upgrade from the coupes stock speakers, but still nothing to special. I plan on upgrading its speakers to aftermarket ones with a amp later on. I also Re-Carbon fiber wrapped its interior because when I had the EIS replaced at the dealer they tore up my wrap when they were opening it up.

Sk8fe

Nice setup! I like the CF trim and the stereo head unit looks awesome! Where did you get the piece that is around the square display to the rounded edge of the console trim?

kirax2

Peydidy

Ebay. I got a really good deal on it actually, I paid $23 with free shipping for a brand new dash kit, brand new antenna adapter, and brand new wiring harness.

The price seems to have gone up a bit since I got it (I bought mine a few months ago and just had it sitting around till now) Heres the link:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2001-2004-Me...r#ht_646wt_956


Also about your PM it doesn't have nav but it has a app feature that you can download a nav app on your iphone and connect your iphone too it and it will act like a navigation.

Sk8fe

Cool thanks for the link. What about the CF stock trim pieces for the console/center console? Is that the way your Coupe came or did you do that?

Peydidy

Nawh I just wrapped Carbon fiber vinyl onto the stock trim with a heat gun, you can use a blow dryer if you don't have a heat gun. This is what my interior looked like before:

Sk8fe

Man, what a difference; that really looks sharp with the CF wrap. You did a great job. Could you post where you got the CF vinyl wrap at and how you did it (Step How To)? I do have a heat gun; although, currently a friend is borrowing it (like for months now, don't you hate that!), so this will be a good excuse to get it back.

Peydidy

I got the CF vinyl off of ebay, I have bought CF vinyl off ebay many times for many different sellers and never have noticed a difference between them in quality or appearance, I just made sure to buy it off of a reputable ebay seller with good feed back. Basically I just took all the parts I wanted to wrap out, and slowly put on the vinyl. Then I used an exact-o knife to make all the cuts. Then just heated the edges with the heat gun and thats pretty much it. Just make sure to take your time putting on the vinyl to avoid getting air bubbles.

Sk8fe

Cool -- thanks!

tiga88

peydidy, just curious, why did you choose jvc instead a pioneer? is it cheaper or something?
and also how about the steering wheel integration, is it work with jvc, because in pioneer, they must use a connector int right?

phister

To use the steering wheel you need an adaptor. I have the metra axxess aswc on my pioneer. Easiest steering adaptor. Instead of manually programming it, it has a learn button and takes less than 5 minutes.

Kompressonator

wow, when i got my 03 sport coupe the first thing i said to myself was "all 4 lights need to go lol, i love the 05's lights and the updated steering and speedometer!!!

Sk8fe

Peydidy,

I got the kit form eBay with the link you provided -- thanks! I'm a n00b when it comes to car stereos. I want a double-din head unit with NAV, SiriusXM, HD Radio and SD Card interface to update navigation maps, etc. with. Would be nice if I could also plug in a USB Thumb drive to play MP3s off of (or if that could be done via the SD Card?). Budget is under a grand. Preferably 800 or less. I only know of crutchfield.com. What would you recommend and from where? I wasn't going to upgrade speakers yet, so hoping the stock BOSE speakers would be OK for now. Does anyone make an amp that would fit in the glovebox where the stock CD disc changer is now?

Peydidy

The prices are very similar depending on features of the head unit. I have a pioneer 4400BH in my sedan and I love it. The reason I went the JVC on the coupe was this particular unit had all the features I wanted (bluetooth audio streaming and car phone, DVD, plus it has NAV when I connect my Iphone to it). Plus I got a good deal on it, there was a sale at bestbuy and I paid $350 for it. I am really happy with it so far. As phister covered about the steering wheel integration question; I didn't do the integration in either of my cars because I never used my steering wheel controls anyways even when I had the stock head unit.

I hate the ugly frostys, buy far the best $400 I have ever spent on a car. I ordered 05 tails on german ebay 3 weeks ago and it still hasn't came. I am starting to get a little worried that its taking so long

You could most likely play music off a SD Card or USB thumb drive on most newer head units in that price rang. I have never used crutchfield.com my self so I don't know much about it. I personally do all my electronic shopping at bestbuy because I am a premier silver member there so I get 60 day returns and 60 day price match on everything. So I will just find the best price for what ever I want then go in and get it price matched and get it there, that way I have easy returns, don't need to wait for it to come in the mail, I get reward zone points, plus if I find a better price in 60 days they match the difference and give it to you. If you need a speaker amp I have a sony explode speaker amp sitting around that I will sell you at a fair price, in my signature under parts for sale its posted in there. I wouldn't put the amp in the glove box though if I was you though, seems like a waist of space, plus most amps are too big. BTW did you get your 05 lights in? its been over 3 weeks now and mine still haven't came and I am starting to get worried. Back to the head unit though. If I had $800 to spend on a head unit I would probably go with a pioneer AVIC-X940BT its on sale right now on bestbuy.com for $699. It has all the features you want plus its well in your budget. Heres the link: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Pioneer+...&skuId=4569323

kirax2

now time for a front lip kit

Peydidy

After waiting over a month for them to finally come, they're here!!!

Sk8fe

Nice! I'm still waiting for mine...

Peydidy

what ever happened to yours? Did they find the correct one?

C230 Sport Coup

Nice! So much nicer than the pink faded original tails.

Sk8fe

I'm still plagued with the stock pink faded originals. I called and get mercedes parts dot com said that according to their computer they should receive my 05 tails tomorrow and that I should get them early-to-mid next week. Its been over a month now that my order for these 05 tails has been outstanding. First they sent me stock 03 pink tails. Ugh! Then they ordered 05's again but they came damaged to them so they re-ordered them again. The re-ordered ones are the ones that are supposed to get delivered to them tomorrow. Of course I got a track event next week when they are supposed to arrive so I won't know 100% for sure if I indeed actually got 05 tails this time until Thursday night or Friday. Fingers crossed...

Peydidy, post lots of install pics and how-to steps for me. Thanks!

Sk8fe

After all this time I finally got the 05 tails package delivered. Sadly and frustratingly get mercedes parts dot com sent me 05 tails for a sedan and not a coupe! I called and at this point I'm just returning all of them (I have two incorrect sets of tail light assemblies i.e. not what I ordered) -- unbelievable!!!

kirax2

yo pey, i am coming bak to the bay on 9/14 weekend, wanna meet up? can i check out the coupe?? i wanna take some pix with my Canon 1Ds