daboMB

hi guys,

sorry for the newbie question, but i tried searching the forum and couldn't find the answer. i am looking to put in a cd changer for my '03 C320 sedan, and was wondering if i have to purchase the fiber optic cable. some of the threads i've read said that it's already in the car, others said i have to buy one. can anybody tell me if i really do need to go out and buy the fiber optic cable?

Thanks!

amdeutsch

My advise here is to forget the changer and get an AUDIO 10 CD.

R4ND0M_AX3

I'd get COMAND before the Audio 10.

amdeutsch

5+ times the cost. If you got any spare couple of hundreds please send them this way.

midas888

I've heard a lot of good stuff about the Audio 10 - better sound quality and in-dash cd loading. Only hard part is getting it. You'll have to ebay or call dealerships in Germany (search the forums). I didn't get it because I wasn't that interested in the work. :p

As for your question, I don't know the answer. Just wanted to voice my opinion.

daboMB

I don't want the Audio 10 because I plan to eventually get COMAND. Otherwise I would go with the Audio 10 for sure.

Does anyone know where I can find the answer to my question?

Thanks in advance...

Kal Rubinson

Yes. The built-in FO loop in the dash will not reach to the changer and you need to add the additional FO extension cable. That was my experience in my installation.

ravens1488

theoptical cables are NEVER in the car, u always need new stuff if u upgrade the system! The other cable for the changer (ground,bat and Wake-up) are just in the car (203) for the changer when u originaly ordered the Comand System!

Chris

davidasman

This isn't true for US model cars. All of our cars are basically pre-wired for everything, whereas European cars are wired for only those options that are ordered from the factory.

daboMB - if you DO NOT have the mercedes integrated phone kit, continue reading: look in your trunk, remove the trunk liner completely (what you would lift to get to the spare tire). you will find a plastic cover extending from right up against the back of the rear seats about 6 inches or so towards the spare tire spanning the width of the trunk. if you remove this cover (i think it requires a T40 Torx driver) you will find the fiber optic cable intended for use with the phone kit. you should be able to take this cable and use it without any problems. if you don't have a T40 driver you might be able to get away with using just a large flat head screwdriver as the T40 is HUGE (when compared to most typical Torx sizes...)

if you do have the phone kit then unfortunately you'll have to shell out the $30 for an extra FO cable....

if you need any help w/ the install go here - this is a tutorial that i made up when i installed my changer that dr. sunil patel (sunman) has put up on his website.

daboMB

Thanks for the info david. i've read your tutorial and it's excellent. I guess I'll shell out the dough for the additional fo cable. i'd like to keep my options open regarding the phone kit. gonna wait and see how much the new universal kit is gonna be first....