WebGuyNJ

I haven't taken deliver on my Coupe het so I don't know the dimensions or specs on the COMAND system, but I have seen several systems on ebay:

Some are like this one (COMAND 2.5) ...


and othes like this one (COMAND 2.0) ...


Do either, neither, or both of these work in the C Coupe?

Silver_Lana

nope. i will find u a pic of the one that works on the C Class.

Silver_Lana

Here you go... you can see this one is more contoured to take care of the curves in the C Class.

WebGuyNJ

I am looking to get one on the cheap (or at least as inexpensively as possible). Is there a version or model number you are aware of? I am looking to get the euro version because I have a DVD source that can output in PAL, and I'd like the video output for the kids.

Silver_Lana

Unfortunately i dont have a version number, if i get my car next weekend, i will check for you.

Although i gotta say ......
its going to be really hard installing COMMAND in any Mercedes because most of the Prewiring is done from the factory but there are some posts in the CLK forum ob how some dude from the UK installed COMMAND in his CLK320 i think...

Anyway, it shouldnt be difficult to pipe the video once you have command working properly.

Richard

Hi.

There are basically 2 types of comand, comand 2.5 from S/CL with a cassette player built in, and comand 2.0 without.

Of the Comand 2.0 type, there are two different "looks" - one is square (from W210, W208, W163), and one is all nice and rounded (W203, R230, latest G class and probably future cars).

Basically, every year the software/hardware is upgraded, so there is a new part number for each year.

Each one has different mounting clips, so you must get the correct one.

The part numbers are A XXX 820 YY YY ZZ

The XXX should match your car if you want the right mountings on it ... (which you do), so one for your C class will be A 203 820 XX XX.

Im not sure if the W203/R230 are different mounts, but I tried out the one in a new SL in one of the hidden menus and it definely knew it was in a SL and not in a C class)

In Europe, there have basically the differences between the model years are :-
MY2000 original main production version
MY2001 adds SMS message capabilty
MY2002 adds better SMS and much better map entry

MB have a software upgrade release (Euro dealers have this), which fixes a load of stuff in the MY2001 release. I think this can be put on the MY2000 release (but they dont tell the dealers that)

Since the W203 is relatively new, there havent been many versions of COMAND for it, and since the 230 (new SL) is only just out in europe, I doubt there will be any of those systems around.

Part numbers for the W203 C class are :-

EUROPEAN COMAND
203 820 91 89, replaced by 203 820 96 89 from 4th May 2001 at vin number A130830 or 00096901

US COMAND
203 820 92 89, replaced by 203 827 31 42 on same date/vin


Now, on EBAY *for about 3 hours more* there is a dutch auction for about 10 of those at $1000 Euros (which I think is about $900) - they are the EUropean ones as they have the TV button

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...tem=1721714166

WebGuyNJ

Richard thanks for the detailed information. You certainly have a lot of information on the components of the C Class. Especially the euro components. I have ordered a split zone mirror based on you information before. I hope to start building as much knowledge on the new Benz as I've had on the VWs and older Benz's I had in the past.

Thanks again

Silver_Lana

Excellent info Richard.. cheers!

adi

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Richard
[B]Hi.


Each one has different mounting clips, so you must get the correct one.

The part numbers are A XXX 820 YY YY ZZ

The XXX should match your car if you want the right mountings on it ... (which you do), so one for your C class will be A 203 820 XX XX.

Hi Richard ,
Thanks for your previous post regarding '02 C-Class COMAND retrofit. NOw after reading another post, I realize that I might also need "Mounting Clips". I got German COMAND which is on the way. BUt I wanna prepare everything beforehand.
If you can Could you check part NUmber for "Mounting Clips" for '02 C-Class?
I already bothered my dealer so many times that I think they are kinda tired and pissed at me :-) but I'll give it a try again, meantime, Could you also try find for me?
Much appreciated !

adi

Richard

There is a bracket that holds the comand from underneath on most models - you'll probably find it is slightly loose without it, maybee you wont notice.
I'll ask a dealer when im there later in the week - I dont have it in my "book of stuff collected from many visits to my local dealer".

Remember, that the wiring looms are different between cars without COMAND - but someone else has worked out what wires need moving about to make it work.

You will need one extra connector (C2) connector. I think thats posted on another message on this website, let me know if cant find it and i'll add it to my question list for the dealer.

adi

Hi Richard,
Thank for your help and remind. I've got some infos regarding COMAND retrofitting, Please check the following see if anything is wrong:

Parts Needed:

A0015454840 C2 connector sockets housings @1
A0005454230 C2 cover @1
A0135454626 contact bush, pin for CAN Bus line @5
A0345457528 8-pin C Plug for COMAND @1
A1635400113 GPS adapter to COMAND @1 (not sure if really need)

The wire on the existing connector C pin1 goes to C2 pin 8. The wire on connector C pin2 goes to C2 pin 9, connector C pin4 goes to C2 pin 10. then connect CD-change over to 8-pin plug pin5 (-) and pin6 (+). And finally connect GPS.

Here's a little confusion: someone on the other site did his retrofitting on W210 E55 connect existing C pin 1 to C2 pin 9 and C pin 2 to C2 pin 8. I don't know if he wrote it wrong or it's just model difference. Maybe you can clear that for me?
The following is the wiring infos I got from another site see if that's correct:

Plug C(Audio10/APS30)
Pin 01 interior CAN Low
Pin 02 interior CAN High
Pin 03 back headlight
Pin 04
Pin 05 + supply CD change-over switch
Pin 06 - supply CD change-over switch
Pin 07
Pin 08
Pin 09
Pin 10

Plug C1(Comand)
Pin 01 TV red
Pin 02 TV green
Pin 03 TV blue
Pin 04
Pin 05 - supply CD change-over switch
Pin 06 + supply CD change-over switch
Pin 07
Pin 08

Plug C2(Comand)
Pin 01 Wake UP (Robert bosch CAN)
Pin 02 NF TV on the right
Pin 03 NF TV GND
Pin 04 cassette NF on the right
Pin 05 cassette NF GND
Pin of 06 speed pickups on the right of (ABS)
Pin 07 interior CAN screen
Pin 08 interior CAN Low
Pin 09 interior CAN High
Pin 10 Wake UP D2B at CD change-over switches
Pin 11 NF TV on the right
Pin 12 NF TV screen
Pin 13 cassette NF left
Pin 14 cassette NF screen
Pin of 15 back headlight switches
Pin 16 Robert bosch CAN screen
Pin 17 Robert bosch CAN Low
Pin 18 Robert bosch CAN High

If this is correct, then it support the first method, otherwise, meaning, model difference makes different way of connection.

again, thanks for your help, much appreciated !

adi

BrabusCClass

adi,

I noticed you were in southern cali, can you help me with my command after you are done with yours? I am going to buy a euro one for my car too from the link provided by Richard. Thanks

adi

BrabusCclass,
sure, no problem, I am still at the stage of sort everything out, but almost done, just waiting for the COMAND.
Note: After you win the bid of German COMAND, ask them to send by Air, instead of sea. I chose latter for lower price but it's been almost 4 weeks and still waiting ! :-(

p.s. I am in Irvine, you?

adi

WebGuyNJ

I haven't gotten my coupe yet (EOW hopefully!) but please keep us all posted how your installations go. I really would like to install this upgrade and would like to know how long it took you as well any complications that occur.

BrabusCClass

Adi,

Im in LA but I used to live in Irvine, Walnut and Culver. I went to UCI so I know the area well. Maybe we can get together sometime after you get your command. If you need help installing I can try to assist you as best as possible. I am familiar with stereo installs, but never a command system. I can do most other car audio pretty easily. E-mail me, JLee765@aol.com

Richard

You need the contact bushings for the 8 pin plug aswell, I think they are 008 545 55 26 , but Im not 100%

The contact bushings should be only a few cents only. I suspect you may need the GPS adapter, I dont know (I presume you have a GPS aerial installed already)


That seems correct looking at my cct diagram for a W208

I think *you* are correct. However, from memory CAN will function with reversed polarity, or one lead missing, and just log errors



The word "cd change-over switch" is a mistranslation from German - it should be "cd changer"

The CD changer connects to the head unit with
D2B bus fibre cables
+, - and D2B wakeup
(which is why you have 3 cables to the CD changer, plus the pair of fibres)

I havent got the W203 cct diagrams to check everything absolutely ..

adi

Thank you RICHARD!

Silver_Lana

Do you plan on installing COMMAND once you take delivery of your C Coupe?

WebGuyNJ

I am actively considering it. I'd like to hear other's experience with the installation. I've got a lot of Car audio and mechanical experience so I'm not hesitent to do the work, just interested in the final cost and level of functionality.

Silver_Lana

If you do get it installed, if you dont mind, I would like to see how you do it.

Richard

Would anyone who is doing this, please take lots of photos ??

Especially of the existing wiring (ie A and B plugs, and the GPS and aerial leads), and of anything you need to take apart.

Id love to put a document together, and for me in the UK our cars dont have the GPS wiring pre-installed (or the CD stuff etc) unless we order COMAND (or CD player)

I know all the technical wiringy bits etc etc, and about the versions of COMAND , just no experience of US cars, only UK ones (and no photos :-()

DtS

I think this would be a great idea. Have a question for you. I have a euro-spec car (guess they are all the same in Europe, except for the LHD/RHD thing, right?). I didn't order the car with COMAND, but with the Audio10 CD. Does this mean that my car is not pre-wired for GPS?

Richard

Yes, it isnt prewired for anything :-(

US cars get prewired with
VCS (voice recognition) wiring and switches
Telephone wiring
GPS wiring (for Teleaid) and GPS aerial

I beleive that not all US cars have the latter, I dunno if they have the wiring and not the aerial or what...


Putting the wiring in afterwards is real issue, and means serious amounts of dismantling. Look at my instructions on retrofitting TV to command on http://www.ibex.co.uk/mbstuff


It is possible to modify the rest of the Audio 10 wiring to add the plugs needed for COMAND, relatively easily as show above.

The ML series does come prewired with the GPS antennae wiring though (certianly on MY2000 cars)_

Lynn

All US cars have Tele-aid as standard equipment, except the coupe. My coupe has the wiring, but not the antenna.

DtS

Thanks for your reply Richard. Still don' t get it though... It's a big issue putting in the wireing (any kind of wireing) afterwards, right? But it's not that hard to modify the Audio 10 pre-wireing (wich I have in my car) to support COMAND? Am I getting it all right?

Thanks again!