TwofourT

Hey guys,

Im minutes away from buying an 05 c240 4matic, I know it's the slowest of the pack, but its the most affordable of 4matics. G35 and Acura TL/TSX just dont cut it. But let me know if you think I'm making a mistake. Before I purchase I have some questions...


Will I be able to install a OEM Navigation Module after-market? Does the car come equipped with GPS antenna, I just see this as taking out my stereo, and plug-n-play the navigation unit (2005 of course).

I also was wondering if I get fog lamps standard, Im only getting the sunroof package, and will install xenon after market, but what this illuminated fog lights im reading about?

Thanks for you time...

jmartinacevedo

Yes you can fairly easily put in a Comand unit but, however, it will be expensive. (approx. $2500 or more).

Since your car will not come in with the Comand, it will not have a GPS antenna in it; you have to buy it separately. Other than that, it is very much plug and play, though you will need to have the unit activated via the Star diagnosis computer system.

M-

PS/ the foglights are standard. The C240 4 matic is a nice little car and excellent in bad weather. However, the throttle lag is signifcant. I wound up trading mine for a C230K.

Good luck.

Outland

If you can live without the AWD, C230K is a much better deal. Loads faster too!

TwofourT

Yeah, AWD is a must. I live in Buffalo, New York. Sold my last c240 before winter came in. A little reluctant to get back into another hauling 240, but dont seem to like the g35 that much, it just doesn't carry the 'bling' and class of a mercedes.

As per the navigation, I found a ML command unit on eBAY in the 800's, thinking of buying one of those and having some local shop install, hope to stay under 1500.

To answer the lighting package question...if you look at what it includes it states....
"corner-illuminating front foglamps*, activated via turn signal or steering at speeds under 25 mph."

-what exactly is this and is it worth it, or should I simply install xenons aftermarket.

I'm having alot of trouble finding a c240 4matic with both the sunroof and lighting packages, of course the 320 would be more likely to have such options yet I'd like to remain in the 32k range.

My last question for all of you is your opinion on color... black/black or obsidian white/cream or black? I think the white is far girly, yet with tints should appear a bit sporty...let me know..thanks

mick1

the 05 comand installed by the factory also displays the navigation information on the multifunction display in the instrument panel. I'm not sure if you would still get this if you installed the ML comand on the C240.

elchinocache

i dont even think the command from a ml will work in a c class. its a diffferent system, but its the nicest command out of all of the mb's. that flip screen is hot

MBenzNL

The 2005 W203 C-class and W209 CLK class DVD comands in the US are made by ALPINE who also makes the M-class comands...when going through the C/CLK DVD comand with stardiagnose it comes up with M-class specific (probably W164) settings...so the units are pretty much alike ALTHOUGH I do not think the M-class comand will display the nav help in the IC (besides the fact that it doesn't fit sizewise).

greetingz,

scorchie

Several misinformation posted in this thread:

1) The US-spec C240 4matic has a GPS antenna installed from the factory, as the TeleAid system uses it.

2) The M-class navigation WILL work in the C-class, but it depends on the type of audio system in the C-class. It may require a lot of wiring to be redone, PLUS the speed pulse must be brought to the unit. This is assuming you are talking about a W163 M-class radio, because I doubt the W164 units are for sale yet (they are similar to the 2005 W203 COMAND).

3) The W163 M-class navigation system is NOT a COMAND. It will never work with steering wheel controls.

4) If you retrofit a COMAND to a car, the multifunction display WILL display the information about navigation once it is programmed to do so.

5) The US-spec COMAND for W203 is made by Alpine, the same manufacturer of the W163 M-class COMAND, and they both have movable screens.

-s-

TwofourT

[QUOTE=scorchie]Several misinformation posted in this thread:

1) The US-spec C240 4matic has a GPS antenna installed from the factory, as the TeleAid system uses it.

5) The US-spec COMAND for W203 is made by Alpine, the same manufacturer of the W163 M-class COMAND, and they


----Wow, im a bit confused. My 4matic does not come equipped with Teleaid, but im guessing that the car's antenna has the capability to add either?

How much about would it cost me to purchase and install W203 COMMAND? Im guessing doing this requires alot less work and gives me more functionality over the M navigation.

jmartinacevedo

I suppose a GPS antenna is standard assuming the car comes in factory equipped with Teleaid.

My 2005 C230K did not come with the Teleaid option and, therefore, I believe it did NOT come in with a GPS antenna standard. (At least we did not find one in the car).

Actually, when we first tested a W203 DVD Comand in my car, we connected the Comand to the little black plastic antenna affixed to the rear window thinking it was a GPS antenna. Well, it was not (i believe it works as a cellular antenna only - not a GPS one). Because it did not work, we wound up using a regular aftermarket Alpine(?) GPS antenna to get the Navigation to work, which in turn worked flawlessly.

In sum, whether the car comes in standard or not with a GPS antenna is not the point; the point is a DVD Comand will work nicely in your 2005 C Class, and, as someone posted above, you will be able to get the navigation information in your Comand screen AND in the little "screen" located in the middle of your instrument cluster as well.

Further, you have the ability to continue to view certain navigation information in your instrument cluster (for instance, what street you're on, or what direction you're heading) even though, for instance, the main Comand unit is playing CDs or you are listening to the radio, or sat radio, etc.

M-

elchinocache

i did not know that, i thought the gps unit from a ml would not fit because the one in my fathers old ml500 looks so different from the ones that i've seen in the c class

scorchie

I guess it may depend on your car. A couple of 2005 cars I looked at had the GPS antenna even though they did not have the TeleAid option package. So, I guess you should check.

Another piece of misinformation here is that the GPS antenna is mounted in the little black antenna visible from the outside of the car. It is not there on a W203, that is the TeleAid antenna for cellular communication (the antenna for the optional phone is in the rear bumper on the sedan). In the past, cars without TeleAid would not be fitted with the cellular antenna, but it turns out that they are being fitted in some cars that do not have TeleAid installed. This is because the TeleAid may be fitted in the US.

The GPS antenna is under the black band around the rear window on the sedan, at the top of the right side of the glass.

-s-

scorchie

It does look different, but that doesn't mean it doesn't work... aftermarket systems look quite different as well, but they can be made to work, but usually with some work with respect to finding correct connections.

-s-

TwofourT

Well I purchased the car today, asked for 40% tints all around, should I go 35%? Its a black on black car, so I dont want it to look too black....

kompressor05

So Now I'm confused...

I have a 2005 C230 SS. I was told that Command systems for C CLK 2004 and below will not work with 2005 cars as the fiber system is different.

So the question is what is compatible with this car?

jmartinacevedo

Don't be confused. All what you need is a W203 US or Euro spec (dvd-based) Comand unit for your 2005.


P/S Please note that the reference to "dvd" means the navigation drive unit reads DVD-ROM discs; it does not play music or movie DVDs...

scorchie

I'm just curious, since he speaks about a 2005 model, he is probably in the USA. Therefore, how do you know a Euro-spec unit will work in his car?

-s-

MBDOCTOR

its all plug in and play i installed many all you will need is the GPs antenna i got them for $100 plug in and play you may need program the cluster for navigation this is about it took me one hour to install all works fine