inFiniTE LooP

so this weekend i got a few things done with the old C230 K

(1st set of pics.) - finally got the right size bulbs to finish out the interior lighting for the most part, also switched out the license plate bulbs for 'xenon' white looking bulbs, for their mistake in sending me the wrong sizes, they sent me a pair of their Silver Xtreme bulbs as well which i replaced my front turn signals with (they are silver so you don't see the orange bulb from underneath the lens covers for a much cleaner look and appearance, yet they still glow orange ). the interior lights i've replaced are the rear and front dome lights, and the puddle lights that are under the door. (i've posted the rear and puddle lights before so i am only posting the front dome and license plate lights here) if you guys would like to see all replaced lights in here, just ask and i'll post them.

(2nd set of pics.) - also this weekend i managed to get my XM Commander installed in the ashtray, i wanna thank Buellwinkle for his tip with the power source and for having the WIS document available, i would also like to thank keywestc320 from the benzworld forums for all of his help and for providing me with the link to Buellwinkle's WIS file , and i wanna thank Michael at Circuit City Elyria for all of the time he spent on this for making it exactly as i wanted it without cutting any corners, this guy rocks

(details of XM) - the power source is directly connected to the radio lead so that when the radio turns on (even without the key in the ignition) the XM turns on as well. i also went with the AUX input in my glove compartment over the FM modulation, and the antenna for it is mounted on the rear decklid. there was an initial problem at first with alternator whine, but after searching the forums i found the solution was to use a ground loop isolator which immediately got rid of the whine, thanks for whoever it was that figured that one out . also, to minimize this whine even more (although i believe all of it was extinguished after using the ground loop isolator) i went ahead and got some high quality THX certified gold plated MONSTER cable to use from the receiver box directly into the AUX input, the sound quality is fantastic and it looks much better in there because of the the 'L' shaped plug.
edit - oh yea, i also removed the light in the ashtray because it looked dumb with that yellow light shining in the back and it was harder to read with the light on in there.

(3rd set of pics.) - received my lock surrounds from IKOMPRZ and they look great! they were very easy to install, although i had a little problem with one of the rear ones, because after i stuck the lock surround in and tried to put the lock back in, the screw that it goes unto fell down and got stuck underneath, ended up bein able to pull out eventually with some small screwdrivers, but boy did it scare the crap outta me. (btw - to get around this problem i figured out the best way is to put the lock surround around the 'flashlight' lookin plastic lock, and THEN to screw it onto the screw that is inside the door, this way, you dont need to worry about getting in it in there with no control over how the screw is movin around.

anyway, on with the pics. lemme know what you guys think of the stuff whether it be positive or negative

Front interior dome light:



(excuse the dirt in these ones , and no, i dont care that you guys know my license plate number, anyone on the street can see it so what difference does it make )
Before:


After:

inFiniTE LooP

Front blinker before:


Front blinker after:



Front blinker before (close-up):


Front blinker after(close-up):

inFiniTE LooP

Before:


After:



Front view after:

inFiniTE LooP

Full view in the dark:



Ashtray in the dark (original front dome light turned on):


Another one:



AUX input from XM in glove box with MONSTER cable:


Another one:

inFiniTE LooP

Full view day time:



XM in ashtray day time:



Another one:



Yet another one (sorry about the blurriness ):



Ashtray closed:

inFiniTE LooP

Before:



After:

rubensans

Tell us your impresions about the dome light.

Thanks,

Ruben.

inFiniTE LooP

check your inbox ruben

wireless

Infinite Loop,

Love the XM install fann. Very clean. One question, though. Is it easy to change channels while your driving?

I KOMPRZ

Yes, thats how I told people to install the rear ones, you need to insert your door pins thru the new surrounds and screw the pin back into the door before pushing in the surrounds....I didnt tell you that??? That was my bad...sorry.

Looking good tho!

inFiniTE LooP

oops! forgot to include pics. of it with the remote, the unit comes with a remote control that adds more functionality to it, but if ya dont feel like fumblin with it, changing channels is just a spin of the dial away, it's more difficult to change channels while it's in park because the gear shift blocks it a little bit, but it's still not a problem, heh

Outland

Wholly shiite. That is some install work! Did you custom fab the surround?

inFiniTE LooP

the surround is actually the original one that came with it but cut and shaved down to fit into where the original ashtray was

Outland

You did a nice job! Same for the pin surrounds!

inFiniTE LooP

oh...is that what you were referring to when you said 'surrounds' ??? if that's what you were talking about I KOMPRZ did the custom job , sorry i thought you were referring to what was surrounding the XM Commander

SoCalbenzo

Very nice job. What was your total cost into this project?

IL230K

Very nice job! Everything is clean looking, especially the XM radio in the ashtry. Next mod, bi-xenons?

How's med school, hope all is well. Maybe I'll see you around the area soon.

inFiniTE LooP

well, the XM Commander was free courtesy of my girlfriend (she got it for me as a birthday gift ) but she got it from Circuit City for $169 i believe with a $25 rebate, about a week later they dropped the price to $139 and with their pricing guarantee she went back and they gave her the $30 difference, so she actually only ended up paying about $114 for it.

the installation to get the XM exactly how i wanted it and perfected ended up costing only $80 for a ton of work! i had originally gone to a few local car/audio places asking them for quotes on prices for installation for the same job and they were telling me $100, so i saved $20 by finding the right guy at Circuit City (by the right guy, i mean as meticulous and **** retentive as myself, so i knew he would do a good job) granted, the information is out there to do all of the work on your own (because i'm the one who provided Circuit City with all of the information to make it possible (WIS sheets, example pictures, solutions to encountered problems) all from this website and benzworld.org), but for me i really didn't trust myself to do this kind of a job on my car and not screw something up.

the interior lighting, SilverXtreme bulbs, and license plate lights altogether cost $50 including shipping, i have a bunch of extra lights now though that i've just been giving away to friends since they accidentally sent me a bunch of the wrong sizes

the lock surrounds, provided by I KOMPRZ, cost $34 for a set of 4 (this price included the shipping) they are much better than the ones from formymercedes.com because they have much more of a shine and they are custom etched!

so the total for myself was:

XM Commander = $0 (birthday gift from my girlfriend)
XM installation = $120 (includes taxes, MONSTER cable, and ground loop terminator)
Interior lighting, blinkers and license plate lights = $50 (included shipping)
Lock surrounds = $34 (included shipping)
--------------------------------------------------------
total cost= $204 (with all shipping and taxes included)

Outland

Both!

inFiniTE LooP

thanks Erwin

actually the next thing on my list is to replace those damn parking lights because of their orange/yellow look conflicting with the white of my headlights. Bi-xenons are on my list, unfortunately i'll have to wait until next year or whenever steve decides to come back to get them due to exams getting in the way this year

school is going alright, i feel that all i do is study anymore, and any time not spent studying is time trying to figure out what to do to my car and sitting on these boards (it's actually quite effective as a stress reliever )

but yea, hopefully i'll get to see you soon and get BIX installed post some pics. of your new goodies that you're gonna be getting in a few weeks, we're all in eager anticipation (although i do have one thought on one of the things you'll be getting )

Outland

Call Gaston or Harris about BIX. I bought mine from Gaston, he was great to deal with. Also, over at MBKlasse there may be a group buy with a sponsor that can't be mentioned here coming up for Bix. Ive done it now, Ivementioned the evil group buy words.

taylor192

Another boring 'white light', 'clear lense' mod thread - how about something interesting!

inFiniTE LooP

which clear lenses were you referring to? i didn't install any and white light is only 1 of the things i did out of 3...maybe you should learn to read or at least scan a little better before you post something stupid

inFiniTE LooP

clear out your Private Messages Inbox so i can send you something...

taylor192

My mistake, white lights and door pins - yeehaw!

The XM install is pretty sweet though.