cheech129

I bought the C300 2010 without COMAND or UMI and now I'm thinking about wanting it. I called a dealership, gave them my VIN number and they told me it was nearly impossible to install one because I'm not prewired plus they have to fix the antena and a bunch of other stuff. Is that true?

dfordham

The whole purpose of UMI is to add nav and multimedia functions easily to the standard Audio 20 system. I had it put in last year and it only took a few hours at the local dealer.

It's a little pricey though, about $2,000 for me.

cheech129

I remember reading that on here too. So why would the dealer tell me that it's impossible? He straight up asked me what my VIN number was and said it can't be done. This is out here in SoCal.

Diesel Benz

Can we have your VIN (PM if you don't want to post it)? I'm not aware of any restrictions other than that the car needs to have Audio 20 head unit (in the US Comand or MM would be the other option where you do not need UMI or Navigation 20 or Nav + 4 for navigation anyway).

jctevere

I believe you were unfortunate enough to speak to a very uneducated person at the dealership. Either that, or go to another one. The UMI is designed to be put in vehicles that did not come with the Mercedes Comand system. Therefore, the wiring harness and such will work for the UMI, it is simply a matter of getting to it and hooking the UMI into it, then just installing the UMI in the glovebox and hooking it up to the screen... Yes, it is expensive, around $2000 out the door from the dealer, but it is very possible to buy the UMI for around $500 and install it yourself which costs nothing but a couple hours of your time (I believe there is a DIY on this if I am not mistaken). Or, if you have money to burn, you can buy and install the full Mercedes Comand system yourself with a retrofit (more intensive and this time, requires the need for wiring harness replacement. This might be what your dealer was referring to, a complete comand retrofit, which is far from impossible, just a bit of a hassle. Again, there is a DIY posted in this forum for that, I am 100% sure of, not sure about UMI DIY though. IMO, I would just get the Comand for just a bit more...

NickCats

Yes, UMI is available. I had it installed on my 2008 last August :

https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...pensation.html

https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...-pictures.html

Nick

cheech129

Thank you for your guys input. I'm gonna call another dealer and hopefully they know more.

I am Jeff

The dealership you called is BSing you. My friend just did a install for a customer at the MB dealership he works at.

cheech129

Ya I was thinking he was too. Prolly lazy. Damn too bad your friend doesn't work here in SoCal. haha.

sirics

jctevere - where do you get a UMI for $500? I want one.

justthinking

The only concern I have for UMI is the availibity of updates..MBUSA did release an update for 2010, and I am waiting to see if they will release another update for 2011..

I have UMI installed in April of 09..cost me around $1,800 but I think it is worth it..
BTW..maybe we should have a list of ppl that has UMI installed, so we could do a share program for the usb update stick..

bnam

I read somewhere that the program on the USB stick was protected and works only for one device. True?

sirics

Where can I get a UMI for $500 as stated above?

Sully

I don't think that it's that cheap.

http://www.comandonline.co.uk/W204-Navigation-20.html

I am Jeff

UMI's will cost you around $1500 dollars just for the parts, so $500 dollars isn't possible. If it is, please let me know.

Sully

There's probably aftermarket products that will get you about 90% there, but even those won't be cheap.