No UMI or COMAND navi but now wants one installed. HELP!
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Newbie
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C300
No UMI or COMAND navi but now wants one installed. HELP!
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? 
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: New Mexico
2014 E350, 2012 SL550
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.
It's a little pricey though, about $2,000 for me.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2010
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C300
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.
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From: Europe
223.168 & 213.012 & 906.633 & 214.005
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).
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From: Dix Hills, New York
2012 C250 Coupe
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...
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Chicago
2018 E300 4MATIC Sedan
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
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...pensation.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...-pictures.html
Nick
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Thread Starter
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C300
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Joined: Mar 2009
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From: S.F. Bay Area
2008 C300 Sport, 2010 RX350 AWD
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..
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..
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