Full Throttle

Currently having the PioneerAVIC-Z110BT, full speaker and sub replacment done on the CLS. We are also doing the Ebay double din adapter along with back up cam and MSN direct adapter. I really don't want to mount the Sirius antenna on the outside of the car if possible. Has anyone had success with the Sat antenna mounted inside the car. The car should be done tomorrow or Thursday and we need to decide where we are mounting the Antenna.

Thoughts?

Dericious

I put an after market sirus antenna on a 2003 E class on the rear deck. I had the windows tinted (non-metallic tint.) and I worked decently. It did tend to cut out anytime i went under an underpass, but other than that it worked fine. It was in LA, so didn't have to deal with a ton of tall buildings, so don't know if that would be a factor for you.

My suggestion would be to try to put it on the rear deck with some velcro on the bottom of the antenna thingy. You should always be able to mount it later if it doesn't work for you.

Full Throttle

Hmm...

My windows are already tinted im not sure what kind of tint i have. I can deal with loss of signal from bridges.

france2112

You can put the antennae in the stats right in front of the windshield wipers. Completely stealth and you should get a normal signal as if it was mounted on the outside of the car. Make sure they do not put it inside as you will most likely have a lousy connection. I have done both of these in the past with a CL55. Also don't put it anywhere on the outside of the car. It will look like **** as there is no real way to hide the wire. Believe me, I have tried it all. Good Luck.

Larry

Full Throttle

They want to put it on the rear trunk lid where it meets the rear windshield. Where exactly are you suggesting i have them put it, i don't follow.

france2112

I don't own a CLS but I'm almost positive that right in front of the windshield wipers there is a black plastic vent going the width of the front hood. Your stereo people can wire the antennae to that area without any wires showing. I have done it on both my CL55 and CL65. You can see the antennae when looking into the grill but it is hidden otherwise and because it is exposed then you get a great signal. Believe me it will look like crap doing the way your guys want to do it. Actually, just the fact that they don't know about this or another way to make it stealth worries me about how well they did your installation. I'm not saying this to rip on them or to scare you. Just telling you my worries as I want everything to go well for you. I used a place for my upgrades and I regret it. I found the best place (in the country as far as I'm concerned) after the fact. The company is called Technicar: www.technicar.com. If you have any questions call them. They are very nice and I'm sure they would answer any of your questions. People send them cars from other states because they are so good. One of the owners, Raymond, went to both Mercedes and AMG in Germany to learn the electronics and schematics for aftermarket installations. They are Mercedes and AMG specialists. I'm sure he could give you an even better place then I told you about but my place does work well and is tested to work by me on two different cars. Good luck and let me know what happens.

Larry

Nebster

what kind of functionality are you losing when you move to an aftermarket unit?

Dericious

I don't remember the black vent across the hood. Car is in the shop so i'd have to look tomorrow. I did mine the the rear speaker deck and you couldn't even notice it was there on my old E500. Reception was fine as long as it was open sky. This worked for me because the actual receiver unit for the SAT was in the trunk.

I agree it will look like crap on the outside of the car. And if you can do it in that area below the windshield wipers that would probably be ideal. If there is space there any installer worth anything should be able to give you a nice stealth install up front. I just don't recall what the space up there looks like.

But seriously if you just plug in the antenna set it up on the dash or back deck and drive around, it'll give you an idea of what the reception will be like. The rear tends to block a little more signal with tint and defrost bars., so if that's your final destination make sure you test it there.

bruin420

I have an 06 CLS55 and I had them put it under the hood under the plastic vents and get perfect reception all the time. It is perfect because it is completely stealth yet gets the job done. I can try to post a pic tomorrow if you are interested....LMK

Full Throttle

Thanks Larry

Im going to run by there this morning and haven them put the antenna in that vent

Full Throttle

Yes please post a pic.

Full Throttle

From what i understand the only thing i wont have is the turn by turn display in the instrument cluster.

france2112

No problem. Happy to help. Hope all goes well. By the way, they should be able to make your steering wheel functions work with the aftermarket navi. Many shops don't know how to do it but it is possible. Good luck.

Larry

Full Throttle

I will look into it. Im about to run down to the shop and speak with the owner about the new antenna location. The steering wheel volume control will work i was not aware any other function was related to the command unit.

erifly

saw your setup on benzworld..nice...i been thinking about doing this for a while as well..how is the bootup with the avic-Z110BT? When I was thinking about doing this to my old e class I read several members complaining that the avic had a slow bootup..especially in colder winter..freezing up.. Of course you have the latest model..so do you still see those or similar issues? Or have any other complaints about it?

Worth the wait

I'm thinking FT may have difficulty answering your questions here.

erifly

LOL, wow didn't realize he got banned. It was only a matter of time though .