lkfoster

I'm curious to see if it can be done and if so what parts are needed.

From what I can find a w211 or w219 control unit will work but will require a w203 wiring harness and a few fiber optic bits. I believe that I have the switch already but just need the stalk up front.

Lenin

This has been done before. Are you sure about the W219? Or is it the W209?
It looks like you will need control unit 2038207585 or 2098200385 or 2098201385. And a wiring harness 2034403306 or similar depending on your options and 2034400110 or similar.

lkfoster

From the EPC it looks like the latest American English control unit is the 2038207585. It fits the 211 and 219 models as well as 164, 251, 240, and 463 models. Strangely enough I don't recall seeing the 209 listed. And I would have thought that the Maybach (240) would have had a more functional unit.

lkfoster

I just finished the install on my '06 C55 with Command APS, nav, HK sound and Teleaid. Your details may be different.

-I used a 211 Voice Recognition (VCS) kit for 2005+ p/n Q6820827. The kits are running from $175 to $275 from dealers online. The parts purchased separately are much more expensive. As the control stalk is different for the 203 I needed p/n A 000 545 10 44 sourced locally for around $40 though online it'd be half that. The control unit isn't the latest but it does control radio and phone functions, I've heard that later units also control the Nav system. This is for American English by the way.

-The control unit is located in the electronics tray in the rear of the trunk. There are no mounting points or holes so I just used double-side tape.

-My copper wiring and fiber optic connections were already there. The two cable fiber connection is inserted into the wiring connector and the connector plugs into the control unit.

-The other end of the existing two fibers splice into the MOST loop that loops around mid-way in front of the electronics tray. I don't recall the labeling, but the HK amplifier sound out goes into the VCS unit and the VCS out fiber goes into the Telephone in line. The fiber couplers are there and just need a small screw driver to dis-assemble.

-Two microphone connections need to be made; 6 pin connector 5 Mic to SDS needs to be plugged into 3 Mic In Tel and 2 pin connector 6 Mic Out SDS plugs into 8 Mic in Teleaid. These were the only options given the sizes and shapes so you really can't hose it up.

-The stalk is inserted and rotated counter-clockwise to lock in. The switch is already there.

-The system worked without any version coding via SDS. As my service writer said, "if it works then you don't need coding."

It's not a brilliant system, but it does make phone dialing a lot easier.

maverik259

Just a quick question on what the difference between the W211 VCS kit (Q6820827) and the W203 kit (2038207585) is, besides $600.

Any ideas?

lkfoster

If you can get into EPC you should be able to run down the different part numbers. I think that my part n umber was superseded several times. Don't know the differences other than mine only does phone and radio and not all that well at that.

maverik259

ya I missed the part that your's only does phone and radio and not Nav...I'm quite sure that's the difference...thanks for your time...

But just to clarify that is all you needed was those 2 parts; the control lever and then the control module that goes into the trunk, all just plug and play...no splicing etc that is (and this of course assuming i may or may not need coding)

lkfoster

I think that there was a fiber optic piece and a coupler too I order to plug it I to the fiber ring. I don't recall if there as a wire harness too.

maverik259

dont suppose you know what those parts are lol? maybe a receipt of at least what they're called? I sent email to Steve at MBenzNL but still no response