Sea55

Hey Guys,

Im looking in purchasing a comand unit for my 2005 C55, I am looking at a command unit on ebay that is out of a 2008 g55. The command was manufactured in 2007 and my car was manufactured in 2004. With that said.. The seller claims it will fit a w203 and is much better then the w203 version because of the mp3/ipod and back up camera capabilities.

So my questions are.

Will this fit my particular W203?

What adapters/antennas/anything will I need to ensure the comand is accurate, my steering wheel buttons work as well as the dash display?

I've heard of issues with antenna reception even when installed under the drivers dash (as recommended)

Is there a possibility that my car is pre wired based on exact manufacturing date?

He also claims that it is unlocked so no programming is needed? hmmm? input

I understand that there are tons of posts in regards to command and most of the helpful links are for the euro comand..

Any input will be greatly appreciate..

here is the link.

http://http://www.ebay.com/itm/390382626701?item=390382626701&viewitem=&sspagenam e=ADME:RTQ:MOTORS:1123&vxp=mtr#ht_1652wt_1464

GTibunny8v

Possible comand part numbers valid for your car are 203 827 43 42, 203 870 29 89, and 03 870 41 89. I know ML, GL, R classes you similar comand and if you install a comand with
back up camera in one that doesn't have a backup camera or vice versa the units don't function properly.

Sea55

Hmm. I just assumed that was only an option, a nice one at that if i decide to run the wires. He assures me it will work properly and will have to visit a mb dealer to configure the IC display for the nav. He was also not sure if the car was pre wired but thinks it may be considering it is a 55.. He also claims that 320 usually come prewired as the 230 do not.. He's not 100%... Im gussung if worst comes to worst I will have to use a nav antenna and it should be plug and play??

Viper98912

91RS did it, he said that he had a slight issue with some connectors and the speed sensor I think. Ask him for more details. Besides that, he says it works.

Sea55

Thanks Viper, I'll give him a shot.. Much appreciated.

btw, If I ever see your car in person i'm stealing your wood trim.

91RS

The G55 Comand unit fits perfectly in the dash like the stock W203 unit. The CLK unit does NOT fit properly, there will be gaps on either side.

The G55 Comand unit uses the same connector and will connect right up and work. All G-classes have rear-view cameras, so when you put the car in reverse the screen will go black if no camera is hooked up until you go out of reverse. It can be turned off with Star though (doesn't need developer mode, so I dealer could turn it off). I have the factory iPod adapter that has a jumper connector between the factory connector and the radio, so I cut the wires in that harness to hook the camera to so I wouldn't have to source terminals for the connector. I just cut an RCA cable in half and used the female end so the camera could be disconnected from the harness. I also used an eBay GPS antenna and placed it above the HVAC vents and it works just fine. I don't remember any other issues, but you may want to search my posts and find the thread. I found a connector view on this site somewhere that listed what everything does in the radio connector.

91RS

Oh, I remember what my issue was. I couldn't set the clock after setting comand=present in the cluster. Once that setting is turned on, the time displayed in the cluster is pulled from the Comand and for some reason in mine the timeset was (and still is) grayed out. Even the dealer couldn't figure it out, they even called Mercedes. So I just changed the cluster back. I don't know if the problem is my particular radio, my car, or something that would happen putting any W463 radio in a W203 (but I'm pretty sure there are other people who have done this and I've seen no one else complain about that). Not having the directions in the cluster isn't a dealbreaker though, the directions still are read aloud through the speakers so I never really looked at the cluster when it was turned on anyway.

Viper98912

The black birds eye maple dash is definitely awesome and I love it....

Sea55

Thanks 91rs and Viper! Sorry for the late response but just to clarify,

Your time is grayed on the comand so there is no clock either in the IC or unit itself?

Any gyro issues? Does the arrow lag?

besides camera and IC nav readout which is not a deal breaker it's practically plug and play?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2008-Mercede...ht_1652wt_1464

91RS

The only time a clock shows on the Comand unit I've seen is in the navigation screen where it shows what time you'll arrive. Like I said though, I don't know what caused it so it may just be my radio. I prefer seeing it in the cluster anyway.

You'll have to buy the GPS antenna I posted and it will work fine. I just plugged mine up and it worked.

Sea55

got it.. so IC will be fine and I will have to do some math for a correct eta.. not the end of the world.. Thanks Mang!

Hopefully my comand will be an exception.

91RS

Well, I'm pretty sure others have done the G-class radio and I've seen no one else complain about it so it might just be my radio. If you can set the clock on yours then you'll have no issues setting the cluster to comand=present.

Sea55

I really think it comes down to the competence of the tech. Everyone states that "all it takes is coding" but I still have not heard of anyone actually getting it done and claiming it works fine "once" it gets coded. besides that everyone says it works great.

carlosfernandez

let us know what happen with your modification??

Sea55

Absolutely. Once I buy it I'll be sure to post with installation pics.

drho2004

Sooo i installed a us spec mcii comand from a wrecked 2006 w203 into my 2005. Everything works plug n play. Took 40 mins