Replacement head unit
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 271
Likes: 39
From: SATX
'16 C63s
Replacement head unit
So, I need to replace this crappy stock head unit that came with my C55. Been looking all over the place for something solid and still haven't come across one with all it's ***** together (Pioneers' navigation sucks, Kenwood's interface sucks - it looks "Fast and Furious"-ey, Alpine's interface is slow). In my search, I found this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Veyron-VNS-MBC-OEM-Style-Nav-DVD-Radio-iPod-Bluetooth-USB-SD-for-Mercedes-W203-/281246539487?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_GPSSystems_GPSSystems&hash=item417b999edf
Has anyone given this thing a try?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Veyron-VNS-MBC-OEM-Style-Nav-DVD-Radio-iPod-Bluetooth-USB-SD-for-Mercedes-W203-/281246539487?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_GPSSystems_GPSSystems&hash=item417b999edf
Has anyone given this thing a try?
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 852
Likes: 4
From: DE
2005 E55
So, I need to replace this crappy stock head unit that came with my C55. Been looking all over the place for something solid and still haven't come across one with all it's ***** together (Pioneers' navigation sucks, Kenwood's interface sucks - it looks "Fast and Furious"-ey, Alpine's interface is slow). In my search, I found this:
Veyron VNS MBC OEM Style Nav DVD Radio iPod Bluetooth USB SD for Mercedes W203 | eBay
Has anyone given this thing a try?
Veyron VNS MBC OEM Style Nav DVD Radio iPod Bluetooth USB SD for Mercedes W203 | eBay
Has anyone given this thing a try?
Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 242
Likes: 0
From: Oxford, PA
C55 AMG
Check out the electronics section. I looked for the same thing but there isn't anything I could find where you can easily hook an aftermarket HU into the MOST fiber optic system. You essentially have to replace the amp as well. The only easy thing is that your wires run out of the amp to all speakers. So find the right colors and you can hook your whole car up from back there. You would obviously have to run the wires from the back of the HU to the back of the car. I used the pioneer app radio 3 by the way
Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 271
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From: SATX
'16 C63s
Well, that's the thing... I don't know if I even have the BOSE or H/K system. There's no H/K plaque on the speakers (just one on the subwoofer, which I find odd...) .I also don't have the COMAND unit, just the basic, crappy, 1 disk head unit.
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,040
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From: Atlanta Metro
Current: C217 V12TT AMG Previously: C55 AMG, SL65 AMG
There was one around here from China that looked pretty sweet. Might have to do some hard searching on this section and the W203 section.
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eclectic assortment of cars
If you have access to the EPC, you can pull a datacard and see what options the car came with.
That said, my car also has unbranded speakers but 'Harmon Kardon' is labelled on the sub. I think chances are your car has the HK.
If you can live with a 10 year old nav system, you could acquire a used COMAND unit, then wire in a mObridge or Dension unit for Bluetooth and iPod connectivity. I did that, you can see my thread for more info. I'm happy with it, even though the nav is quite old, but it does make the Bluetooth and iPod connection much more usable than just with the Audio20 head unit.
That said, my car also has unbranded speakers but 'Harmon Kardon' is labelled on the sub. I think chances are your car has the HK.
If you can live with a 10 year old nav system, you could acquire a used COMAND unit, then wire in a mObridge or Dension unit for Bluetooth and iPod connectivity. I did that, you can see my thread for more info. I'm happy with it, even though the nav is quite old, but it does make the Bluetooth and iPod connection much more usable than just with the Audio20 head unit.
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Joined: Aug 2013
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From: Oxford, PA
C55 AMG
But if you are set on updating to a new HU, you should go to the trunk and open the covers on the right side to expose the sub. If you have fiber optic you'll see an orange FO cable go into it.
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Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 271
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From: SATX
'16 C63s
If you have access to the EPC, you can pull a datacard and see what options the car came with.
That said, my car also has unbranded speakers but 'Harmon Kardon' is labelled on the sub. I think chances are your car has the HK.
If you can live with a 10 year old nav system, you could acquire a used COMAND unit, then wire in a mObridge or Dension unit for Bluetooth and iPod connectivity. I did that, you can see my thread for more info. I'm happy with it, even though the nav is quite old, but it does make the Bluetooth and iPod connection much more usable than just with the Audio20 head unit.
That said, my car also has unbranded speakers but 'Harmon Kardon' is labelled on the sub. I think chances are your car has the HK.
If you can live with a 10 year old nav system, you could acquire a used COMAND unit, then wire in a mObridge or Dension unit for Bluetooth and iPod connectivity. I did that, you can see my thread for more info. I'm happy with it, even though the nav is quite old, but it does make the Bluetooth and iPod connection much more usable than just with the Audio20 head unit.
531 - COMAND APS
535 - AUDIO 20 CD RADIO, USA
810 - SOUND SYSTEM
I looked online for a COMAND unit and they're both rare and pricey! I'd rather spend the money on a decent HU that has the BT built in and puts out more power. I may just yank out the stock radio and see if it's for the optical mess.
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Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2014
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From: SATX
'16 C63s
Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 242
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From: Oxford, PA
C55 AMG
Cool, check out my thread you may see what all is involved.
https://mbworld.org/forums/audio-ele...lp-please.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/audio-ele...lp-please.html
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Joined: May 2009
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From: Canada
eclectic assortment of cars
Lol, the Usual Suspects in this thread. I actually bought the Itronics unit that Duncan64 was selling:
https://mbworld.org/forums/c32-amg-c...nics-sale.html
So I didn't pay much for it.
But there's more to the story - Itronics was basically the rebadged mObridge stuff from incartronics.com - the proprietor of that business used to frequent mbworld, but then passed away probably a couple years ago now. Incartronics used to just package up the required mObridge components to work on whatever car.
Anyway, Itronics = mObridge, but as Duncan was using it in his car successfully, I don't know what unit it was specifically, just bought it from him and installed it.
That said, mObridge is still a going concern, and I'm sure you can get a more up to date unit that will work fine. The other option is Dension. I personally didn't like the Dension that came with my car, and swapped out for the Itronics. And now my 911 also has a 'genuine' mObridge unit too, so the functionality is all the same. It is slightly counter intuitive at times - instead of pressing 'enter' on the little knob, you have to press and hold the 'next' button to select, say, a different folder or playlist.
https://mbworld.org/forums/c32-amg-c...nics-sale.html
So I didn't pay much for it.
But there's more to the story - Itronics was basically the rebadged mObridge stuff from incartronics.com - the proprietor of that business used to frequent mbworld, but then passed away probably a couple years ago now. Incartronics used to just package up the required mObridge components to work on whatever car.
Anyway, Itronics = mObridge, but as Duncan was using it in his car successfully, I don't know what unit it was specifically, just bought it from him and installed it.
That said, mObridge is still a going concern, and I'm sure you can get a more up to date unit that will work fine. The other option is Dension. I personally didn't like the Dension that came with my car, and swapped out for the Itronics. And now my 911 also has a 'genuine' mObridge unit too, so the functionality is all the same. It is slightly counter intuitive at times - instead of pressing 'enter' on the little knob, you have to press and hold the 'next' button to select, say, a different folder or playlist.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 271
Likes: 39
From: SATX
'16 C63s
Ok, so what would you guys say, since you've been down this road, is the best and easiest way to upgrade the AUDIO 20 to something more tech-savvy? I've determined that I do have the H/K afterall, since I was able to find those orange wires and feel an amp in the trunk. Would a modern HU (may just settle for the Pioneer) work with a normal wiring harness?
BTW, that you guys for all the help with this - I really do appreciate it
BTW, that you guys for all the help with this - I really do appreciate it
Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 242
Likes: 0
From: Oxford, PA
C55 AMG
Lol, the Usual Suspects in this thread. I actually bought the Itronics unit that Duncan64 was selling:
https://mbworld.org/forums/c32-amg-c...nics-sale.html
So I didn't pay much for it.
But there's more to the story - Itronics was basically the rebadged mObridge stuff from incartronics.com - the proprietor of that business used to frequent mbworld, but then passed away probably a couple years ago now. Incartronics used to just package up the required mObridge components to work on whatever car.
Anyway, Itronics = mObridge, but as Duncan was using it in his car successfully, I don't know what unit it was specifically, just bought it from him and installed it.
That said, mObridge is still a going concern, and I'm sure you can get a more up to date unit that will work fine. The other option is Dension. I personally didn't like the Dension that came with my car, and swapped out for the Itronics. And now my 911 also has a 'genuine' mObridge unit too, so the functionality is all the same. It is slightly counter intuitive at times - instead of pressing 'enter' on the little knob, you have to press and hold the 'next' button to select, say, a different folder or playlist.
https://mbworld.org/forums/c32-amg-c...nics-sale.html
So I didn't pay much for it.
But there's more to the story - Itronics was basically the rebadged mObridge stuff from incartronics.com - the proprietor of that business used to frequent mbworld, but then passed away probably a couple years ago now. Incartronics used to just package up the required mObridge components to work on whatever car.
Anyway, Itronics = mObridge, but as Duncan was using it in his car successfully, I don't know what unit it was specifically, just bought it from him and installed it.
That said, mObridge is still a going concern, and I'm sure you can get a more up to date unit that will work fine. The other option is Dension. I personally didn't like the Dension that came with my car, and swapped out for the Itronics. And now my 911 also has a 'genuine' mObridge unit too, so the functionality is all the same. It is slightly counter intuitive at times - instead of pressing 'enter' on the little knob, you have to press and hold the 'next' button to select, say, a different folder or playlist.
LOL at the usual suspects!
Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 242
Likes: 0
From: Oxford, PA
C55 AMG
i would personally probably upgrade to one of the pioneer Nex receivers ...
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/CarPlay/
they come with the apple carplay function that is new
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/CarPlay/
they come with the apple carplay function that is new
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 271
Likes: 39
From: SATX
'16 C63s
i would personally probably upgrade to one of the pioneer Nex receivers ...
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/CarPlay/
they come with the apple carplay function that is new
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/CarPlay/
they come with the apple carplay function that is new
So I wouldn't run into any issues getting something like that and a wiring harness, right? I've done HU installs in all my previous cars, but this is my first German and I know they can be finicky...
Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 242
Likes: 0
From: Oxford, PA
C55 AMG
Yeah they are a bit pricey and I think you still need to buy adapters for your phone etc.
If you've done HU installs before, then you'll basically be doing the same thing. Buy it on crutch field and also get the crux unit so you retain the steering wheel controls.
-Duncan
If you've done HU installs before, then you'll basically be doing the same thing. Buy it on crutch field and also get the crux unit so you retain the steering wheel controls.
-Duncan
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 271
Likes: 39
From: SATX
'16 C63s
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Joined: Jun 2006
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From: California
06 C55, 09 E350
lol that head unit looks photoshopped into that car. I wouldnt touch it based on the fact that they couldn't even get a unit in a MB to at least take a picture of it. I really doubt it was tested well. 
