facelift c63 android stereo install thread
#51
I'm not a big fan of the huge displays that look like they are an afterthought on any of the post W204 cars. Just ugly. Anyone know of a vendor making a replacement for the PFL Comand? It'd be nice to have car play or the GOOG version on the PFL cars. I'm pretty sure that monster display sittting where it is would be just aesthetically horrible imho.
#52
Update:
So I have used the system for about 3 weeks now:
The touch screen is pretty easy to reach/use from driver's position.
GPS works, either with built in the map program (kinda junky) or with google maps with tethering.
Torque pro works and accesses unit's gps for potion.
Streaming music works, either streaming from phone to a included Bluetooth music program on android, or by installing spotify/etc directly onto android and opening the program from there.
Tethering/internet works via phone hotspot, but I haven't got it to work via hard wired/usb cable to phone. No problem accessing internet / websites such as /you tube, or google play and installing programs. Audio from you tube comes out of vehicle speakers.
The phone mirroring program works good, (where phone display shows up on screen and what you do on the phone is mirrored / or when you do things on display, it accesses phone., but its not really useful for me.
Switching back and forth to original system works well. Currently radio and ipod work with original system only. I dont have a apple phone , but thee apparently is a carplay adapter available.
The steering wheel controls - up/down track and volume up/down work, everything else is pretty much touchscreen,
You can still switch the steering wheel window display to other screens while using the android unit (AMG screen, mileage, phone, etc and navigate in them)
Negatives:
When switching back to original system there is sometimes a volume discrepancy, since through the android system you have two volumes to adjust , the android output and the MB volume.
Google maps volume can be too loud as a result.
I have not gotten the phone system quite figured out yet. You can dial through the android screen, or back out to the original MB system fully, or dial through the speedometer phone screen while android screen / music is up and is running, I have had various results with where the sound comes out (occasionally from the small side speaker and not the regular speakers) and volume / mic issues. My original system did not have hands free calling and I haven't been able to find it on the android. To be honest, I've only messed with it for about 10 minutes, so I'm sure Ill find a combo that works.
Overall, great update for the car. Having torque pro or android screen or spotify up on the larger display makes the car seem years newer and ads great functionality. Would definitely do it again!
So I have used the system for about 3 weeks now:
The touch screen is pretty easy to reach/use from driver's position.
GPS works, either with built in the map program (kinda junky) or with google maps with tethering.
Torque pro works and accesses unit's gps for potion.
Streaming music works, either streaming from phone to a included Bluetooth music program on android, or by installing spotify/etc directly onto android and opening the program from there.
Tethering/internet works via phone hotspot, but I haven't got it to work via hard wired/usb cable to phone. No problem accessing internet / websites such as /you tube, or google play and installing programs. Audio from you tube comes out of vehicle speakers.
The phone mirroring program works good, (where phone display shows up on screen and what you do on the phone is mirrored / or when you do things on display, it accesses phone., but its not really useful for me.
Switching back and forth to original system works well. Currently radio and ipod work with original system only. I dont have a apple phone , but thee apparently is a carplay adapter available.
The steering wheel controls - up/down track and volume up/down work, everything else is pretty much touchscreen,
You can still switch the steering wheel window display to other screens while using the android unit (AMG screen, mileage, phone, etc and navigate in them)
Negatives:
When switching back to original system there is sometimes a volume discrepancy, since through the android system you have two volumes to adjust , the android output and the MB volume.
Google maps volume can be too loud as a result.
I have not gotten the phone system quite figured out yet. You can dial through the android screen, or back out to the original MB system fully, or dial through the speedometer phone screen while android screen / music is up and is running, I have had various results with where the sound comes out (occasionally from the small side speaker and not the regular speakers) and volume / mic issues. My original system did not have hands free calling and I haven't been able to find it on the android. To be honest, I've only messed with it for about 10 minutes, so I'm sure Ill find a combo that works.
Overall, great update for the car. Having torque pro or android screen or spotify up on the larger display makes the car seem years newer and ads great functionality. Would definitely do it again!
#53
hey Kavik,
Thanks again. Here is another guy that is REALLY into the W204 Platform, along with Flexx that just did an install
dmpcardesign
Thanks again. Here is another guy that is REALLY into the W204 Platform, along with Flexx that just did an install
dmpcardesign
#54
Thanks for detailing your efforts. I'm debating whether the stock location for this outweighs the functionality improvements with the CKM device and location. I think I'm still leaning towards that solution though as the integration with the existing controls seems to be a little more developed.
#55
Thanks for the effort in updating us.
It seems it is not as polished and fully integrated as the sellers would have you believe.
Pity about the GPS. I will have to look at whether there is a good alternate to install.
It seems it is not as polished and fully integrated as the sellers would have you believe.
Pity about the GPS. I will have to look at whether there is a good alternate to install.
#56
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 2,375
Likes: 695
12 C63BS Magno Alanite Grey, 22 X3M Brooklyn Grey, 08 BMW E93, 22 Ducati Desert Sled, John Deere 3R
Update:
So I have used the system for about 3 weeks now:
The touch screen is pretty easy to reach/use from driver's position.
GPS works, either with built in the map program (kinda junky) or with google maps with tethering.
Torque pro works and accesses unit's gps for potion.
Streaming music works, either streaming from phone to a included Bluetooth music program on android, or by installing spotify/etc directly onto android and opening the program from there.
Tethering/internet works via phone hotspot, but I haven't got it to work via hard wired/usb cable to phone. No problem accessing internet / websites such as /you tube, or google play and installing programs. Audio from you tube comes out of vehicle speakers.
The phone mirroring program works good, (where phone display shows up on screen and what you do on the phone is mirrored / or when you do things on display, it accesses phone., but its not really useful for me.
Switching back and forth to original system works well. Currently radio and ipod work with original system only. I dont have a apple phone , but thee apparently is a carplay adapter available.
The steering wheel controls - up/down track and volume up/down work, everything else is pretty much touchscreen,
You can still switch the steering wheel window display to other screens while using the android unit (AMG screen, mileage, phone, etc and navigate in them)
Negatives:
When switching back to original system there is sometimes a volume discrepancy, since through the android system you have two volumes to adjust , the android output and the MB volume.
Google maps volume can be too loud as a result.
I have not gotten the phone system quite figured out yet. You can dial through the android screen, or back out to the original MB system fully, or dial through the speedometer phone screen while android screen / music is up and is running, I have had various results with where the sound comes out (occasionally from the small side speaker and not the regular speakers) and volume / mic issues. My original system did not have hands free calling and I haven't been able to find it on the android. To be honest, I've only messed with it for about 10 minutes, so I'm sure Ill find a combo that works.
Overall, great update for the car. Having torque pro or android screen or spotify up on the larger display makes the car seem years newer and ads great functionality. Would definitely do it again!
So I have used the system for about 3 weeks now:
The touch screen is pretty easy to reach/use from driver's position.
GPS works, either with built in the map program (kinda junky) or with google maps with tethering.
Torque pro works and accesses unit's gps for potion.
Streaming music works, either streaming from phone to a included Bluetooth music program on android, or by installing spotify/etc directly onto android and opening the program from there.
Tethering/internet works via phone hotspot, but I haven't got it to work via hard wired/usb cable to phone. No problem accessing internet / websites such as /you tube, or google play and installing programs. Audio from you tube comes out of vehicle speakers.
The phone mirroring program works good, (where phone display shows up on screen and what you do on the phone is mirrored / or when you do things on display, it accesses phone., but its not really useful for me.
Switching back and forth to original system works well. Currently radio and ipod work with original system only. I dont have a apple phone , but thee apparently is a carplay adapter available.
The steering wheel controls - up/down track and volume up/down work, everything else is pretty much touchscreen,
You can still switch the steering wheel window display to other screens while using the android unit (AMG screen, mileage, phone, etc and navigate in them)
Negatives:
When switching back to original system there is sometimes a volume discrepancy, since through the android system you have two volumes to adjust , the android output and the MB volume.
Google maps volume can be too loud as a result.
I have not gotten the phone system quite figured out yet. You can dial through the android screen, or back out to the original MB system fully, or dial through the speedometer phone screen while android screen / music is up and is running, I have had various results with where the sound comes out (occasionally from the small side speaker and not the regular speakers) and volume / mic issues. My original system did not have hands free calling and I haven't been able to find it on the android. To be honest, I've only messed with it for about 10 minutes, so I'm sure Ill find a combo that works.
Overall, great update for the car. Having torque pro or android screen or spotify up on the larger display makes the car seem years newer and ads great functionality. Would definitely do it again!
#57
The Gps works fine. Sygic comes already installed on the android system and has maps pre loaded, I think on an installed sd card. It just seemed clunkier to use than google maps, which I am.used to. You can run sygic directly through the android system use the gps and navigate without a phone or bluetooth/thethering connection.
Last edited by kavik; 08-06-2018 at 10:50 PM.
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GRP (08-07-2018)
#58
Had some questions on the backup camera function. It does switch to backup camera screen automatically when put in reverse from both the android and factory screen. I did not have the factory backup camera. It has the yellow/red distance grid on the rear view display and also a projected movement curved indicator lane which changes direction with the steering wheel movement. I don't have the rear view camera hooked up yet, because the one I was going to use already had a distance grid on it. The switch to the backup screen is integrated into the system , not activated by a reverse light tap. I ordered a backup camera without the distance grid that replaces the trunk handle insert as a mounting bracket/camera solution.
Spotify installed on android and running through tethering:
Spotify installed on android and running through tethering:
The following 2 users liked this post by kavik:
CyanideRide (08-09-2018),
silversleeper48 (09-09-2019)
#59
Nice and clean install! Is it just me though, or is the picture stretched horizontally to fill the space? Looking at the circle around the pause button in your Spotify pic for example.
#60
I think it is my poor photo. There are actually three or four spotify screens you can select for the spotify display. Overall all the android apps display well on the screen but since it's long and wide there is some variability. The original mb screen is the only one that appears a little stretched I have a pic higher in the thread.
Last edited by kavik; 08-10-2018 at 02:14 PM.
#62
So what I did i connect wifi to android and bluetooth to mb system. They phone rings/answers with factory system even if THE android screen on. I can dial from the phone menu in the speedo display while android is on, or back out to original mb screen.
Last edited by kavik; 08-18-2018 at 05:29 PM.
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silversleeper48 (08-01-2019)
#63
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 4
Likes: 2
From: Chesterfield Virginia
2014 C300 4matic Sport plus sedan
I just noticed that this version that Kavik is installing looks like it sits sunk into the dash like the stock screen. I would think that would make it difficult to reach the touch screen while driving.
The other version sold by CKM sits out away from the dash similar to the latest OEM screens which would make it easier to reach, unless you have freakishly long arms then it wouldn't matter LOL!!
The CKM unit sells for $599.00.
The other version sold by CKM sits out away from the dash similar to the latest OEM screens which would make it easier to reach, unless you have freakishly long arms then it wouldn't matter LOL!!
The CKM unit sells for $599.00.
#64
Reach is not an issue at all, radio sits just like stock location. Still happy with the setup. Can browse internet, use spotify, run/display torque, etc.. Even with the seat all the way back, the c63 doesn't have a huge cabin space.
#65
Lest me get this right...
When you get in the car and start it up, do you have to select AUX on the stock MB system before you can listen/use the Android system?
Is there a “process” that you have to go through each day to start using the Android system? Does it need to boot up/start up, like a phone, for a minute or two?
When you get in the car and start it up, do you have to select AUX on the stock MB system before you can listen/use the Android system?
Is there a “process” that you have to go through each day to start using the Android system? Does it need to boot up/start up, like a phone, for a minute or two?
#66
I forgot to mention as far as using the touchscreen, the steering wheel volume buttons work no matter what mode the speedo is in when running android.. if you have the speedo set to "aux' mode , not only do the volume buttons work, if you are running spotify or such,, the arrow keys will move forward / back through songs on the Playlist.
Last edited by kavik; 09-08-2020 at 08:41 AM.
#67
Once it is in android mode, and you turn car off, when you restart your car, the MB symbol comes up on the screen and then after about 5 sec it boots straight into the android system. If you have your phone hotspot set up and turned on,, the system will automatically connect to it with no prompting.
My only nitpicky gripes, which there are with almost all Chinese conversions, (my version is a few ears older now, some items may have changed) are the home screen is not customizable (the home screen on the tablet type is nicer), the aftermarket mic/calling/phone single Bluetooth speaker setup sucks, you don't even need to install them, ( I use the mb gactory Bluetooth/ phone system which works even when on the android screen), the volume always defaults to middle, and when I installed it, I only had sound from the front speakers. I'm sure its an easy fix, but the sound was so good, I didn't realize this till I was playing with the fader controls many months later, and I just haven't bothered to pull the unit from the dash to deal with it. I may eventually get a "newer" android version and redo it.
Still, it looks totally stock and works great, I always get asked about it and positive comments when I take it in for service at the MB dealer. Even if you simply ran it in stock system mode, you have all the same factory displays and functionality, just on a bigger, nicer screen. I would have upgraded for that alone, the oem screen just looks to small and dated to me.
My only nitpicky gripes, which there are with almost all Chinese conversions, (my version is a few ears older now, some items may have changed) are the home screen is not customizable (the home screen on the tablet type is nicer), the aftermarket mic/calling/phone single Bluetooth speaker setup sucks, you don't even need to install them, ( I use the mb gactory Bluetooth/ phone system which works even when on the android screen), the volume always defaults to middle, and when I installed it, I only had sound from the front speakers. I'm sure its an easy fix, but the sound was so good, I didn't realize this till I was playing with the fader controls many months later, and I just haven't bothered to pull the unit from the dash to deal with it. I may eventually get a "newer" android version and redo it.
Still, it looks totally stock and works great, I always get asked about it and positive comments when I take it in for service at the MB dealer. Even if you simply ran it in stock system mode, you have all the same factory displays and functionality, just on a bigger, nicer screen. I would have upgraded for that alone, the oem screen just looks to small and dated to me.
Last edited by kavik; 09-08-2020 at 08:53 AM.
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Dustin Walker (09-14-2020)
#68
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 8,068
Likes: 2,849
From: Los Angeles
2012 P31 C63 Coupe Trackrat, 2019 GLE63S Coupe Beast
I’m going to be selling my CKM Car Design 10.5” setup and move into one of these. It’s just not doing it for me. I haven’t used any of the enhanced functionality whatsoever - I had plans to put TorquePRO and Harry’s LapTimer and GoPro and DashCommand etc but ran out of patience. Without using those features, the con of having the big tablet is all I’ve got. It’ll be for sale in my sale thread in a few days for anyone interested.
@kavik do you know what the best and most updated version is of what you have, and where to buy it these days? I really like your install and having TorquePRO up all the time would be hugely useful. How difficult is downloading programs and installing them? Do you have to remove the display to plug into a laptop? What about storage if I get a camera hooked up for track data, would I just plug in a USB stick? Thanks in advance
@kavik do you know what the best and most updated version is of what you have, and where to buy it these days? I really like your install and having TorquePRO up all the time would be hugely useful. How difficult is downloading programs and installing them? Do you have to remove the display to plug into a laptop? What about storage if I get a camera hooked up for track data, would I just plug in a USB stick? Thanks in advance
#69
My system is a couple years old now so I'm not sure of the newest, I may upgrade myself if they have the same size screen i could just plug in the new main box since my connections are already done.. I'm sure there have been improvements, for example iI don't think my unit supports Android auto or carplay. Dowloading apps was easy, just connected to wifi, went online through the browser to the play store and downloaded torque. Same with spotify. I don't think I put in a sd card so there must be internal memory storage of some sort on the unit.. There is a t least one USB out which im guessing you could use as an external drive to save data to. I don't recall being able to save torque data to the unit itself, but I'm not sure I actually tried, i usually took a pics of the screen with my phone.
#70
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,307
Likes: 80
From: Houston - Clear Lake
C63 coupe, Z3M Roadster garage queen
I tried ebay without success, but found 3 links elsewhere. Hope this helps.
https://www.aliexpress.com/i/32832073397.html
https://www.seicane.com/2012-2013-me...ntrol-s018204f
https://www.dhgate.com/product/andro...IaAo-_EALw_wcB
https://www.aliexpress.com/i/32832073397.html
https://www.seicane.com/2012-2013-me...ntrol-s018204f
https://www.dhgate.com/product/andro...IaAo-_EALw_wcB
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BLKROKT (09-15-2020)
#71
hmm i might be tempted to upgrade to the android 9 version,. I like the newer interface better. I dont know if you can keep the original MB system bluetoothed to handle calls in the backdround while the new software system is running like I have it set up now.though.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3295...2de63f0aGPnToc
heres the same newer android 9 version you can get with more memory
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3295...2de63f0aGPnToc
heres the same newer android 9 version you can get with more memory
Last edited by kavik; 09-15-2020 at 12:09 AM.
#72
Hi,
I'm currently installing this in my car. How did you get the whole screen to display the factory screen? Also I need help with getting my bluetooth music and call streaming to work.
Can you help me please?
I'm currently installing this in my car. How did you get the whole screen to display the factory screen? Also I need help with getting my bluetooth music and call streaming to work.
Can you help me please?
#73
Hi,
I'm currently installing this in my car. How did you get the whole screen to display the factory screen? Also I need help with getting my bluetooth music and call streaming to work.
Can you help me please?
Once installed, the stock display will automatically zoom to fill the screen . if it doesn't, look through this thread for the correct pin settings for the 4 sliding switches. I found that phone functions directly through the android unit itself suck. You have to use the one external speaker they provide (it wont come through the factory speakers ) and their separate microphone. What I do is on my phone, is select the available "MB Bluetooth" connection for calls (the MB stock system functions still run in the background) and then Bluetooth for the android set to audio/media.. This way hen you get a call, it will still display the notification in either screen (stock or android) and then steering wheel or android touchscreen will answer the call using the stock MB system (ie, factory microphone and it will play the call out of factory speakers) . I typically use my hotspot to connect to the android for internet and then stream through the Spotify app on the android device itself, you get much better functionality then streaming from the phone directly.
I never did go back in and pull the stereo again to figure out how to get sound from both the front and rear speakers, so if you succeed with that . let me know how you wired it up!
I'm currently installing this in my car. How did you get the whole screen to display the factory screen? Also I need help with getting my bluetooth music and call streaming to work.
Can you help me please?
Once installed, the stock display will automatically zoom to fill the screen . if it doesn't, look through this thread for the correct pin settings for the 4 sliding switches. I found that phone functions directly through the android unit itself suck. You have to use the one external speaker they provide (it wont come through the factory speakers ) and their separate microphone. What I do is on my phone, is select the available "MB Bluetooth" connection for calls (the MB stock system functions still run in the background) and then Bluetooth for the android set to audio/media.. This way hen you get a call, it will still display the notification in either screen (stock or android) and then steering wheel or android touchscreen will answer the call using the stock MB system (ie, factory microphone and it will play the call out of factory speakers) . I typically use my hotspot to connect to the android for internet and then stream through the Spotify app on the android device itself, you get much better functionality then streaming from the phone directly.
I never did go back in and pull the stereo again to figure out how to get sound from both the front and rear speakers, so if you succeed with that . let me know how you wired it up!
#74
Thanks! Will do. It just sucks that sound only come out of the small speaker box provided, instead of factory speakers. So if you are watching like Netflix or something, will the sound come from the small speaker also?
#75
The only thing that comes out of the small speaker is the phone if you bluetooth calls to the android and not the mb system. Everything else I've tried (bluetooth music, videos, spotify) uses the vehicle speakers.
If you have a bluetooth obdb2 plug adapter you can run that on the torque real-time screen display while streaming music with your phone as a hotspot through the spotify app and control the music ( with the dash selector in the aux positions) with the steering wheel controls. That's usually how I run it.
I'd be interested to know if you can re-arrange the home screen on the newer unit as well, thats the only other thing I don't like on mine.
If you have a bluetooth obdb2 plug adapter you can run that on the torque real-time screen display while streaming music with your phone as a hotspot through the spotify app and control the music ( with the dash selector in the aux positions) with the steering wheel controls. That's usually how I run it.
I'd be interested to know if you can re-arrange the home screen on the newer unit as well, thats the only other thing I don't like on mine.