https://mbworld.org/forums/s-class-w...o-upgrade.html

Saw that through a thread here and it says that it will fit w215 CL's. I want to know if this is legit or not! My COMAND broke recently so I am very interested in this. Bluetooth, DVD, backup camera, etcetc.

Very tempting....

http://www.oemcargps.com/mercedes-be...em-p-1171.html

 

Thats very interesting upgrade ... I am also trying to see what possible REASONABLE OEM upgrades are possible to the W215 class ... so this unit shown on the link yo provided only upgrades the unit to a touch screen one with a larger screen ? Is it a larger screen than the stock one on a 2004 ? Forgive me but I am still trying to wrap my head around all the comand units and specs

 

The W215 uses the wood console as the support and mount for the COMAND. So while possible, it is A LOT of fabrication to get ANY other radio in there. We have done it, and would not really want to do it again. I have a CL65 05, and prefer to upgrade the existing COMAND.

Just .02

 

that's the problem for me! It may require a lot of fabrication, but it sure beats having to pay $2k+ (uneducated estimate) for an outdated COMAND that still requires other work to make backup camera/blue tooth/ipod all work....

I'm just looking for BETTER and cheaper alternatives.

 

I dont think it's a widescreen...just an OEM upgrade to the existing COMAND. Looks about the same size as the one in my car. But not sure....

 

I think it would be a wide screen compared to the 2002 and older cars

.

 

So if I have a 2004 CL600 with a DVD based Comand unit what are my options
in upgrade or update ?

 

A used/refurb COMAND is less than $900 - and can be updated to video/backup camera/bluetooth/ipod - just about anything for less than the fabrication costs, plus head unit, plus car re-wire, plus new amp required, plus new speakers required (factory are 1.2 ohm) - Like I said it is a BIG job. Several thousand end to end. The job we did, with a Pioneer Avic plus Rockford amps and Hertz speakers was about $5500 (and we LOST money on it because the labor was several days (doing a nice job of course)

 

You can look at a LOT of options that we have been providing to W215 for years. I am partial of course with my CL, so it is my fav of the brand.

 

I have installed that exact unit in my CL65 let me tell you not plug and play and not I repeat NOT easy to install!!! They will tell you it is and promise you but no no it is not. They will include a harness to run from the head unit to the rear sound amp area but the connectors are all wrong you will need a wiring schematic and splice in all the speaker wires in!! Next problem its only a 4 channel radio so you can not power up the center dash speakers OR rear subwoofer with the tweater in it correctly without running a another amp in your trunk. Furthermore you need to run a new antenna from the headunit to the trunk and tie that into the factory combar antenna which you then need to run a 12v hot wire to the combar to have that be powered after you remove your factory stuff. Also no other factory equiptment will work no disc changer, voice control, factory blue tooth "obviously", teleaid if digitally converted, and NO display in the instrument cluster just dashes where your audio, navigation, or satellite would be displayed threw the menus. What really is a pain is the steering wheel buttons act erratic volume has to be pressed repediatly not just press and hold to change the volume and the station seek works but the menu your switch also changes the stations so you cant scroll threw the menus without the stations changing. THE GOOD navigation is great easy to use 3d easy to find POI's really a nice part of the unit. BAD- Voice cuts out sound "radio" and takes a few seconds to cut back in after done speaking really annoying I just turned the voice off. Cannot control volume with steering wheel while in navigation. SD card will play music, videos, and pictures really nice. Blue tooth is garbage mic on unit is terrible. Bluetooth audio streaming works fantastic. IPOD also works great. BAD only 24 hour clock on radio, ALSO ONCE YOU INSTALL THIS UNIT YOU CANNOT set your clock on the instrument cluster, I spent about 4 hours in developer mode with the sds and did though figure out how to control the clock threw the cluster not really a viable option though for most installing this in there car. Touch screen works well, colors of button illumination is red doesnt really go with inside of vehicle. So to sum this all up if you are a hard core DIY'er and literally have an extra 1000 to spend and no joke about 9-16 hours to spend installing and then correcting the issues you have with the unit its worth messing with if you HATE the factory unit but this is by no means a good alternative again it kills the MOST fiber optics its gone......I installed a back up camera on mine and that part work phenominal, and the factory look is great just is missing refinements what you'd expect from china honestly. Hope this helps!

 

Thanks for being a end user and validating what we have been saying. You can add all the features of an aftermarket unit (less touchscreen) to the factory units for FAR less hassle and money. Bottom line you will have a much more reliable system and tightly integrated into the car as Mercedes intended.

 

WOW thanks! That does help a ton...I was only thinking of the positive side and not all the headaches and little problems that go with it.

Thank you Cartronic and Malones

 

hello,

I was trying to follow a thread you were involved in. I have a 2003 cl 600 and have been looking for a stock unit that recieves satelite radio and saw that it was available in 2004. is anything around for an 03?? I saw that you posted a used command would allow for an update for back up camera, ipod ect. what parts do I need to find?

thanks alot for any help,
dave

 

Nothing for an 03 CL. It would require a whole new center console and a ton of stuff redone. Your best bet is to use a regular SAT receiver stealthily installed or get an iPod kit and use the Sirius/XM smartphone app.