Hello MBWorld!
First post, about to pick up my first Mercedes, a 1998 CLK320. Car looks overall very well maintained and stock. Unfortunately I find it hard to go these days without Apple Car play.
The car has the APS BT-2 Head unit. I have found a few websites selling head units, but they never mention compatibility with replacing APS BT-2 (only other variants).

What would you recommend from your knowledge / experience?

Thanks, and great to e-meet you all!

My second near-antique Benz, picked up today. Bose system works but the entire display is blank. Would like an affordable upgrade with CarPlay etc that won’t look like a chop job and hopefully keep the steering wheel controls.

Gud day,
I would check Crutchfield. Here the link. GL
R,
2Merks
https://www.crutchfield.com/S-Aoe7hiiHclj/

Thank you, sir! I did actually check Crutchfield early on, but didn’t find anything specific for the ‘02 CLK 430 Cabriolet application. Then I fell down a rabbit hole of Chinese decks online – – but all appeared to be for wrong year/model/etc. Your message reminds me I oughta just contact a Crutchfield sales rep. Was just hoping somebody here w/ the same car might have a tested recommendation tho. I’ve done this with other cars, and connectivity with steering wheel controls and so forth I know can be a huge hassle. (I do also have the one article in the magazine published by a guy on here – – I would look up the name but then I would lose this window… Haven’t read it closely yet tho, plus was hoping there’s a newer ((and possibly cheaper?)) head unit out since publication.) Anyway, thanks!