CLK electrical mods?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2013
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e320 cdi, maybe?
CLK electrical mods?
so, i like hacking cars. japanese and american cars are very receptive to this and generally have wiring that makes sense and is relatively easy to get to.
but european cars? not so much
basically i'm trying to put in a few things, can these be done? or retrofitted?
1) bluetooth connectivity for phones. i've heard something about a "puck"? is it really $200? yikes
2) AUX input, i plan to mount a tablet in the dashboard and an obvious necessity is linking the audio to the car's stereo
3) remote start. I know about midcity engineering's $1000 system. I have it on good word that simpler and much cheaper systems can be used, but you need to find a skilled MB electricals wizard to do it
4) keyless access, either an aftermarket thing where the car unlocks as you approach, or, did the pre 2007 CLK500s have keyless go as an option? or at least just keyless entry?
and in general, how nightmarish are the electricals? as bad as any european car? not that bad if you have a wiring diagram?
i'm specifically looking at the pre 2007 CLK500s by the way, i've heard really good things about the m113 engine
but european cars? not so much
basically i'm trying to put in a few things, can these be done? or retrofitted?
1) bluetooth connectivity for phones. i've heard something about a "puck"? is it really $200? yikes
2) AUX input, i plan to mount a tablet in the dashboard and an obvious necessity is linking the audio to the car's stereo
3) remote start. I know about midcity engineering's $1000 system. I have it on good word that simpler and much cheaper systems can be used, but you need to find a skilled MB electricals wizard to do it
4) keyless access, either an aftermarket thing where the car unlocks as you approach, or, did the pre 2007 CLK500s have keyless go as an option? or at least just keyless entry?
and in general, how nightmarish are the electricals? as bad as any european car? not that bad if you have a wiring diagram?
i'm specifically looking at the pre 2007 CLK500s by the way, i've heard really good things about the m113 engine
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Joined: Dec 2009
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NO LONGER ACTIVE
1)Bluetooth: Search the forum - unless you actually have the factory MHI connector not just the useless "pre-wiring" option) installed in the center console, this will cost about $600 aftermarket, and over $900for OEM parts (plus labor). You are better off replacing the head unit.
2) AUX: If you get a car with COMAND, it should have this (or can be retrofitted). If not, then go with an aftermarket head unit.
3) Remote Start: I believe all of these options require embedding a key into the car. Personally, that option is not important enough to me to make my car easier to steal. My wife's Jeep GC has it (factory option) and we never use it.
4) If you want this, buy a car with the factory KeylessGo option. If not, it will be quite expensive to retrofit (though it can be done). I think over $3K + labor.
2) AUX: If you get a car with COMAND, it should have this (or can be retrofitted). If not, then go with an aftermarket head unit.
3) Remote Start: I believe all of these options require embedding a key into the car. Personally, that option is not important enough to me to make my car easier to steal. My wife's Jeep GC has it (factory option) and we never use it.
4) If you want this, buy a car with the factory KeylessGo option. If not, it will be quite expensive to retrofit (though it can be done). I think over $3K + labor.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 24
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e320 cdi, maybe?
1)Bluetooth: Search the forum - unless you actually have the factory MHI connector not just the useless "pre-wiring" option) installed in the center console, this will cost about $600 aftermarket, and over $900for OEM parts (plus labor). You are better off replacing the head unit.
2) AUX: If you get a car with COMAND, it should have this (or can be retrofitted). If not, then go with an aftermarket head unit.
3) Remote Start: I believe all of these options require embedding a key into the car. Personally, that option is not important enough to me to make my car easier to steal. My wife's Jeep GC has it (factory option) and we never use it.
4) If you want this, buy a car with the factory KeylessGo option. If not, it will be quite expensive to retrofit (though it can be done). I think over $3K + labor.
2) AUX: If you get a car with COMAND, it should have this (or can be retrofitted). If not, then go with an aftermarket head unit.
3) Remote Start: I believe all of these options require embedding a key into the car. Personally, that option is not important enough to me to make my car easier to steal. My wife's Jeep GC has it (factory option) and we never use it.
4) If you want this, buy a car with the factory KeylessGo option. If not, it will be quite expensive to retrofit (though it can be done). I think over $3K + labor.
i live up north, and remote start would be an extremely welcome feature, especially if i could make my own system that sits on top of it and can accept commands over a cellphone connection, allowing for scheduled starts (every morning ten minutes before i leave for work etc)
but it sounds like i'll need to go searching specifically for a totally optioned out CLK500, rather than stick things in there
i assume COMAND is the navigation screen thingy?
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Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Los Angeles
2009 SL550 Roadster Diamond White, 2008 CLK550 Coupe Obsidian Black
For the remote start:
http://idatalink.com/product/product/product_id/167
They have a few other models for different model MBZ and years
http://idatalink.com/product/product/product_id/167
They have a few other models for different model MBZ and years
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 24
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e320 cdi, maybe?
For the remote start:
http://idatalink.com/product/product/product_id/167
They have a few other models for different model MBZ and years
http://idatalink.com/product/product/product_id/167
They have a few other models for different model MBZ and years
both systems cost roughly $850 before installation, and it's JUST remote start, no other features included. you can add a module which enables keyless entry....for $250
i'm wondering if, i get a clk with keyless go already on it, if remote start would be cheaper or easier? i remember hearing something about that before, that as long as you have keyless go you can use more generic and much cheaper bypass modules and canbusses
Thread Starter
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e320 cdi, maybe?
just did some more snooping
mid-city's module only adds remote start, but for the w209 and w211, having keyless go doesnt matter during installation. doesnt make it cheaper or more expensive.
mid-city's module also doesn't impact keyless go in any way, so that whole system still works just fine.
which is great, since i'm really itching for that kick-*** shifter push start and the convenience of keyless entry, and for $800 if i install it myself, i get remote start as well. it's much more expensive than on other cars but there are enough standard features on the mercedes to make up for that
mid-city's module only adds remote start, but for the w209 and w211, having keyless go doesnt matter during installation. doesnt make it cheaper or more expensive.
mid-city's module also doesn't impact keyless go in any way, so that whole system still works just fine.
which is great, since i'm really itching for that kick-*** shifter push start and the convenience of keyless entry, and for $800 if i install it myself, i get remote start as well. it's much more expensive than on other cars but there are enough standard features on the mercedes to make up for that
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Nov 2013
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e320 cdi, maybe?
i have a plan to control the system over a cellphone connection using a simple custom android app, which means i could also enact scheduled starts (such as every weekday morning at 6:50am, ten minutes before i need to leave for work, and every afternoon at 4:50, ten minutes before i need to leave FROM work)
i believe the automatic climate control system is tied in with the engine starting as well, so there's no need to specify cooling down or warming up...it just does it. heated or cooled seats are not tied in though, but i also have a plan to activate those systems independently perhaps
its an incredibly underrated feature, and it really does not make your car easier to steal despite what you might think.
however it's only really useful if you an do it over a smartphone. just a keyfob remote start is extremely limited
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2008 CLK550 Cab
Sorta cool I guess, but the idea that my car was running with me nowhere near it would sort of freak me out. But here in Denver if you did that on cold mornings you'll get a ticket every time if the cops see it. They call them "smokers", and it's illegal. And it's not just some weird statute that never get's enforced - they write thousands every year.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
e320 cdi, maybe?
Sorta cool I guess, but the idea that my car was running with me nowhere near it would sort of freak me out. But here in Denver if you did that on cold mornings you'll get a ticket every time if the cops see it. They call them "smokers", and it's illegal. And it's not just some weird statute that never get's enforced - they write thousands every year.
it also makes them look environmentally responsible, brilliant!
luckily i dont believe my state (massachusetts) is quite that silly
