OMG STEREO REPLACEMENT!!
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Newbie
Joined: Sep 2013
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2004 Mercedes-Benz clk500
OMG STEREO REPLACEMENT!!
Hello all I have a 2004 clk500 can't seem to figure out whether I have the Bose system or not. It is not labeled anywhere. I am looking to install a new head unit at the minimum and possibly everything else. Another issue I am having is I can't seem to find anyone that has done the replacement themselves. I have done many stereo replacements before but this seems to be the most aggravating of all lol. Can't find a dash kit wiring harness crutch field discontinued the PAC oem2 for the amp if it is Bose. also need to get the steering wheel control wiring.
-So all and all my questions are has anyone personally done the swap?
-Where can I get the correct parts for the job?
-any recommendations on a setup?
Thanks all hope to get some good feedback. You guys are the best
-So all and all my questions are has anyone personally done the swap?
-Where can I get the correct parts for the job?
-any recommendations on a setup?
Thanks all hope to get some good feedback. You guys are the best
MBworld Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,782
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NO LONGER ACTIVE
I thought that the CLK500 came stock with Bose, but that may not be the case. One way to check is to pull the radio and see if there is analog speaker wiring on the harness. if so, it's not Bose and then you don't need to worry about interfacing with or bypassing the Bose amp.
Basically, when upgrading the head unit, the issue with the Bose (or later, Harmon-Kardon) premium audio systems is that they use the fiber optic network to send audio to the amp in the trunk. There are no analog speaker wiring connections in the dash. This means that you have to run you own wiring to the trunk, then tie into the analog speaker wiring "downstream" of the Bose amp, thus taking it out of the loop. Now, without Bose, you have analog speaker wire connection int he dash, but, if you plan to install a separate amplifier (i.e. not use the new head unit's built-in amp), you'll still want to run your own low-level analog wiring into the trunk, then high-level analog wiring back to the dash connector. This would really be no different from the same situation with any modern car.
Basically, when upgrading the head unit, the issue with the Bose (or later, Harmon-Kardon) premium audio systems is that they use the fiber optic network to send audio to the amp in the trunk. There are no analog speaker wiring connections in the dash. This means that you have to run you own wiring to the trunk, then tie into the analog speaker wiring "downstream" of the Bose amp, thus taking it out of the loop. Now, without Bose, you have analog speaker wire connection int he dash, but, if you plan to install a separate amplifier (i.e. not use the new head unit's built-in amp), you'll still want to run your own low-level analog wiring into the trunk, then high-level analog wiring back to the dash connector. This would really be no different from the same situation with any modern car.
Super Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 985
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From: Queens, NY
2009 clk-350 (Black) AMG, 2009 clk-550 (Pewter) AMG
trust me, it will be well worth changing everything out. so, if you can wait some time and save up (or if you do not need to save up)
and it is not hard at all you can do it all by your self.
and it is not hard at all you can do it all by your self.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2011
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From: New Zealand
I did it on a non-bose. Its easy. The bose system just run rca's to the trunk and run a 2 ohm stable aftermarket amp to use the stock speakers and wiring. Look at the top of your sub. If it is 4ohm dual channel then it is not bose.
Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 165
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From: Central California
05 CLK320 Cabriolet W209 & 2011 BMW X3
Try www.crutchfield.com for the dash kit or ebay but there is no aftermarket wiring harness available. There isn't one made for Mercedes, I have been looking for weeks now. Call a Crutchfield adviser you can get the number off of there web site. They are extremely helpful.
Here is some more info:
If you replace the factory radio, the factory navigation feature won't work anymore.
A wiring harness is not available. You'll need to splice into the factory wires.
You'll need to bypass your factory amps by running speaker wires from your new receiver to each speaker.
Here is some more info:
If you replace the factory radio, the factory navigation feature won't work anymore.
A wiring harness is not available. You'll need to splice into the factory wires.
You'll need to bypass your factory amps by running speaker wires from your new receiver to each speaker.
Last edited by Timewarpone; Mar 10, 2014 at 11:25 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,428
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From: New Zealand
Got mine from amazon.com see link in my sig. I really like the metra kits. I got a stereo harness, a Mercedes harness and wired them together. It will be much less complicated on a bose one since there are 8 less wires to worry about.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,428
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From: New Zealand
Probably help if I didn't post from my phone.
https://mbworld.org/forums/clk-class...rness-etc.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...tallation.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/clk-class...rness-etc.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...tallation.html
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Sep 2013
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2004 Mercedes-Benz clk500
Awesome thanks for the advice guys found out it is the Bose. Don't have the nav system so one less problem to deal with probly gunna keep speakers and amp for now just change the head unit found mostly everything except for the double din dash kit and PAC to use the Amp will be calling crutch field
I will post part numbers for those who are interested.
I will post part numbers for those who are interested.
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Joined: Oct 2012
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From: New York
05 E55
Awesome thanks for the advice guys found out it is the Bose. Don't have the nav system so one less problem to deal with probly gunna keep speakers and amp for now just change the head unit found mostly everything except for the double din dash kit and PAC to use the Amp will be calling crutch field
I will post part numbers for those who are interested.
I will post part numbers for those who are interested.
