Radio replacement?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
2005 CLK 320
Radio replacement?
I wanted to up grade radio as the plastic on the face is starting to release.Wrinkled looking. Also wanted to upgrade to Bluetooth and backup cam. My local audio store said they could do it. When they took it apart they found it had a amp int the trunk with fiber optic cable and could not get the proper fiber optic cable to hook up a new pioneer head unit. Any other options to get this done?
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 337
Likes: 53
From: CA
2010 E550 Coupe
Although my stock system still works fine (for now), I ended up going with a specialized Bluetooth adapter to have hands free calling and Bluetooth music streaming. It installs in place of the cd changer. I haven't installed it yet, but it supposedly works great.
So I guess my response to your post is that it might be easiest to buy a replacement stock head unit and just buy the Bluetooth adapter thing. To me, that would seem to be the most hassle free, reliable, and reversible thing to do. This wouldn't have the backup camera, of course, but there are various other options for that.
Lastly, I might be a little leary of a car audio shop that tore my car apart while having no idea about the fiber optic thing (which is not all that uncommon).
Fiber optic bluetooth adapter: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Bluetooth-A...1/222307380207
So I guess my response to your post is that it might be easiest to buy a replacement stock head unit and just buy the Bluetooth adapter thing. To me, that would seem to be the most hassle free, reliable, and reversible thing to do. This wouldn't have the backup camera, of course, but there are various other options for that.
Lastly, I might be a little leary of a car audio shop that tore my car apart while having no idea about the fiber optic thing (which is not all that uncommon).
Fiber optic bluetooth adapter: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Bluetooth-A...1/222307380207
Last edited by nkx1; May 6, 2019 at 12:25 PM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
2005 CLK 320
Although my stock system still works fine (for now), I ended up going with a specialized Bluetooth adapter to have hands free calling and Bluetooth music streaming. It installs in place of the cd changer. I haven't installed it yet, but it supposedly works great.
So I guess my response to your post is that it might be easiest to buy a replacement stock head unit and just buy the Bluetooth adapter thing. To me, that would seem to be the most hassle free, reliable, and reversible thing to do. This wouldn't have the backup camera, of course, but there are various other options for that.
Lastly, I might be a little leary of a car audio shop that tore my car apart while having no idea about the fiber optic thing (which is not all that uncommon).
Fiber optic bluetooth adapter: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Bluetooth-A...1/222307380207
So I guess my response to your post is that it might be easiest to buy a replacement stock head unit and just buy the Bluetooth adapter thing. To me, that would seem to be the most hassle free, reliable, and reversible thing to do. This wouldn't have the backup camera, of course, but there are various other options for that.
Lastly, I might be a little leary of a car audio shop that tore my car apart while having no idea about the fiber optic thing (which is not all that uncommon).
Fiber optic bluetooth adapter: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Bluetooth-A...1/222307380207
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,782
Likes: 1,011
NO LONGER ACTIVE
There are two options - run new analog copper wire from the dash to the trunk and tie into the speakers there at the disconnected wiring harness from the amp. Or, but a MOST interface adapter that will send your new radio's analog outputs via fiber to the Harmon-Kardon amp. However, that adapter only supports balance - not fader controls.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
2005 CLK 320
There are two options - run new analog copper wire from the dash to the trunk and tie into the speakers there at the disconnected wiring harness from the amp. Or, but a MOST interface adapter that will send your new radio's analog outputs via fiber to the Harmon-Kardon amp. However, that adapter only supports balance - not fader controls.
https://www.seicane.com/android-gps-...usb-sd-s018731 and they also said something about a fiberoptic interface box. I can't seem to find it in the email now.
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Highlands Ranch, Colorado
2012 SL550
What Rudeney said is true. Fiber optic adapter route is least expensive way to go and you basically retain your stock optic ring system. Rewiring a new head unit to speakers and amp can be costly because of the time and additional parts involved. I'm all for updating this older technology for what's available today! Good luck!
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 49
Likes: 2
From: Near Toronto, ON Canada
2005 CLK500 Cabriolet
To get bluetooth in the car I initially used an FM transmitter. Worked just fine for phone calls and music from my phone. ~$20 well spent.
Not attractive, but it worked.
I later replaced it all - head unit, speakers, amps etc. Happier now, but more $ spent for sure!
Not attractive, but it worked.
I later replaced it all - head unit, speakers, amps etc. Happier now, but more $ spent for sure!
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 20
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2005 CLK 320
Thank you all for the replies. They have been a big help. I need help with this
https://www.seicane.com/android-gps-...usb-sd-s018731
I have been looking at this head unit. Will it work as manufacture claims?
https://www.seicane.com/android-gps-...usb-sd-s018731
I have been looking at this head unit. Will it work as manufacture claims?
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Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 337
Likes: 53
From: CA
2010 E550 Coupe
Thank you all for the replies. They have been a big help. I need help with this
https://www.seicane.com/android-gps-...usb-sd-s018731
I have been looking at this head unit. Will it work as manufacture claims?
https://www.seicane.com/android-gps-...usb-sd-s018731
I have been looking at this head unit. Will it work as manufacture claims?
EDIT: maybe I didn't look at the one you linked to. It looks like it may come with a canbus decoder to connect to the Harman Kardon amp?
Last edited by nkx1; May 7, 2019 at 10:13 PM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
2005 CLK 320
EDIT: maybe I didn't look at the one you linked to. It looks like it may come with a canbus decoder to connect to the Harman Kardon amp?[/QUOTE]
I don't know enough about them to know. It is the one recommended by the manufacturer for my car.
I don't know enough about them to know. It is the one recommended by the manufacturer for my car.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 337
Likes: 53
From: CA
2010 E550 Coupe
I emailed Seicane because I was curious about the connection issue to the Harman Kardon system amp. They said that you would just have to buy their adapter to make it work (for $129).
So that would put you over $700 (even if you did the install yourself) to put in the new system. It looks really cool and it would be nice to have a functional, modern interface in the dash. But to me, it wouldn't be worth it in a 10+ year old car. I've already spent thousands of dollars in repairs to bring my car up to daily-driving standards, so I'm not really willing to spend much more on it lol.
I think I'll stick with the $150 bluetooth adapter I mentioned (if I ever get around to actually installing it).
Seicane optic interface: https://www.seicane.com/2002-2012-me...interface-sc02
So that would put you over $700 (even if you did the install yourself) to put in the new system. It looks really cool and it would be nice to have a functional, modern interface in the dash. But to me, it wouldn't be worth it in a 10+ year old car. I've already spent thousands of dollars in repairs to bring my car up to daily-driving standards, so I'm not really willing to spend much more on it lol.
I think I'll stick with the $150 bluetooth adapter I mentioned (if I ever get around to actually installing it).
Seicane optic interface: https://www.seicane.com/2002-2012-me...interface-sc02
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
2005 CLK 320
I emailed Seicane because I was curious about the connection issue to the Harman Kardon system amp. They said that you would just have to buy their adapter to make it work (for $129).
So that would put you over $700 (even if you did the install yourself) to put in the new system. It looks really cool and it would be nice to have a functional, modern interface in the dash. But to me, it wouldn't be worth it in a 10+ year old car. I've already spent thousands of dollars in repairs to bring my car up to daily-driving standards, so I'm not really willing to spend much more on it lol.
I think I'll stick with the $150 bluetooth adapter I mentioned (if I ever get around to actually installing it).
Seicane optic interface: https://www.seicane.com/2002-2012-me...interface-sc02
So that would put you over $700 (even if you did the install yourself) to put in the new system. It looks really cool and it would be nice to have a functional, modern interface in the dash. But to me, it wouldn't be worth it in a 10+ year old car. I've already spent thousands of dollars in repairs to bring my car up to daily-driving standards, so I'm not really willing to spend much more on it lol.
I think I'll stick with the $150 bluetooth adapter I mentioned (if I ever get around to actually installing it).
Seicane optic interface: https://www.seicane.com/2002-2012-me...interface-sc02
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 784
Likes: 29
From: NYC
2004 CLK 500
You are going way to far . Go on Ebay and look for android head units hey are around $300 . Message the seller and ask them for the extension cable . It should be around $40 more . Once you get both the unit is plug and play you remove the old unit out and install the new one . it will have Bluetooth USB navigation backup camera etc . Then you just run the extension cable to the trunk and you simply unplug the harness from the oem amp and plug into that and your done . This is good for the future so if you want to add an aftermarket sub woofer .
Member
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 226
Likes: 47
From: N. Maryland
2024 GLE 580
You are going way to far . Go on Ebay and look for android head units hey are around $300 . Message the seller and ask them for the extension cable . It should be around $40 more . Once you get both the unit is plug and play you remove the old unit out and install the new one . it will have Bluetooth USB navigation backup camera etc . Then you just run the extension cable to the trunk and you simply unplug the harness from the oem amp and plug into that and your done . This is good for the future so if you want to add an aftermarket sub woofer .
Then there's my vibrating door speaker to deal with...
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 337
Likes: 53
From: CA
2010 E550 Coupe
You are going way to far . Go on Ebay and look for android head units hey are around $300 . Message the seller and ask them for the extension cable . It should be around $40 more . Once you get both the unit is plug and play you remove the old unit out and install the new one . it will have Bluetooth USB navigation backup camera etc . Then you just run the extension cable to the trunk and you simply unplug the harness from the oem amp and plug into that and your done . This is good for the future so if you want to add an aftermarket sub woofer .
Also, I didn't know about the amp harness thing. So does this directly link the head unit to the speakers so that the speakers are powered by the head unit? Does the same cable also support the backup camera?
Last edited by nkx1; May 10, 2019 at 03:59 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 32
Likes: 2
From: Dallas, TX
2007 E350, 2007 CLK63 AMG
If you have the Harmon Kardon audio system, then you have a fiber optic connection to your amp. Both my W211 and W209 were this way. In this case, you have to buy an additional fiber optic converter box (about $100) which takes the line-level RCA outputs from the back of the head unit, and converts them to MOST fiber optic for the amp. That allows you to retain the stock amp. I can't speak for non Harmon Kardon setups though, since both my cars have it. This is the converter I'm using for my CLK:
As far as reverse camera, unless your car came with one, you'll need to run additional wires to the trunk (power, video, and optionally ground) and mount a camera. This is the camera I used:
As far as reverse camera, unless your car came with one, you'll need to run additional wires to the trunk (power, video, and optionally ground) and mount a camera. This is the camera I used:
Last edited by Ward83; May 10, 2019 at 09:33 PM.
MBworld Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
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NO LONGER ACTIVE
"canbus" has nothing to do with the H-K amp. The CAN bus interface is used to enable the steering wheel controls to operate the volume and channel selection. Talking to the H-K amp over the MOST fiber optic requires a different interface. They are available, but you lose the H-K "Logic7" feature and fader control.
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Joined: Jul 2014
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From: UNKNOWN
NB8 PARACHUTE
`
This thread needs an idiot to ask a question -
And that idiot is me -
I have a 2003 W209 CLK500 with the "810"
unit in the dash - HK
I am looking to replace the OEM unit in the dash
without replacing the cable / harness that runs from the
OEM unit in the dash to the amp in the trunk -
Would "an additional fiber optic converter box (about $100)
which takes the line-level RCA outputs from the back of the
head unit, and converts them to MOST fiber optic for the amp"
(see post 17) make the current OEM "810" cable / harness
to the trunk work with a newer head unit -
Thank-You
D.B.
.
This thread needs an idiot to ask a question -
And that idiot is me -
I have a 2003 W209 CLK500 with the "810"
unit in the dash - HK
I am looking to replace the OEM unit in the dash
without replacing the cable / harness that runs from the
OEM unit in the dash to the amp in the trunk -
Would "an additional fiber optic converter box (about $100)
which takes the line-level RCA outputs from the back of the
head unit, and converts them to MOST fiber optic for the amp"
(see post 17) make the current OEM "810" cable / harness
to the trunk work with a newer head unit -
Thank-You
D.B.
.
MBworld Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,782
Likes: 1,011
NO LONGER ACTIVE
D.B., a MY2003 with code 810 has the Bose (not Harmon-Kardon) system and D2B fiber, not MOST. HK/MOST came out for MY2005. I don't think you will find as much in the aftermarket for D2B as you will for MOST. The reason being that D2B was MBZ's proprietary system and was never designed for 3rd party components (though some like Ice Link or Dice did make them). MOST was an open architecture system where, theoretically, 3rd parties could make add ons.
In your case, I think I would just run some new analog wire from the dash to the trunk and then abandon the Bose amp and install your own. There are plenty of good places to run wire in under the door sill trim
In your case, I think I would just run some new analog wire from the dash to the trunk and then abandon the Bose amp and install your own. There are plenty of good places to run wire in under the door sill trim
