400ixl

Which video was that. Not seen the W207 install video from CKM. The W212 one which should be pretty similar (aircon vents are different) shows connectors needing to go into the back of the CD unit.


Have you got the link to the one you watched that shows otherwise?

Behold81

Ugh.... Phono jack.... So stereo only input. I believe the UHI connector allows for full digital audio so you should be able to pass 5.1 to it. I know the kit comes with a UHI to USB connector in it.

Behold81

I will do a full detailed A207 review. should be good for any W207 when mine arrives. I should be able to get it done quite quickly. Just waiting on mine to turn up now. 1-2 weeks apparently.

Dnasty

I watched part 2 of that series. It's also the w212. There is no w207 installation. It may require removing the vents etc. and they are simply saying I can reach back there blindly and unplug the various cables which is probably possible but really hard so all these videos show removing everything. Both sellers are very short about installation questions likely because they want me to order it and know that if it requires those extra steps i'm just going to be mildly pissed and put it in anyway lol. I really just don't like removing things that have never been touched on older cars because there's always a chance something will go wrong or crack/break etc... Anyway I look forward to seeing your guys reviews/installs whoever gets it first let's see what happens. If I get mine first i'll share the installation steps as well. Also I do not have any jacks in the armrests but do have the jacks in the glove box..... but I believe everything runs through the head unit and the cabling they provide you only connects directly to the headunit which controls everything including mic etc. So I don't think it will effect any of the preexisting wiring as that comes out of the stock head unit.

Behold81

Yeah I see mixed reviews. But one unboxing showed the UHI connector and phono option in the box.

Also It will be worth ensuring the USB cable is accessible for future uses like Carplay or maybe cabled ODB2

400ixl

Ah, ok. Given I believe its only a couple of screws to remove the CD unit once you have the vents out it seems that it will be quicker and far less frustrating to just remove it rather than try to do it blind. I don't have the smallest of hands either :lol:

As I understand it, everything to do with the OEM system (radio / CD etc) goes through the original system. Anything generated out of the head unit itself (Android Apps etc) has to go back in via the AUX input of some sort, which for my model year I believe is the jack plug. This is part of the wiring loom they send as part of the kit.

Mine has apparently been sent, but not got any tacking number or anything to validate that against.

Dnasty

Behold81

Wireless car play is RARE! its only just started to be fiited to authorised head units. I think we will be another year before we get a wireless option for universal use.

I chose not to buy one till I have tested the unit. they are also a lot cheaper from other suppliers so will get one later on if I need it.

dmndE550cp

Dnasty

dmndE550cp

Yea, it requires removal of the cd unit, but not the AC control unit. I checked all the connections, no luck. I wish it wouldve been that easy!

Dnasty

Darn that sucks thought it may have been a loose cable from the ac vents. Not sure how the unit would effect your ac... does it even have ac control functions or tie into that system of the car? Also how is the startup time on this unit... I heard that was a bit of an issue but possibly with the older quad core processors.

Behold81

If you switch to the command system in the tablet can you see the AC Controls there?

it might be the format setup function in the tablet for the old comand that is causing issues?

dmndE550cp

Behold81

If the comand screen is not able to be seen (Black) then it sounds verymuch like the setting in the tablet to setup the comand layout (belive this is the can bus setup on the tablet) then ylou should see it all come up.

400ixl

Got mine mainly fitted now.

Can absolutely confirm that you need to remove the old screen, the air vents and the cd unit to stand any chance of fitting this. I will also most likely need to dismantle the centre arm rest in order to neatly get the Aux/Phon cable and the 2 USB cables into the cubby hole. I have exported the instructions from the Mercedes apps if anyone needs them for these parts.

Installing it on the whole is straight forward, although getting the main loom behind the stereo back in is an absolute pain and you will scrape you hands trying to do it. Be prepared for many attempts and frustration, but it will go. The loom is about an inch too short between the OEM main block connector and the new one which makes it difficult to get the original block out of the way. In the bottom of the area the CD goes into, you will (if you move other wires away) find a hole, tuck the OEM block into there as much as you can and it should then fit back in OK.

The GPS I have suck to the underside of the dash behind where the new screen is. I didn't bother with either of the other aerials as the sim won't work outside of Chine due to the different bands and the WIFI is strong enough to pick up from within the house, so a hotspot is more than strong enough.

You then need to decide what you are doing to route the USB cables and phono leads. I have found they are not long enough to go all the way to the arm rest cubby when routed through the dash so have ordered extension leads. For the phone I have a noise filter as well to guard against interference.

On mine I kept the A/A connector in the loom but in order to get the OEM display I had to set the comand layout in the config to 4 rather than 2 and that is now working.

Dnasty

400ixl

I don't use an iPhone so can't comment on that side. You bluetooth directly to the new unit for phone calls if that's what you mean.

Now fitted the phono cable into the Aux phono port in the armrest, its a bit of another mammoth task removing the arm rest but its now all done. Connected up with no visible cables anywhere.

Will start playing with the actual functionality now to see how to configure it all properly.

Behold81

400ixl

I'll take some pics of mine over the weekend.

Have you got the instructions for dismantling the dash and centre console? If you need them, PM me an email address and I'll send you the extracts from Mercedes WIS workshop Manual.

400ixl

Lets see if these upload OK.

Should be the ones you need to remove everything for fitting the unit and getting the phone wire into the aux port in the arm rest.

Dnasty

I meant the iphone cable and aux/phono jacks that already are present in the cars glove box, this is probably an option that I have on my car that isn't as common. I'm guessing the canbus features will integrate with the stock command features wondering how the phone integration will work as my car already has bluetooth for phone calls. Your cd player/dvd player still work yes? Also how is the startup time on the android unit is it comparable to your stock?

400ixl

Assume you have an earlier model with the UCI connections in the glovebox rather than the later cars which have the phone AUx socket and USB in the arm rest.

The kit comes with an adapter to connect the system to the Aux in Comand, so that gets used for sending sound from the new HU to Comand. Everything else like the Radio and CD work (I assume as I have never actually ever used such old technology in mine) as they would with the Comand interface shown on the new HU. You then connect the iPhone directly to the new HU via Bluetooth and no longer use the phone function in Comand.

Start up wise it takes about 10 seconds for the unit to boot. If you have the Radio in Comand running that comes on instantly as it doesn't need the HU, you just don't see the display until it has booted.

Dnasty

Not too bad. Thanks for all the follow up this might be a good stickie thread as I see a lot of people doing or wanting to do this mod.

Behold81