I've looked through the various threads in MBWorld's overall electronics, etc. forum. Not much help in thinking through issues. I've also heard about the Becker-offered modification adding an Aux input; though nice, this is really not sufficient to bring us into the current moment.

Point is, wouldn't it be nice to be able to listen to iPod, have a USB 2 interface to listen to music on a portable hard disk, be able to operate the iPhone via bluetooth, and so forth?

Yes, it would. At least, I would find it nice. And, an Alpine or other brand head available for less than $300 would allow that.

If it worked w/ the E320's electrical system, if it would interface w/ the Bose amplifier on the car, if it could be installed without butchering the car's radio wiring.

So... anyone done this? Have recommendations? Thanks!

 

The most I have done on my 2001 is to go with bluetooth phone conversion so I can't be of much help.

 

After upgrading the head unit, i have blown 3 rear view mirrors, the orginial and 2 off of ebay. I am going in today and adding a new ground & maybe a new "ignition on" wire

 

Yikes -- let us know if the new wiring solves the problem -- did you install the new head unit yourself?

 

controls or on pre face lift model that you don't have anyway and hard wire in the speakers with a new audio hu with bt and hd,You don't need the fo anyway.
100 bucks buys a JVC head unit with aux in and hd radio 4by25 watts and 3 outs for sub amp and separate amp for speakers.All it takes is locating ground,power on with ignition,power constant with key off and routing new speaker wires.
HD is cool just installed one in our 300E.
You lose the changer but who needs that antique anymore.

 

hu = head unit; bt = bluetooth; hd = hd radio -- got it. What's "fo"?

I'd want one w/ bt, aux in, and a USB interface as well. I'm sure hd radio is nice, but it's not high on my priority list, because of how much music I already have and because I listen mostly to npr when it comes to radio.

You just installed a new hu? Does one have to cut wires... (scares me...) or is there an adapter for the existing wiring harness.

The Bose system in my '99 E320 -- does it have a subwoofer? A separate amp for the sub? Alternately, given that you quote amplifier power for the jvc above, it looks like you're suggesting to take the Bose amp out of the picture?

 

You can install a head unit from Alpine, Sony, etc. It's plug and play. Check out what's available from Crutchfield for your car. They will supply a patch cable which plugs into the MB harness and the back of the new radio. You will also need an adapter to go from Audi/VW antenna connector to Motorola antenna connector. Easy to find.

To pull your old radio you'll need 'radio keys'. They insert into the horizontal slots at the bottom corners and compress the latches which hold the radio in. Available from dealers, online, etc. Best ones are the Becker OEM from Becker or dealer.

You will have shop around for the features and appearance you prefer. Some are pretty gaudy looking in an MB for my tastes.

There's lots of good info on this topic in the Audio/Electronics forum on this site.

 

Thanks -- and I agree that many of these units are really hideous.

The antenna adapter (from vw/audi to motorola connector) : is this something Crutchfield will have as well?

 

and the 300E was all easy trace wires and solder old to new.
Per above the E320 crutchfield has pnp and even provides the keys if not I have boxed sets of keys and cluster removal hooks.You will need them to eventually change a dead instrument cluster or climate control bulb or bulbs.

 

Got it... and thanks.

 

The antenna adapter should be available from Crutchfield but I'm just not sure. I got one at a local German auto radio shop. Should be online as well.

 

Depending on how much you are into technological gadgets, like GPS, smartphones, MP3, Bluetooth, etc., I can recommend you to consider going with an aftermarket double DIN audio system conversion with navigation. Utilizing the original bracket and wood panel it will look OEM.

Pioneer has got an application to link the iPhone with some of its car navigation units:

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PU...Free+Apple+App

MSRP on the Pioneer AVIC-U310BT is only $400.00.

You can also add goodies such as a rearview camera. Wiring adapters for these cars are widely available and depending no your skills it can be a perfectly doable DIY installation.

Here’s a forum link to such a conversion:

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w210...onversion.html

Hope that helps.

Cheers

 

Franasia -- thanks. This is terrific information.

The Pioneer piece offers everything I can imagine wanting at present. But, I have a '99 E320 wagon -- The size/shape of the Pioneer doesn't match the OEM Becker/Bose, obviously.

Unless I want to get custom trim for the center panel (?), I guess I'd have to find a model w/o navigation.

I don't need a rearview camera.

 

The original bracket and wood trim are often found on eBay or on the forums' classifieds. The dealer can get them of course, for a lot more. There's also Steve in the Netherlands who can get these two parts for reasonable money if you cannot find them. Installing the bracket and wood piece is very easy.

Someone posted the attached DIY earlier - not sure who it was but I believe it was Gregs210. Hope that helps.

Cheers

 

"...original bracket and wood trim" -- this is to fit a double din cage?

Note that the pdf you attached links to a site that's now dead videos -- but they are all at http://www.edsoto.com/e320/w210/disassembly.htm.

 

Yes, to fit double DIN cage.

The attachment is good. PM me with you private email and will forward it to you.

Cheers

 

ohmygosh...edsoto hasn't worked for several years. i just tried the link you
provided and see what appears to be all the videos intact. i highly recommend
that you guys d/load them while you can.

 

I think this disk image may include *all* the assembly/disassembly videos: Here is the ISO Link: http://edsoto.com/E320.iso

 

Besides the Pioneer double DIN conversion there are also single DIN models that have a motorized screen which disappears into the dash when the radio is turned off. Gregs210 posted a link to the supplier a few months back. It was about 1/2 the price of the Pioneer.

 

You're right RichardM98, that is a discontinued model however. The interesting thing about the Pioneer AVIC-U310BT, it's one of the only two units that can be linked to an iPhone GPS application. This model can be found online for $331.00 which I think it's a steal. The other one, AVIC-Z110BT, is about $1,200

This is of course interesting if you are into iPhones. I am myself considering to upgrade to the supposedly soon to to be announced 3rd generation model with high resolution display. I'm still sticking to my old Palm Treo.

Cheers

 

Once you have an iPhone, it's hard to use anything else....

 

Well, some people like the steering wheel controls. I for one wouldn't give them up for anything. I also like the heads-up like display of info on the main dash display.

If you're like me, then you need to stay with the oem head unit. If you do, your options for BT and MP3 are very few.

There is a BIG thread here and copied over at benzworld.org on upgrading the phone system to OEM bluetooth. This is for phone only... can't play music through it like stereo bt headphones unfortunately. The other option for BT is the Argos unit. It costs a bit more than going DIY-OEM, and AFAICT, offers no additional functionality. But it's a much easier process.

The best option for iPod/MP3 integration with the existing system is the Dension Gateway 500 for D2B fiber optic systems. This allows you to hook up an iPod, or a USB thumb drive & control either from the OEM headunit.

 

Dension Gateway 500 = discontinued.... or so I was told by one of their dealers.

 

This route removes the cd changer right? I hot rodded the tapedeck adapter and power from the cigarette lighter into a single ipod cable in the center console. My cigarette lighter power is not working so now, no charging for the iPod. I have the motorola phone and 10pin connector in the center console. No way to hot rod power and audio into the system? I am not worried about control function. Perhaps just using the phone's power and audio input? anyone? Bueller?

 

This is the one I was talking about. See Qualir CGAQLL8008 for about $440. Been a year since I saw this thread. Pioneer had motorized display. Qualir (still available?) had detachable display.
There's a link in this thread to the supplier.

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w210...ssibility.html


Also, check out the site www.lightinthebox.com for 7 pages of models both DIN 1 and DIN 2.