Upgrade to COMMAND and Factory Nav
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Joined: Nov 2013
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1999 E430
Upgrade to COMMAND and Factory Nav
I'm the proud owner of a 1999 E430 with over 245k miles on the clock, and she still looks and runs strong. Since I expect to drive this incredible machine for at least another year or two, I was wondering about adding some creature comforts. I've seen mods to convert the stereo/climate area to a double-DIN to fit an aftermarket head unit relocating the climate into the single-DIN storage bin beneath. That would work, but I really don't want to break up the marriage of factory bose amp and speakers with the factory head unit. That said, I'm wondering about upgrading to a factory COMMAND setup with Nav, the enhanced instrument cluster, etc. I'm fairly handy with cars, so unless I'm looking at rebuilding wiring harnesses and fabricating fiberglass surrounds, I'm not afraid of pulling and replacing parts, to include steering wheel, cluster, etc. I know the car has at least some of the wiring for options it doesn't actually have (I replaced the shocks last weekend and found the analog cell phone goodies in the trunk.), but I don't know how extensively "over-engineered" the car is from the factory. (e.g., is it prewired for most options? I had a Land Rover Disco II, and to upgrade to heated seats in it, all that was required was the switchgear and the new trim plate to mount them in)
The nav/command upgrade would be an excellent enhancement, and if my theory proves out about pre-wiring, next will come the seat heaters...and anything else I can get my hands on.
Thanks, everyone! (Sorry if this info is elsewhere, but I did do my due diligence to search the forums first -- no joy.)
The nav/command upgrade would be an excellent enhancement, and if my theory proves out about pre-wiring, next will come the seat heaters...and anything else I can get my hands on.
Thanks, everyone! (Sorry if this info is elsewhere, but I did do my due diligence to search the forums first -- no joy.)
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Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Hawaii
1996 E320, 2018 Ducati Panigale V4S, 2012 1199 Panigale
It can and has been done before. Good upgrade.
I was hoping for pre-wiring when I installed the multi-function steering wheel (from an 02 model) on my 96...but nope. Youd have to make your own harness in that case.
I was hoping for pre-wiring when I installed the multi-function steering wheel (from an 02 model) on my 96...but nope. Youd have to make your own harness in that case.
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Joined: Apr 2007
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I have a factory OEM Mercedes 2.0 command system for sale if you are interested. I had it originally installed with a DVD player and a rear camera. The DVD would show while the car was driving. Let me know if you are interested. My email is lonniegiii@yahoo.com
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 5
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1999 E430
Wiring harness??
And is the cluster a "must-change" component, or will the head unit function independent of the cluster and/or steering wheel?
(Youngblood, sent you an email.)
