Ecin

I would like to add navigation to my car. I have an HK package with 6 CD changer. What do I have to do to get navigation? I see a lot of head units on ebay for about $500, I'm leaning to the EURO because it can play DVDs while driving. What Else would I need so I can have navigation? Will I lose my CD changer? Also I would like a back-up camera. For now I'm going to add a JL w7, I already have the 500/1 amp, and maybe later I'll get a clean sweep to change the speakers, but that's not for now.

MARK CUMMINS

Contact Steve @ www.mbenznl.com or S-Krabbenborg@hotmail.com

Steve can sell You a US or Euro unit...I Would go with the Euro and add a TV Tuner

Yes you can keep the CD Changer ....


Do a search Steve has done several Nav Units ...as with Ebay its a Crap shoot1

BudC

Seems easy to do it yourself.

https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w211/100143-oem-navigation-retrofit-w-pics.html

Barry45RPM

The NAV unit is located in the trunk on the left side wall as you look in. One must also replace the fibreboard trunk liner also since the NAV requires a liner with an access door to get to the unit to insert the NAV DVD. The trunk mounted NAV unit sends all the info to the COMAND display, and the MFD.

sosh

From what I understand the US DVD's will not play in a Euro Command so you will not be able to use the nav but you may have the other features.

KosherBenz

Wow, you heard wrong.

smb7420

I was wondering for the 03 E, which has a smaller screen and tape deck if installing a 04+ big screen style unit was possible (seems so).

Also, what is the effect on the warranty/extended warranty on an 03 E?
The different unit is easily noticeable due to the lack of tape playing and bigger screen, would dealers care?
I haven't asked my dealer yet about its effect, however he did mention to me before that the warranty doesn't cover the radio on the car.

I Really, Really want to have MP3 Playing and Nav in the car on a nice big screen. I hear that in Chicago(U.S.A) the coppers can(likely will) impound your car if a dvd is playing in the front of the car. Other than that whoever started this retrofitting is a genius.

jmorgis

I just finished adding COMAND to my 03 E320 (actually last night), I also had the tape deck small screen, and the total replacement of the COMAND only took about 45 mins. Routing the AUX cable took almost all the time.

Works like a champ, Im adding NAV next week

John

smb7420

nice jmorgis
how much did the bigscreen version(04+) replacement cost ya?
i'm supposing thats what ya retrofitted it with
Had a chance to check out the mp3 playback? what about .wma?
thats my fav format

jmorgis

Got mine for about $400 (US COMAND almost new), Plug and play info '03 E class. I added the AUX cable (from MB dealer for $39), My COMAND came out of a '06 CLS. It needs the MB Update to play MP3's i dont know if it can play wma's. I installed myself in about $45 mins.

The NAV addition should cost about $600. (parts). I will install myself from informaiton on this site. !!! (Thanks guys)

John

murman

So you're the guy that beat me with about 5 seconds to go for that unit on e-bay!!!

Interesting that an '06 COMAND unit wouldn't already have the software update for MP3s in it. Welcome to the 21st century M-B...

As for wma, I've only recently seen that some of the newest M-B 6-disc changers for the E-class are wma-capable. Model # is MH-3512 if I recall...

jmorgis

Unbelievable, its a small world.

smb7420

i'm overdoing it in my head...
Would it really be more cost efficient to buy a garmin-type nav system?

technically i suppose it'll cost me around 1500..hopefully less like morgis, to get the Comand installed(i'll do it myself hopefully)
its probably worth the price considering MP3, DVD, and NAV functions, its OEM and hopefully covered warranty wise by Benz..

How often are those things on Ebay? i saw one for 700 somewhere on the internet..

Mbdoctor sells those for 1500 with trade in of an older Comand, but when i go to checkout it has an expired security certificate- are they nuts? How reliable are they?

Odd though, why do MB dealers say it'll be like 3,000 or so to install the nav when guys are doin it in 45 min and for about 1 grand? I know MB isn't the cheapest car brand out there...but eh?

sorry i really like this smiley.

jmorgis

Totally agreed, its not hard. You can add NAV/COMAND with all mp3 stuff for < 1 grand. I asked MB how much is it to have them install just NAV, then came back with $1900 !!! DAM! The parts are only about $700 bought brand new from the MB part desk with 12 month warranty. So they charge about 1200 for install...No thanks

I will do it myself, I have all the detailed instructions. Is it plug and play? NO, but its not rocket science either. They also said my '03 could not be retro-fitted for COMAND, and 45 mins of my time. Its DONE!

Im sure the next COMAND i do would only take 1/2 the time. I will let everyone know how my NAV update goes.

1. Get your COMAND from ebay (EURO model is more coin)
2. Get all your parts from MB, and install NAV yourself.
3. Save $$$$$
4. Enjoy

John

jmorgis

Update, after reading (from this site). I burned the MP3 CD the correct way. And my new COMAND played it without an issue

It is 1000% better then my old Cassette Non NAV unit.!!!

John

jposhea3

does anyone have the part numbers for the US or EURO COMAND ?

Given that OEMPARTSDIRECT.COM has the new chrome-surround smartkeys (non-keyless-go) for like $50, I'm curious as to what their website would price out the COMAND head for....

murman

There are a zillion:

http://www.mercupgrades.com/comand/COMAND-APS.htm

"Copy all" and paste this page into Word and it should then view properly (if you're using IE).

jposhea3

wow....that;s a lotta data. I had to ask!
thanks

smb7420

Teleaid is supposed to expire sometime this year for those of us(me) with analog connections in our car.
If i retrofit the Comand with a 04 or newer version, will the NAV give me turn-by-turn info? I thought the retrofitting process utilizes the GPS given by Teleaid, and if i have the service discontinued or unable to connect, then...the Nav is kind of weak? i'm a little sketchy with this whole comand thing

steph280

GPS does not use Teleaid.

smb7420

interesting, because i'm unable to connect to teleaid or the SOS thing when i try to, probably because the analog antenna has died out.

But i don't need to be able to? as long as i have a splitter for the wire that runs to teleaid it'll utilize some GPS signal that travels in the wire.....even if there isn't teleaid?