2003 E500 stereo/nav questions
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From: Houston
Range Rover
2003 E500 stereo/nav questions
I am about to pull the trigger on a 2003 E500, but I noticed that the radio display looks different than all of the others I've seen in 2003+ E class cars. The display is much smaller than the ones Ive seen in other cars. Can this unit be replaced with a COMAND relatively easily?
thanks
ccie6679
thanks
ccie6679
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: San Diego
2021 Tesla M3SR+, 2017 GLS550, 2011 E350 Bluetec, 2007 GL450 (GONE), 2003 E500 (GONE)
This is a pretty straight forward upgrade that will run about $700-$800 if you do it yourself. Pulling the old unit out and integrating the new one is going to take about 45 minutes (or less if you know what you are doing). My recommendation to get a Euro COMAND with DVD playback. There are two versions of Euro COMAND on the market -- one allows to add a TV tuner and the other one doesn't. If TV tuner is something you would like to add later then spend a bit more money and get the one with TV tuner plug. Otherwise, stick with the cheaper one.
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Sacramento
'08 AM Vantage V8 - '03 E500
No picture needed; I know it well. 
Nothing like a cassette player for those Greatest Hits of the 70s compilation tapes.
That unit (I believe it's called an Audio 50) can be replaced with a 2004+ COMAND. Whether it can be replaced relatively easily (or cheaply) depends upon your definition of easy or cheap, I suppose. For several years a guy named Steve from the Netherlands (MbenzNL.com) has been travelling to various points in North America to perform upgrades like that. Don't know if he is still doing that, but I see a recent thread ("Atlanta installs ...") from a Sunil @ Motorwerks that seems to offer the same kinds of upgrades.
Nothing like a cassette player for those Greatest Hits of the 70s compilation tapes.That unit (I believe it's called an Audio 50) can be replaced with a 2004+ COMAND. Whether it can be replaced relatively easily (or cheaply) depends upon your definition of easy or cheap, I suppose. For several years a guy named Steve from the Netherlands (MbenzNL.com) has been travelling to various points in North America to perform upgrades like that. Don't know if he is still doing that, but I see a recent thread ("Atlanta installs ...") from a Sunil @ Motorwerks that seems to offer the same kinds of upgrades.
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From: Toronto Ont Canada
GL350
No picture needed; I know it well. Nothing like a cassette player for those Greatest Hits of the 70s compilation tapes.
That unit (I believe it's called an Audio 50) can be replaced with a 2004+ COMAND. Whether it can be replaced relatively easily (or cheaply) depends upon your definition of easy or cheap, I suppose. For several years a guy named Steve from the Netherlands (MbenzNL.com) has been travelling to various points in North America to perform upgrades like that. Don't know if he is still doing that, but I see a recent thread ("Atlanta installs ...") from a Sunil @ Motorwerks that seems to offer the same kinds of upgrades.
Nothing like a cassette player for those Greatest Hits of the 70s compilation tapes.That unit (I believe it's called an Audio 50) can be replaced with a 2004+ COMAND. Whether it can be replaced relatively easily (or cheaply) depends upon your definition of easy or cheap, I suppose. For several years a guy named Steve from the Netherlands (MbenzNL.com) has been travelling to various points in North America to perform upgrades like that. Don't know if he is still doing that, but I see a recent thread ("Atlanta installs ...") from a Sunil @ Motorwerks that seems to offer the same kinds of upgrades.
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From: Las Vegas
E500
I got one of these too (Audio 50). One of my next upgrades is to get one from mbdoctor.com for around $1,300.00. As stated there is a US Command and two versions of Euro command. US Command does not come with DVD while most the Euro Commands do. Make sure to separate ones that will play music DVD's and those you can play a movie DVD through the dash. Until then we can swap cassettes. 
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Sacramento
'08 AM Vantage V8 - '03 E500
Absolutely. And some of us are willing to tear into our cars and try to DIY, and some of us would prefer to pay somebody who knows what he's doing. I know my limits. If somebody feels confident about swapping COMANDS based upon somebody else's printed instructions, more power to them.
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Senior Member
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From: Toronto Ont Canada
GL350
Absolutely. And some of us are willing to tear into our cars and try to DIY, and some of us would prefer to pay somebody who knows what he's doing. I know my limits. If somebody feels confident about swapping COMANDS based upon somebody else's printed instructions, more power to them.
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From: San Diego
2021 Tesla M3SR+, 2017 GLS550, 2011 E350 Bluetec, 2007 GL450 (GONE), 2003 E500 (GONE)
If anyone is looking for a COMAND install in the San Diego area -- let me know. I can do it for you and won't change an arm and a leg.
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2003 E500 Brilliant Silver Sport Package Pan Roof. Tint Euro Comand Euro Lights
Im in San Pedro and have one of these casette/cd players. Would like to upgrade to at least a full size monitor that plays cd's and dvd movies. I would get the navigation too if the price was right. Can you send me some quotes.
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2003 E500 Brilliant Silver Sport Package Pan Roof. Tint Euro Comand Euro Lights
Question: don't you need the monitor and a DVD drive for the trunk for the navigation to work (just got the car 2 months ago so im very new at this)
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From: Long Island, NY
2004 E500 Wagon 4Matic
The monitor on the 2004+ COMAND will be the navigation monitor. Yes, there will be another DVD drive in the trunk. But you won't put movies in there. The Euro COMAND single slot drive is a DVD drive - on the US COMAND it is just a CD drive (but will play mp3 CD's if the software is upgraded).
