W211 Nav upgrade Q:
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1
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From: San Francisco
'04 E320
W211 Nav upgrade Q:
I have an early build 2004 E320 wagon with the stock high head unit, 6 disk changer but no nav drive unit in the back. I want to add Nav; but I am not sure if I need to buy a new headunit AND the nav disk drive for the back or if I can just buy the disk drive unit and use my existing comand high head unit with screen. The reason I am unsure is that my mechanic has told me that you can not just plug in a nav disk drive. He says the the comand head unit and the disk drives have been programmed not to work with each other unless the individual serial numbers match. So he says I need to buy a "kit" that has both parts together. (approx 1500 dealer or ebay) But I think his MB parts guy told him that. I see a lot of nav drives (3-500)on ebay, and I wonder if I have to buy a matching high head unit AND the disk drive (1000-1500) or just the disk drive. I've looked up the parts numbers and there are a lot that seem to work together. I'm also familiar with the european models that allow DVD play in the high head unit, that would be nice but not neccesary for me since I like to watch the road. I just want in dash nav, and not an aftermarket installation.
Any advice on the following:
1) do I need to buy both the head unit and disk drive or can i just purchase the disk drive?
2) what other parts will I need (gps antenna?(yes) wiring harness?(?) CD with maps(yes) others? )
3) how difficult is this?
4) Any advice on my plan to buy parts from eBay and have my (very competant) mechanic install?
Any advice on the following:
1) do I need to buy both the head unit and disk drive or can i just purchase the disk drive?
2) what other parts will I need (gps antenna?(yes) wiring harness?(?) CD with maps(yes) others? )
3) how difficult is this?
4) Any advice on my plan to buy parts from eBay and have my (very competant) mechanic install?
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 15,901
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From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 724
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From: Vancouver Canada
S213 2020 E450 4Matic CDN Spec 07/19 build
I have an early build 2004 E320 wagon with the stock high head unit, 6 disk changer but no nav drive unit in the back. I want to add Nav; but I am not sure if I need to buy a new headunit AND the nav disk drive for the back or if I can just buy the disk drive unit and use my existing comand high head unit with screen. The reason I am unsure is that my mechanic has told me that you can not just plug in a nav disk drive. He says the the comand head unit and the disk drives have been programmed not to work with each other unless the individual serial numbers match.
I started with an Audio 50 head unit and upgraded to the full COMAND unit (off ebay) and about a year later added the NAV drive (again off ebay, but not from the same original car as the COMAND unt). Plug and play, easy as pie.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 258
Likes: 1
From: Jacksonville
2013 SLK
That is the most informative post here. That is exactly what I used, just follow the instructions...Its almost plug and play
JM
