I've got one of the early E500s, made when apparently
the 6 disc in-dash CD changer wasn't available. How hard
is it to install the CD changer myself? Has anyone done
this? Is it just mounting the thing in, or does it involve
removing part of the dash or other work that would be
hard for a layman to do? My dealer wants over $1,000
to install the CD changer, which is hard to take since the
CD changer is a $400 option from the factory. Thanks!

 

ouch that sucks from 400 to 1000 i rather change the whole soundsytem. if you not purchase the HK sound

 

I also have an E500 that does not have a changer. I purchased one on Ebay for a little under $300 and spent last night installing it. It took a little while to figure things out, such as removing the radio, but it ends up I did not need to remove the radio since there were no connectors in the back of the radio. My problem is that I can not find where the connectors plug into. There are 2 connectors coming from the changer (one data, one optical), but I only found one connector (data) I searched high and low but could not find the optical connector. If anyone knows where that connector is, I would really appreciate it. Other than that, the install is a pretty simple install. It would probably take 30 minutes to complete.

 

7Figures - I found a listing on Ebay for the 6 CD changer and am considering ordering it as well. I think the dealer charges $650 for the part and a dealer near me quoted $170 for the install. Where you satisfied with the part as delivered ie do you suspect missing parts or was it factory sealed, etc.

Have you considered taking it to a dealer for the install? Please let me if things work out. If things look good, I probably will order the cd changer from Ebay as well.

Tom

 

principle: The changer on Ebay that you're looking at is probably sold by sammycclass. That's who I purchased mine from. Although the changer is new (no scratches, serial numbers intact, etc.) I was a little disappointed when it arrived. It was not factory sealed and was only wrapped in a plastic grocery bag and then the box was filled with padded paper. I have not left feedback on him yet as I'm waiting to see if the item works. He is a little slow to respond to e-mails but if everything works out, I would recommend buying from him since he is MUCH cheaper than the dealer.

I friends with the sales manager at my local dealership and had him introduce me to a tech that did an install. It turned out that I was missing some vital components, but it was not the fault of the ebay seller. To complete the install, you need some screws, small brackets, an optical cable, and even a small cooling fan unit; all items were listed as seperate part numbers, so ordering just the changer does not include all those parts, which is an additional $60 total. The tech said that I would probably need to have the dealer install the changer since they need to program the headunit to recognize the changer but the sales manager told me to try it myself and bring it in if I couldn't get it to work. He told me it would be about $170 to install also. So, after purchasing all the parts, I got the changer to mount in the pocket but was not able to connect the wires yet since I did not have the proper size Torx bit to remove the radio. I will tackle that tomorrow.

 

Let me know how it goes. If it works, I will go the same route.

Tom

 

I finally had a chance to pick up the correct tool and finish my installation. It's much easier with instructions I e-mailed the Ebay seller and he faxed me the actual MB tech document on installing the changer. At first, I was a little stumped since the connector I purchased from the dealer did not fit the description in the instructions, but it turns out that the connector needed to be disassembled (there's a connector inside the connector) for it to plug in. Overall, a simple installation that should run about 45 minutes.

Some points:

1) It only took me a total of 5 hours to do since I didn't know how to remove everything, especially the radio, but after I figured out, I stumbled on a "secret" website used to train MB techs on the latest vehicles and it had instructions and even a video on how to remove the radio. That would have cut down a lot of time. If you are comfortable working on cars, can build a computer, or at least know how to plug in and remove cables from computers, you should be able to do this.

2) You need to have Torx screwdrivers to remove the screws. You need a T-15 and a short-handled T-20 to remove the radio.

3) I also spoke to a tech at my local dealership and he said that I would need to reprogram the headunit for the cd changer. It might generate error codes and quit on me later on if I didn't. My changer works but I don't know if it will for long. I figure I can just have them program it when that happens instead of paying them for the full installation.

4) If you want to save on costs, you don't really need the fan unit which is the most expensive, coming in at $53 list. If anyone needs the part numbers for everything, I can supply that.

5) If you're going to do this, I would recommend purchasing the changer from "sammycclass" on Ebay. He was responsive to my e-mails and shipped fairly quickly and faxed the instructions promptly. However, the item did not arrive in factory MB packaging but that also saved me over $300 versus purchasing it from the dealer. Note: usual disclaimers; I do not profit from his sales; I do not have any affiliation with him other than being a satisfied customer; YMMV.

Hope this helps those who are looking to do the same thing. Feel free to ask any questions.

 

Hi!

I just bought the CD changer from eBay. Can you post the part numbers? So I can go to the dealer to buy all necessary parts to start my work once the CD changer arrives. Can you tell me how much you paid the parts totally? So I don't get ripped off by the dealer.

Thanks,

Len

 

Great explanation - thanks for the details. A post with the part numbers would be greatly appreciated as well as a link to that website you mentioned. While I am no car expert, I have built many computers from the ground up and imagine this is relatively simple operation - after doing it once, I am sure you could do it in 20 minutes from then on out, which makes the dealers price for install all that much more inflated.

The one thing that concerns me about the W211, is how everything seems to link to a central processor that needs to be refreshed to recognize new components (ala reboot). This gives Mercedes a virtually monopoly on these kinds of adds down the road. I suspect, however, that if you take it in and complain about the CD changer failing somewhere down the road, they will fix it for free if car is still under warranty....

Tom

 

Here are the part numbers and dealer's list prices. Hopefully you may be able to talk your dealer's parts department into giving you a discount.

A211 820 2489 - CD Changer
A211 680 0572 - Connector, interior body (cooling fan) - $52.68
A211 689 0214 - Bracket - $2.38 (you need 2 and they are TINY)
A211 540 3132 - Electric Cable (fiber optic cable) - $7.15
N000 000 00 1955 - Screw - $.70 (You need 2 screws but my invoice shows QTY. one so I don't know if it is 2 per pack)
A000 997 8132 - Screw Plug - $.98 (You need two and they are not plugs but screws.)

As for the website, I don't want to post it here because I don't know if it should be available to the public and don't want to get in trouble. If you want the link, just e-mail or pm me and I'll send the link.

As far as getting it fixed under warranty, I'm sure that since the vehicle did not come from the factory with the changer installed, they probably wouldn't cover such a repair since they would know that it was installed by someone other than a dealer.

 

Thank you for your post. I agree what you say about the website.

 

Thank goodness for you. I just bought the changer from sammycclass and originally I figured that all I would have to do is plug the thing in (wishful thinking). I just called my dealer and had them order the additional parts for me, so they will be in within the next few days. I will also go out and purchase the torx bits.

It would be a big help if you could give me the address to that website that you mentioned so that I can see what removing the radio entails, so that I can determine whether or not I want to fool with it. I have built and repaired many computers in my day; however, I know absolutely nothing about automobile electronics (especially on such a technically-advanced vehicle).

Hopefully, I will be able to handle it.

P.S. - Do you reccomend the cooling fan. I figured I could get by without it. Also, how do I get the powered-door - that conceals the changer - to remain open while I perform the install?

Thank you very much for any aid that you can provide.

My email addy is rustypeeples@hotmail.com

 

W211-1981: I have e-mailed the links to you. It's pretty easy to install, as long as you follow the instructions. Just remember to read them carefully since you have to disconnect an optical cable from your headunit to plug into the adapter you bought from the dealer. The instructions are a little confusing, just read it over a few times and you'll get it. As far as the fan goes, I don't know if it gets really warm in there, but even with the fan, there is no space that the air can flow since it's all enclosed behind the dash. There's even a piece of insulation behind the radio.

There are 2 ways to work with the changer door. It is part of a pocket unit that slides out. The MB instructions tell you to remove the changer pocket with the door closed and only when you are ready to mount the changer do you remove the motor that operates the door and then you can swing the door freely. I did it a different way. After removing the ash tray, I opened the door. After the door was open, I unplugged it and that kept the door open. I then proceeded to remove the pocket and install my changer.

 

7Figures,

I have a factory installed CD Changer (thank god since I don't have much technical skills!) but have been experiencing problems with it. I purchased my vehicle in January and twice it has displayed the message "Cannot establish a communication link between CD and audio system." I brought it in the first time and the technician stated that is was simply a matter of upgrading the software in my vehicle. It has just recently happened again so the software update explanation makes me a bit skeptical. Any input?? You seem to have a pretty good working knowledge of the system. Thank you. I really appreciate it.

 

rhahn,

Sorry, I am just familiar with the installation of the changer because I did it. I am by no means an expert at it. However, it does sound like it is a software issue since it seems these new E's have quite a bit of software issues. Did you get it reprogrammed and it still shows the error? I think some other owners on this site have also experienced problems and had their units replaced. You might want to do a search and e-mail those people directly.

 

This is a great thread. I am going to do this for my E class too. Can yousend me those links too of how to remove the radio? Thanks!

 

If you could pm me with the website as well, I would appreciate it. I have all the parts and am ready to go.

Tom

 

rhahn, you may want to ask about the audio gateway problem. Usally it's a different message but it maybe your problem. I had mine replaced when I got "could not establish audio connection" message. The unit has a problem with overheating. Hope this helps.

 

Does anyone have pictures illustrating how to install the CD changer?

I have a changer coming, and from the way things are described, pictures are worth a thousand words!

VERY much appreciated!

 

Don't know if still needed, but maybe for future reference someone can use it. Cannot upload PDF files, so PM me if needed.

Edward

 

Thanks for the offer, however I have stumbled through things and figured it out based on other info out there.

Regards.