Hello all,

So I purchased a 2004 Mercedes Benz that didn't come with a navigation device because, although the unit has the "Nav" and "Map" buttons on the console, it displays a "Navigation Device Unavailable" screen every time I push those buttons. Therefore, would someone suggest what, exactly, I should purchase in order to get navigation activated in my car. I don't know if I should replace the entire console (the head unit), the bottom drive (my current cd changer, hidden behind the wood flap under the display), or the unit located in the trunk. I'm new to the Mercedes line so I appreciate your help. Thank you so much.

Rachel

 

If you are considering to retrofit navigation, this is what you get from searching this W211 forum:
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...it-w-pics.html

 

Check to see if you have a nav dvd map disc installed. Look in the trunk, drivers side behind the removable panel. Your nav won't work without the disc.

 

I believe the head unit should respond something like "Insert DVD" instead of "Navigation device unavailable" if it was just the DVD missing.

Doesn't hurt having a look at the trunk anyway.

 

You say you have a "unit in the trunk". All MB Comand head units have the Nav & Map buttons on them whether or not the car was built with NAV. The large screen adds to the confusion too.

If your car has a Nav unit mounted in the left side of the trunk liner, it was built with NAV. Check to see if the NAV (Map) DVD is inserted into the NAV deck. If it is, a dealer can find the reason the head unit can't "see" the NAV unit. There can be many stupid reasons why this is possible.

If your car wasn't built with NAV or it is shot, buy a new Garmin with all the bells & whistles for a couple of hundred bucks and forget "Factory Nav". The Garmins are vastly superior & even offer Bluetooth for your phone. To retrofit or replace NAV in your car at this time is a huge expense & will be a waste of time & money on the "Bang for the Buck" level.

 

He did not say that exactly but now that you mention this, it does look like he would have the Navi processor at the trunk when he speculates if the unit in the trunk would need to be replaced. On the other hand, there are many units in the trunk...

Usually members expect answers immediately, this time it has taken too long for the OP to bring the necessary feedback to this thread.

 

As has been said, it is difficult to interpret from your post if you have the NAV unit in the trunk or not. If you have the DVD unit it will say NAV right on it and if so you need a disc. If no NAV unit in the trunk then I would follow Barry's suggestion and buy a portable NAV unit and save your money for something else.

 

I'm afraid we cannot hear from the OP before another three months, when he posts the same question again:
https://mbworld.org/forums/4317501-post1.html

Now he's got to come and prove I'm wrong (and then we should get some answers).

 

Oh geez, that is teriffic. Probably lost on some country road by now without the NAV.