dnomis

Hello, im looking to buy a w211, I have checked one out and been test driving it and so on, but i got some questions.

I belive it has the Audio 50 Aps (it looks like this: http://img264.imageshack.us/img264/3568/e3e710.jpg )

I checked in the compartment below it, where I belive the cd changer is supposed to be, but theres just a hidden extra space behind it, no cd changer. I also checked in the glovebox for the AUX, I could see where it was supposed to be, but it was covered...

So apparently there is no cd changer and no AUX, does the slot in the audio 50 aps headunit take music cd's, or is that only for the nav cd? If not, what options for audio do I have if i buy the car? Except the audio "problems" the car is reeeeally nice.

starbrite

The only question I can answer is yes, the slot plays music cd's. The Nav dvd loads in the trunk unit, driver's side.

Drazil

You must be looking at an '03 or earlier, because I think starting in the '04s they added the aux input in the glove compartment. As an owner of an '03 I'd say pass and get a newer model.

The slot does take music cd's and will read CDR burnt discs but no MP3, and definitely no dvd.

dnomis

Hmm ok, well seems wierd because it is a 05 :s

dnomis

I was thinking about maybe upgrade the Audio 50 APS that's in the car to the COMAND unit instead, do you guys think its's worht it and is it alot of work?

boardboy330

Quite a few parts involved...it's an old system...and you could easily put the extra $3K involved into a newer model vehicle.

dnomis

$3K O_O, from what Ive understand if you hade the audio 50 aps, the COMAND unit was just plug and play?

boardboy330

If you want the older version - sure. The assumption would be - you would want something remotely recent. I have a 2005...I would have loved to swap to a newer unit - but no dice.

Craftysince86

not sure this guy knows what he is talking about ^

dnomis, if you have the HK system all the COMANDS are plug n play (within respective years of the chassis of course), even the "euro" COMAND. i have an 03 as well and i swapped my a50 unit (original one you posted) for a euro COMAND, and it works perfect. i can play mp3 from the actual unit, and dvd's.. i had mackhack enable video in motion to so we can watch dvd's while driving.

i paid about $400 for the COMAND and then another $100 to enable all the features i wanted. US COMAND you can find for about the same price only difference between the US and mine is that the US has satellite radio option as where with the euro i got a dvd player

and then you always have the option of going aftermarket, there is only one company that makes a dash kit for our cars though.

dnomis

Whaat? Ive read that if you have the HK everything gets alot harder because of bla bla I dont remember... :s

So in total $500 for the COMAND and all functions? Aux, DVD, GPS, does the steering wheel buttons also work? To me that seems worth the money

Craftysince86

COMANDS run on fiber optics, and so does the HK system. so if you don't have the HK sound it is significantly more work because you would have to wire the whole car with fiber.

we were only talking about the audio i thought? so as far as the nav portion is concerned that is a lot of work for any car that does not have it already. steering wheel controls work fine though, and $500 ish i a good assumption on price point. really just depends what you're hoping to get out of it.

Craftysince86

US COMAND $525 shipped
http://www.ebay.com/itm/OEM-MERCEDES-W211-E320-E350-E500-E55-E550-COMAND-NAVIGATION-DISPLAY-/190710544373?pt=Car_Audio_Video&hash=item2c673bf7f5&vxp=mtr
"Euro" COMAND $575 shipped
http://www.ebay.com/itm/MERCEDES-COMAND-NAVIGATION-SYSTEM-RADIO-STEREO-W211-W219-E-Class-E500-CLS500-/390473552246?pt=Car_Audio_Video&hash=item5aea099176&vxp=mtr
this is just the first two items that came up on ebay if you search more and hang tight you can def find them cheaper.. but def isn't $3,000

dnomis

Ive read somewhere that if you had the HK there was a lot of problems because of wiring and because there was so many speakers, im not saying that you are wrong though, im just very confused.

Well yeah, I would like to have the DVD and aux, mp3 cd etc, that just comes with the unit right? If you want the gps option there is alot more work if I got it right?

Craftysince86

you need the fiber optics to run the COMAND, HK runs off of fiber.. it's as easy as that

i was pretty much told the same thing, i was on the fence because half of the people were saying it would work in my car and the other had said it wouldn't. i am now speaking from experience though, take a look at my old threads and you can see the thread i posted asking the same questions and the answers i was getting but...

what i originally started with


what i bought


where i am now


this will only change the head unit out, for the navigation portion to work you will need the drive in the trunk, which entails you on getting everything to do that like harness and everything, new trunk panels etc.

with the upgraded COMAND you will not get aux out of it, and you will only get dvd if you get the euro COMAND. you might need someone to "hack it" depending on which country you get your COMAND from because of region codes for dvd's. i would contact mackhack on here and see if he is still providing this service

dnomis

Ok thats what I thought about the navigation, alot of work to get that...

Yes, the car im looking at does have the same headunit you had before the switch.

But wont I get AUX? I see in your pics you have that option? I understand you have to route a cable for it from the headunit..

Well I live in Sweden so the DVD wont be a problem then I guess the dvd movies goes into the slot in the unit itself? Does it also take mp3 cd/dvd?

Craftysince86

i didn't realize you were in sweden lol

yes, you gain the capability of a lot more, but i was just talking about the features that would receive plug n play is the mp3/dvd everything else you can surely add but will be more work. i don't remember there being an aux port in the back of the COMAND so im not sure how you would go about getting that function. if you are just looking for something to hook up like an ipod or something they sell the OEM integration kit so you can hook up an ipod and it looks like a very easy instal

dnomis

where do you get the ipod kit? do you install that with the COMAND unit?

Craftysince86

you can instal with anything that runs off fiber i believe, i have yet to do this to mine but is something i've been wanting to do

dealer has them

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2004-to-2008-E-Class-211-iPod-Integration-Kit-Mercedes-Benz-Genuine-OEM-/380624927305?pt=Car_Audio_Video&hash=item589f037a49&vxp=mtr

dnomis

Only 99 dollars? If I get the COMAND unit I will def get this.

Whats the difference between the kit for 99 dollars you linked, and this kit http://www.commandonline.co.uk/mercedes_ipod_e_cls.html for 231 dollars?

Craftysince86

idk the currency exchange rate but they both look to be oem.. so nothing

dnomis

Ok

http://www.mercupgrades.com/COMAND+A...rticle-27.html

This says:

Cars without Harmon Kardon or without Audio-50-APS
Dual Tuner AGW: A211 870 66 89 - available here.
Cable joiner (if not installing iPod): A002 546 74 40


doesn't say anything about it being more work to install the unit if you dont have the HK or not if you have Audio 50...

I hope the site are right and not you ;p getting COMAND and the ipod kit would be sweet

Craftysince86

lol ok

Barry45RPM

All COMANDS thru the year 2008. MY 2009 had a completely new COMAND (like the W212) that was made to fit the old dash opening.

Craftysince86

That's why I said "respective years of the chassis"

dnomis

So I guess im screwed then if I dont have the HK system