NON HK NTG1 to NTG2.5 Clarification question
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 28
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From: Currently Deployed to Afghanistan
E350 Wagon and CLK430
NON HK NTG1 to NTG2.5 Clarification question
Ok this sux I wrote a giant post and this internet connection in Afghanistan sux. didn't save and here I am re-writing.
Anyways. long story short pictures below. I own a 2006 E350. NO HK, NO navigation, No iPod hookup, No phone, and NO bluetooth. Below the radio is just an empty tray when the hidden spot motors up (even though my unit appears to have options for everything nothing is indeed installed)
I am looking at getting this 2009 MERCEDES COMAND NAVIGATION W211 HDD NTG2.5 DVD VIDEO unit. Im being told its plug and play with my current setup. just not sure how accurate this info is. Does anyone know what I will need to buy.. Im trying to do my research so I don't end up wasting my money. Ive searched multiple times but with the different variations of U.S. VS Euro, HK and non, Model years and etc I was really thrown off.. I just need clarification before I take the plunge..
my current unit looks like Navi but its not.
No Navigation drive option in the rear left panel
What I am looking at getting model number-BZ9890
Anyways. long story short pictures below. I own a 2006 E350. NO HK, NO navigation, No iPod hookup, No phone, and NO bluetooth. Below the radio is just an empty tray when the hidden spot motors up (even though my unit appears to have options for everything nothing is indeed installed)
I am looking at getting this 2009 MERCEDES COMAND NAVIGATION W211 HDD NTG2.5 DVD VIDEO unit. Im being told its plug and play with my current setup. just not sure how accurate this info is. Does anyone know what I will need to buy.. Im trying to do my research so I don't end up wasting my money. Ive searched multiple times but with the different variations of U.S. VS Euro, HK and non, Model years and etc I was really thrown off.. I just need clarification before I take the plunge..
my current unit looks like Navi but its not.
No Navigation drive option in the rear left panel
What I am looking at getting model number-BZ9890
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 303
Likes: 25
Skeptical about it being 100% plug and play. Unless I am mistaken, NON HK with COMAND (both with and without NAV) vehicles before MY09 do still have an audio-gateway, it's just not a HK one.
The only true "plug and play" was if one's car did not have COMAND, but one of the lesser Audio 20 radios that have a simple flourescent display. These units incorporated the audio gateway on-board.
You will have an EASIER time fitting the NTG 2.5 unit, since your non HK amp is eliminated by the NTG2.5 built-in amp, and will not have to purchase a new subwoofer either. It may be the plug and play is just a matter of a special long wiring assembly they sell with the unit to get at the speaker wires directly at the audio gateway (and eliminate it) which is at the back of the vehicle.
This advice is being given from a compilation of other posts, and not something from my direct experience
The only true "plug and play" was if one's car did not have COMAND, but one of the lesser Audio 20 radios that have a simple flourescent display. These units incorporated the audio gateway on-board.
You will have an EASIER time fitting the NTG 2.5 unit, since your non HK amp is eliminated by the NTG2.5 built-in amp, and will not have to purchase a new subwoofer either. It may be the plug and play is just a matter of a special long wiring assembly they sell with the unit to get at the speaker wires directly at the audio gateway (and eliminate it) which is at the back of the vehicle.
This advice is being given from a compilation of other posts, and not something from my direct experience
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 28
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From: Currently Deployed to Afghanistan
E350 Wagon and CLK430
Thanks for the reply, you have a lot more info than I have on the matter right or Wrong. I really want to make the jump but I'm already skating on thin ice with the wife on me wanting to get this... I could only imagine if I had to spend a lot more money to make it work. if its not a difficult task I'm ok with doing the work i'm pretty handy. I just wanna have a solid idea of whats ahead..
anyone else able to chime in on the matter?
anyone else able to chime in on the matter?
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 310
Likes: 5
From: Virginia
S211 E350 wagon, w211 e550 4matic, w210 2001 e320, 2023 glb250, 2013 Audi q7
Thanks for the reply, you have a lot more info than I have on the matter right or Wrong. I really want to make the jump but I'm already skating on thin ice with the wife on me wanting to get this... I could only imagine if I had to spend a lot more money to make it work. if its not a difficult task I'm ok with doing the work i'm pretty handy. I just wanna have a solid idea of whats ahead..
anyone else able to chime in on the matter?
anyone else able to chime in on the matter?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Currently Deployed to Afghanistan
E350 Wagon and CLK430
I ended up getting this one. Its installed already but I'm in TX at the moment and my car is in California. I will be posting a separate review when I get back home. I want to work through the kinks before I post a solid review. Out of everything there is only one thing that can't be fixed (or at least in my unit can't be) the colors are awesome! I thought I'd miss the yellow amber but since the actual yellow option in mine is actually a lime green! I use red and it looks awesome with the climate control red buttons. Looks more authentic. I loaded a better navigation program too. My wife uses the purple color when she drives it which actually looks good but I can't be seen driving with purple lol. I did NOT have to add any aftermarket amps or speakers or anything else for that matter. Its sound just as good as the stock system if not better. All the wires had to be extended to the trunk and bypass the factory amp but it sounds Awsome! Unfortantatly I think the guys that helped me install it forgot to connect the power to the power antenna because I don't get any radio stations at the moment. One last thing the interface is very similar to what the newer Dodge and fords have in their navigation systems. It only cost $405.00 but I received it as a Christmas present.
