After market Android 4.4.4 Quad Core complete install. Vids and Pics and txt
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 862
Likes: 28
2010 e550 coupe
Hi,
If you are not comfortable in removing panels this could be a bit out of your league, maybe find a friend who has experience installing radios?
To install you would need to remove gearshift, ashtray, radio.
If the 6m cable is required also rear left panel, rear centre panel, carpet in passenger side and behind passenger, rear seat and back
It is not complicated if you know what you are doing, but could be a bit much if you feel uncomfortable.
Also consider the new 9inch units, no feedback yet as to how they are.
The best you can hope for is keep the CD changer slot as a spare slot.
It does not connect to the 7 inch unit, suspect also not the 9 inch unit.
If you know someone who can assist you could remove the radio and post picture of the back and possible open rear panel and check for Amp.
If not suggest better leave as is, might not be for you.
Depends on you comfort level really.
If you are not comfortable in removing panels this could be a bit out of your league, maybe find a friend who has experience installing radios?
To install you would need to remove gearshift, ashtray, radio.
If the 6m cable is required also rear left panel, rear centre panel, carpet in passenger side and behind passenger, rear seat and back
It is not complicated if you know what you are doing, but could be a bit much if you feel uncomfortable.
Also consider the new 9inch units, no feedback yet as to how they are.
The best you can hope for is keep the CD changer slot as a spare slot.
It does not connect to the 7 inch unit, suspect also not the 9 inch unit.
If you know someone who can assist you could remove the radio and post picture of the back and possible open rear panel and check for Amp.
If not suggest better leave as is, might not be for you.
Depends on you comfort level really.
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Roswell, Ga
2003 E55
I wish I had done this swap earlier but I was afraid of the complexity of the fiber optic system. With the bypass cable this really is as simple as any other head unit install. My only regret so far is not doing it sooner.
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 47
Likes: 2
C219 CLS350
I'm not exactly new to this I just like to know as much as I can before entering a job I did wire a kenwood head and subs I my old w210 so I know how to do it just don't want to kiss a step. My car is left hand drive so will I still be running the cables on the passenger side as the amp is on he driver. On another note the same people providing loosely based info said that this unit will work on my vehicle and maintain fiber optic amp use. http://m.aliexpress.com/item/32508134653.html
Hope that helps.
Sorry for the bad camera angles, was a bit tricky one handed.
Cheers
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 862
Likes: 28
2010 e550 coupe
Just recorded 2 youtubes showing the radio removal and also how to wire up the bypass in the trunk.
Hope that helps.
Sorry for the bad camera angles, was a bit tricky one handed.
Mercedes W211 (E) and C219 (CLS) Radio removal - YouTube
Mercedes W211 (E) and C219 (CLS) amp in boot connect 6m power cable - YouTube
Cheers
Hope that helps.
Sorry for the bad camera angles, was a bit tricky one handed.
Mercedes W211 (E) and C219 (CLS) Radio removal - YouTube
Mercedes W211 (E) and C219 (CLS) amp in boot connect 6m power cable - YouTube
Cheers
Last edited by Dnasty; Feb 4, 2016 at 10:19 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 55
Likes: 4
From: Mid-Atlantic
W211 - 2003
Hi,
Yes they will work as replacement for your head unit.
You will NOT need the 6m (not feet as incorrectly mentioned) bypass cable.
Did that for a guy who bought my 2nd unit for his 2005 e350.
They usually come with iGo offline maps.. GPS antenna coming with it is a bit weak, as your car wouldnt have a build in one.
In this guys car we wedged it under the dash somewhere, works.
Cheers
Yes they will work as replacement for your head unit.
You will NOT need the 6m (not feet as incorrectly mentioned) bypass cable.
Did that for a guy who bought my 2nd unit for his 2005 e350.
They usually come with iGo offline maps.. GPS antenna coming with it is a bit weak, as your car wouldnt have a build in one.
In this guys car we wedged it under the dash somewhere, works.
Cheers
So the bypass cable is just to allow more power to the speakers, correct? Or am I misunderstanding something? Sorry, again, new to the make.
I don't particularly care about bluetooth for calls since I have a earpiece (and all in-car bluetooth sucks with cabin mics due to the speaker interference, my old one did as well) but can I stream from my phone via bluetooth with these units?
EDIT: Or would I not need the bypass cable because this new radio is plug and play with the Audio-50?
Last edited by Toastr; Feb 4, 2016 at 10:25 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 47
Likes: 2
C219 CLS350
So the bypass cable is just to allow more power to the speakers, correct? Or am I misunderstanding something? Sorry, again, new to the make.
I don't particularly care about bluetooth for calls since I have a earpiece (and all in-car bluetooth sucks with cabin mics due to the speaker interference, my old one did as well) but can I stream from my phone via bluetooth with these units?
EDIT: Or would I not need the bypass cable because this new radio is plug and play with the Audio-50?
I don't particularly care about bluetooth for calls since I have a earpiece (and all in-car bluetooth sucks with cabin mics due to the speaker interference, my old one did as well) but can I stream from my phone via bluetooth with these units?
EDIT: Or would I not need the bypass cable because this new radio is plug and play with the Audio-50?
The original setup for NTG1 COMAND is:
Headunit in front (User interface/screen, not actual tuner, DVD)
CD Changer in front via Optical loop
Amp in boot (Becker or HK amp, depends on exact config) via optical loop
Tuner in boot (Not in headunit,) via optical loop
DVD/Navigation computer in book, hooked in via optical loop.
The optical loop carries
- Audio signals from various source to amp
- Control signals between Audio components
- CANBUS siganls to rest of car, eg centre display in instrument cluster
The "bypass cable" bypasses all that, it provides
- direct standard 4 channel audio to speakers (note does not drive all HK speaskers)
- Canbus signal into HU
- Power from Amp power connector (I think original HU power is too low as it has no amps)
- couple of other signals which I think are not necessary
It is about 6m (20 feet), goes from HU via left side under carpet along side through rear seat to Amp.
You need to lift carpets and remove rear cushion and back to access the hole.
EDIT: If you have audio 50 ur amp SHOULD be in the HU itself, and you have no navigation.
Best to take out HU and check if you have 2 orange cables (optical cable) coming out, you should not have that.
Correct me if I am wrong, I dare you hehe
Cheers
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 55
Likes: 4
From: Mid-Atlantic
W211 - 2003
I'll check it all out before I order the HU. Blocking back on the thread, the bypass cable all makes sense. Don't know what I was thinking when I asked that yesterday.
Thanks for the help once more!
Thanks for the help once more!
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Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 55
Likes: 4
From: Mid-Atlantic
W211 - 2003
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
car
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 47
Likes: 2
C219 CLS350
The 6M (not foot way too short) cable usually comes form the seller.
If you do need the cable (because amp and tuner are in the boot) you also need a 6m antenna cable and a 6m GPS antenna cable.
See original post page 1 in this thread.
Edit: find a seller who sells EXACTLY your headunit, pay attention to the connectors at the back of your unit as well as the ODBII box that came with the unit.
Then ask that seller you only want to buy the unit,
The 6m cable could be different for different units.
So just a link could send you to the wrong seller.
If you do need the cable (because amp and tuner are in the boot) you also need a 6m antenna cable and a 6m GPS antenna cable.
See original post page 1 in this thread.
Edit: find a seller who sells EXACTLY your headunit, pay attention to the connectors at the back of your unit as well as the ODBII box that came with the unit.
Then ask that seller you only want to buy the unit,
The 6m cable could be different for different units.
So just a link could send you to the wrong seller.
Last edited by NubyIz; Feb 5, 2016 at 02:57 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 862
Likes: 28
2010 e550 coupe
Sorry to ask again but did anyone have any experience with this http://m.aliexpress.com/item/32508134653.html
seller claims that you can use this "fiber optic box" instead of the 6m cable and still retain the factory speakers. I'm like 99% sure this is too good to be true.
seller claims that you can use this "fiber optic box" instead of the 6m cable and still retain the factory speakers. I'm like 99% sure this is too good to be true.
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 862
Likes: 28
2010 e550 coupe
This is a headunit i've been wanting to go ahead and order and also where I found the fiber optic box... they have it advertised as being an alternative to thet 6m bypass cable. And the rep I spoke with assured me this will work on the w219 (of course I know that's not set in stone) but I have to wait until chinese new year is over before I get some real answers.
.. sorry here is an actual link I realize I sent a mobile link before http://www.aliexpress.com/item/optic...508134653.html of the item.
Last edited by Dnasty; Feb 5, 2016 at 04:56 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 526
Likes: 4
From: ChiTown
e46 m3, w211 e55
two questions:
1 - So just to confirm with the bypass everything is truly plug and play? You dont need to individually re-wire anything e.g. take speaker wire connector from HK amp and plug into 6m bypass cable?
2 - Also are there any options for HD radio with these?
1 - So just to confirm with the bypass everything is truly plug and play? You dont need to individually re-wire anything e.g. take speaker wire connector from HK amp and plug into 6m bypass cable?
2 - Also are there any options for HD radio with these?
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 47
Likes: 2
C219 CLS350
HD radio? Dab+?
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 862
Likes: 28
2010 e550 coupe
Just out of curiosity if I'm putting in an after market head unit like a kenwood would I still need the bypass cable? And is Mercedes still using 2 ohm speakers that I would need to find and special amp for. Lastly I was wondering why the hi/low converters are necessary when hooking up your own amp? Can you just run rcas directly from the head unit to your amp? I was looking at a 6 channel amp since there are six channels would this be a better choice or am I missing something about how this conversion works. This is just one that I found on amazon I am sure there's more.
Last edited by Dnasty; Feb 6, 2016 at 05:47 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,226
Likes: 24
Mercedes
Yes rca's would work better. Six channels would work, so would 3 channels, 5 channels, and lots of other amp configurations. If you don't care that much, the head unit alone powering the speakers also sounds pretty good (plus you can add an amp later after getting everything working)
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 862
Likes: 28
2010 e550 coupe
Yes rca's would work better. Six channels would work, so would 3 channels, 5 channels, and lots of other amp configurations. If you don't care that much, the head unit alone powering the speakers also sounds pretty good (plus you can add an amp later after getting everything working)
Last edited by Dnasty; Feb 6, 2016 at 11:43 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
2008 E350
Hi guys, thanks for all the helpful advice in this and other related Android threads. I ordered everything a couple of months ago and have only just had time to attempt the install. I've removed the Becker amp and connected the wider connector (speakers i believe), and the smaller but still chunky connector (power) to the 6m harness. Harness is connected to the back of the new HU so it should be getting power, however it won't turn on. I haven't connected anything else yet as i wanted to just connect the basics to start to ensure it would at least turn on - it won't!
I've multimeter tested the small chunky power cable from the becker amp and it gets 12v fine. I also checked if 12v was getting through the harness and it also seems fine.
Any suggestions?
I've multimeter tested the small chunky power cable from the becker amp and it gets 12v fine. I also checked if 12v was getting through the harness and it also seems fine.
Any suggestions?
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
2008 E350
Quad Core No Power
Xpresion I just pulled out my w211 HU to replace it with a Quad core android DVDs gps. I ordered my bypass cable from a different vendor which would be Avin but after connecting the 3 bypass connectionsin the trunk I'm not getting any power to the HU. I'll be testing with a vm later today. Also the original fiber and 2 wire off the original OEM HU is not connected to anything. Should this be connected? My 6m bypass has no other connections on it.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
car
Ok, got my radio and my 6m cable.
Nothing is hooked up in the dash......
These 3 cables are hooked up......
What I pulled out......
back of radio......
radio is getting power....
Why don't I see anything on the screen or sound, any help would be nice.
Nothing is hooked up in the dash......
These 3 cables are hooked up......
What I pulled out......
back of radio......
radio is getting power....
Why don't I see anything on the screen or sound, any help would be nice.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
2008 E350
Looks like we have the same unit but I don't see any power.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
car
look at the last picture, you can see the orange light in the CD slot. So thats showing me I'm getting power. Well thats what I think lol.
EDIT:
With the car off (so the radio would be off, before the car was on so the radio would be on)
You can see here there is no light in the CD slot now.
Last edited by garagequeen; Feb 9, 2016 at 07:18 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
2008 E350
look at the last picture, you can see the orange light in the CD slot. So thats showing me I'm getting power. Well thats what I think lol.
EDIT:
With the car off (so the radio would be off, before the car was on so the radio would be on)
You can see here there is no light in the CD slot now.
EDIT:
With the car off (so the radio would be off, before the car was on so the radio would be on)
You can see here there is no light in the CD slot now.
Ok Garagequeen here's what I just found. I was checking the voltage across the connector to the canbus which seemed ok. After plugging it back in I lifted the HU up and it powered on with the display then went off again. I repeated the steps which I was pushing my voltmeter probes in the grooves of the connector and checking voltages and proceeded to plug the canbus back in and once again it powered on and went off. I think the problem lies between the canbus connector or the canbus itself.
