BillP

I have a 2003 E500. It was one of the NAV replacement vehicles, and it came with the COMAND system featuring that little "SAT" button that taunts me.

Mercedes tells me that my car is not prewired for Sirius, and that I must go third-party.

Is there no hope? Is there no way to retrofit the Mercedes Sirius system into my car?

scorchie

I have a 2003 E55 that did not come with navigation or COMAND, and it has been retrofitted. Today I installed my SIRIUS satellite system and it worked fine.

You just need to have someone who knows what he is doing. Such a person could even install the system so that no hole is drilled in the decklid.

Where are you located? If you're local you're welcome to take a look at my system.

p.s. I am working on fitting it into a 2004 car that is not prewired. 2004 cars without prewiring are more common than one would expect.

-s-

rusnakmb

Hi,

I thought most of the 04 is already prewired. Aren't them?

I thought of upgrading to Navi, but later I think it is cheaper and better to go which Japan in-dash or external Kedwood touch screen. Just I don't like to use FM module for sound....I have 7 year wattanty so FM module and external LCD probably the way I will go. It is just hard to find a local for 8" LCD... Any suggestion?

jdhoang

My neighbor tried to get Sirius installed on his 2003 Nav replacement at MB dealer. After a while trying, dealer came back and said it was not possible. He ended up installing XM sat from local stereo place ($300 versus $1000 dealer was charging). Installer was able to use AUX port to connect to stereo.

scorchie

Yeah, dealer says it is not possible, and now your neighbor has a system which is less than ideal. Unless you think it is worth the trade off to have a separate controller and FM modulator versus $700 savings.

If he had asked here, we would have installed it, no problems.



Oh, and I've seen some of the installations done by "local stereo places" that only charge $300. And the ones I've seen ... what a mess. This is a Mercedes, not a Honda, and most places don't realize that. You aren't supposed to run wires under the seats and carpet. You shouldn't tuck connectors under the B-pillar. And you certainly should not use a splice to tap into power wiring anywhere you can find power.

-s-

scorchie

"most of the 04" are prewired. But "most" only means 51% or more, when there are two choices (prewired or not). The number of cars not prewired is significant. I have come up with a solution for them but I am waiting on parts from Germany and also other sources (and some of you might not believe what these other sources are...).

Also I finished evaluating aftermarket antennas and have come up with the conclusion that it is unwise for many reasons to consider using an aftermarket antenna.

Finally, I've become quite a bit more knowledgeable on SIRIUS information overall, and am kind of disappointed with the Mercedes implementation. It is amazing what obsolete technology we've been saddled with, considering how much farther ahead the rest of the SIRIUS equipment has moved. Kind of typical Mercedes though... always a couple years behind the technology.

-s-

t-bone

Most dealers are ignorant.

You'll find more information with the people on these boards than you will ever get at your local dealer.

Very rare you find a service technician that is competent. If you do though, be sure to make friends with him.

MrAMG

Scorchie: Can you recommend a shop in the bay area that can properly install SAT on '03 E55?

Thanks.

scorchie

You mean OEM SIRIUS? Do you have an E55 with COMAND? (I never heard of an E55 COMAND replacement, that's why!)

If you don't have COMAND, you will need COMAND first... in either case... e-mail me and we can chat.

-s-

MrAMG

just sent you an email.

kyee

My '04 E500 has the SAT button, and is unfortunately not prewired.

Silver_Lana

One of the few I knew at my local MB dealer has been ******ed up by the startup Ferrari dealership nearby.

sdewalle

I'm shopping for a 2003 E320 right now and I want to make sure that what I buy can be retrofitted for Sirius. What do I need to look for? Does it have to have a certain version of COMAND? If I buy one without COMAND can I add the current version of and then do the antenna install and be all set? Thanks in advance.

Steve

scorchie

If it is a 2003 and has a COMAND with a SAT button, then the Sirius can be installed. Finding someone to do it might be a little problem.

If it does not have COMAND, you will need to install a COMAND first, which has the same problem as mentioned previously. Then the same whole problem again with installing satellite.

I was able to do it on my 2003.

-s-

sdewalle

Why is it so difficult to find someone to install the COMAND and then the Sirius? Couldnt my local dealer do it?

Steve