Navigation... Is it worth it???
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 36
Likes: 9
2003 W211 E320
Navigation... Is it worth it???
I was at the pick and pull on Sunday and came across a 05 W211 diesel that had a COMAND APS NTG 2, my car has an Audio 50. I swapped out the HU and it works fine. The car also had navigation, I grabbed the unit and bracket. I did not get the trunk panel or splitter. The NAV is not recognized by the system and I understand I have to change the loop with harness. I can find the stuff but is it worth the trouble? I can return the unit for a refund, I grabbed the 6 cd changer and it will not hook up so I will be returning it,
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Joined: Feb 2014
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From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
I don't use it that much because it doesn't do traffic and the best route is usually found with live traffic on your phone. Still it's nice to see the larger map display than when you're just on your phone.
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Joined: Jan 2010
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From: Richmond, CA
2001 E320 Wagon, 2006 LBZ Silverado, 2007 E63 (sold), 2001 E55 (sold)
I've only used mine once just to see how it worked. I'd rather use my phone or a dedicated GPS.
If you haven't heard of them, check out the Xtrons Android head units. I'm not sure if they'll work on cars that came with Audio 50 though. You might have to contact them as I didn't see anything on their site about that.
https://xtrons.com/head-units
If you haven't heard of them, check out the Xtrons Android head units. I'm not sure if they'll work on cars that came with Audio 50 though. You might have to contact them as I didn't see anything on their site about that.
https://xtrons.com/head-units
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 563
Likes: 31
From: The Villages, Florida
2006 E320 CDI
I use both, the cars Nav and my iPhone. As Cetialpha5 said, it is nice to see the cars larger nav screen while driving, even though it is black and white. I think my iPhone offers more details as it will show road conditions, the current highways speed limit, color display, and updated locations (gas stations, restaurants, etc.). It will also show you what lane to stay in on a larger highway. You can also just ask "siri" where you want to go and the information pulls up on you iPhone instantly and you just press "go". The down side is the iPhones size. And remember, MB's nav disk for our W-211's are approximately five years old, so any new roads or "places to see" are just as old. One other downfall of the MB nav is that if you do not know the exact town you are going to, just having the address will not do you any good. Some of the garmin nav units, if you type in the street address, it will pull up many towns to select from.
If we are on a road trip my wife likes to see what restaurants are 50 miles ahead and she will use her iPad for that. Her iPad will also provide the same directions that the iPhone provides, though a much larger color screen.
I will use the cars nav probably 90-percent of the time as I do not like to use data from my phone plan. The new android units look good, but some work and some do not.
Mike T.
If we are on a road trip my wife likes to see what restaurants are 50 miles ahead and she will use her iPad for that. Her iPad will also provide the same directions that the iPhone provides, though a much larger color screen.
I will use the cars nav probably 90-percent of the time as I do not like to use data from my phone plan. The new android units look good, but some work and some do not.
Mike T.
Last edited by mtrevelino; Oct 8, 2019 at 08:04 AM.
Super Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 673
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From: Frederick
2000 ML320, 2005 E320 CDI
I didn't use it the entire time I have owned the car (2008 til now). I replaced it with a Dynavin HU last year...haven't used that Nav either. I always use Waze on my phone.
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,224
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From: V E G A S
1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
When it is easy to access and voice directions on factory navi are nice, you are talking several years old mapping and no live traffic. Depends where you live, lot of streets build 20 years ago will not be recognized.
So when using android if you have it is much easier and even buying add-on navi with updates and live traffic makes more sense.
Sirus charges about $3/month for live service.
So when using android if you have it is much easier and even buying add-on navi with updates and live traffic makes more sense.
Sirus charges about $3/month for live service.
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2019
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2003 W211 E320
Wow, I did not realize that the disks are that old. I use Google Maps and Android Auto in my newer cars, thought it would be nice for this one. I think I will take the parts back and I also thought it was a plug and play system. I have 30 days for a refund.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 6,189
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From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
They're not 20 years old, but I think the last update for the W211 was a few years back, I believe 2016 was the last update. And when it came out in 2016, they worked on it before 2016 so the data in 2016 was already a few years old. With MB, there are few things that are really plug and play.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 36
Likes: 9
2003 W211 E320
They're not 20 years old, but I think the last update for the W211 was a few years back, I believe 2016 was the last update. And when it came out in 2016, they worked on it before 2016 so the data in 2016 was already a few years old. With MB, there are few things that are really plug and play.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 6,189
Likes: 1,549
From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
Prices of those Android systems seem to have come down. Advantage would be bluetooth, rear view camera and Android carplay which you can't even get on an E350 til the 2016 model year. Of course because so few have done it, good luck if you run into any trouble.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32797605001.html
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 401
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From: Cedar Rapids, IA
2009 e550 4Matic
How is that headunit? Does everything work as intended? No messing around with the fiberloop, etc?
