LarrikinAus

Hi All,


I have a Mercedes Benz MY17 E300 W213 5.5 head unit. I do not wish to replace my head unit with one of those android ones that do touch screen. My head unit is not touch screen, yet I wish to retain it.

I have seen capacitive touch screens available for left hand drive (LHD) vehicles that overlay the existing screen allowing the existing head unit screen to be touch screen (such as this https://indiworkshop.com/shop/parts/...enz-w213-w222/ ) . Does anyone know of a RHD solution for this? I am based in Melbourne, Australia.

Thanks in advance.

ua549

Have you asked indiworkshop?

aks_19_ak

We are limited in options down under. Not only would you need a RHD version of the panel, then you have to get into coding the NTG5.5 to work like MBUX. Plus your warranty will be void with this modification.

The only independent shop that come to mind is maybe German Star Motors in Preston/Reservoir as their bread and butter seems to be MB parts - even then I doubt they’d have it.

I’ve stopped going to the dealer after my free servicing package ended last year. Ammstar Fairfield, Geelong Merc Specialists and Eurostar Diesels Sunshine are competitively priced with each other. Even then, Genuine parts prices are ridiculous here!

LarrikinAus

Yes. They said that they don't make RHD and won't make one just for me

LarrikinAus

This is a really helpful post. As I have just purchased this car and its under Mercedes Certified package, I get a two year OEM warranty from Mercedes. I've been looking for where to go after that (but that's two years away) and you've just answered the question for me. As for coding, Benzninja I am sure could sort that out for me, but I take your point on warranty (that said, I thought the entire point of the capacitor is to avoid coding - maybe I am naive in this?).

aks_19_ak

It looks too good to be true to be a plug and play add on for NTG 5.5.

Their YouTube videos show it to be installed with their Android 7 set top box for functionality.

After using MBUX on loan cars, I much prefer the manual dial of NTG 5.5 Comand that we have. Mainly because I’ve gotten used to it and have found a rhythm that works for me. Capacitive screens really do take significant attention and effort to manipulate. Wired CarPlay with the comand dial works best for me with tactile feedback + muscle memory trumping the ‘aim finger here’ approach. I actually don’t even use the capacitive cursors on my post-2019 steering wheel as I didn't find them as reliable as the dial, and thus haven’t gotten used to them.

The less said about voice control, the better. It takes considerable brain power to think, and then articulate a coherent command to Siri while driving on the West gate bridge for instance; Never mind, ‘Hey Mercedes’.

To me, these interfaces are high effort/ high engagement. It doesn’t inspire confidence when moving a 2 ton brick at 100km/h at the same time.

City Rat

Sorry that I don't have a lead for you on RHD vehicle availability but I did want to thank you for this link. What an interesting solution to a low level nagging problem for me, i.e. that my 2019 E class does not have a touch screen.

LarrikinAus

A couple of things. The capacitive solution was to avoid putting in an android system, thinking it just overlays my existing system. No way would I replace the head unit like those in the youtube videos. That's so stupid (ie I totally agree with you). As for it being non touch screen and using the controls, I also totally agree with you when I use car play (which I do most of the time). I can live easily without touch screen. However, I did buy this https://www.ottocast.com/collections...carplay-ai-box and I only plug it in when I have to sit and wait in the car for a period of time. I tend to watch netflix or youtube. Great for that, but touch screen is really needed. The remote that comes with it is hopeless, and they don't integrate into the Mercedes controls well. So it's that reason why I was looking for a touch screen. I manage without it and I do get to enjoy watching movies / TV whilst waiting in the car on my screen.

LarrikinAus

No worries. If you buy it, I'd be keen to know how you get on with it. What the install required you to do - did it require re-coding of the NTG5.5?

wildta

I feel like @EleBest has experience with this:
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aks_19_ak

@LarrikinAus I was searching for EleBest the other day to point you to them. They are in Singapore and work on RHD vehicles. May be worth reaching out to them for a capacitive solution; seeing how they have found a way to upgrade NTG 5.5 to MBUX graphics.

edit: reading the YouTube comments it seems he offers a screen replacement + touchpad + MBUX solution. The MBUX Augmented Reality has piqued my interest. Another year plus till my warranty runs out, so maybe worth exploring then for the upgrade.

LarrikinAus

I've spoken to the owner of that place in Singapore. I wouldn't do it. You don't get any internet access, you don't get any of the functionality that comes with that (eg Mercedes Connect), you don't get traffic updates on the MBUX navigation. Basically, it's a major cost for a car that was never designed to have the MBUX in it. Personally I'd stick to what you have even post warranty because that system has been specifically built for your car. This mod is exactly that. A mod and it has been *******ised to try and make it work in your car. Also, the guy wasn't forthcoming on who he uses for an installer in Melbourne, Australia. He wouldn't tell me, wouldn't let me know in advance before paying all the money. So all up, it was just a total negative (plus the cost was significant). Might as well keep the money and save up for a newer Mercedes one day

EleBest

Search aliexpress and Taobao you might find someone is selling RHD version touchscreen.