Aftermarket Stereo Installation.
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Newbie
Joined: Dec 2015
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GL450
Aftermarket Stereo Installation.
Anyone installed an aftermarket stereo? I've called several places in my area, and no one seems to know how to install one. I purchased the dash kit on ebay, but I don't know where to purchase the harnesses and adapters. Also one place told me something about a fiber optic loopback plug, I have no clue what he was saying, but he told me I needed that as well otherwise nothing would work. My benz doesn't have bluetooth streaming or an aux input. I want to upgrade the stereo to an aftermarket one for sound clarity as well, since it has the harmon kardon speakers. I've purchased two 12 inch subwoofers as well and a 2400 amplifier. I won't be using the factory amp.
Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 165
Likes: 27
From: Buford, Ga
2023 EQE AMG
Hello Shawn
Here is couple quick items to consider..
1. This is a CAN bus enabled radio, CAN (controller Area Network) bus is the network used to communicated with the rest of the car. IE so if you want dashboard information center to work you want a canbus enabled stereo..
2. If you have a Harmon Kardon it uses fiber optic audio, think of it as the old toslink audio. Which means its a digital and that make cleaner sound that analog. If you want to use your factory amp you need a digital to analog converter.
AVIN has a solution for the GL Class and they have alot of the accesseries like the connectors and etc.. https://avinusa.com/gps-navigation-s...edes-benz.html
I have seen other options from China which I been debating including a 9" screen that cust fits. Also in Europe this a Alpine solution which looks awesome. http://www.alpine.co.uk/index.php?id=1105&L=2
I guess the bottom line is you are going to go thru a few hurdles to get things perfect I believe the ML guys have a few stories on Android based head units and AVIN. Good Luck I been thinking of replacing mine as well.
Here is couple quick items to consider..
1. This is a CAN bus enabled radio, CAN (controller Area Network) bus is the network used to communicated with the rest of the car. IE so if you want dashboard information center to work you want a canbus enabled stereo..
2. If you have a Harmon Kardon it uses fiber optic audio, think of it as the old toslink audio. Which means its a digital and that make cleaner sound that analog. If you want to use your factory amp you need a digital to analog converter.
AVIN has a solution for the GL Class and they have alot of the accesseries like the connectors and etc.. https://avinusa.com/gps-navigation-s...edes-benz.html
I have seen other options from China which I been debating including a 9" screen that cust fits. Also in Europe this a Alpine solution which looks awesome. http://www.alpine.co.uk/index.php?id=1105&L=2
I guess the bottom line is you are going to go thru a few hurdles to get things perfect I believe the ML guys have a few stories on Android based head units and AVIN. Good Luck I been thinking of replacing mine as well.
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 58
Likes: 7
2015 Mercedes GL63
I just purchased a 2010 GL550. Love it.... Except the horrible audio system and nav unit.
I noticed there is only an I dash kit available for an aftermarket double din unit, but no integration harnesses.
What if I pull out the stock command unit, replace w aftermarket nav and external amps/spks?
Other than setting the analog clock and steering wheel controls... What would I lose?
I noticed there is only an I dash kit available for an aftermarket double din unit, but no integration harnesses.
What if I pull out the stock command unit, replace w aftermarket nav and external amps/spks?
Other than setting the analog clock and steering wheel controls... What would I lose?
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 350
Likes: 106
From: Palo Alto, CA
2011 GL 350, P1 Package, HID headlamps, Blind spot assist, Parktronic, Wood steering wheel
I have been thinking about purchasing one of the AVIN units - for sure I think COMAND is hideously behind the times. The idea of a complete modern touch screen android based system is pretty compelling. I would miss satellite radio - that's been holding me back, plus I haven't thought through what I would be missing in terms of other system functions - like setting time.
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Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 58
Likes: 7
2015 Mercedes GL63
Thought of that
I have been thinking about purchasing one of the AVIN units - for sure I think COMAND is hideously behind the times. The idea of a complete modern touch screen android based system is pretty compelling. I would miss satellite radio - that's been holding me back, plus I haven't thought through what I would be missing in terms of other system functions - like setting time.
Still, does anyone know what I'd lose if I pull the command unit out? Other than the dumb phone controls? All of the car service items are controls on the steering wheel (except the clock). Also, is there a steering wheel interface that works so I could retain my steering wheel controls?
I'd much prefer an alpine or pioneer unit w/ aftermarket amps (not concerned about re-wiring speakers either).
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 8,882
Likes: 1,211
From: In my garage
E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
It's hit or miss with the steering wheel contols. Sometimes they integrate perfectly and sometimes you lose a little functionality. I've found the aftermarket units do not perform as well if you live in very sunny areas and tend to wash out in heavy light and be too bright in low light. If my command ever fails, I will replace but, for now, it is going to stay.
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 58
Likes: 7
2015 Mercedes GL63
Contacted alpine
This Alpine video shows the steering wheel controls working:
X800D-ML Mercedes ML (W164), GL (X164), navigation, sound and rear seat entertainment, Alpine Style - YouTube
X800D-ML Mercedes ML (W164), GL (X164), navigation, sound and rear seat entertainment, Alpine Style - YouTube
Does anyone know where the factory amp is located? All-data says it's under the driver seat, but from what I can tell if it is there, it's under the carpet which would need to be removed or cut??? I'd really like to use a sound processor and keep the factory stereo as one option... but need to be able to tap all the speaker wires post Harmon Amp.
The person mentioning the 9" unit above is actually perfect... but as stated, I just cannot give up sat radio.
If there's a way to retain steering wheel controls and not lose anything major in the car, I actually like the suggestion at the top of this post- buy a dash kit and go with aftermarket indash head unit and aftermarket external amplifiers. (Eliminating the stock amp).
I've been researching a while and cannot find too much on this.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,430
Likes: 187
From: USA
W140 Mercedes S350, W221 S550 sport
This will work just fine in a GL550 as long as you live in Europe. I contacted Alpine-euro and there several issues with this working in the USA: navigation maps, radio won't work, and some other things. I also asked if they planned to release a model in the USA and was told to contact Alpine USA. I still haven't heard from Alpine USA.
Does anyone know where the factory amp is located? All-data says it's under the driver seat, but from what I can tell if it is there, it's under the carpet which would need to be removed or cut??? I'd really like to use a sound processor and keep the factory stereo as one option... but need to be able to tap all the speaker wires post Harmon Amp.
The person mentioning the 9" unit above is actually perfect... but as stated, I just cannot give up sat radio.
If there's a way to retain steering wheel controls and not lose anything major in the car, I actually like the suggestion at the top of this post- buy a dash kit and go with aftermarket indash head unit and aftermarket external amplifiers. (Eliminating the stock amp).
I've been researching a while and cannot find too much on this.
Does anyone know where the factory amp is located? All-data says it's under the driver seat, but from what I can tell if it is there, it's under the carpet which would need to be removed or cut??? I'd really like to use a sound processor and keep the factory stereo as one option... but need to be able to tap all the speaker wires post Harmon Amp.
The person mentioning the 9" unit above is actually perfect... but as stated, I just cannot give up sat radio.
If there's a way to retain steering wheel controls and not lose anything major in the car, I actually like the suggestion at the top of this post- buy a dash kit and go with aftermarket indash head unit and aftermarket external amplifiers. (Eliminating the stock amp).
I've been researching a while and cannot find too much on this.
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 58
Likes: 7
2015 Mercedes GL63
Any updates on this??? Any other options? This works with steering wheel controls, etc, too, but doesn't look great:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZKZ3QFCkB8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZKZ3QFCkB8
Here’s what I did:
I bought a mounting kit and antenna adapters and installed a Pioner AVIC NEX unit. The factory amp is under the driver’s seat. All the wires come out of the large plug and go to each speaker... tweeter, door speaker, rear, etc. I ran the rears off the power of the Pioneer unit, swapped out the speakers front speakers for new components and use an amplifier located in rear storage area to power those.
Metro make a steering wheel control module that is supposed to work, but after fiddling around with it, I couldn’t figure it out.
So, I have everything going... Bluetooth, nav, rear camera, amazing sound quality and the last thing I have to sort out is the steering wheel controls.
I really haven’t missed the steering wheel controls much so I’m not in too much of a rush to dial that in.
One thing to note is the clock. To set the clock you have to plug back in the stock unit then set it. (Day light saving time) As long as the battery isn’t disconnected, it’ll hold.
Totally glad I got rid of that stock POS. Love everything about the GL550 expect for the horrendous command unit.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,430
Likes: 187
From: USA
W140 Mercedes S350, W221 S550 sport
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 302
Likes: 43
From: Saint Louis
2010 GL550 | 2020 S560
Am I able to just swap out the door speakers and sub without changing any other components?
Meaning if I wanted to put in a JL Audio sub in place of the Harmon Kardon sub, same size etc, would it be plug and play? I have 2010 GL550
Meaning if I wanted to put in a JL Audio sub in place of the Harmon Kardon sub, same size etc, would it be plug and play? I have 2010 GL550
Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 131
Likes: 24
gl550
Anyone installed an aftermarket stereo? I've called several places in my area, and no one seems to know how to install one. I purchased the dash kit on ebay, but I don't know where to purchase the harnesses and adapters. Also one place told me something about a fiber optic loopback plug, I have no clue what he was saying, but he told me I needed that as well otherwise nothing would work. My benz doesn't have bluetooth streaming or an aux input. I want to upgrade the stereo to an aftermarket one for sound clarity as well, since it has the harmon kardon speakers. I've purchased two 12 inch subwoofers as well and a 2400 amplifier. I won't be using the factory amp.
any new aftermarket stereo systems for Gl550 today?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,189
Likes: 242
From: Albuquerque
'10 CL550, '12 GL550
Two things ...
Losing the ability to set clock would be a deal breaker for me.
Sirius itself sells a plug-in receiver to be mounted hidden under the dash and some manufacturers could provide ability to interface with this. This is the method used by Becker in producing the “Porsche Classic” radios Porsche is selling to update older 911s, etc.
Losing the ability to set clock would be a deal breaker for me.
Sirius itself sells a plug-in receiver to be mounted hidden under the dash and some manufacturers could provide ability to interface with this. This is the method used by Becker in producing the “Porsche Classic” radios Porsche is selling to update older 911s, etc.
