Comand Upgrade
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 345
Likes: 1
hello all,
in the interest of also upgrading my comand 2.5 to the 2003 D2B widescreen into my 2002 s500, i wanted to try and gather as much information as possible before i dive into this project so that i don't regret later after all parts are purchased. for those who have upgraded, can you confim if the steering wheel controls do infact work? also i've read that most of the wiring will plug right into the D2B widescreen except the audio? is this true? can anyone please give me more details regarding the wiring and total parts required for a conversion to the D2B widescreen? any information is much appreciated.
in the interest of also upgrading my comand 2.5 to the 2003 D2B widescreen into my 2002 s500, i wanted to try and gather as much information as possible before i dive into this project so that i don't regret later after all parts are purchased. for those who have upgraded, can you confim if the steering wheel controls do infact work? also i've read that most of the wiring will plug right into the D2B widescreen except the audio? is this true? can anyone please give me more details regarding the wiring and total parts required for a conversion to the D2B widescreen? any information is much appreciated.
Almost a Member!
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: Oregon
2002 S500
Same thing
I`m willing to do the same thing. I have an 02 S500 and i want to upgrade to the 03 widescreen format as well. Any help greatly appreciated in regards to any step of the upgrade. Thanks
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: UK
S 320 - 2001
Hi does anyone no if it is possible to upgrade my factory fitted 2.5 Comand to the one in the picture. My new Sat Nav is A220 827 4142 and the old one is A220 820 4689. I have seen this unit in the latest W220's but there is only one plug in the back and there does not seem to be a place to insert a CD/DVD. I would love to get more info/wiring diagram for the new Comand. Please can someone help me 
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Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: UK
S 320 - 2001
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: UK
S 320 - 2001
Very nice I see it here
http://www.ckmcardesign.com/models.htm
How did you retrofit ? Was it a total rewire ?
Last edited by Air-Force-1; Jul 10, 2007 at 02:16 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 326
Likes: 0
From: Piedmont, CA
2005 S55
wow, impressive ... can you let us know what it takes to perform this upgrade (I'd love to do it) and if you lose any functionality?
also, how/can you integrate an ipod with it, or is it the same as the 2.5 system in that regard?
thanks in advance!!!
also, how/can you integrate an ipod with it, or is it the same as the 2.5 system in that regard?
thanks in advance!!!
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: UK
S 320 - 2001
I suspect we wont hear anything!!
Almost a Member!
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: Riyadh,Saudi Arabia
'02 S320L (W220)
thanks
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,278
Likes: 379
From: San Jose area
'19 E63S sedan
The 2003 COMAND is a D2B unit. It's widescreen, but still CD based. It's not a big deal to retrofit into a 2000-2002 car. You need a new trim panel and some rewiring, but it works with the same fiber ring so it's feasible.
It's the 2004 and later MOST units -- widescreen with "soft keys" and DVD based -- that's a major undertaking to retrofit into a 2000-2003 car. Some posts on this thread don't seem to understand the oddball 2003 interim unit, but mbasca.com's claim is quite reasonable. It was this line
From all the research I have done so far, If you have COMAND 2.5 already fitted as standard, then you have no other option. You would need a 2003+ S CLASS W220 to take any other type of COMAND.
that is inaccurate. Again, the two CD units (2000-2002 narrow-screen and 2003 widescreen) are relatively interchangeable (D2B fiber ring), but not 2004+ DVD COMAND.
It's the 2004 and later MOST units -- widescreen with "soft keys" and DVD based -- that's a major undertaking to retrofit into a 2000-2003 car. Some posts on this thread don't seem to understand the oddball 2003 interim unit, but mbasca.com's claim is quite reasonable. It was this line
From all the research I have done so far, If you have COMAND 2.5 already fitted as standard, then you have no other option. You would need a 2003+ S CLASS W220 to take any other type of COMAND.
that is inaccurate. Again, the two CD units (2000-2002 narrow-screen and 2003 widescreen) are relatively interchangeable (D2B fiber ring), but not 2004+ DVD COMAND.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: UK
S 320 - 2001
The 2003 COMAND is a D2B unit. It's widescreen, but still CD based. It's not a big deal to retrofit into a 2000-2002 car. You need a new trim panel and some rewiring, but it works with the same fiber ring so it's feasible.
It's the 2004 and later MOST units -- widescreen with "soft keys" and DVD based -- that's a major undertaking to retrofit into a 2000-2003 car. Some posts on this thread don't seem to understand the oddball 2003 interim unit, but mbasca.com's claim is quite reasonable. It was this line
From all the research I have done so far, If you have COMAND 2.5 already fitted as standard, then you have no other option. You would need a 2003+ S CLASS W220 to take any other type of COMAND.
that is inaccurate. Again, the two CD units (2000-2002 narrow-screen and 2003 widescreen) are relatively interchangeable (D2B fiber ring), but not 2004+ DVD COMAND.
It's the 2004 and later MOST units -- widescreen with "soft keys" and DVD based -- that's a major undertaking to retrofit into a 2000-2003 car. Some posts on this thread don't seem to understand the oddball 2003 interim unit, but mbasca.com's claim is quite reasonable. It was this line
From all the research I have done so far, If you have COMAND 2.5 already fitted as standard, then you have no other option. You would need a 2003+ S CLASS W220 to take any other type of COMAND.
that is inaccurate. Again, the two CD units (2000-2002 narrow-screen and 2003 widescreen) are relatively interchangeable (D2B fiber ring), but not 2004+ DVD COMAND.
A full rewire would probably be required, which would involve removing everything from the car!
"Given that I have taken these cars apart from front to back I think you will be better off with a factory harness with all of the necessary connections. Otherwise you have no chance to make it work. To install it you will need to remove everything inside the car."
Above quoted from an expert.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,278
Likes: 379
From: San Jose area
'19 E63S sedan
I trust the 2003 conversions have been done without a hack saw, and for a lot less than $30,000. A conversion to a DVD COMAND, on the other hand, would cost major bucks.
On the other hand, the 2003 unit is not worth much trouble, in my opinion. It's nice to have the wide screen, but the major improvements came with the 2004 DVD-based unit. If you want a better COMAND, consider trading up to a 2004 model.
On the other hand, the 2003 unit is not worth much trouble, in my opinion. It's nice to have the wide screen, but the major improvements came with the 2004 DVD-based unit. If you want a better COMAND, consider trading up to a 2004 model.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: UK
S 320 - 2001
I trust the 2003 conversions have been done without a hack saw, and for a lot less than $30,000. A conversion to a DVD COMAND, on the other hand, would cost major bucks.
On the other hand, the 2003 unit is not worth much trouble, in my opinion. It's nice to have the wide screen, but the major improvements came with the 2004 DVD-based unit. If you want a better COMAND, consider trading up to a 2004 model.
On the other hand, the 2003 unit is not worth much trouble, in my opinion. It's nice to have the wide screen, but the major improvements came with the 2004 DVD-based unit. If you want a better COMAND, consider trading up to a 2004 model.
Banned
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: Sweden/Stockholm
00 CLK 230K Cab
That is correct..Same features as before. But I wanted the new look and the bigger widescreen and the so more modern menys. I use a 2003 Comand APS as it is called and the standard 2003 wood. Cost a total of 700$. Hate the old look of the Comand 2,5.
Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
From: Long Beach, CA
S500 Designo/Mocha Black
So I was told by the only 1 that SEEMS to have done this (MBSCA) that this is all what we need to upgrade to 03 command.
"Nothing has to be done to the system..All you need is the speedsignal converter,the comand,2003 woodparts and change the pins in the conector and your done. Also the clima control has chromerings on the facelift knobs..."
Thanks MBSCA for sharing your info.
Anyone know whats the cost for these.
SPEED SIGNAL CONVERTER --
COMMAND --
03 WOODPARTS --
PINS --
CLIMA CONTROL RINGS --
If anyone else in the US has done this please come forward and elaborate more.
RICH
"Nothing has to be done to the system..All you need is the speedsignal converter,the comand,2003 woodparts and change the pins in the conector and your done. Also the clima control has chromerings on the facelift knobs..."
Thanks MBSCA for sharing your info.Anyone know whats the cost for these.
SPEED SIGNAL CONVERTER --
COMMAND --
03 WOODPARTS --
PINS --
CLIMA CONTROL RINGS --
If anyone else in the US has done this please come forward and elaborate more.
RICH
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
if you want to install a 2005 MOST based nav system in a 2001-2004 S class, you will require at a minimum the following
1. New Comand Unit
2. Nav Drive
3. New fiber optic cable
4. new instrument cluster. You CANNOT buy a used cluster and reuse it
5. New airbag/steering wheel controls
6. Audio Gateway/Amplifier
7. Harness for speakers
8. Telephone Harness
9. Telephone PSE (if you have)
10. Cd Changer
11. Teleaid module (if you want)
12. Voice control unit
13. Center column voice control switch
since I have not mostified a S class before, the above is just a minimum if what is needed. If you have a 2001-2003 S class, I would suggest a wide screen d2b based comand unit and new wood trim panel. Using a wide screen nav in 2000 model year has a problem with steering wheel controls as the button layout on 2000 S class is not like other cars.
1. New Comand Unit
2. Nav Drive
3. New fiber optic cable
4. new instrument cluster. You CANNOT buy a used cluster and reuse it
5. New airbag/steering wheel controls
6. Audio Gateway/Amplifier
7. Harness for speakers
8. Telephone Harness
9. Telephone PSE (if you have)
10. Cd Changer
11. Teleaid module (if you want)
12. Voice control unit
13. Center column voice control switch
since I have not mostified a S class before, the above is just a minimum if what is needed. If you have a 2001-2003 S class, I would suggest a wide screen d2b based comand unit and new wood trim panel. Using a wide screen nav in 2000 model year has a problem with steering wheel controls as the button layout on 2000 S class is not like other cars.
