S-Class (W220) 1999-2006: S 320 CDI, S 320, S430, S 500, S 600

Comand Upgrade

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Old 12-06-2005, 08:55 PM
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Please take a picture of the plug and let me know which wires are on it (colors) and which slots in the socket they are in.
Old 12-29-2005, 03:27 AM
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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.
Old 01-16-2006, 10:22 PM
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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
Old 03-16-2006, 07:57 PM
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00 CLK 230K Cab
Any update on this ?
Old 07-08-2007, 08:55 AM
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00 S500 & 2008 E350 Wagon
Any udates?

Is there an easy path to upgrade the NAV system in a 2000 S500, yet?

Is there a customizer who can do it?
Old 07-09-2007, 02:11 AM
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2005 S55
Old 07-10-2007, 08:01 AM
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S 320 - 2001
Originally Posted by Brecon
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
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.
Old 07-10-2007, 10:06 AM
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That is not corect. I have a 2000 W220 with a 2003 Comand 2.0.
Old 07-10-2007, 10:32 AM
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'02 S320L (W220)
Originally Posted by mbsca.com
That is not corect. I have a 2000 W220 with a 2003 Comand 2.0.
Please would you post a picture
Old 07-10-2007, 12:51 PM
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S 320 - 2001
Talking

Originally Posted by mbsca.com
That is not corect. I have a 2000 W220 with a 2003 Comand 2.0.
What trim panel do you have on it? The MB panel wont fit .Did you modify the centre consol ?

This must be a first, lets see it !
Old 07-10-2007, 01:35 PM
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00 CLK 230K Cab
Here you go...
Attached Thumbnails Comand Upgrade-ckm500c.jpg  
Old 07-10-2007, 02:09 PM
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S 320 - 2001
Originally Posted by mbsca.com
Here you go...

Very nice I see it here
http://www.ckmcardes********/models.htm

How did you retrofit ? Was it a total rewire ?

Last edited by Air-Force-1; 07-10-2007 at 02:16 PM.
Old 07-10-2007, 03:56 PM
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Originally Posted by mbsca.com
That is not corect. I have a 2000 W220 with a 2003 Comand 2.0.
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!!!
Old 07-11-2007, 02:22 PM
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S 320 - 2001
Originally Posted by shaw01
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!!!
I suspect we wont hear anything!!
Old 07-11-2007, 03:11 PM
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'02 S320L (W220)
Originally Posted by shaw01
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!!!
And how much did it cost?

thanks
Old 07-11-2007, 03:14 PM
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S 320 - 2001
Originally Posted by aalsayed89
And how much did it cost?

thanks
$30,000 I reckon........
Old 07-11-2007, 04:45 PM
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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.
Old 07-11-2007, 05:09 PM
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S 320 - 2001
Originally Posted by whoover
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.
I understand this, but the trim panel is different, and would require a hacksaw to fit the COMAND. Not a job for the faint hearted or indeed one which a pro would take on.
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.
Old 07-11-2007, 05:45 PM
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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.
Old 07-11-2007, 05:53 PM
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S 320 - 2001
Originally Posted by whoover
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.
I agree entirely sir, most guys like me only want to spend $2,500 max on COMAND to upgrade a $40,000 vehicle, otherwise better to wait for new car in 5 years time
Old 07-11-2007, 06:14 PM
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00 CLK 230K Cab
That is correct..Same features as before. But I wanted the new look and the bigger widescreen and the so more modern menys. I use a 2003 Comand APS as it is called and the standard 2003 wood. Cost a total of 700$. Hate the old look of the Comand 2,5.
Old 07-18-2007, 03:22 AM
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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
Old 07-18-2007, 03:34 AM
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As I said..Ebay is your best chance...When you got it all just let me know and I let you know where the pins go..
Old 07-18-2007, 09:15 AM
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2001 S430, 2004 CL500, 2002 G500
Hey brecon, how much would this project cost you?
Old 09-01-2007, 03:09 AM
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Originally Posted by sunil @ motorwerks
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.
What if he goes and buys an Alpine, Pioneer, or Kenwood Nav System. Wouldn't this be much more easy (I don't know. I have never done this)? Are those 3 items above even comparable or workable with MB S-Class?


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